Top 6 Elevator Myths Debunked

Businessman taking the elevator

Action movies often use elevators for dramatic effect, perpetuating myths that can trigger anxiety for some elevator passengers. But those misconceptions can stay where they belong – in fiction. We’re here to lay out the facts.

Not all that you see in movies is true. In the real world, elevators and escalators are highly regulated and designed with many safety features that protect passengers. Keeping elevators safe is a joint effort that involves technology and maintenance service providers, building owners, and equipment users. Importantly, following simple safety tips will ensure a seamless ride.

Let’s debunk a few urban legends about elevators.


Myth #1: Elevators are held up by one rope that could break.

Nope! Elevators are supported by multiple steel cables, and each cable alone can support a fully loaded car. It is highly unusual for even a single rope to break. Even in the extremely improbable case of all the ropes snapping, safety features like the overspeed governor will detect the overspeed of the elevator and activate safety devices to stop the elevator.

Those action scenes where the sparks fly off the guide rails as the elevator races down uncontrollably are pure Hollywood nonsense.


Myth #2: An overcrowded elevator will fall.

Not true. Normally, an overloaded car just won’t move. The doors will stay open and a buzzer may ring until enough people get off the elevator to reduce the weight. Many elevators are equipped with technology that will effectively guide riders to available elevators to reduce overcrowding in the first place.


Myth #3: An elevator car can run out of oxygen if it gets stuck between floors.

Breathe easy on this one. Elevator cars are well ventilated. While country regulations may vary, there are international standards for ventilation that must be adhered to so air moves freely in and out. In some cases, elevators are also equipped with air conditioning.


Myth #4: It’s possible to escape from inside an elevator car into the shaft through a safety hatch.

Safety hatches or trap doors often exist for rescue purposes, but most can only be opened from the outside by trained rescue professionals. Passengers should never attempt to use them as escape routes. So, if you’re trapped in an elevator, the safest thing to do is press the alarm button (or call for help on your phone), stay put, and wait to be rescued. In many cases, the alarm button is connected to a rescue service.

Never attempt to get out by yourself. And never pry an elevator’s doors open either, because the elevator might not be in front of a door opening. You could put yourself and other passengers in danger.


Myth #5: Pushing the call button multiple times will make the elevator arrive faster.

Sorry to disappoint, but this isn’t the case. When you push the button, the elevator gets your “call” and its software determines the elevator’s route. There are simpler and more sophisticated call systems, but the basic idea is the same: one push is enough to generate action.

Pushing the button several times often makes us feel like we’re doing something to speed things up – but in reality, it doesn’t make any difference. Pressing the “door close” button once inside the car, however, will trigger the doors to close sooner.


Myth #6: The elevator doors can open between floors.

The simple answer is no. The elevator car controls the opening of the landing door. If the car doesn’t arrive to the floor, there is no signal that triggers the landing doors to open. If in doubt, under no circumstances should you attempt to pry the doors open or get out on your own.

No matter what, don’t panic. Getting nervous will only make things worse, so the first thing to do is take a deep breath. And if you’ve already made contact with maintenance or emergency personnel, sit tight. Elevator entrapment calls are always taken seriously, and maintenance teams are focused on rescuing you in a safe way, as fast as possible.

KONE Spares Missing Step Detector Upgrade

Are you tired of false stops and replacing worn out missing step detection sensors? If your answer is yes, then check this out:

KONE Spares Missing Step Detector with Proximity Sensors

These proximity sensors don’t make any contact with the escalator – at all.

No contact = NO WEAR AND TEAR
No wear and tear means fewer replacements.

This is the KONE Spares Missing Step Detector Upgrade.

  • Can be used as an upgrade for Montgomery escalators that were shipped with the old roller-type missing step detector device
  • Fits most escalators, not just the Montgomery HRs
  • Improved reliability

This featured product is on special. Contact us for the details!

Essential People for an Essential Business

Many essential businesses and institutions, including hospitals, rely on their elevators for critical operations. During the current pandemic, it is more important than ever to make sure these elevators continue running smoothly, and if they are shut down, they must be repaired as quickly as possible. 

This is why our warehouse staff is also considered essential, as without them the spare parts won’t be shipped to the businesses which need them. 

We want to take this opportunity to honor and thank these dedicated professionals who keep the flow of parts moving.

Temperatures are taken before anyone is allowed in the warehouse.

For everyone’s protection, temperatures are taken before anyone is allowed entry into the warehouse. This goes beyond our dedicated warehouse staff, as it also includes drivers and material handlers from the various shipping services as well. 

Proper social distancing is enforced as mandatory, as is face covering. Again, this applies to everyone entering the premises, not just our employees. 

To further enhance social distancing, we’ve staggered shifts in line with the various time zones to which we’re shipping, so that there are fewer people in the warehouse at the same time. 

Meanwhile, all other KONE Spares employees are working from home to provide continued support for our industry.  

Together, we will get through this unprecedented time in modern history. KONE Spares continues to be dedicated to our customers, and our customer’s customers, because as before, we will only succeed if you succeed

We are with you in this. If you’re healthy, we hope you remain so, and if you, your team, or loved ones are affected, we are supporting you with prayer for a quick recovery. 

And again, a huge heartfelt thank you to our warehouse staff, without whom the essential services would not be possible. 

HONORED TO HAVE AGAIN WON 1ST PLACE

Last year at this time we were thrilled to announce that were the 1st Place Winner for Best Supplier – Other in Elevator World’s inaugural Ellies Awards.

This year we’re even more thrilled to announce that we again the 1st Place Winner for Best Supplier – Other in Elevator World’s 2nd Annual Ellies Awards.

We want to thank everyone who voted for us! Once again we’d like to say are honored to be among the ranks of such fine North American elevator and escalator industry businesses who go above and beyond for their customers, employees, communities, and the industry as a whole.

Problems with PartsView?

Multiple windows
95% of all web page problems are caused by outdated information in a browser app’s cache.

Being that PartsView is a dynamic website powered by a database, it’s more like a program than it is a document. Occasionally when we make an update, the behind-the-scenes programming code gets changed. If your Internet browser app doesn’t pick up that change — because it’s got the old programming code stored locally on your machine in what is known as a “cache” — it can cause PartsView from not acting correctly.

The solution is simple. You need to clear your browser cache.

Clearing Your Browser’s Cache

Browsers store data about websites you’ve visited to make them load faster when you revisit them. 95% of all website problems are caused by a browser’s cache being filled with outdated website programming code.

We’re going to get into how to fix that below, but, make sure when you’re clearing the cache, to only clear the cache — you don’t have to also clear all your stored passwords, etc.

How you clear your browser cache depends on the browser you’re using. Here’s quick notes for the major four:

Google Chrome

Chrome makes it easy with a keyboard shortcut: in Windows, CTRL+SHIFT+DELETE will take you right to it. On a Mac it’s COMMAND+SHIFT+DELETE

Internet Explorer

Like Google Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer makes it easy with the keyboard shortcut: CTRL+SHIFT+DELETE

Firefox

Thankfully Firefox also uses the easy keyboard shortcut: in Windows, CTRL+SHIFT+DELETE. On a Mac it’s COMMAND+SHIFT+DELETE

Here’s where you have to be a bit careful. Under details, untick everything except Cache (unless you want to clear all those other things). Then where it says Time Range, choose Everything.

Safari

In Safari it is super easy. One keyboard shortcut instantly wipes the cache out: OPTION+COMMAND+E

More Information

If you need more in depth information on how to do this, you can either read this excellent article:

Or you can go to YouTube and watch one of these videos: