Popular Elevator Myths, Debunked
Climbing aboard an elevator is a way of life for many of us, and yet, there are still a lot of myths about elevators circulating. We use them all the time, but most of us still fall for even the most widely debunked elevator myths.
If you ride an elevator every day — or even just occasionally — you should know which elevator myths are real and which ones are false.
Here’s a list of some of the world’s most common elevator myths.
Pushing the Close Button Closes the Door Faster
It might make you feel better, but pushing the close button over and over won’t make the door close any faster. Even though those buttons are still common on new elevator installations, the truth is, they don’t actually close the doors or shorten our wait time in any way.
Since the U.S. Congress passed the Americans With Disabilities Act — also known simply as the ADA — the close door buttons have not actually worked. That Act forced elevator companies to build elevators that kept the doors open long enough for a wheelchair to easily use it.
As it turns out, pressing the close door button is more of a placebo than an actual practicality.
Putting Too Many People on an Elevator Will Cause it to Fall
You see the maximum capacity signs every time you walk on an elevator, and you might be tempted to think that if more than that number of people climb aboard, the elevator could fall, but that’s just not the case.
The fact is, modern elevators are designed to be extraordinarily safe. Even though it’s common to see free falling elevators in movies, the chances of that actually happening to you — or anyone for that matter — is extraordinarily slim.
With that said, overloading an elevator isn’t a good idea because its safety protocols won’t let it move.
You Can Run Out of Oxygen in a Stalled Elevator Cab
This one is another common trope in Hollywood movies: running out of oxygen in a stalled elevator cab.
But it’s also one that’s highly exaggerated. Elevators — by design — aren’t intended to be airtight, so there’s no way you would run out of oxygen. In fact, many modern elevators include air conditioning, so you can stay nice and comfortable whether you’re enjoying a drama-free ride up to the 15th floor or you’re one of the very few unlucky people who get temporarily stuck on an elevator.
Elevators are Maintenance-Free
Elevators aren’t quite like slow cookers. You can’t just set them and forget them! Regular maintenance is absolutely essential to keeping elevators operating appropriately and safely. Elevator companies recommended having your elevator maintained once every six months. Getting on a regular maintenance schedule with a reputable elevator company will make sure your lift stays operational.
There are a lot of myths out there about elevators, but before you get on another one, make sure you know the facts!
If you’re in the central Arizona area and are interested a new elevator installation, schedule an free estimate with Celtic Elevator.
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