Service Description
A passenger lift is designed to move people between a building's floors. This apparent simplicity belies a complex and sophisticated mechanical, electrical and microelectronic system.
Passenger elevators capacity is related to the available floor space. Generally passenger elevators are available in capacities from 1,000 to 6,000 lb (455 to 2,727 kg) in 500 lb (230 kg) increments. Generally passenger elevators in buildings eight floors or less are hydraulic which can reach speeds up to 200 ft/min(1.0 m/s). In buildings up to ten floors, electric & gearless elevators are likely to have speeds up to 500 ft/min (2.5 m/s), and above ten floors speeds begin at 500 ft/min (2.5 m/s) up to 2000ft/min (10 m/s).
Entrapment
All elevators are required to have communication connection to an outside 24 hour emergency service, automatic recall capability in a fire emergency, and special access for fire fighters' use in a fire. Elevators should not be used by the public if there is a fire in or around the building. Numerous building codes require signs near the elevator to state "USE STAIRS IN CASE OF FIRE". However emergency evacuations in some countries do allow the use of elevators.
