Comprehensive Elevator Safety

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From proper cleaning and sanitizing protocols to fire safety/exit plans and weight limits, maintaining elevator safety is critical if you are a property manager or building owner. Whether your elevator is located in an apartment complex, in a mall, in an office park or in a skyscraper, it’s important to implement and follow strict safety protocols to ensure everyone has a pleasant and safe experience.

What Makes An Elevator Safe

Here are some helpful tips on elevator safety for both owners and passengers.

Cleaning/Disinfecting/Sanitizing Protocols

There are three prongs of approach to making sure your elevator is clean and safe.

  • Cleaning: This involves cleaning surfaces with soap and water to remove dirt, stains and spots. This alone won’t kill bacteria, fungi or viruses through. It will remove germs and lower the spread risk.
  • Disinfecting: This process uses chemicals to kill germs, but it won’t remove spots and impurities.
  • Sanitizing: This reduces the number of germs present on a surface to safe levels in accordance with public health standards. This is most common for surfaces that come into contact with food and beverage but can still apply here.

Fire Safety Protocols

If the building’s fire alarm goes off or you see flames or smoke, exit the building immediately. Do not take the elevator, only the stairs. Fires can short-circuit call buttons, making the elevator car stop at the floor where the fire is raging, or between floors. Another reason not to take the elevator during a fire is that the shaft becomes like a natural chimney and will rapidly fill the cab with smoke.

Practical Tips on Safety

  • Do not exceed the weight limit on an elevator, which is usually between 2,100 and 2,500 lbs.
  • Watch your step when entering and exiting, as the floors may not be level.
  • Stand away from the doors. You don’t want a purse, finger or piece of clothing to become stuck.
  • Keep children and pets close to you.
  • Tell kids about proper elevator etiquette and safety practices.
  • If a door begins closing, stop and wait for the next cab. Don’t put a foot, arm or cane out to stop it.
  • If the elevator does stop and the doors open between two floors, call for help. Don’t exit the car and try to climb into the shaft.
  • Press the ALARM or HELP buttons, use the intercom, or call from your smart phone.
  • Hold onto the handrail while inside the cab.
  • Exit promptly when arriving at your floor.


Keep these safety protocols in mind whether you own the elevator or you are a passenger.

Contact Mowrey Elevator

Mowrey Elevator has always taken safety very seriously, which is why we provide fast attention to any repair issues needed for your unit. For more elevator safety tips, contact us today.