They are marvels of engineering which have been around from the time of the Romans. While at one time they only carried cargo, these days they carry everything from humans to stuff to even foods up and down buildings irrespective of height. That said, there are those who continue to harbour misconceptions and myths about them which makes their use seem unsafe and unsustainable. We put to rest a few misconceptions and myths about elevators big and small, be it for humans or stuff or even cars.
Myth 1: They are Dangerous!
What if they came crashing down? Wouldn’t it be the end of everyone and everything inside? Ask the naysayers how many lifts have they seen or heard that have crashed down like an uncontrolled astroid from outer-space. Not many. And that’s because even the ricketiest of lifts have provisions that stall uncontrolled decent. That aside, in almost all cases, lifts are tested and maintained every now and then for safe and sound operations. So, go ahead and use it and don’t kill your legs.
Myth 2: Jumping inside an elevator can result in its freefall!
Fact is that most elevators are made of far sterner stuff that can easily take up such jerks and movement. Yes, jumping inside an elevator can make people uneasy but it won’t ever trigger a descent. What it may doi is that it may trigger an alarm if the movement is strong enough.
Myth 3: Using the Elevator During a Fire Is Risky
– Fact: Actually, it’s safer to use the elevator during a fire if it’s functioning normally. Elevators are built to withstand fire and smoke for a limited time, allowing people to evacuate swiftly.
Myth 4: Small Elevators Are way Less Safe Than Large Ones
Again, no reason for this point to come up. Big or small, an elevator with the right certifications, assembled and fitted the right way is way safer than an automobile on a normal road. Would you ever agree to a small car being less safer than a large one? Certainly not. What does make a lift unsafe, and more so small ones that are invariably fitted in homes and small buildings is that safety features and regulations are thrown to the wind, and maintenance done scantly.
Myth 5: Elevators eat electricity for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and in between as well.
Modern technologies and materials make elevators a lot lighter and sturdier than their predessors, and with the use of gearless motors and regenerative braking, they consume far, far lesser power than they did decades back. This is especially good news for highrises where more electricity is sometimes generated be the downward movement of lift-cabins than what they consume overall. So the next time you step in into a lift, don’t think twice before you go places.
Myth 6: Maintaining an elevator is not a necessity
That’s the right approach if you want to go down quick and fast. And never come. For those who care to go across floor, irrespective of heights, at speeds and in relative safety, regular and timely maintenance is more than a must. Besides keeping things efficient and safe, it saves enormous sums of money by prolonging the parts and components of lifts and in the long term, they do save substantial sums of money- which can be thrown back to maintain and renew lifts and elevators.
Myth 7: Elevator Accidents Are Rather Common!
Nah, far more common, and which we don’t even realize, are road and rail accidents which in almost all cases have fatalities. Elevators that are maintained well and follow safety guidelines hardly have anything even close to fatalities.
Conclusion
Elevators are indispensable machines of our times that provide convenient and safe vertical transportation under most conditions. It’s time to appreciate facts, debunk myths and use them as and when necessary to make life less stressful.
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