Are Home Elevators Safe?

Most people use elevators in commercial buildings, but some use them in their own homes or the homes of loved ones. Home elevators can helpful in very large houses or in the event that a resident of a home cannot use the stairs. But what kind of regulations do home elevators abide by? Are they designed differently than commercial elevators? And most importantly, are they safe? Find out on this page.

Home Elevator Safety

Home elevators must follow certain codes and regulations to make sure that they are safe. These codes are determined by two main overseeing agencies – the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). These entities determine things like appropriate weight limits, safe travel distance, safe travel speeds, and more. Home elevators need to comply with the ASME National Safety Code for Elevators ANSI A17.1/CSA B44-2016.

In addition to these national safety standards, many individual states have their own home elevator safety regulations that home elevators must comply with. If you are building an elevator in your home, you should keep the national standards and any state standards in mind to make sure that your elevator is up to code. Homes that already have elevators in them do not need to comply with these regulations and therefore may not be as safe as newer models. Make sure to discuss this with a home owner if they have an older home elevator that you want to use.

Modern Home Elevator Safety Features

There are many safety features of newer home elevators. First, consider that home elevators have gates attached to the elevator cabs. Home elevators will only work when the gate is free of all obstruction and has been properly closed. This can prevent an issue such as the elevator starting when a person is getting in or out of the cab. Interlocks also keep home elevators and passengers safe. They prevent a person from opening a door to the elevator when the elevator cab is not on that floor. This can prevent someone from accidentally stepping out into the elevator shaft. Home elevators are also equipped with backup power. If you lose power in the house, a backup generator can help prevent you from being stuck in the elevator while the power is out. Another prominent safety feature is handrails, which provide support in the event that a passenger loses their balance in the elevator. Finally, home elevators are equipped with emergency phones and bells so that if someone is having a medical emergency while inside of the elevator, or in the event of an elevator issue, those in the elevator can contact someone outside of the elevator for help.

Help With Home Elevators

As you can see, home elevators, especially newer models, are fairly safe. However, this does not mean that accidents don’t happen in home elevators. If you were injured in a home elevator, our office can help. Contact us and we can review your situation and determine if you may be eligible for compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. Give us a call to learn more!