What to Do if You Get Stuck in an Elevator

An elevator is an essential part of our daily lives, but sometimes due to power outages or other issues, an elevator may stop. Anyone who has ever been stuck in an elevator, whether it’s an old Soviet-era lift or a new one, would naturally feel a sense of panic.

While feeling panicked is natural when you’re stuck in an elevator, it’s important to stay calm and take the right steps. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through a few practical actions to ensure your safety and comfort while waiting for technical assistance.

Before diving into the advice and recommendations, it’s important to know the safety regulations regarding elevators in Georgia, approved in 2013, which impose specific obligations on elevator-owning companies:

Elevator Safety Regulations in Georgia

The elevator owner, in the case of residential buildings, or the Homeowners Association, is required to ensure periodic technical inspection of the elevator every three years.

An elevator is considered the shared property of the Homeowners Association members. The association must carry out a technical inspection of the elevator once every three years. If the inspection reveals that the elevator does not meet legal requirements and requires repairs, the Homeowners Association can benefit from the “Support Program for the Development of Homeowners Associations in Tbilisi.”

To do so, the Homeowners Association must submit an application to the relevant district administration, along with an expert opinion from an accredited body.

The district administration will make a decision based on the accredited body’s expert report, the association’s priorities, and available budgetary resources.

For more information, please contact the relevant district administration.

What to Do if You Get Stuck in an Elevator:

1. Take a Deep Breath and Stay Calm: Panicking will only hinder your ability to think clearly. Avoid panic and dial the emergency number indicated inside the elevator.

2. Don’t Try to Escape on Your Own: The elevator may not be near a landing, which could increase the risk of falling into the shaft. Avoid making any attempts to exit without help.

3. Don’t Kick the Doors: Refrain from making any sudden movements. Never try to force open the elevator doors.

4. Try to Contact Someone: Some modern elevators are serviced by technical staff. If that’s not the case, try to reach someone by phone. Hopefully, your phone won’t be dead at this time.

5. Don’t Be a Hero: If someone near you is panicking, don’t try to force your way out, as this could result in a mistake. Instead, try to calm the person down and wait for professional help. This will also help the professionals get you out more easily.

6. If the Elevator is Full: It’s better to wait for the next elevator.

7. Never Press All the Buttons at Once: Don’t press all the buttons at once, as this might confuse the system.

8. Never Lean on the Elevator Doors: Avoid putting pressure on the doors.

9. In Case of Fire: Never use the elevator during a fire.

What to Do If You Think Your Elevator is Unsafe:

If you believe that the elevator in your building is unsafe, you can contact your elevator service company, or in the case of an old elevator, contact the city’s municipality.