Elevator Shop
Emergencies

What Do I Do?

Elevator Emergencies at the University of Michigan

If you are the person stuck in an elevator, there are two rules to follow:

Rule #1

Over 330 elevators on the UM-Ann Arbor campus are equipped with emergency telephones that dial directly to the Department of Public Safety. If an emergency phone is available, use it to call for help. If there is no phone, push the emergency stop switch and the emergency alarm bell buttons. You will hear an alarm bell ringing. Continue to intermittently push the alarm bell button until someone responds.

Rule #2

Stay in the elevator until a licensed professional arrives to help you out of the elevator. Do not, in any circumstance, attempt to rescue yourself. Believe it or not, the safest place to be in an elevator emergency, is inside the elevator!

If someone else is stuck in an elevator, there are two rules to follow:

Rule #1

Verify that someone is trapped in the elevator. Call 911 from any campus phone and report the problem and location. In many buildings, the elevators are numbered in the upper left corner of the elevator doors. Reference that number, if available, when calling 911.

Rule #2

Attempt to calm the person trapped in the elevator by telling them that help is on the way. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PERFORM THE RESCUE YOURSELF! WAIT FOR THE PROFESSIONALS. If the emergency occurs between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. weekdays, help will be on-site in a matter of a few minutes. At other times, a response will take no longer than one hour from the time we are notified. The Department of Public Safety responds to all elevator emergencies.

Escalator Emergencies at the University of Michigan

If someone is injured riding on an escalator:

1. Immediately push the emergency stop button located on the escalator at the top and bottom landings.
2. Call 911 and report the emergency. Do not attempt to restart the escalator until it has been inspected by qualified personnel.

To request services see "Obtaining Work Requests"

Content modified: January, 2006

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