Power outages are more than just an inconvenience—they can be dangerous and costly, especially for property managers overseeing large buildings. We sat down with Warren Davies from Apple Elevator to discuss the real impacts power outages can have on elevators, what property managers need to know, and how to prepare for the unexpected.
What happens to elevators during a power outage?
“When a power outage occurs,” Warren explains, “the first thing that could happen is an elevator stops in motion, often with passengers inside. The elevator will come to a high-speed stop, which can be startling for those inside.” He notes that most modern elevators will attempt to reset and either return passengers to the ground floor or their destination. “But if the system doesn’t restart, we have to come onsite to safely remove the passengers and troubleshoot the issue.”
What are the bigger risks in these scenarios?
“The most significant risk,” Warren says, “is if the elevator doesn’t restart due to other factors like blown fuses or power issues. In these situations, it’s not just a matter of waiting for the power to come back on. For example, in buildings like the CN Tower, we’ve had instances where an elevator wouldn’t restart because of blown fuses or mechanical issues in the control room. In one case, we had to bring another elevator alongside it to rescue passengers.”
He adds that many property managers underestimate the complexity of such issues. “It’s not just as simple as flipping a switch when the power returns. We’ve seen machine room fuses blow, stopping elevators from restarting altogether, and this becomes a significant safety issue.”
How often do power outages lead to emergency calls?
Warren’s experience in Toronto provides some startling insights: “During the floods we had a couple of months ago, we received multiple emergency calls from buildings downtown. People were trapped, and power wasn’t expected to return for hours. We had to rescue people immediately and then address the underlying issues causing the elevators to malfunction.”
This highlights an important point for property managers: you can’t wait for the power to come back. You need a response plan in place for immediate rescue and troubleshooting.
What can property managers do to minimize risks?
When asked about proactive steps, Warren advises property managers to stay ahead of potential problems. “Regular maintenance is key,” he says. “Many issues we see could be mitigated with better preventive care. Ensuring that your building’s elevator systems are regularly serviced can identify weak points, such as fuses or control panel issues before they become a major problem.”
He also stresses the importance of emergency preparedness. “Having a solid plan in place with your elevator service provider is essential. Property managers should know how to handle emergency calls, who to contact, and ensure building staff are trained in elevator safety during outages.”
What should property managers look for in an elevator service provider?
“Experience is critical,” Warren emphasizes. “You want someone who understands both the mechanical and electrical sides of elevator systems. Our team, for example, has decades of experience working with systems like Otis elevators, and we’ve handled everything from simple resets to full rescues in challenging situations like high-rise buildings and towers.”
He also recommends that property managers ask their service providers about their response time for emergencies and their ability to troubleshoot complex issues on the spot. “When there’s an emergency, you don’t want to wait around. Time is critical when people are stuck in elevators, especially during prolonged outages.”
Power outages are inevitable, but their impact on your building’s elevator system doesn’t have to be catastrophic. By working with a knowledgeable service provider like Apple Elevator, staying on top of regular maintenance, and having a clear emergency response plan, property managers can minimize the risks and ensure the safety and convenience of their tenants.
For more information about elevator maintenance and emergency preparedness, contact Warren Davies and his team at Apple Elevator 416-586-5448 or send us an email at info@elevator.ca
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