Luna Dragofelis ΘΔ🏳️‍⚧️🐱2d ago
world improvement proposal:

Invent elevators that can be safely used in case of fire, so that disabled people who can't use stairs can still safely get out of a building.

This would probably involve a backup power supply for the elevator and air filters on the elevator cabin.

Of course those elevators would be supposed to be ONLY used by disabled people in an evacuation (in regular service everyone can use them). For people who can use stairs, it's still better for them to use the stairs in an evacuation.
Show threadKevin Karhan1d ago

@LunaDragofelis well, #FireElevators aka. #Elevators that can be safely used during fires DO EXIST.

  • The problem isn't even power for the most part, as Elevators for the most part are designed to slowly descent upon max load and otherwise their counterweights raise them slowly.
    • the problem is that #BuildingCodes and #FireSafety legislation don't mandate them outside of extremely tall buildings like TV Towers with Public Visitor Platforms / Restaurants.
Show threadKevin Karhan

@LunaDragofelis Those #FireElevators usually can be distinguished by a second set of key switches on the inside [for use by #firefighters only!] that override the door safety and allow opening/closing the door that way and disregard the light sensor barriers.

  • Which are the prime reason one shouldn't use #elevators in a #fire, because #smoke will render them useless and potentially force a stop in a smoke-filled floor.
Apr 6 at 10:38pmWeb
Show threadKevin Karhan1d ago

@LunaDragofelis on a different note: #Buildingcodes in terms of #FireSafety do get updated and more stringent, with #accessibility and #safety first in mind, requiring redundant safe exits even for upper floors and having strict requirements for #FireElevators in places where mobility-disabled or otherwise immobile people are to be expected like hospitals, schools and caretaking facilities.

  • So modern buildings have like external escape doors and -ramps to comply with said requirements.