SAS Urban Survival Handbook (82 page)

Extremely unlikely. Even when power is cut to the lift, fail-safe brakes prevent the car from moving.

Could someone climb out of the hatch?

Climbing out is possibly the WORST thing you could do. If you could get on top of a lift car, you would find it very

greasy, dirty and slippery. A fall could easily prove fatal. Once out there, it is very unlikely that you could reach or open the door to the floor above. The hatch may fall shut and the lift may start moving. Opening the hatch breaks a circuit and immobilizes the lift car. DON’T TRY IT.

What if there is no engineer available?

Rescues may be handled by the fire brigade, who are trained for lift emergencies.

What happens if there is no power?

The lift can be winched up and down the shaft. Back-up batteries ensure that lights and alarms still function.

Is it possible to force the lift doors open?

Sometimes—but you would probably not be able to reach or open the doors onto any of the floors. You might be

between floors. When the car is halfway above a floor, the gap beneath the car would be extremely dangerous.

Is it possible to suffocate from lack of air?

The car may become stuffy, but all lift cars have vents which will allow a flow of air. Some are concealed above

false ceilings or in gaps around the doors.

What if there is no response from the outside?

This usually only happens in office buildings which are closed for the night or the weekend. In multi-occupied domestic