In daily life and work, elevators have become our main tool for vertical movement, especially in high-rise buildings. However, in emergency situations, such as in the event of a fire, the use of elevators can be fatal. So, why can't you take the elevator in the event of a fire?What are the scientific and safety considerations behind this?
First of all, we need to understand the impact of fire on the elevator system. In the event of a fire, the power supply system in the building may be affected, resulting in voltage instability or power interruption. As a mechanical device that relies on electricity, the elevator is very prone to failure in this situation. An interruption in power can cause the elevator to stop between floors and not function properly, leaving passengers trapped inside the elevator car.
Secondly, the high temperature and smoke generated by the fire caused great damage to the equipment in the elevator shaft. The elevator's tracks, cables, and control systems may be deformed or damaged at high temperatures, affecting the safety of the elevator. Toxic gases and particulate matter in the smoke can also seep into the elevator car, posing a health threat to trapped people.
In addition, the structure of the building may be damaged in the event of a fire, especially if the fire occurs near the elevator shaft. This structural damage may lead to the deformation or collapse of the elevator shaft, causing the elevator car to be squeezed or falling, causing serious personnel**.
In addition, emergency evacuation in the event of a fire needs to be quick and orderly. Elevators have limited capacity and can only transport a few people at a time, which is obviously not as efficient as stairs in emergency evacuations. Moreover, if a large number of people flock to the elevator, it may also cause congestion at the elevator door, delay the evacuation time, and increase the danger.
Finally, from the perspective of safety rescue, the use of elevators in the event of a fire will also bring difficulties to the rescue work of firefighters. Firefighters need to be able to get to the scene of a fire quickly to extinguish and rescue fires, and a faulty elevator can hinder their movements. In addition, if firefighters need to rescue people trapped inside elevators, this will undoubtedly increase their workload and risks.
To sum up, the reasons for not being able to take the elevator in the event of a fire mainly include the instability of the power supply system, the damage of high temperature and smoke to the elevator equipment, the destruction of the building structure, the low evacuation efficiency and the difficulties brought to the rescue work.
Therefore, in the event of a fire, we should choose stairs as the main escape route and follow the instructions for emergency evacuation to ensure the safety of ourselves and others. At the same time, building managers should also strengthen fire prevention and safety education to improve people's ability to respond to fires.