PRE-HURRICANE

PROCEDURES WHEN THE HURRICANE WATCH IS IN EFFECT

Our records indicate that storm damage to elevator equipment is often caused to a great extent by windows, louvers, and doors in the elevator machine room which do not fit tightly. Repairs should be made if necessary, because many times water is blown from around the windows or under the door and it runs down the hoistway causing damage to hoistway wiring.

If the elevator machine room has louvers for ventilation, a sheet of plywood should be fastened on the inside of the elevator machine room to cover up the louver to protect from blowing rain. This shield should be put up upon notice of possible hurricane. It should be taken down after the hurricane in order to provide adequate ventilation.

Elevator machine room windows may sometimes be blown out by the strong winds. A sheet of heavy plywood securely fastened over the window may prevent heavy water damage

 




WHEN A HURRICANE IS APPROACHING

Run all the elevators to near center of the building. This will help keep the elevator car, electric traveling cable, or counterweight from being damaged by water entering the elevator pit. Run the elevator to the top floor if you have elevator entries open to the weather. Shut the elevators off by using the key switch in the elevator, or preferably, the mainline disconnect located in the machine room.

It is recommended that no elevators be operated during a hurricane even if your building has an emergency generator. This may avoid passengers being trapped should there be a power failure, or an elevator failure. Roads and causeways may be inaccessible to any mechanic on duty. Service may be limited because of transportation difficulty.


POST HURRICANE PROCEDURES
AFTER THE STORM IS OFFICIALLY OVER

Even though no water damage may be apparent, any structural damage may cause an emergency shutdown situation if you run your elevators before having a qualified examiner inspect your equipment.

With or without apparent water damage, DO NOT hesitate to call Otis. Should telephone service fail, we will be checking with our customers to restore elevator service as power is restored on a priority basis.

 

Prepared by OTIS Elevator Company