Being stuck in a lift is frightening, especially in the dark during a power cut. In Dhaka, where load shedding still happens and many buildings rely on a single lift, it is a situation many people will face at least once. The good news is that a lift that has stopped is designed to stay safely in place. With the right steps, passengers can stay calm and building managers can get everyone out safely.
This guide explains what to do if you are stuck in a lift, what building managers and security guards should do, and how to reduce the chance of it happening again.
Why Do Lifts Get Stuck?
Lifts stop between floors for several common reasons:
- Power cuts – the most common cause in Dhaka, especially in lifts without an Automatic Rescue Device (ARD) or generator connection
- Door faults – if a door contact or lock is not detected as closed, the lift stops for safety
- Controller or electrical faults – a fault in the control system or wiring
- Overloading – too many people or too much weight can trigger a safety stop
- Safety devices activating – devices such as the overspeed governor or limit switches stop the lift when something is not right
In other words, the lift often stops because a safety system is doing its job.
If You Are Stuck in a Lift: What Passengers Should Do
1. Stay calm and stay still
A stopped lift is held in place by its brakes and safety gear. Lift cabins are not airtight, so air continues to reach you. Take slow breaths and reassure anyone with you, especially children and elderly people.
2. Press the alarm or intercom button
Most lifts have an alarm bell or an intercom button on the control panel. Press it and wait for a response. If there is an emergency phone number displayed inside the cabin, call it.
3. Call for help on your mobile
Call the building’s security desk, caretaker or manager and tell them clearly:
- Which lift you are in (if the building has more than one)
- Roughly which floor you stopped near, if you can see the display
- How many people are inside
- Whether anyone is unwell, injured, elderly, pregnant or a young child
If someone has a medical emergency, call 999, Bangladesh’s national emergency number.
4. Do not try to force the doors open
This is the most important rule. Even if you can pull the doors apart, the cabin may be between floors, with a gap that leads to the open shaft. People have been seriously injured trying to climb out of stuck lifts. Wait for trained help.
5. Do not climb through the ceiling hatch
The hatch is for trained technicians and rescue teams only. The top of the cabin is a dangerous place with moving equipment.
6. If the lift moves, stay back from the doors
If the building has an ARD or the power returns, the lift may move to the nearest floor and open on its own. Stand back and step out carefully once the doors are fully open and the floor is level.
What Building Managers and Security Guards Should Do
The way staff respond in the first few minutes makes a big difference.
1. Confirm where the lift has stopped
Check the floor indicator at the landing or the controller, and find out how many people are inside.
2. Talk to the passengers
Use the intercom or speak through the landing door. Tell them help is coming, ask if anyone is unwell, and keep talking to them regularly. Calm reassurance prevents panic and stops passengers from trying to force the doors.
3. Call your lift company immediately
Call the company that services your lift and give them the building address, lift brand and the situation. Sheikh Elevator World’s emergency elevator repair team can be reached at 01795-244154. Sheikh Elevator World offers 24-hour emergency call response.
4. Call 999 if anyone is in danger
If a passenger is injured, has a medical problem, or there is smoke or fire, call 999 straight away.
5. Do not let untrained people attempt a rescue
Opening landing doors with an emergency key, moving the cabin by hand or working in the machine room should only be done by trained technicians. A wrong move can put both passengers and staff in danger.
6. Keep the lift out of service afterwards
Once everyone is out, switch the lift off or put up an “Out of Service” sign until a technician has inspected it. A lift that trapped people once may do it again if the cause is not found.
After the Incident: Find the Cause
Write down what happened: the date, time, floor, number of passengers and whether there was a power cut. Share this with your technician. Repeated entrapments usually point to a specific problem, such as a door fault, an old controller or a missing ARD, and the fix may be a targeted lift repair or a wider modernization.
How to Reduce the Risk of People Getting Stuck
- Install or check the ARD – an Automatic Rescue Device brings the cabin to the nearest floor during a power cut, which is the most common cause of entrapment in Dhaka
- Connect the lift to the generator where possible
- Keep the alarm and intercom working – test them during every service visit
- Display emergency numbers inside the cabin and at the security desk
- Do not overload the lift – follow the capacity shown on the cabin plate
- Service the lift regularly under an Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) so door, controller and safety faults are caught early
- Train your staff on what to do, and what not to do, during an entrapment
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you run out of air if you are stuck in a lift?
Lift cabins are not airtight, so air continues to reach passengers. Stay calm and breathe slowly while you wait for help.
Can a stuck lift suddenly fall?
Lifts are fitted with brakes and safety gear designed to hold the cabin in place. Keeping these devices in good condition through regular maintenance is essential, which is why inspections matter.
Should I try to open the lift doors myself?
No. The cabin may be between floors, with a gap to the open shaft. Wait for trained technicians or rescue services.
Who should I call if I am stuck in a lift in Dhaka?
First press the alarm and call your building’s security or manager. They should contact the lift company. If anyone is in danger or unwell, call 999.
How can a building stop lifts getting stuck during power cuts?
An ARD and a generator connection are the two main solutions. An ARD brings the cabin to the nearest floor; a generator keeps the lift running during longer outages.
Need Emergency Lift Support or a Safety Check?
If people have been trapped in your building’s lift, or you want to make sure your lift is ready for the next power cut, call Sheikh Elevator World at 01795-244154 or visit our Contact Us page. Our team can inspect the lift, check the ARD and safety devices, and recommend the right next step.