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Elevator fixtures are the set of buttons, floor indicators, hall lanterns and other things for elevators.

Car buttons

Deadman Controls

Main article: Old Deadman controls

Floor buttons

These buttons are used to register the floor where you want to go to. When pressed, the button or the floor number will light up in most newer elevators. some elevators may have dual illumination to meet DDA standards in the UK and Australia. All the floor buttons are needed in the elevator car except the cars included in a group of Destination Dispatch System.

Before in the 1970s, most buttons were not equipped with illuminating lamps, instead they only had floor numbering written on the buttons. If fitted with electromagnetic solenoid buttons, the button will "pop-out" when the elevator arrives at your destination (if you first registered your destination in the elevator). If the wrong button is pressed, pulling the button or pressing a "stop" button will cancel the call.

In the 1970s, buttons were equipped with illumination lamps. Also in this era, touch-sensitive buttons were quite common, although these proved to be problematic and unreliable. In the 1990s onwards, most of the elevators are now using LED illumination lamps in their buttons. Some countries may need to present the braille on the buttons (and may need a "star" to indicate the main entrance level) for accessibility reason. Sometimes, this also applies to the door control buttons, alarm/phone buttons and call buttons.

With the progresses in technology since the 1990s, some elevators are controlled by destination dispatch systems. The floor is selected from the outside, by a keypad.

If an elevators has more than one exit on the same floor, that elevator may have two buttons for same floor. One of this is direct to front door, the other one is connected to the rear door. Each button operates one exit. On some elevators with many exits on the same floor, there can be only one button, and the doors open automatically on both sides.

On some elevators that only serve two floors, there will only be one floor button. Pressing the floor button (🔻🔺) takes you to the floor you are not currently on. This feature is mainly seen in the United Kingdom, and newer railway stations in Queensland.

Some newer elevator systems (like Mitsubishi and Fujitec) may contain call cancellation to cancel the floor you registered if you pressed a wrong floor.[1]

Nowadays, some elevator companies offers touchscreen fixtures to be used as the button panel. However, they cannot be used in buildings or countries with building codes which do not allow the use of such fixtures for accessibility reasons.

Almost all the floor buttons are using ascending placement. Some of the accessible elevators may install the floor buttons as the descending placement on the other side of the panel, as the floor buttons height requirement in buildings or countries with building codes of accessibility compliance reason[2].

Accessible keypad

Apart from the car operating panels for wheelchairs, some modern elevators (like Mitsubishi and Schindler) may have a keypad-style floor buttons. Passengers key in their desired floor number and the number will be displayed above the buttons. There is also a button to select a main or exit floor, usually marked by a star. A button for underground floors is usually marked by negative "-" or B, this button is pressed first followed by the floor number. Those buttons may contain braille and with voice guidance when button pressed for accessibility reasons[3][4][5][6][2].

Inch up and inch down buttons

"Inch up" (🔺) and "inch down" (🔻) buttons are usually installed in older automatic service/freight elevators to re-level the floor manually to make loading of freight easier. This system is no longer used in the elevators installed since late 1980s as the controller automatically re-levels the elevator.

Door control buttons

Main article: Elevator door control

Door open button

The door open button (◄ | ►) is used to re-open the doors when they are closing. It is also used to hold the door open when it is kept pressed. This button is mandatory for door control buttons.

Door close button

The door close button (► | ◄) is used to close the doors immediately. Some older elevators [7] and few modern elevators may not have a door close button[8], instead, pressing a floor button will cause the door to close immediately (although door delay also exists). On some elevators in America, the door close button does not work, except in fire/independent service.

Door hold/door delay button

The door hold or door delay button is used to hold the door open for a desired period (normally up to five minutes) for loading goods, baggages, bed or strecher. This button is normally found in bed and freight elevators, and often in normal passenger elevators as well.

Keyswitches

Keyswitches are for people carrying their respective service key only. They're usually located inside a locked service cabinet panel in the US. There are independent service, fire service, fan, light, electric eye/sensor, attendant service, hand service, emergency light test, and stop key switches, which are activated by different types of keys.

"Firefighters' Operation" Cabinet

This cabinet is for the elevators comply the U.S. National Fire Code which revised in 2004. This make the Call Cancel button, Fire Hat indicator, Emergency Stop Switch, door control buttons, Fire Service Phase 2 keyswitch, and Fire Service Instructions Sign move inside the cabinet[9].

Alarm, phone or intercom buttons

Main article: Elevator emergency communication system

These buttons are used to summon help trapped passengers when the elevator is broken or has malfunctioned. In older elevators and newer elevators with both alarm (🔔) and phone or intercom (📞) buttons, the alarm button only rings the alarm and the phone buttons only calls for help. In some elevators, the alarm has to be kept pressed to summon help, while some elevators have their alarm ring for a few minutes after you pressed it. Alarm button is mandatory installed in the elevator.

In modernized elevators or newer elevators with only alarm button, the alarm button may both ring the alarm and call for help. In newer elevators with only phone button, the phone button may either call for help or both rings the alarm and calls for help. Some modern elevators also have the alarm button synchronized with an automatic elevator monitoring system, which the system is activated when the alarm button is pressed. Some of the examples are Otis REM (Remote Elevator Monitoring), Schindler Servitel, Mitsubishi ELE-First, KoneXION, etc.

The elevators installed before 2000s may equipped with alarm bell, for the installation in 2000s or later may equipped with a buzzer instead of alarm bell.

Some elevators (like Kone and Mitsubishi) may have alarm indicator lamps on the car operating panel to guide passengers in case of entrapment, usually for the European EN81-70 standard. However, the "speak" indicator is not exclusive to these two companies (because some countries is a standard for the disabled in designated elevator for the disabled[10]. see Emergency telephone or Intercom section).

Call cancel button

This button cancels all car calls in American elevators. These buttons only work in fire service and sometimes independent service.

Call cancel buttons are also often found in Soviet elevators, in these elevators they often work in all modes.

"To be used in case of fire only" buttons

These buttons are not seen on modern elevators (as the modern fire service mode already disables sensors). These buttons are exclusive to California, because of codes. This button disables sensors, so the door can close if there is smoke blocking the sensors. Some elevators with this button might not have fire service.

Emergency Stop button/switch/keyswitch

Main article: Emergency stop button

These buttons/switches are used to stop the car in case of emergency or just for loading purpose, especially in service or freight elevators. Some stop switches are either flip type (like some older Mitsubishi, Hitachi and GoldStar elevators) or push-and-pull type (like most old Otis elevators). The elevator cab will not start until the button/switch/keyswitch is reset. They are normally found in older elevators installed before 2000s, and rarely found on most modern elevators nowadays.

Signal button

The signal button (sometimes marked only as "S") is mostly found on some elevators in New York state. When the signal button is pressed, it turns on the floor passing chime until the elevator is idle or changes direction. Signal buttons may have been first introduced in 1990/1991 due to the ADA (Americans with Disabilities) act (it is unconfirmed if they existed before the ADA act). They were an alternative option to the floor passing chime being on for every ride (or the elevator having no floor passing chime but instead having a floor announcing voice). Signal buttons are likely no longer allowed in the United States for new elevator installation or elevator modernization since 2012 due to a change of ADA codes, though they might still be allowed on elevators that also have a voice that announces floors the elevator stops on.

Coin mechanism

Some elevators in some countries (including Italy, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine) have a coin mechanism inside the car. The elevator will only operate if coin(s) are inserted into the coin slot. The cost of a ride is usually, if not always the same (and not depending on number of floors traveled). In most (or possibly all) cases, coins are required to travel to any floor, including the main floor. In some cases, the elevator only requires money to operate only on some days or some times of day. There are also other types of elevator payment devices that use a card for payment (likely a custom card, not a regular credit/debit card). After you use the card, in some cases, a voice will tell you how many more rides are on the card.

Hall buttons

Call buttons

These buttons are used to register what direction you want to go. When pressed, the button or the arrow will light up in most elevators (either new or old) but some older fixtures don't have any illuminating on the buttons, this will have a separate indicator that lights up when the button pressed and the call is accepted.

Destination dispatch keypad

In an elevator bank included in a group of Destination Dispatch System, the lobby may have a keypad to let the passengers enter their own floor destination before they get in the elevators. This also can be synchronous with the building security systems by using their own pass card (for example, Schindler ID).

Floor button(s)

For any elevators group, may have some elevators served floor other than the group mainly serving. The call button panel will have a extra floor button for calling the elevator served the specific floor. When the button is pressed, the elevator system will order the elevator which served the specific floor to the floor where that button pressed. This button is running independently, other than elevators group.

The external floor buttons are also implemented to dumbwaiters because there is no floor buttons inside.

Keyswitches

The keyswitches outside the elevators are often found on the main floor such as Fire Service, out of service (or STOP/RUN in some countries) and Access Keyswitch.

Fireman's switch

Main article: Fireman's elevator

Fireman's toggle switch is usually found for countries in Asia and United Kingdom[13] to activate fire service mode. This switch is usually protected by a glass cover to prevent abuse.

Pit inspection reset switch

This is the device for the safety code under the EN81-20:2014. This switch usually located at the lowest landing of the elevator, or outside the pit access for the bottom of the shaft. As the elevator cannot return to the normal operation when the pit inspection mode operated previously, must reset the pit inspection mode by the key switch before it return to the normal operation[14].

Arrival lanterns or chimes

The arrival lanterns are usually located outside of the elevator either to the side or above the door (some may not be equipped with one as it is optional), on the inside door jamb and/or on the elevator's wall in some old or American elevators. They will light up along with the chime sound when the elevator is about to arrive, according to the direction that the elevator will go. Usually, lanterns illuminate in three different color combinations, which include white up/white down, white up/red down, and green up/red down, although there are other color combinations as well. Some elevators from Japanese manufactures, such as Fujitec and Mitsubishi have lanterns that illuminate steady when a call is registered, and then flashes when the elevator arrives.

The arrival chimes are the compulsory part of accessibility, normally up direction ring once and down direction ring twice or using different two tone chime[15].

Directional indicators

The directional indicator is present in some elevators since 1950s. It is used to indicate the direction that the elevator is currently going. They are mostly located above or next to the floor indicator, on separate indicator with the floor indicator, or combined with the floor indicator (refer to floor indicators section).

Floor indicators

The floor indicators are located inside and/or outside of the elevator. It is used to indicate the floor that the elevator is currently on.

Old elevators in the late 19th to early 20th centuries were using old-style dial indicator with moving arrow or rotodial numbers with static arrow. These arrow indicates the position of the car. However, dial indicators are still used in some modern elevators.[16]

Sometime in the 1940s to 1990s, elevators began to use floor counter bars with illuminating floor numberings or lamps. Then in the 1970s onwards, elevators are starting to use digital-segmented displays (nowadays they are usually LEDs). Some elevators, mostly Asian elevators, have TV-style floor indicators.

Operating status indicators

The operating status indicators are presented in some elevators since 1970s, for the updated safety code. To represent what current elevator operating status is. The possible operating status information of the elevators are:

  • The elevator is bypassing the hall call as the elevator is full.
  • The elevator is overloaded.
  • The elevator is out of service.
  • The elevator is returning to the main floor for different reasons (like fire service), and exit the elevator when the doors opening.
  • Some of the floors are omitted for the crowd control.

They are mostly located above or next to the floor indicator, on separate indicator with the floor indicator, combined with the floor indicator (refer to floor indicators section), or installed on the call button panel.

Destination indicators

For the elevator cars included in a group of Destination Dispatch System. They need to use the destination indicators which replace the floor buttons to display which floors will be go to.

Car operating panels for wheelchairs

These are smaller car operating panels which are mounted horizontal and lowered by wheelchair height on the side wall of the elevator cab to provide accessibility to those on wheelchairs so that they don't need to reach for the main car operating panels which are mounted vertically[2][17]. They can also functions as an additional car operating panel so that passengers do not need to turn around to use the main car operating panels, especially on crowded elevators. These panels have set of floor, door control, and alarm buttons (often with Braille on them or Braille plates as an additional) as a mandatory, International Symbol of Access, and sometimes floor indicator and intercom speaker. They can be either mounted directly on the wall or comes in a boxless type.

In Japan and other countries, it is mandatory to install additional car operating panels for wheelchairs on elevators installed in railway and subway stations.

This type of panel is sometimes called a DDA panel by British, Australian or New Zealand elevator enthusiasts, named after the Disabillity Discrimination Act in those countries.

Floor announcement

Floor announcement are automated audible voice sounds which is used to inform passengers about the elevator's current floor landing, travel direction (up or down) and other sounds (such as "Lift overloaded! Please reduce the load!"[18][19]). Most elevators have the floor announcement announced the current floor landing (such as "Floor 1"[20][21], "1st Floor"[22][23], etc.), current elevator travel direction (such as "Going up/down"[24][25], "Lift going up/down", etc,) and voices that tells passengers that the doors are open and closing (such as "Doors opening[26][27]/closing"[28][29], "Doors open/close", etc.).

Floor announcement in some countries which is a standard for the disabled in designated elevator for the disabled (like Hong Kong[10], South Korea).

Attendant control switches

When lift attendant or authorized person is available, attendant control switches/buttons can be used to control the lift in manual mode or provide special services, such as bypass landing calls and activate hospital emergency services etc.

Attendant switches are usually found inside the elevator car and located below the car operating panel. In most of the modern elevator, they are usually locked out behind a metal cabinet to prevent misuse operation by passengers. Some older elevators may not have such cabinet and attendant control switches can be accessed directly by passengers. In this case, key-operated switches are required.

Old elevators maybe marked these switches as "Inspection". But in the elevator industry nowadays, the meaning of inspection switch is the control switches located on the cartop, to allow elevator technicians control the car movement at slow speed for shaft inspection and maintenance.

The attendant control switches mostly contain the following switches:

  • Fan: to turn on or off the elevator ventilation fan.
  • Light: to turn on or off the elevator cab lamp.
  • Service/Parking/Cleaning: to put the elevator in out of service mode.
  • Attendant(ATT): to activate or deactivate attendant service mode.
  • Independent (IND): to isolate the car from group control and hall calls during independent service service mode. This switch is rarely found in most elevators.

The following switches can only be used when the elevator is in attendant/independent mode:

  • Bypass (or non-stop): Provide direct service by skipping landing hall calls. On some older Otis and Schindler elevators from the 1960s to 1980s (or the buttons are using generic fixtures), the button is usually marked as "NS" and it is normally located below the floor buttons.
  • Up: Switch the elevator to up direction.
  • Down: Switch the elevator to down direction.
  • Start: Close the door and start the car to the desired floor.

Operation Method

The marking and operation method of the attendant switches may be different depends on the brand of the elevator. But in most case, there are three major operation methods for the attendant switches when the elevator is in attendant service mode.

  • With "Start" and "Non-stop" buttons: Mostly in Schindler, Toshiba, Hitachi. Press the desired floor button first, then press the "Start" button continuously until the door is fully closed. If direct service is required, press the "Start" and "Non-stop" button together.
  • With "Non-stop" button only: Mostly in Otis, Kone, Fujitec. Press the desired floor button (Or Door Close button if available) continuously until the door is fully closed. If direct service is required, press the "Non-stop" button once before closing the door.
  • With "Independent" switch only: Mostly in Otis Elevonic 401/411, Mitsubishi. Select the desired floor and hold (Or Door Close button if available) until the door is fully closed. The hall calls will be skipped automatically.

Emergency telephone/Intercom

Main article: Elevator emergency communication system

Elevators may also be equipped with emergency telephone or intercom for passengers to summon help in case that they are trapped inside the elevator (include the power failure). Elevator emergency telephone is a device for two-way conversation between the elevator car and a readily accessible point outside the hoistway (like machine room/MRL control panel etc. For any other locations, please refer to "supervisory panel" section below) that is available to emergency personnel[30]. In the United States, it is a requirement for all elevators travelling 60' or more to be equipped with emergency telephone due to the ASME compliant code (A17.1). Most of this device installed is a one-button "hands-free", programmable, automatic-dialing emergency telephone that meets with the requirements of the ICC/ANSI code (1998).[31] Most ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) phones equipped in elevators are normally placed hidden behind a cabinet below the car operating panel. Elevators in Australia also require an emergency telephone to be equipped due to the DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) requirements.

In most modern elevators, emergency intercom may be activated by a separated panel designed for intercom or a special button located on the elevator control panel (normally identified by a telephone symbol). Some elevators may also have the emergency intercom activated by pressing the alarm button instead of the telephone button.

Intercom in some elevators in Hong Kong is quite different than other Asian countries. There will have a indicator as same as United State for acknowledgement. There also have a reminder below to let the passengers know the rescue is on the way to meet the government standard "Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008 (or BFA 2008)"[10] and even older standard "Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 1997 (or BFA 1997)".[32]

Supervisory panel

A supervisory panel is a circuit-board-based station for building manager to take a look what status for the elevators (and escalators), where the elevator cars located and controlling the elevator's service modes. These usually founded in the buildings with newly installed and modernized elevators[30] (and escalators) since 1981 (when Hopewell Centre in Hong Kong, China completed) and much more popular since 2000s (for updated safety code). It usually located in the security room, security counter, building reception, building management office[33] or the main entrance level.

Supervisory panel can also receive the alarm signal from the elevators (and escalators) to the building manager and contact to the people who need for help in the elevators by emergency telephone/intercom, it can also to be contacted to the machine room.

Annunciator panel

An annunciator panel is a relay-based panel for building manager or security to take a look for the elevator's status, position, peak up/down status, and controlling the elevator's service modes. It also has a speaker and an intercom for security to communicate with passengers inside the cab in case of entrapment (however, it cannot contact to the machine room). Commonly found in older mid to high-rise elevators (especially older automatic programmed elevators, such as Otis Autotronic), this panel is located outside the elevators on the main entrance level. This panel has since been replaced by supervisory panel in the 1980s (see above).

Car top (or pit) inspection control panel

These switches always located at the elevator car top (and bottom of the shaft under EN81-20:2014 safety code)[14]. To control the elevator the elevator under the controlled slow speed. The emergency stop button must be provided on the control panel, to confirm the elevator under control by safety circult.

References

  1. hkelev.com - call cancellation video clips (This example is using Toshiba)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 上一篇有關倒序排列的按鈕,不少人也答對了。在本港,如升降機為無障礙升降機,按鈕高度須在地面起900-1200毫米內。為滿足條例並使輪椅乘客可以在該範圍內按到所有按鈕,將其中一邊按鈕排序倒轉,是近年較常見的方法,而這種方式比較多採用的在近十年的房署公屋及居屋。除了這個方法以外,在左邊按鈕面板使用「九宮格」形式 的選擇按鈕;以及在機身中央,橫向排放按鈕,都是其他可被「實務守則」接受的方法。 (facebook page: hkelev.com)
  3. Talking Schindler Traction Elevator @Harbour Grand, Hong Kong
  4. 沙田麗豪酒店Schindler升降機
  5. 灣仔Mira Moon Hotel東芝升降機
  6. Hong Kong lift language
  7. GEC Express Traction Elevator at Malahon Centre, Central, Hong Kong
  8. Otis M.R.L.(Machine-Room-Less) Traction Elevator at Apple Store(HK), Hysan Place at Lee Gardens, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
  9. Signal Fixtures (ThyssenKrupp Elevator Americas)
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 Design Manual : Barrier Free Access (2008), Division 19 - Lifts
  11. Expensive flight adventure to Hong Kong (part 3)
  12. Fujitec Traction Elevator at Youth Square, Chai Wan, Hong Kong
  13. In the United Kingdom. The fireman's toggle switch was recently changed to fireman's triangle-shaped keyswitch. Same method as Asian toggle switch version.
  14. 14.0 14.1 各從業員有沒有留意到近期新安裝的升降機,在最底層門口附近增設了「井底檢修重置」的鎖匙掣呢? (facebook page: hkelev.com)
  15. The Ubiquitous Sound That You May Have Never Noticed
  16. Just for decorations only but it work.
  17. 【東芝エレベータ】エレベーターの用途:車いす兼用エレベーター
  18. Lift Overloaded
  19. Toshiba High-Speed Traction Elevator at Chui Ting House, Sheung Chui Court, Sheung Chui Court, Tsuen Wan, New Territories, Hong Kong
  20. Tour of the lifts at 6 Burlington gardens art gallery
  21. Tour of the lifts - NEW STYLE
  22. Otis Gen2 Traction Elevators at Sandy Beach Resort in Myrtle Beach
  23. Fujitec Traction Elevator at Youth Square,Chai Wan,Hong Kong
  24. Otis Traction Elevator at Harbour Plaza 8 Degress Hotel , To Kwan Wan , Kowloon , Hong Kong
  25. ThyssenKrupp M.R.L.(Machine-Room-Less) Traction Elevator Jordon Centre, Jordon, Kowloon, Hong Kong
  26. Schindler Traction Elevator at Jockey Club Hall, Centennial Campus, Hong Kong University, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
  27. Lift at flats in Seaford
  28. [Happy Songkran Day] Sivatel Bangkok: Kone Traction Elevators
  29. Schindler Traction elevator Elevator at Hong Kong International Trade & Exhibition Centre, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
  30. 30.0 30.1 Guidelines for Modernising Existing Lifts (Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, Hong Kong)
  31. Emergency Telephones in Passenger Elevators and Vertical Platform Lifts requirement codes (PDF)
  32. Design Manual : Barrier Free Access (1997), Chapter 5 - 5.7 Lifts
  33. Mitsubishi Electric Elevator Features Vocabulary

See also

External links

Elevator 
Drive systems: Traction • Winding Drum • Hydraulic

Types of elevators: Double DeckDumbwaiterFireman'sFreightIncline • PassengerResidentialWheelchair lift


Concept: CapacityDestination dispatchElevator algorithm • Elevator control systemElevator machine room • Elevator maintenance • Elevator monitoring systemElevator modernizationACOP & UCMPMachine room less elevatorMajor alterationsRated speed


Elevator systems, controllers and equipments: Elevator emergency automatic rescue device • Elevator fixtures • Elevator keys • Elevator special modesElevator doorsDoor camDoor interlocks (Interlock wiring communication system) • Door restrictorElevator Inspection CertificateEmergency stop buttonFloor designatorsGate switch • Old Deadman controls • Overspeed governorMotor-generator set & Silicon-controlled rectifier (for DC-powered elevators) • Insulated-gate bipolar transistor (for AC-VVVF-powered elevators) • SelectorTape headRegenerative converter (for AC-VVVF-powered elevators)


See also: List of elevator fixtures guide • List of elevator and escalator companies • Elevator door sill guide (Non-proprietary elevator component door sill guide) • Floor numbering (Unlucky floor numbers) • Elevator incidents and accidents

List of elevator fixtures by manufacturers
Main topic Elevator fixtures
Official fixtures by elevator companies Amtech ReliableArmorAtlas (Northern CA)Bennie LiftsBoralDEVEDong YangDoverElevadores AtlasElevators Pty. Ltd.Evans LiftsExpress EvansExpress LiftFiamFujitecGoldStarGFCGuangriHammond & ChampnessHaughtonHaushahnHitachiHyundaiIFEIndoliftJohns & WaygoodKleemannKone (North America) • LGMarryat & ScottMashibaMitsubishi Electric (North America) • MontgomeryMPOronaOtis (North AmericaSouth Korea/Otis Elevator Korea) • PaynePickerings LiftsSabiemSchindler (North America) • SchlierenSeabergShanghai MitsubishiSigmaStaleyStannahThymanThyssenthyssenkrupp (North AmericaKorean fixtures) • ToshibaU.S. ElevatorWestinghouseXizi Otis/Otis Electric
Non-proprietary (generic) fixtures by elevator components companies AdamsBuy Elevator Parts Co.C.J. AndersonCEACEHAMDewhurst (ERM) • DMG (MAD) • ELMIEPCOEverbrightGALHissmekanoHong JiangHunterInnovation IndustriesJinlixKindsKronenbergLeadway Elevator ComponentLester ControlsLiSAMico ControlMonarch ControlMonitorPTLSalientSchaëferShanghai STEPSodimasTung DaVega
Unknown fixtures For a list of unidentified fixtures, refer to this page‎‎.
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