OK, but what do you do if you are stuck in a elevator in a building on fire and it is shut off?
930128
Elevators are not necessarily inoperable in a fire.\n\nIf a fire is in the building, most likely you will not be trapped like they show in the movies.  The elevator should go to the lobby floor and open.\n\nThe "use stairs in case of fire" signage is there because:  \n\nA)  The elevators have all gone to the lobby level and can only be operated by firefighters at that point.\n\nB)  To prevent people from getting in an elevator and getting off on a floor where there is a fire.\n\nYou can get stuck in an elevator in a building that has a power outage that has no emergency generator, though.
724931
Dont wait for the light to appear at the end of the tunnel.\nStride down there and light the bloody thing yourself.
203070
You're playing with fire. Better watch out before you get burned.
837962
Dial 911 they will come and help you! Good luck and God bless
932827
This isn't the first time someone has asked this.\n\nI see a lot of people tackled this question and there are alot of good answers! It is true that if the power goes out you could get trapped, and yes smoke can enter the elevator chamber.  Most newer elevators do have a recall feature if smoke is detected.  No question the best policy is to always use the stairs!\n\nBasically, the problem with older elevators is they have a nasty habit of going to the floor with the fire. This is because the heat from the fire has been known to short out the call system wiring and the elevator controller interprets it the same as someone hitting the button. So if you are riding in the elevator, the dang thing may deliver you right to the floor with the fire! \n\nNewer elevators are usually connected to the building's fire alarm system and/or a series of smoke detectors outside the elevator shaft. In the event the smoke detectors near any of the elevator doors or in the machine rooms trip, the system overrides all call buttons and immediately takes the car to a pre-designated floor (generally the lowest level unless that's the floor the fire was detected on.) The cars can then only be used until the alarm system is reset or the system is overridden with a key. (Firefigters can use this feature. When in override mode, the controller only responds to manual controls from inside the car.)\n\nI hope this answers your question.
301142
Pretend not to notice and get off at the very next floor, whether it's the right one or not. Taking the stairs is good exercise and stairwells are usually empty, in case I need to let off a few more.
476843
You should take care of getting out of the house first,then call 911....your house is on fire!\n\nDid I get that right?
76100
911\nor scream Help and hopefully someone else will call if you can't\nR U OK? get out of your house or wherever u are right now first- make sure you are safe first!
133840
-Proceed to a lower floor level or interior hallway or corridor (center core). \n-Seek shelter under sturdy or heavy furniture, tables or desks. \n-Avoid elevators, top floors of the building, areas with glass windows or doors, the cafeteria and unsecured objects. \n-Assist persons with disabilities to the safest area on the same floor. \n-If possible, take a flashlight, radio or cellular telephone with you.
728295
OK This is a Thing where you know The answer, give The situation and then have a group of people ask yes or no questions too try and solve it... OK here is the scenario... A Man lives on the 16th floor of his apartment, when he goes to work he takes the elevator down to the first floor then leaves and goes to work. When he comes home from work he gets in the elevator goes up to the 8th floor then walks up the remaining 8 floors on the stairs... But when it is raining he goes from the 16th floor to the first, goes to work, but when he comes home he goes straight up to the 16th floor...\n\nCommon Question Asked: Are the stairs outside? No (It is a normal apartment)\n\nHint (if needed): He has an umbrella when it is raining\n\nAnswer: The man is a midget (he can only reach the 8th button on the elevator but when he has the umbrella he can use it to hit the 16...)\n\nHope you like it...
83179
Take a hot shower with the bathroom door closed...no ventilation.  Stay in there for at least 15 mins
497824
what type? first evacuate and call the fire department. If there is a fire extinguisher directly in front of you, use it. If its in the other room, just get out. By the time you get back with it, the fire will be twice the size and even more dangerous.\n\nBut always evacuate first, and shut all doors behind you. (This slows the fire from entering into other rooms.) If this is an outdoor fire...ie brush..garbage..stay back or if it is smaller than a trash can...try to cover it with dirt or use water to put it out.
219543
1. If you are indoors, duck or drop down to the floor. Take cover under a sturdy desk, table or other furniture. Hold on to it and be prepared to move with it. Hold the position until the ground stops shaking and it is safe to move. Stay clear of windows, fireplaces, woodstoves, and heavy furniture or appliances that may fall over. Stay inside to avoid being injured by falling glass or building parts. If you are in a crowded area, take cover where you are. Stay calm and encourage others to do likewise.\n\n2. If you are outside, get into the open, away from buildings and power lines.\n\n3. If you are driving, stop if it is safe, but stay inside your car. Stay away from bridges, overpasses and tunnels. Move your car as far out of the normal traffic pattern as possible. If possible, avoid stopping under trees, light posts, power lines, or signs.\n\n4. If you are in a mountainous area, or near unstable slopes or cliffs, be alert for falling rock and other debris that could be loosened by the earthquake. \n\n5. If you are at the beach, move quickly to higher ground or several hundred yards inland.\n\nHope that helps.
1049194
Things to do in an elevator:\n\n1) When there's only one other person in the elevator, tap them on the shoulder and then pretend it wasn't you.\n\n2) Push the buttons and pretend they give you a shock. Smile, and go back and go back for more. \n\n3) Ask if you can push the button for other people, but push the wrong ones.\n\n4) Call the Psychic Hotline from your cell phone and ask if they know what floor you're on.\n\n5) Hold the doors open and say you're waiting for your friend. After a while, let the doors close and say, "Hi Greg. How's your day your day been?"\n\n6) Drop a pen and wait until someone reaches to help pick it up, then scream, "That's mine!"\n\n7) Bring a camera and take pictures of everyone in the elevator.\n\n8) Move your desk in to the elevator and whenever someone gets on, ask if they have an appointment.\n\n9) Lay down a Twister mat and ask people if they'd like to play.\n\n10) Leave a box in the corner, and when someone gets on ask them if they hear something ticking. \n\n11) Pretend you are a flight attendant and review emergency procedures and exits with the passengers.\n\n12) Ask, "Did you feel that?"\n\n13) Stand really close to someone, sniffing them occasionally.\n\n14) When the doors close, announce to the others, "It's okay. Don't panic, They open up again."\n\n15) Swat at flies that don't exist.\n\n16) Tell people that you can see their aura.\n\n17) Call out, "group hug!", then enforce it.\n\n18) Grimace painfully while smacking your forehead and muttering, "Shut up, all of you, just shut up!"\n\n19) Crack open your briefcase or purse, and while peering inside, ask, Got enough air in there?"\n\n20) Stand silently and motionless in the corner, facing the wall, without getting off.\n\n21) Stare at another passenger for a while, then announce in horror, "You're one of THEM!" and back away slowly.\n\n22) Wear a puppet on your hand and use it to talk to the other passengers.\n\n23) Listen to the elevator walls with your stethoscope.\n\n24) Make explosion noises when anyone presses a button.\n\n25) Stare, grinning at another passenger for a while, and then announce, "I have new socks on."\n\n26) Draw a little square on the floor with chalk and announce to the other \npassengers, "This is my personal space!"\n\n27.) ask "excuse me, my butt itching, can anyone scratch it for me?" (you are holding things in your two hands)\n\n28.) Turn against the wall and start talking to the wall.\n\n29.) Look at your "invisivle" watch, and take your wrist and ask one of the people "Is this time right?"\n\n30.) Start hummong really loudly like you are meditating "UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM...\n\n31.) start doing jumping jacks.\n\n32.) Look at your hand and say out load "woooooow, coool" and wave your hand at the people and say "isn't it wow and cool?"\n\n33.) Sit on the floor and close your eyes, and start snoring really loudly.\n\n34.) Look suddenly at the floor of the elevator and start screaming at the "invisible" squirrel. \n\n==============================...\n\nHello, are you tired of your stinky butt, then get "Stink be Gone" for just 19.95 (plus shipping and handling) in three easy steps:\n\n1.) Take the Powder and apply it to your @$$\n\n2.) Rinse\n\n3.) and wait\n\n(4.) For best result take a dump outside and THEN use the "Stinkt Be gone" powder\n\nRemember, its very limited so call now!! at 1-800-butt-stink\nor go to www.stinkbutt.com
299116
The water powered elevator. Problem is......You need a water wheel. Well....if you have a water wheel well you are probably not in a place that needs an elevator. I really need to seriously rethink this.
626154
You would impact between the 2nd and 3rd second after the cable broke, so you would want to jump 2 seconds after the break. However, considering the calculations involved, you would probably end up as a heap of screaming bloody mess at the bottom of the elevator shaft before you figured the answer out. Besides, there's no telling if jumping really works.
601686
Check out the Popular Mechanics article linked below, "How To Survive In A Plummeting Elevator".