What should I do if I am "trapped in an elevator"?

March 15, 17:36

I was trapped in an elevator due to a sudden earthquake.

It's pitch black due to the power outage, and the phone doesn't work.

Even if you scream, help won't come at all-


In the event of an earthquake directly below the capital, many elevators in Tokyo are expected to experience such a situation.

What should I do?

New measures have also started in tower apartments.



*In the second half of the article, we post what to do when you are trapped.

Residents themselves open the elevator

A 33-story tower apartment in Odaiba, Tokyo.

The first training was held on the 11th of this month, 12 years after the Great East Japan Earthquake.

This is based on the assumption that the elevator will be confined due to a large earthquake.



In training, the residents themselves open the elevator door from the side of the building.

Under the guidance of the maintenance company, I inserted a special ruler-like key into the gap in the door, and it opened smoothly.

“It was the first time I learned that I could open the door by myself,” said



many of the residents.

"A maximum of 20,000 vehicles may be stopped"

The training was held in Minato Ward, Tokyo.

Such training is said to have never been done before.

Because of the risk of secondary disasters, in principle, maintenance companies are responsible for rescuing confined vehicles.



So why did you do this training?

Last year, the Tokyo metropolitan government announced the following points about the assumption of an earthquake directly below the capital.

Due to strong tremors, power outages, etc., up to 22,000 elevators had to stop in an emergency, causing many people to be trapped.

It was pointed out that it would take more than half a day to rescue and rescue people, and that some people might become ill.



In Minato Ward, the number of high-rise condominiums that have a large impact continues to increase.

For this reason, we hurriedly put together a budget and embarked on countermeasures.



I would like to proceed with other apartments.

Minato Ward Disaster Prevention Section Manager Masayuki Torii


"In Minato Ward, 90% of the residents live in condominiums, and more than 1,300 vehicles have been identified as being at risk of being trapped. It is assumed that it will take some time for the maintenance company to rescue them. Residents themselves are responsible for recovery. I planned it because I thought it would be effective to learn how to respond to

The Fear of Confinement: Experienced People Talk

I was able to talk to someone who has actually been trapped in an elevator.

My name is Kiyoshi Goto (72).



I accidentally boarded an elevator that was being inspected, and the door suddenly closed.

He was suddenly trapped and panicked.

Mr. Goto


: “I was left alone in the dark. Only those who have experienced it can understand that feeling of fear. But I still get defensive when I get on the elevator."

After interviewing multiple people who have experienced it, the following three things were common to the fear of being trapped in an elevator.

・Suddenly being confined in a dark, narrow space


・Not being able to interact with the outside world


・Not knowing when things will be restored

An earthquake directly hitting the Tokyo metropolitan area could make this situation even more serious.

"Earthquake-resistant" elevators

As we proceeded with the interview, some condominiums started new measures.



A 42-story building in Minato-ku, Tokyo, one of the largest tower apartments in Japan where about 2,000 households live.

In the three buildings, we made the elevators “earthquake-resistant”.

In October 2021, an earthquake with a maximum seismic intensity of upper 5 in Tokyo caused more than 20 out of 26 high-rise elevators to stop.

No one was trapped, but recovery took at least six hours, and some people even slept in their cars.



Based on this experience, residents investigated the risk of elevators in their homes with a maintenance company.

As a result, we found that there was a risk that the wires would get entangled in the shaking and it would take a long time to recover, so we installed fences to prevent entanglement on all floors up to the top floor.

In addition, a sensor that detects the shaking that affects skyscrapers is installed on the roof.

We have also introduced a system that automatically stops at the nearest floor when shaking is detected.

Elevator is “Infrastructure of Tawaman”

The cost of countermeasures was initially estimated at several hundred million yen.



Under these circumstances, we reduced the cost to 65 million yen by devising ways to limit the construction work to emergency elevators.

Still, if you simply calculate it per household, the cost is over 30,000 yen.



Why did you take measures even if it cost a lot of money?



Residents say it's a big risk for tower apartments that the elevator doesn't work.

Disaster Prevention Manager Nakajima


: For tower condominiums, elevators are the same infrastructure as water and electricity. We are promoting self-help measures in

Earthquake in the elevator!

4 actions

What should I do if an earthquake hits me while I'm on an elevator?



We asked Yukiko Iwamoto, the representative of a maintenance company.

Mr. Iwamoto says that when an earthquake hits, he wants people to act in the following order.

Earthquake in the elevator 4 actions


1.Press the buttons for all floors


2."Try to close" the door


3.Push the "emergency button"


4.Make a loud noise

I will explain them one by one.

1.Press the buttons for



all floors

Immediately press the button near the floor where you are.

Before a full emergency stop, you may be able to safely stop on a nearby floor.

It is also effective to press the button immediately in response to an earthquake early warning.





2. "Try to close the door"


It is said that part of the door may be open when the elevator makes an emergency stop.


Since the power is turned off when the door is open, closing it completely may restore power.


Normally, when you're trapped, you would try to 'open the door', but try 'closing the door'.



3. Press the "emergency button"


Every elevator has an emergency button that connects to the outside.

By pressing this button, you may be able to contact the outside world.


Even if you can't connect right away, it's important to keep trying and not give up.



4. Make a loud noise


It is said that making a sound is an effective way to let the outside know that you are trapped.


If you hit it with a hard object so that the sound resonates, it will be easier to hear outside, and if you use a whistle, it will make a loud sound.


You might want to shout for help, but it's not only difficult to reach outside, but it can also drain your physical strength.


Remember "loud" rather than "loud" to call for help.

Prepare the "stockpile box"

However, if help is too late, the "stockpile box" will come in handy.

Some of you may have seen them installed next to elevators in office buildings.



It is equipped with something like the following picture.

Snacks, blankets, radios, sanitary goods, and more.



Under these circumstances, there are three things that are particularly important when installing them: water, toilets, and lights.

Also, the whistle to call for help is also important.

Storage boxes are commercially available, but some municipalities distribute them free of charge.



I want you to check if it is installed in the elevator of your residence.

Yukiko Iwamoto, Representative of an Elevator Maintenance Company


“Until now, manufacturers and maintenance companies have taken the lead in taking measures to prevent elevators from being confined. I want you to know that such a case can occur.In that case, it is useful for residents to prepare in advance.I would like you to know the risks of elevators that you use on a daily basis and proceed with preparations."

Preparing for familiar infrastructure

"Confinement" by an elevator, which is assumed in a major earthquake.



You may be able to avoid it by taking appropriate action when shaking.

Also, even if you are confined for a long time, you may be able to reduce the damage by preparing in advance.



Elevators have been called an important “infrastructure” for tower apartments.



I felt that it is important to pay attention to the risks and think about possible preparations.

News Department Reporter


Hiroki Uchiyama

Joined


in 2011


Specialist in disaster and disaster prevention reporting Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism