Elevator entrapment: what it is and what happens next
Elevator entrapment is the term of art for when one or more people are inside a car that has stopped and cannot get out on their own. This page is for the reader who already knows that word — a building manager, a strata council or condo board member, or anyone handed an incident report. If you are inside a stopped car right now, start at theemergency guide instead.
What counts as an entrapment
An entrapment happens when passengers are inside a car and cannot exit normally — the doors will not open, the car has stopped between floors, or it is misaligned with the landing. It is not the same as an out-of-service elevator that has been taken out of use with no one inside. It also is not the same as a car that simply pauses and then continues: a brief stop that resolves on its own is not an entrapment.
Parking the vocabulary helps in incident write-ups. "Elevator entrapment" tells responders and insurers that people were inside and had to be extricated; "out of service" describes the car's status afterward.
The rescue chain, step by step
- A passenger calls for help using the alarm button, the emergency phone or intercom, or a mobile phone. In the US and Canada, call 911 if anyone is hurt or in distress, or if the building cannot be reached.
- The call reaches the building and the elevator service company.Many modern systems also notify a monitoring center. The fire service is often dispatched as well.
- A technician or the fire service arrives with the keys and tools for that elevator. They may move the car to the nearest floor or open the doors where the car is, depending on the model and the fault.
- Passengers are released and, if needed, checked over by medical staff. The car may be taken out of service for repair.
- The event is logged by the service company and, in some jurisdictions, reported to the elevator authority.
Building staff and bystanders are not part of this chain, and should not be. Opening a car requires training, the right keys, and knowledge of where the car actually is in the shaft.
Why only trained personnel open a car
A stopped elevator may be several feet above or below the landing. A person stepping through a partly open door can fall into the shaft or be caught if the car moves. Safety codes — most US states and Canadian provinces adoptASME A17.1 / CSA B44, the joint Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, directly or with local amendments — restrict who may open a car and how. The rule of thumb is simple: only an elevator technician or the fire service.
What gets logged
A useful incident record answers a short set of questions. It is also the source material for any notice to residents.
- The date and time the car stopped, and when help was called.
- Which elevator, and the building address.
- How many people were inside, and whether anyone was injured.
- Who responded — the service company, the fire service, or both.
- The time passengers were released.
- The probable cause and the repair or follow-up needed.
- Any inspection, violation, or report required by the local or provincial authority.
What happens in the days after
The car is usually taken out of service while the fault is fixed, then inspected again before it returns to use. If the entrapment points to a wider problem — a recurring door fault, a power issue, or an aging controller — the board or owner may need to plan a repair or modernization. Where an injury occurred, or where a regulator requires it, there may be a formal report to file. Keep the incident log, the service company's report, and any inspection documents together; they are what an owner, insurer, or regulator will ask for.
Reviewing the camera record
If the building has cameras, review the footage soon, while it is still available. It can confirm the timeline, show whether passengers were already inside at the moment of the stop, and help the service company find the cause. Handle the recording the same way you would any other incident record and follow your building's privacy rules.
To check whether this building's elevator is already reported, or to see how another building compares, use the public outage tracker atelevatoruptime.com.
Related reading
Elevator entrapment: common questions
What is an elevator entrapment?
An elevator entrapment is when one or more people are inside an elevator car that has stopped and cannot be exited normally. It does not always mean the doors are stuck shut; it means passengers cannot safely get out without help.
What is the elevator entrapment procedure?
Passengers call for help using the alarm or car phone. The call reaches the building and the elevator service company, and often the fire service. A trained, authorized person then moves the car or opens the doors safely. No one else should attempt to open the car.
Is it dangerous to get stuck in an elevator?
It is uncomfortable and frightening, but rarely dangerous if you stay in the car. The danger comes from forcing doors, climbing out, or reaching into the shaft. Only trained, authorized personnel should open an elevator.
What are the chances of getting stuck in an elevator?
Elevator travel is one of the safest ways to move around a building, and entrapments are uncommon. When they happen, power problems, door faults, and mechanical or sensor faults are common causes.
Who is allowed to open elevator doors during an entrapment?
Only trained, authorized personnel — the elevator service technician or the fire service. Safety codes such as ASME A17.1 / CSA B44 govern who may open a car and under what conditions. Building staff and bystanders should not try.
Is an entrapment documented?
Usually yes. Elevator service companies and some jurisdictions keep a record of the call, the time, the car, who responded, the probable cause, and when passengers were released. That record is useful for the board and for any notice to residents.
General information only — not legal, engineering, or safety advice. In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.