A reality check

VV TOWERS

It is compulsory for lifts to have an emergency ceilinglight and intercom facility. However, the lifts at many public buildings likeMS Building, VV Towers, Cauvery Bhavan do not seem to comply with the norms.

“Providing illumination in the lift car with emergencylights is a must. The emergency light will allow those stuck inside to utiliseinter-phone or the alarm bell to alert the control room. It is part of rescuesystem. How can people stuck in a lift communicate if there is no light and intercomfacility, both of which are not in the old lifts here,” a lift operator at VVTowers said on the condition of anonymity. Of the seven lifts at the VV Towers,two have been replaced new ones, while the process is on to replace the rest.

“There are no proper instructions about how many can boardthe lift at one time and the measures to be taken during an emergency. Acaution board should be set up and must be illuminated so that passengers areaware on what to be done and how,” said Rajesh Singh, a lift user at MSBuilding.

CAUVERY AND KANDAYA BHAVANS

At some government buildings like Cauvery Bhavan and KandayaBhavan, lifts do not even have operators. Their absence at such places where alarge number of people use lift increases the possibility of mishandling leadingto mishap. Raghuvendra, BWSSB Assistant Engineer at Cauvery Bhavan said, “Thelifts are equipped with ARD (Auto Relief Device) with which the rescue staffcan reach immediately and be able attend to any problem.” The officials said major maintenance is being done on a regular basis.

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