Recommendations for Elevator Messaging Strategies

Published

January 6, 2012

Author(s)

Erica D. Kuligowski, Bryan L. Hoskins

Abstract

Building occupants, who have been instructed to use elevators for evacuation, and have subsequently congregated within the elevator lobby for eventual evacuation, are presented with an uncertain and potentially intimidating situation. For example, waiting occupants may wonder when the next elevator will arrive. Also, they may wonder if the elevators are still in service and similarly, if they should continue waiting for an elevator to arrive or use the stairs for evacuation instead. Emergency messages and signage can be used to provide evacuation instructions to building occupants during an emergency. This report focuses on establishing guidance for emergency message providers on the ways to convey the status of elevators usage during building emergencies. A literature review has been conducted that specifically focuses on occupant response to visual signage for elevator usage, including elevator status message content and appropriate characteristics of visual signage found to improve emergency decision-making of occupants. Additionally, examples are provided for canned or standardized elevator voice or text messages to be used during fire emergencies.

Citation

Technical Note (NIST TN) - 1730

Report Number

1730

NIST Pub Series

Technical Note (NIST TN)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

Local Download

Keywords

Elevator, evacuation, emergency communication, emergency messages, fires

Citation

Kuligowski, E. and Hoskins, B. (2012), Recommendations for Elevator Messaging Strategies, Technical Note (NIST TN), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=910222 (Accessed March 24, 2025)