Lifts, electric doors and garage doors in a power outage

Lifts are designed to stop safely in a power outage. Brakes and safety devices hold the car in place; it does not fall. The alarm and emergency light usually have their own battery so you can call for help and do not sit in the dark. The danger only begins when someone tries to free themselves: the car can move unexpectedly, and between the car and the shaft wall there is a risk of falling into the shaft.

Electric gates and doors almost always have a mechanical release, because they must stay operable during faults. How it works varies greatly from model to model, though: a pull cord on the door drive, a lever, a key switch or a crank. That is why there are no general instructions – your manufacturer's manual is what counts.

Take a calm breath. Press the alarm button and speak as soon as someone answers: say where you are, how many people are in the car and whether anyone needs help. If your phone has signal, also inform the building management or emergency services. Then sit down, save your phone torch and wait for trained helpers – the lift company or the fire service.

If you have breathing difficulty, a panic attack or another medical emergency, call the local emergency number (112 in the EU). Even if it takes a long time: waiting is safer than any self-rescue.

Better still is not to get stuck at all. When outages are announced or the lights flicker, take the stairs. People who cannot use stairs plan with neighbours beforehand how they will be supplied, instead of risking the lift.

Heavy garage doors and gates are under strong spring tension. The springs carry part of the weight. If a spring is broken and you release the door, it can suddenly fall. So use the manual release only exactly as the manufacturer describes and usually only when the door is closed or the manual expressly allows it. Never loosen springs or cables yourself.

When releasing: door closed, drive without power, manual at hand. Move the door slowly and with both hands. If it is very heavy or hangs crooked, stop and call a specialist. Never walk under a half-open door.

Lifts are always off-limits in a fire, even when the power is back. After an outage, only ride again once the system is working normally.

Read the manuals for the garage door, gate and shutters, find the manual release or crank and practise once in daylight. Also check whether the front door opens with the key without the electric opener. Keep mechanical keys for the front door, garage and letterbox at hand.

If your car usually stands in the garage and a storm is forecast, you could consider parking it outside beforehand – then you can get to your vehicle even without a working door. Electric shutters sometimes have an emergency crank and sometimes not. Half-closed shutters keep warmth in during winter and heat out in summer; but make sure escape routes stay clear.

Ready.gov and the BBK point out that garage doors and lifts do not work during a power outage and recommend knowing the manual releases beforehand.

Freeing people from a lift is the job of the lift company or the fire service. They have the right tools and know how to secure the installation. A common misconception from films is that you can simply climb out through the roof hatch – in reality that is exactly what is life-threatening.