Lack Of Safety Regulations for Residential Elevators Raise Concerns

The safety of residential elevators has come into question in North Carolina, WECT 6  News reported in June. While commercial elevators are required to meet certain safety regulations and be inspected each year, private residential elevators are not subject to the same requirements in many states, including North Carolina. This, along with recent accidents, including several fatalities, and lawsuits, has provoked concern about the use of private elevators. Factors such as elevator design contribute to the perceived safety of home elevators, with many in the elevator industry recommending hydraulic over geared elevators. Some companies go so far as to refuse to install, service or inspect geared elevators due to accidents reportedly related to the design.