In this elevator rescue training video, Carolina Fire Days Instructors Chris Smity and Geoff Davis of District of Columbia Fire Department (DCFD) provide an in-depth look at elevator rescues, starting with basic operation and rescue techniques and progressing to last-resort elevator rope rescues. This is Video 3 of the 19-week video series, highlighting how to disconnect elevator power to keep rescue crews safe. Don’t forget to lock out and tag out!  Here is a transcript of this video:

VIDEO TRANSCRIPTION:

Electric or hydraulic. There’s going to be two separate disconnect boxes. The main line disconnect is going to be the larger of the two boxes. So up to 600 volts … the majority of what we’re seeing is 220, perhaps some bigger elevators, other places up to 600. But the high voltage line voltage side of that is going to be in the larger of the disconnect.

That’s the one we’re aiming for when we get into the other machine room (unintelligible). and commercial ability. 110 will never be the line to both of those, but so we typically leave those alone.

 Big box high voltage that secures power, that makes the elevator safe, small box, leave it on. That’s the lights, that’s the fans, that’s the communication.

They might have a little TV that can watch ESPN on what we’re doing our thing. Leave that alone. big conduit coming in. Big box. Big box. Smaller boxes. Right. A lot of times the elevator mechanics are going to do the exact thing for you. They’re going to tell you, you know, spread from main service building. Do not mess with these.

I’m going to default to tell you to be as safe as possible by hitting this.