ELI5 if an extremely crowded elevator was stuck in an accident, will there be a chance of people suffocating inside?

r/

For example there were 20-30 people stuffed inside the elevator like a can of sardin, if we didn’t count hyperventilating caused by people panicking(or other random accidents), will there be a chance that people would lack oxygen and suffocate inside?

Comments

  1. WaviestMetal Avatar

    Unless the accident somehow involves them being sealed in an airtight bag or something then no

  2. Dexter2700 Avatar

    No, because the elevator designer has already taken that into account as a codes requirement.

  3. coy-coyote Avatar

    Only if the fire is on a lower floor and smoke is filling the elevator while it is jammed and unable to be opened or moved.

  4. Skarth Avatar

    Overheating would be the concern. A lot of people in a tiny space makes a lot of heat.

  5. Mammoth-Mud-9609 Avatar

    Only in case of a fire, the shafts move a substantial amount of air through the area of lifts so there would be enough air even if they were overloaded.

  6. Enero- Avatar

    They aren’t airtight. So given the basic description, no.

  7. do-not-freeze Avatar

    The lights and vent fan in the elevator can are powered separately from the hoist, so you’d still have fresh air if it was just a mechanical issue. Even if you lost power, the top isn’t airtight  and has plenty of room for circulation. 

    Being stuck in an elevator really isn’t as dangerous as people make it out to be