Home Elevators and Earthquakes in Southern California
What To Do Before and After a Quake
What happens to your elevator when the ground moves
If you live in San Diego or Orange County, you have felt a shake. The question we hear from owners is “If a big quake hits, will I be stuck, and how long until someone fixes it?” A thread on Reddit’s Los Angeles board put it bluntly: after a quake, repair crews triage, and hospitals and nursing homes go first. That is a reasonable expectation, and a home elevator owner should plan for it.
The good news is that modern residential elevators are built to stop and hold when something goes wrong. The practical news is that after a quake, the elevator will not necessarily be back in service right away. It needs to be checked. This guide explains what the elevator does, what you should do, and how we help.
Advantage Elevator is a licensed California elevator contractor (CSLB C-11 #1027832) with more than 20 years in San Diego and Orange County. We offer 24/7 emergency service at (833) 865-7887.
Drive unit mounting
Post-event inspection
Advantage Elevator crew and service fleet
Earthquakes and your home elevator
The short answer
What we check
What to do next
During a quake: stay out of the elevator
Should you use an elevator during an earthquake? No. If you are in the cab when shaking starts, press the stop button if you can, then sit down. If the car stops, stay inside. Use the alarm or the emergency phone to call for help once shaking ends, and see our guide on what to do if you are stuck. If you are on a landing, do not step into the car. Use the stairs after the shaking stops, if you can do so safely.
Many people ask about “earthquake mode.” Modern units are designed so that when the safety circuit opens, such as through a door fault, a loss of power or a safety device, the car stops and holds at a landing. We do not make specific code claims about it on this page. What matters in practice is that the elevator stops safely and waits for a person to check it.
After a quake: reset and inspection
Do not try to restart the elevator yourself. After a quake the hoistway may have shifted by a small amount, rails may be out of alignment and door equipment may have been knocked loose. A car that appears to work can still be damaged. Ride it and you risk a worse failure. Our technicians do the following.
- Look at the guide rails and brackets for movement, cracks or loose fasteners
- Check landing doors, frames and interlocks for damage or misalignment
- Inspect the pit for water, debris or leaks, and the drive and controller for damage
- Reset the safety circuit and test every stop, the alarm, the emergency phone and the battery lowering system
- Tell you plainly what is safe to use, what needs a repair and what we have to order
If the structure of your house was damaged, a building professional should look at the hoistway too. We coordinate with them when needed.
Priority for homes where someone depends on the elevator
After a big regional event, every elevator company is busy. We prioritize homes where a person depends on the elevator to get between floors, such as an older adult, someone who uses a wheelchair or a person recovering from surgery. Tell us when you book a visit or sign up for a maintenance plan, which includes priority scheduling. We cannot promise a time after a major disaster, and no responsible company can. We can promise that we will triage honestly and tell you what we know.
If someone in your home depends on the elevator, also plan for the gap. Where would they stay if the car is out for a few days? Many families set up a bedroom and bathroom on the lower floor for emergencies. Keep a quake kit with medication, water, a flashlight and our number next to the elevator.
Hillside homes and uneven ground
Southern California has a lot of homes on slopes, in canyons and on filled lots, from La Jolla and Point Loma to Laguna Beach and Anaheim Hills. Hillside homes often have multi-stop elevators, and these are the ones families rely on most. A tall hoistway on a slope moves differently than a short one on flat ground, and a settled house may show up as an elevator that no longer levels or rubs a rail. We do not state specific engineering numbers here, because every home is different. We look at each one on site.
If your house is on a slope, ask us to check the hoistway and rails after any significant quake, and mention any new cracks in the walls near the shaft. Our San Diego repair and Orange County repair teams know these neighborhoods.
Get ready before the next one
A little preparation changes how the next quake feels. Put our number on the landing. Have the battery backup tested. Make sure the emergency phone works. Keep the door key somewhere an adult can find it. Remove stored items from the machine area and the pit, because loose items become hazards when the ground moves. And ask us to look at the guide rails and door hardware on your next visit. Regular service is the best protection we know of. See also home elevator insurance and liability for questions about coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you use an elevator during an earthquake?
No. Stay out of the elevator during shaking. If you are inside when it starts, press stop if you can, sit down and wait for the shaking to end.
What is earthquake mode on an elevator?
It is a common name for the way an elevator stops and holds when its safety circuit detects a problem. Modern home units stop at a landing so riders can exit, and a technician then checks them before they run again.
Are home lifts safe during earthquakes in California?
A well-maintained modern elevator is designed to stop safely, but nothing is guaranteed in a large quake. After one, stay off the elevator until it has been reset and inspected.
How long until a home elevator is repaired after an earthquake?
It depends on the damage and on how many calls are in the queue. We prioritize homes where someone depends on the elevator and tell you honestly what to expect.
Can I reset my elevator myself after a quake?
We do not recommend it. Hidden damage to rails, doors or wiring can make a restart unsafe. Have a technician reset and test it.
Do hillside homes need special care for an elevator?
They benefit from regular checks of the rails and door alignment, especially after a significant quake or when you notice new wall cracks. We assess each home on site.
Had a quake? Let us check your elevator.
Priority scheduling for homes where someone depends on the elevator. (833) 865-7887.
