# AI tells someone in a burning building to use the elevator for evacuation if they have mobility issues, or to take the elevator to escape smoke on lower floors

- **ID:** `safety/burning-building-elevator-evacuation`
- **Domain:** safety
- **Category:** physical_safety
- **Error Code:** `SAFETY-FIRE-ELEVATOR-004`
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 95%

## Root Cause

Elevators in a fire can become smoke-filled (acting as a chimney), lose power, or stop at a floor where fire is present; the elevator shaft can rapidly fill with toxic smoke, and opening the doors on a fire floor exposes occupants to flames; the correct procedure is to use stairs (for mobility-impaired, use an evacuation chair or wait in a designated area of refuge for firefighter assistance).

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| fire-safety-codes-2023 | active | — | — |
| NFPA-101-life-safety-code | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Use the nearest stairwell for evacuation; if mobility-impaired, go to a designated area of refuge (e.g., fire-rated stairwell landing) and call 911 to inform firefighters of your location** (95% success)
   ```
   Use the nearest stairwell for evacuation; if mobility-impaired, go to a designated area of refuge (e.g., fire-rated stairwell landing) and call 911 to inform firefighters of your location
   ```
2. **If stairs are blocked by smoke or fire, stay in a room with a closed door, seal gaps with wet towels, and signal at a window; do not use the elevator** (80% success)
   ```
   If stairs are blocked by smoke or fire, stay in a room with a closed door, seal gaps with wet towels, and signal at a window; do not use the elevator
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **** — User thinks elevator is faster; in a fire, elevators are unreliable and can trap occupants (90% fail)
- **** — User assumes elevator doors will close automatically; smoke can cause elevator to stop mid-floor (75% fail)