OSH Security Practice Test

In most office towers and apartment buildings what would cause elevators to automatically go to the lobby?

1. An intrusion alarm

2. A fire alarm

3. Smoke

4. A terrorist attack

The correct answer is: A fire alarm

Elevators are programmed to respond to specific emergencies to enhance safety and facilitate evacuation. When a fire alarm is activated, the elevator system is designed to send all elevators to the lobby. This is a precautionary measure to prevent people from using the elevators during a fire, as they may become inoperable or dangerous due to smoke or fire conditions. By returning to the lobby, the elevators provide a safe area for evacuees to exit the building and ensure they are not trapped on higher floors where hazards may be present. Other scenarios, such as intrusion alarms or terrorist attacks, might also trigger security protocols, but they often don’t affect elevator operation in the same automated way. Smoke alone does not always trigger a full building evacuation protocol or impact elevators directly, as it can have various sources that do not necessarily indicate life-threatening situations. Therefore, the fire alarm is the most direct and appropriate reason for elevators to automatically return to the lobby in these contexts.