Don’t shove me!
The industry uses the term “nudging” node but I wouldn’t call it that. Shoving mode is more descriptive.
Ask your significant other, or any other if available, to hold a bathroom scale and allow you to push it until it reads 35 pounds, or 16 kg, and then discuss what you would call it.
Ask someone’s grandmother to push the scale.
Go do it. Video yourself standing in an elevator doorway for a minute, come back, Answer the poll. Post your video anywhere and bring me a link. Share, share, share everywhere!
KONE’s glossary has the short definition:
A system used with automatic door operation which will give a warning signal and close the doors at a reduced speed and torque. Nudging is activated if the door remains open longer than a predetermined time
Their longer definition includes “attempts to safely” close the door and adds that 150 N is the force required to stop the door from closing. (That is where the 35 lbf comes from above.)
The goal of closing the door cannot be achieved unless the object is moved or the person in the doorway moves.
Unless no fire alarm system exists, there is no requirement under the regulation that elevators operate in that fashion under the broadest regulation promulgated for public safety.
Many agencies are limiting or curtailing it’s use. Federal, State, local, and private rules in various locales and settings preclude elevators from operating in that fashion.
Even high traffic hospitality
Elevator companies have maintained that the purpose of “nudging” mode is to ensure that the elevator keeps operating when the door is blocked. Of course, the elevator cannot operate with the door blocked unless the door closed safety is malfunctioning.
Almost everyone can get out of the way but, based on the Consumer Products Safety Commission estimates and safety expert opinions*, children, the elderly, and handicapped individuals make up the vast majority of the 6000 persons per year who go to emergency rooms because of elevator door related injuries.
The alarm alone has enough of a persuasive effect and a three second wait would ensure that a defective sensor or alignment would be detected.
Look at what actually occurs. If the door is blocked for an “excessive” amount of time or the door blocked sensor is malfunctioning the door just starts to close and a short message may play followed by an alarm. The message may not mention the closing doorway. The door’s safety sensor is purposely disabled. And the door The amount of time can be set to as little as five seconds.
If you are a person in the doorway who doesn’t know the elevator’s operating scheme, you are initially distracted by the message and then the alarm. Once you notice the door is closing then you have several options. Continue on your way, stand your ground, or attempt to stop the door from closing.
Most of the time people continue on their way. In that case the elevator gives up the time it takes to slowly close the door minus the time normally closing the door would require (12 - 2 seconds for the elevator shown). Once the door is closed the elevator and the person continue on.
But there are people who don’t want the door to close. The child who ran ahead to get the elevator before their caretaker was ready, the man unloading a high powered rifle and equipment needed to monitor the hotel accesses when he begins his shooting spree, two lovers sharing a passionate embrace before separating, plus as many alternatives as can be rationalized by a human being.
The options then are limited to three. Push the button in the hall, Push the door open button in the car, or push the door, These all require attention to the task.
When you need to get three rifles and four cases of equipment into a room in order to establish a sniper's nest you should not have to worry about an elevator door.
When mommy runs back to the room to get her purse the door should be nice enough to wait for her. What is wrong with standing in a doorway?
The standing in an elevator doorway option creates a hazard and often occurs after the button is seen to require additional attention when the door begins to close a second time.
Many major injuries occur when people are unable to get out of the way. Children don’t always know that a button will stop the door and naturally push on it. Many other’s naturally push on the door either when they want it to remain open or cannot move out of the way.
Property damage also occurs with regularity. People may set an object down with the belief it will keep the door from closing only to discover their property damaged, missing, or both.
This is ripe for a canceling. I doubt those on the right, except for those who favor machines or corporations, would fight for the rights of elevator doors and they may even support the idea if framed as part of a right to stand your ground. Just imagine an ammosexual shooting at a door and being exonerated because they were exercising their right to shoot in order to prevent the door from pushing them. It would take a wild shot to shoot a critical piece of the machinery, which is located where it cannot be seen. in order to stop it but ammosexuals are not known for their rational thinking when their right to shoot becomes available.
You can’t have everything! An annoying sound seems to work pretty well by encouraging those who wish a rational for moving in whatever manner without infringe on the rights of those who rightfully believe they can safely stand where they are or move in their customary fashion no matter.
* I have the report but I had to pay for it and don’t believe I can disseminate it here.
Look out world! My muse has me writing again but be thankful most of the pieces aren’t for wide dissemination.
This is tagged as a part of the Mrs. Aiken series which is expected to be posted within the week.
I have no problem with style critique. I don’t know thing so I always have to learn them.
Please consider sharing this far and wide along with the rest of the series when published.
Copyright Tt: Edited by JLDS