thyssenkrupp Access Corp. Recall to Inspect Home Elevators

The space that can create a home elevator entrapment hazard to children is the space between the hoistway (or landing) door and the elevator car door or gate. If this space is too large, a child could become entrapped and suffer serious injury or death.

The “HOISTWAY DOOR” is the exterior door that leads from the hallway to the elevator car. There is one hoistway door at every floor served by the elevator (and at every entrance to the elevator, such as a front and rear entrance). The “HOISTWAY DOOR” is also sometimes referred to as a “LANDING DOOR.”

The “ELEVATOR CAR DOOR” or “GATE” is attached to the elevator car itself. It often is a folding "accordion" door or "scissor" gate.

Your home elevator may have an excess space between the hoistway door and elevator car door or gate large enough for a child to enter and potentially become entrapped. Entrapment between the hoistway door and elevator car door may result in serious injury or death to children.

A space guard is a safety device that attaches to the inside of the hoistway door and reduces the space between that door and the elevator car door or gate. Space guards vary depending on the size required and may be made of plastic or metal, but generally look like this picture when installed.

36" metal space guard

Homeowners who currently have any thyssenkrupp Access Corp. residential elevator model previously furnished by ThyssenKrupp Access Manufacturing, LLC; ThyssenKrupp Access Corp.; Access Industries; or National Wheel-O-Vator (jointly “thyssenkrupp Access”) may participate in this Recall to Inspect. Elevator models include:

• Chaparral
• Destiny
• LEV
• LEV II
• Rise
• Volant
• Windsor
• Flexi-Lift
• Independence

If you have any questions about whether your thyssenkrupp Access Corp. home elevator is within the scope of this Recall to Inspect, please contact an agent toll-free at 1-800-285-9862 (Toll-Free) or reach out via email at info@homelevator-safety.com.

Please contact an agent toll-free at 1-800-285-9862 or reach out via email at info@homelevator-safety.com. The agent will ask for proof that your home has an affected thyssenkrupp Access model elevator to qualify. The model name and serial number of your home elevator can be found in the manual that was provided with your elevator, and it may be displayed on a metal plate inside the elevator car. If you are unable to identify the model or manufacturer of your home elevator, contact us or your dealer, home builder, or realtor.

Yes. It is essential to take these steps to protect children, even if children do not live in your home. Children have been killed or injured in vacation rentals and while visiting grandparents’ and other people’s homes furnished with an elevator.

We strongly recommend that you install a space guard. Children have been seriously injured or killed after becoming entrapped in the space between the hoistway door and the elevator car door or gate.

Homeowners should never let children access or use an elevator without adult supervision. You should block children from accessing elevators until you are able to arrange for a free inspection and installation of space guards or other measures, if necessary.

Space guards will be tailored to your home elevator installation to reduce the hoistway-door-to-sill depth to the minimum distance reasonably obtainable, where feasible without interfering with either the function of the elevator, the access of persons with disabilities, or the required running clearance of the elevator.

Space guards are available in standard widths of 32 inches and 36 inches. If neither of those widths are suitable for your door size, please contact us for further assistance at 1-800-285-9862 (Toll-Free) or reach out via email at info@homelevator-safety.com.

Plastic space guards are about 15 pounds each. Metal space guards are about 32 pounds.

Yes. Homeowners may select a third party of their choosing for measurement and/or installation of space guards and will be reimbursed for the reasonable costs associated with measurement and/or installation of space guards with appropriate documentation (e.g., invoices). If you have any questions regarding what reasonable costs will be reimbursed, please contact us for further information at 1-800-285-9862 (Toll-Free) or reach out via email at info@homelevator-safety.com.

Yes. Homeowners may request self-installation of space guards. All instructions and materials required for measurement and space guard installation will be provided to homeowners free of charge.

Any homeowner who initially requests self-installation is still eligible for free inspection or free installation upon request. Click here for an instructional video.