Secret Life of Lifts series,Part 3/3: Hydraulic Lifts

Summary

This informative piece explores the mechanics and safety features of modern hydraulic lifts. It highlights how waiting times increase with more floors and discusses the evolution of lifts from the 1870s to today, emphasizing advancements in safety and efficiency. The narrator explains the use of hydraulic power and the advantages of modern designs, such as improved lubrication and safety features that prevent falls. While acknowledging the claustrophobic nature of contemporary lifts, it reassures viewers of their reliability, contrasting them with earlier, more open designs that allowed for a sense of escape.

Takeaways

• 😀 People become impatient if they have to wait more than 30 seconds for a lift.
• 😀 The average waiting time for a lift increases with the number of floors it serves.
• 😀 More lifts are required to efficiently serve taller buildings, with a practical maximum of about 100 floors.
• 😀 Modern lifts use hydraulic power, which is safer and simpler than earlier mechanical systems.
• 😀 Hydraulic lifts were first introduced in the 1870s and have evolved significantly since.
• 😀 Modern hydraulic lifts utilize oil instead of water for better lubrication and performance.
• 😀 Safety measures have improved, minimizing risks such as falling into lift shafts.
• 😀 Contemporary lifts are designed without escape hatches to keep passengers safer inside.
• 😀 Many people experience claustrophobia in lifts due to their enclosed nature.
• 😀 Despite discomfort, modern lifts are incredibly safe machines, benefiting from advanced engineering.

Q & A

What is the maximum waiting time for a lift before people become impatient?

People start to get impatient if they have to wait more than 30 seconds for a lift to arrive.

How does the number of floors in a building affect the number of lifts needed?

The more floors a building has, the longer the average waiting time for lifts, necessitating more lifts; for example, a 10-story building may need one lift, while a 20-story one may need two.

What mechanism is used in modern hydraulic lifts?

Modern hydraulic lifts use a piston in a tube, where hydraulic pressure pushes the piston to lift the car.

What safety features are included in modern hydraulic lifts?

Modern lifts have safety features such as pressure relief valves that prevent overload and ensure safe operation.

Why did hydraulic lifts become more common in the 1920s?

Hydraulic lifts became familiar by the 1920s due to their simplicity and effectiveness, often featured in slapstick comedies.

What fluid is used in modern hydraulic lifts instead of water?

Modern hydraulic lifts use oil instead of water, which helps keep the system lubricated.

What risks were associated with older lift designs?

Older lift designs posed risks such as people falling into lift shafts while trying to escape from stuck cars.

How do modern lifts address claustrophobia and user anxiety?

Modern lifts, while safer, can be more claustrophobic due to enclosed spaces, leading to anxiety for some users.

What was a notable feature of early lifts that is no longer present in modern designs?

Early lifts had an open design that allowed users to see where they were and provided a feeling of escape, which modern lifts lack.

What is the overall message regarding the safety of modern lifts?

Despite the discomfort they may cause, modern lifts are incredibly safe machines, designed with numerous safety features.