Key switch enable/disable elevator call button - Why?

[dolson]

Small town (population <500) Church, three level residential elevator (according to the control box sticker & associated papers) circa 1992 installation, has a single momentary push button call button at each level, but also has a SPST key switch adjacent to the push button. Wiring is such that the key switch has to be "on" in order to put power to the push button contacts. My question is, why the key switch? All it effectively does is not allow the elevator to be called to that corresponding level.

[GenesisRefrig]

I’ve seen similar setups at schools. Elevators are to be used only by those with a disability. Students and staff with a need, are issued a key. It keeps all the other people from monopolizing an elevator that some have a legitimate need to use.

[HVAC_Marc]

It also can be locked at a certain position for maintenance.

[buford]

Also keeps people from visiting floors without a key

[lytning]

Small town (population <500) Church, three level residential elevator (according to the control box sticker & associated papers) circa 1992 installation, has a single momentary push button call button at each level, but also has a SPST key switch adjacent to the push button. Wiring is such that the key switch has to be "on" in order to put power to the push button contacts. My question is, why the key switch? All it effectively does is not allow the elevator to be called to that corresponding level.

For fire dept use???

[dolson]

Thanks for the feedback. The general idea of limiting access to "call" the elevator makes a lot of sense, in an application other than this church. There's about four steps from the ground level up to the sanctuary level, and then about six more feet from there to that door - so the elevator really doesn't do anything in terms of reducing the time it would take to get up/down those levels.

I took another look at the cover plate with the key switch, push button, & 'car is here' indicator light, & it looks like it's a packaged deal, with the wiring on a couple of the plates from the key switch to the push button looking like it was probably factory wiring, as the rest of the wiring at those points is good 'ole 18/6 t-stat wire.

[HVAC_Marc]

It's really for hot lovers... the can stop it and lock it for "going down"