The elevators were a tragic exception
Pneumatic Vacuum Elevators LLC is the designer and manufacturer of the vacuum elevator. PVE currently manufactures three versions of its air driven residential elevators, ranging from single to a three-passenger, wheelchair-accessible home elevator. All of PVE's vacuum home lift systems are capable of up to a 35 foot (10.5m) vertical rise over as many as four stops. The unique design of the vacuum residential elevator is a perfect choice for any retrofit or new construction project and will enhance the value of one's home without the consuming footprint of a traditional home elevator. The innovative home elevator does not require any pre-construction shaft, pit, or machine room and can be installed in as little as two days. By using a vacuum pump to generate areas of higher and lower atmospheric pressure within the cylinder hoist way, the unit smoothly moves between floors while using much less energy than other home elevators.The World Trade Center had one of the world's great elevator systems — 198 of the biggest, fastest elevators ever built. On the morning of Sept. 11, this technological marvel turned against the people who worked there. USA TODAY estimates that at least 200 people died inside World Trade Center elevators, the biggest elevator catastrophe in history. Some people plunged to their deaths after elevator cables were destroyed by the hijacked jets that crashed into the buildings. Others burned to death as flames shot down shafts. And some who were trapped inside stalled elevators died when the buildings collapsed.
The elevators were a tragic exception to an otherwise successful evacuation that resulted in the survival of 99% of the people who worked below the floors where the jets crashed.
Chinese Escalatorhas identified 21 people who were trapped behind locked elevator doors and fought their way out. About 80 other people in elevators survived because the doors happened to be open just as the jets hit or opened automatically without the assistance of passengers.
Elevator Manufacturercould not find an instance in which emergency workers successfully rescued people from elevators, although some firefighters died trying.
