How to Operate an Elevator in Independent Service

Last Updated: February 24, 2023

Independent service, or "car preference," is a mode on most elevators that overrides usual elevator functioning. Upon activation with a key, the elevator will stop responding to hall calls and operate from the main control panel. This wikiHow will show you how to turn on independent service.

Steps

1
Call the elevator. To do so, press the up or down button. This will send the elevator to your floor.
- If the elevator is destination dispatch, you may need to use an access code to be able to use the normal "up" and "down" call buttons.
2
Instruct passengers to get off the elevator. If you need to use the elevator in independent service, you will need to get passengers off. The passengers can always request another elevator by pressing the elevator call button. If there is no other elevator in service they will simply have to wait until you are done using the elevator.

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3
Locate the independent service switch. This is usually in an elevator cabinet on the elevator panel or located directly above the elevator floor buttons.
4
Turn the keyswitch to "ON" or to "INDEPENDENT". This will cancel all floor calls and will prevent the elevator from being used. The letters "IS" or the words "Independent service"/"VIP" will appear on the floor indicator to confirm that the elevator is indeed in independent service.
5
Close the doors. Some elevators will disable the buttons until the doors are closed. Regardless, the elevator doors need to be closed to get the elevator started. To do so, press and hold the door close button until the door is shut. Releasing the button will reopen the door.
6
Select your floor. To do so, press one of the floor buttons until it lights up. If there is no door close button, hold down the floor button until the door is completely shut to select it.
7
Manually reopen the doors. While some elevators will reopen the door automatically upon arriving at a specific floor, others require the door open button to be held until the doors are fully open for the door to open.
8
Turn off independent service when done. To do so, turn the independent service keyswitch to "OFF" or "GROUP". This will return the elevators to normal service.