# Fireman's switch in elevator **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 27, 2011, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firemans-switch-in-elevator/569138 "2011-01-27T01:57:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firemans-switch-in-elevator/569138/21 "2011-01-28T15:37:26Z")
> [@gotpasswords](#): > > This seems to be happening nationally. Hose cabinets are being emptied and capped off - the explanation I got from a firefighter was that nobody ever inspected the hoses, so they gave a false sense of security. It’s a sensitive subject, too. I once asked a bellhop, “How often do you hire someone to come up here and inspect your hose?” and he slapped me with one of his gloves. ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firemans-switch-in-elevator/569138/22 "2011-01-29T02:15:02Z")
> [@gotpasswords](#): > > This seems to be happening nationally. Hose cabinets are being emptied and capped off - the explanation I got from a firefighter was that nobody ever inspected the hoses, so they gave a false sense of security. That is another problem. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firemans-switch-in-elevator/569138/23 "2011-01-29T02:56:17Z")
> [@gotpasswords](#): > > This seems to be happening nationally. Hose cabinets are being emptied and capped off - the explanation I got from a firefighter was that nobody ever inspected the hoses, so they gave a false sense of security. Fire crews also have a whole truck full of hose, its pretty easy for one guy to carry a hefty bundle of hose called a high rise pack like so: [http://www.westshorefire.com/product\_info.php?cPath=73&products\_id=539](http://www.westshorefire.com/product_info.php?cPath=73&products_id=539) ---
**Author:** ![Patch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firemans-switch-in-elevator/569138/24 "2011-01-29T03:03:29Z")
> [@Snnipe\_70E](#): > > Normally you order the lock box from the fire department. They want master keys, elevator keys, and any security pass cards necessary. In a emergency if you do not leave them keys they use their universal master key. After you get the lock box you call the FD to be sure where they want it. You mount it box. Then recall the FD so they can lock the box after you put the keys in it. > > There should be a lock box outside every major building. Isn’t that box then a nice little goldmine for thieves? ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firemans-switch-in-elevator/569138/25 "2011-01-29T03:49:46Z")
I don’t know anything about the OP, I must admit. However, I couldn’t help but notice something interesting. Out of 24 posts to this thread (at this time), 10 are by 7 boardmembers who have been here ten years or more. drachillix, gotpasswords, Joey P, KneadToKnow, longhair75, KCB615, ZenBeam. A super-majority of 16 of 24 replies are from board members registered for 8 years or more. (I’m not including myself in these counts). I don’t have any proof but these numbers seem atypical… What is going on? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firemans-switch-in-elevator/569138/26 "2011-01-29T04:34:01Z")
> [@Patch](#): > > Isn’t that box then a nice little goldmine for thieves? Wikipedia mentions that many business owners will tie the knox box into the alarm system so that opening the box will trigger a call to the police station. Obviously moot when the fire department is already on the scene, but otherwise helpful. ---
**Author:** ![Patch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firemans-switch-in-elevator/569138/27 "2011-01-29T04:37:57Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > I don’t know anything about the OP, I must admit. > > However, I couldn’t help but notice something interesting. > Out of 24 posts to this thread (at this time), 10 are by 7 boardmembers who have been here ten years or more. > drachillix, > gotpasswords, > Joey P, > KneadToKnow, > longhair75, > KCB615, > ZenBeam. > > A super-majority of 16 of 24 replies are from board members registered for 8 years or more. (I’m not including myself in these counts). > > I don’t have any proof but these numbers seem atypical.. What is going on? A lot of old timers don’t like stairs? ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firemans-switch-in-elevator/569138/28 "2011-01-29T05:14:58Z")
> [@Patch](#): > > Isn’t that box then a nice little goldmine for thieves? Good luck getting the ones off that I put up. 1st you are going to need a ladder. you probably will be noticed. 2nd if you get it off those little boxes are like a safe. It will be hard to open it. ---
**Author:** ![Patch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firemans-switch-in-elevator/569138/29 "2011-01-29T06:18:22Z")
> [@Snnipe\_70E](#): > > Good luck getting the ones off that I put up. > 1st you are going to need a ladder. you probably will be noticed. > 2nd if you get it off those little boxes are like a safe. It will be hard to open it. I’m now waiting for one of those boxes to pop up as a little info tidbit on _Burn Notice_. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firemans-switch-in-elevator/569138/30 "2011-01-29T10:38:10Z")
> [@Patch](#): > > Isn’t that box then a nice little goldmine for thieves? Think of it this way: Would you want to break into a lock box belonging to a gang of truckers who run around with fire axes? 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firemans-switch-in-elevator/569138.md?page=1)