The manual or automatic procedure by which the electromagnetic brake on an elevator traction machine is released to allow the car to be moved in an emergency, typically to free trapped passengers when normal drive power is unavailable.
Full Definition
Brake release is a critical emergency procedure covered by EN 81-20 and EN 81-1/2. Every elevator must have a means of releasing the machine brake manually to allow the car to be moved under gravity (by counterweight imbalance) to the nearest floor to free trapped passengers. The brake release mechanism must be: accessible to the rescue service without special tools (typically a hand-lever or squeeze handle); operable from the machine room or, in MRL elevators, from the designated access point in the hoistway top or landing cabinet; designed so the brake re-engages automatically when the lever is released (a 'dead man' mechanism) to prevent uncontrolled movement. The car must move under gravity only when the load imbalance exceeds friction — if the car and counterweight are near balance, manual effort may be required. In MRL installations the brake release lever extends to a landing panel accessible without entering the hoistway. EN 81-20 requires a speed governor or speed limiter to prevent the car from exceeding safe speed during manual rescue. Brake release training is mandatory for designated building fire wardens and security staff in many jurisdictions.
