Below is a 2 minute video illustrating how the safety gear (emergency braking system) works on a modern day high rise passenger / goods lift.
The chances of a lift ever free falling is extremely unlikely due to the strength and the amount of steel load ropes / belts utilised.
Just one lift load rope can have a safety co-efficient of around to 6/1 and possibly more based on the SWL of the actual lift.
For example: A traction lift with a SWL of 430kg will have approximately 4 steel load ropes operating the lift car and each load rope will have a breaking point of over 2000kg depending on the load rope’s safety factor.
The safety factors are immense when lifting persons.
Coupled with these safety gear units and regular inspection regimes there should never be a lift free falling incident here in the UK.
NOTE: In the event of a lift re-rope then it is a legal requirement for the new load ropes to be accompanied by a load test certificate confirming the SWL, type of lay (construction), length and diameter.
SAFed Guidance:
Where no documented evidence exists verifying the satisfactory operation
of the system, consideration should be given by the competent person to
calling for such a supplementary test. Thereafter, consideration should be
given to calling for such a supplementary test of the safety gear
(car/counterweight), together with any overspeed governor and torpedo
release device (if fitted). This could be at 5 yearly intervals unless it can
be demonstrated that a more or less frequent test will be adequate to
ensure safety.