The hand of a door panel in an elevator is determined by its direction of travel when?

The hand of a door panel in an elevator is determined by its direction of travel when opening inside the elevator car. This is a crucial aspect in the elevator industry, as understanding how the door operates influences its installation and operation.

When evaluating the hand of a door, the primary consideration is how the door moves relative to the intrusion of the elevator car's interior. Specifically, if you are inside the elevator and the door swings open towards you, the door is designated as a "left hand" if it opens to the left and "right hand" if it opens to the right. Therefore, this perspective from inside the elevator car gives a clear and consistent method for identifying the door's hand, which is essential for ensuring that all components, including the door operator and related systems, are installed correctly to function as intended.

This method is standardized because it minimizes confusion and aligns with practices used across the industry, ensuring that elevator technicians and engineers have a uniform approach when discussing or specifying door types.