Did you even know that a compact 5.2 ft enclosed elevator cab can bring you ROI?
Yes, it’s true! With Remote video monitoring, you can cut down on illegal activity, reduce maintenance cycles, and operational disruption.
And that’s how you reduce tenant complaints.
And when complaints go away, two things happen.
You keep tenants longer.
You earn the right to charge higher rents.
Remote video monitoring removes anonymity.
It enables immediate intervention.
It stops incidents before they escalate.
In this blog, we tell you how such tight spaces, where incidents like vandalism, assaults, or entrapments are concealed from view, can be turned into a proactive revenue asset through remote video monitoring.
Keep reading if you want to know how the ROI of Elevator Video Monitoring across USA properties grows in a few months, even in high‑risk buildings.
What does elevator video monitoring for properties mean?
The integration of remote video monitoring services with your elevator CCTV cameras means accurate threat detection and swift threat response.
Every help button press, alarm, or suspicious activity generates a visual verification event. Trained operators assess within seconds and act in accordance with your playbook.
Elevator video monitoring actually means a direct connection between the video feed, the cab’s two‑way intercom, and a remote operations center. Whether it’s a small or large office building, a condo, a hotel, a mall, or even hospital elevators, remote operators see what is happening the moment someone presses the call button or an alarm is triggered.
Operators follow pre‑defined procedures: they visually verify, speak to the person if needed, send text prompts on touchscreens (for speech- and hearing‑impaired riders), and then escalate to on‑site staff or emergency responders.
Suggested reads:
- What is elevator monitoring, and how does it work?
- Top 10 elevator video monitoring benefits for modern buildings.
Top ROI factors for elevator video monitoring for properties?
The ROI of an Elevator Video Monitoring system is often misunderstood because people look for a direct dollar gain. Real ROI also shows up in the money you do not lose.
If you are not paying for lawsuits, fines, penalties, insurance claims, or reputational damage, that is a measurable return.
Avoided costs compound just like revenue does. Every incident that never escalates, every false claim you can disprove, every compliance issue you prevent is cash that stays in your pocket.
Often, the greatest return doesn’t come from what a system generates, but from the losses it quietly prevents. Here’s what the ROI of elevator video monitoring for properties means:
Direct cost savings:
First direct savings come from replacing an elevator security guard with around-the-clock surveillance coverage.
A commercial building that replaces 1 full-time armed or unarmed security guard post with elevator video monitoring can expect annual savings in the hundreds of dollars.
Elevator vandalism is a multi‑million‑dollar annual repair burden. Condo budgets get a huge jolt from this. Targeted video coverage in cabs, lobbies, and landings enables rapid identification and action against offenders. False alarm reduction is also a factor in direct cost savings.
Fewer thefts:
Tighter surveillance in and around elevators limits unauthorized access. CCTV cameras detect and track intrusions to tenant floors, storage areas, and parking levels. AI-powered CCTV cameras with gun and violence detection trigger an instant alert.
Enhanced safety and compliance:
Non-compliance with security means hefty fines! Massachusetts building owners can be fined $100 per day (up to a maximum of $20,000 per unit) for operating an elevator without a valid inspection certificate.
In Florida, the Office of Elevator Safety has imposed penalties exceeding $1,000. for neglecting maintenance or skipping required inspections.
The average cost of elevator-related fatalities in terms of lawsuits and compensation exceeded $2 million in a recent incident.
Sirix’s elevator video monitoring meets stricter ASME communication standards for the hearing- and speech-impaired passenger in distress who presses the elevator’s call button.
Immediate assistance is provided to the passenger, whether through two-way non-verbal communication via text messages or by dispatching on-site personnel.
Higher rents and tenant retention:
Safer common areas: pools, lounges, and especially elevators mean longer tenancies and justify premium positioning in competitive markets.
Reduced operational disruptions:
Approximately 40% of elevator fatalities occur during construction or repair. Through proactive detection and immediate intervention Remote video monitoring addresses operational disruptions at the source.
Reducing repair frequency and downtime:
Live monitoring allows incidents to be identified as they occur, for example, broken buttons, panels, mirrors, lighting, or signage. This shortens assessment and repair timelines and helps keep elevators in service.
Fewer service calls and emergency maintenance:
By deterring misuse and theft in real time, remote monitoring reduces unplanned service calls and emergency maintenance requests.
Lower administrative burden:
Video documentation provides immediate clarity, reducing time spent investigating incidents, coordinating responses, and managing reports.
Which features reduces false alarms and response costs in elevators?
Entrapments, assaults, and medical emergencies require a quick response. Here are the 2025 elevator incidents in commercial and residential buildings:
| Category | Residential | Commercial |
|---|---|---|
| % of accidents | Approx 50% | Aprox 50% |
| Fatalities | Lower per unit | 3x worker deaths |
| Common issues | Entrapments (16%), children | Shaft falls (58%), bystanders (20%) |
| 2025 incidents | 14% entrapment rise | 10% emergency calls up |
The features that most reduce false alarms and response costs in the elevator is live video monitoring.
When the alarm is triggered, the remote operators have access to the video feed and conduct an accurate assessment.
The two-way messaging reduces verification time from 5 minutes to 20 seconds. This way, the false alerts are reduced by 70-95%, compared with traditional alarms.
How does remote video monitoring affect insurance premiums for multifamily buildings?
Vandalism, assaults, entrapments, and illicit activities have been driving thousands of incidents annually in U.S. multifamily and commercial buildings.
Reputable insurance companies often offer premium reductions for modern, unified security. Property owners and maintenance firms can be held liable for elevator injuries when they fail to maintain safe conditions.
High‑quality video tied to incident logs improves documentation and helps defend claims or prove third‑party fault.
Multifamily buildings with remote elevator monitoring see noticeable reductions by proving innocence via timestamped footage against liability claims.
Measuring the ROI of elevator video monitoring for properties:
Calculate current security costs:
You can roughly add up expenses for guards, insurance, emergency dispatches (especially false alarms), and incident-related losses.
Estimate new savings:
Project reductions in guards, insurance, and administrative tasks after implementation.
Quantify benefits:
Track the decrease in incident frequency (e.g., percentage reduction in break-ins, vandalism) and faster response times.
Calculate ROI:
Example for Office building ABC:
Annual savings:
- $10,000 saved on guards and insurance.
- $5,000 in avoided incident losses.
- Total annual benefit: $15,000.
Investment:
- $15,000
Formula: ROI = (Gain − Cost) ÷ Cost
ROI: (15 000 – 15 000) ÷ 15 000 = 0%
That means you break even in one year. You recover 100% of your investment in the first year (payback period = 12 months).
What sets Sirix apart in elevator video monitoring for commercial properties?
Sirix Monitoring stands out in elevator video monitoring by specializing in ASME A17.1/CSA B44-compliant solutions.
Sirix combines live elevator video surveillance with touchscreen intercoms for non‑verbal two-way communication. The display screens provide simple yes/no prompts, enabling effective communication for deaf, partially deaf, or panicked riders.
It’s not generic surveillance; Sirix offers live video monitoring and ASME-compliant elevator intercoms tailored to the unique dynamics of elevators.
Real‑time operator expertise and deterrence:
ASME bans automated response systems for elevators. Sirix-trained operators in a dedicated security operations center access live feeds instantly upon button press.
They provide real-time visual assessment and verbal/text reassurance before dispatch. They strive to respond under 60 seconds.
Broader ecosystem integration:
Most elevator monitoring companies stop at the elevator. Sirix does not. Sirix turns the entire property into a single, controllable system.
Frequently asked questions:
How much does elevator monitoring cost?
Elevator video monitoring typically costs far less than on site guards and often pays for itself within months through reduced incidents, maintenance, and liability expenses.
What is the 3-4 rule for elevators?
The 3-4 rule requires elevators to have two-way communication that connects a trapped passenger to trained personnel within seconds and maintains contact until help arrives.
Is it legal to have cameras in elevators?
Yes, cameras in elevators are legal in most jurisdictions when used for security, do not record audio without consent, and comply with posted notice and privacy regulations.
Conclusion:
The ROI of elevator video monitoring is simple. It pays for itself by preventing loss before it happens. Fewer incidents lead to fewer complaints, and as a result, fewer lawsuits, fines, and insurance claims.
Add faster response, safer tenants, longer leases, and the ability to justify higher rents, and the system becomes a profit protector, not a cost center.
When an elevator stops being a liability and becomes a controlled, monitored space, the return is not theoretical. It is immediate, measurable, and sustained. Contact us today for a free demo on elevator video monitoring for your commercial property.
