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In an episode of Friends, Chandler is in an ATM vestibule when a power blackout happens. The door to the vestibule automatically locks and he (and a supermodel) are trapped inside until the power comes on. Is this legal? There is this related question:

Can I legally trap someone on my property that has committed a crime?

But no one has answered it. It seems like banks are allowed to detain you even though you've done nothing wrong. It's easy to think of scenarios that would make this worse. Instead of a supermodel for company, instead you have a full bladder. Or you popped out for a second to get cash and now your kids are home alone for hours.

I recently read a similar (real) story about a guy in the UK getting trapped. So either a US or a UK answer would be of most interest to me.

ohwilleke
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B. Goddard
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3 Answers3

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A power failure is an obvious example of force majeure. Nobody would talk of kidnapping, as you tagged your question, if a power failure trapped a lift between floors.

The real issue would be one of fire safety and other safety. How is a bank allowed to design a room open to the public if escape becomes impossible in the case of power failure? In , powered doors would most likely need a manual override in the exit direction, but specific issues of fire safety are way too complicated for a generic answer on the web.

Glorfindel
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o.m.
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Many US jurisdictions have adopted the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code (which falls into the general category of building codes). The 2024 edition states

4.5.3.2 Unobstructed Egress. In every occupied building or structure, means of egress from all parts of the building shall be maintained free and unobstructed. Means of egess shall be accessible to the extent necessary to ensure reasonable safety for occupants having impaired mobility.

The code is long and provides alternative ways to satisfy requirements, but I think the trope one sees in books, tv, and movies of buildings automatically locking people in would usually be a building code violation.

Gerard Ashton
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Is it legal for a bank to trap you in an ATM vestibule?

If this was done intentionally, and outside of a citizen's arrest (s. 494, Criminal Code), this would make out the tort of false imprisonment: intentional confinement of a person without legal justification.

I see you have tagged this , but that requires the additional element of moving the person from one place to another.

Jen
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