I'll admit that elevator code is not one of my areas of knowedge
I don't know if an emergency hatch is a requirement. It may be just an access hatch more maintainence.
I found this on a Blog - which is hardly a valid source I know, but it makes sense to me. I would think more people would get hurt trying to boost themselves up and out of a hatch and then try and climb out of the shaft than if they just stay put.
-dave
I tend to ask too many questions. I was in an elevator going up to see a patient and noticed that in the elevator was a gentleman from the elevator service company. I couln't help but asking where the emergency exit door was on the elevator. The hospital has these fancy ceilings in their elevators and I couldn't help now and then wondering what I would do if I got stuck. He explained that the door was behind the lighted panel in the ceiling. I asked how you get to it if you get stuck, he said that it was almost impossible and it really didn't matter because the escape doors are locked from the outside b. I asked him why they are locked and he said it was so that you could get out only if someone lets you out. Apparently, there have been lawsuits because people have been stuck in elevators and have hurt themselves climbing out of them or hurt when the elevator starts moving. As a result of the suits, the escape hatches are locked from the outside. I asked him what do you do if you are trapped in the elevator in a fire. He said, "Hope someone can get you out before you burn!"
I later found out that that it is even code to have the escape hatches locked! I wonder if the glass in the fire alarm box that states "break glass in case of fire" is unbreakable to prevent lawsuits because of people cutting themselves!