Executive Order Executive Order #1

STANDARDIZING GROUND FLOOR DESIGNATION IN ELEVATOR SYSTEMS

Purpose

By the authority vested in me as the operator of this personal domain, I hereby establish the universal standard that all ground floor levels in elevator systems shall be designated as “0” to eliminate international confusion and promote logical floor numbering.

Section 1: Floor Numbering Standards

(a) The ground floor of any building shall be designated as Floor 0 in all elevator systems, signage, and building documentation.

(b) Floors above ground level shall be numbered sequentially as 1, 2, 3, and so forth.

(c) Floors below ground level shall be numbered as -1, -2, -3, reflecting their position relative to Floor 0.

(d) The confusing terms “Ground Floor,” “First Floor,” “Lobby,” or “L” are hereby deprecated in favor of the clear and unambiguous “0.”

Section 2: Rationale

The following issues necessitate this reform:

  1. International Confusion: European systems use ground floor (0) plus numbered floors above, while American systems call the ground floor “1,” causing unnecessary mental arithmetic when traveling.
  2. Mathematical Logic: Zero-indexed systems align with programming conventions and provide symmetry between above-ground and below-ground floors.
  3. Clarity: When someone says “third floor,” it should unambiguously mean three floors above ground, not two.

Section 3: Implementation Guidelines

All elevator systems under my influence shall:

  1. Button Labels: Display “0” for ground floor entry, with clear tactile and visual indicators
  2. Floor Displays: Show “0” when the elevator is at ground level
  3. Building Directories: List ground floor establishments under “Floor 0”
  4. Voice Announcements: State “Ground floor, level zero” to aid transition period understanding

Section 4: Exceptions

Temporary exemptions may be granted for:

  • Historic buildings where elevator modification would damage architectural integrity
  • Buildings with split-level ground floors (subject to case-by-case review)
  • Elevator systems in countries that already use this superior numbering scheme

Section 5: Education Campaign

To facilitate adoption, the following measures shall be undertaken:

  • Public awareness materials explaining the logical basis of zero-indexing
  • Signage during transition periods stating “Floor 0 (Ground Floor)”
  • Developer-friendly documentation noting the parallel to array indexing

Section 6: Effective Date

This order shall take effect immediately for all new construction and major elevator renovations, with a grace period of five years for voluntary compliance in existing buildings.

SIGNED THIS 18TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 2025