Elevators & Fire Alarm Systems: Understanding Interface Requirements
Presented by:Antonio Torres- North Central Regional Sales Manager
Learning ObjectivesAt the end of this program, participants will be able to:
Improve installation coordination by identifying which elevators are subject to recall operations utilizing ASME 17.1 and 17.3
Eliminate job site ambiguities by incorporating code compliant sprinkler and fire alarm designs per NFPA 13, 72 and ASME 17.1(3)
Learning Objectives (cont.)At the end of this program, participants will be able to:
Ensure proper design by correctly locating building systems control and annunciation equipment using ASME 17.1(3), NFPA 72 and municipal codes
Understand recall sequence requirements and specify accordingly per ASME 17.1(3), NFPA 72 and municipal codes
Let’s get started!
1. When it’s required2. How it’s initiated3. Installation
requirements
Recall Codes & Standards
Elevator Recall Definition
The override of an automatic elevator’s operation by a building's fire safety system upon activation of a specific set of initiation devices.
Purpose of Elevator Recall Safety of the public
Prevents travel to fire floorPrevents occupants from getting trapped in carControlled stoppage of cabs
Firefighters’ use• Cars available upon arrival• Can be key initiated if not activated
When is recall required?
New Installations: The original requirement was in
the 1973 supplement to ASME A17.1 1971
Required recall when car traveled 25 feet above or below designated level
When is recall required?New Installations: The 1992 supplement to A17.1
1989 revised the recall requirements
The 25 foot requirement allowance was eliminated
All automatic elevators must now recall regardless of travel distance
When is recall required?
Existing Installations: If capability is not present, no recall
required unless:
Equipment is substantially altered in some other fashion
Equipment fails Equipment is deemed unsafe by the
municipality
Systems that initiate recall sequence
Required building fire alarm system
Used for recalling the elevators Has fire alarm notification duties Co-located with the elevator control
and status panel
Systems that initiate recall sequence Local System
If no alarm system exists, a system with the sole purpose of recalling the elevators may be installed Marked "Elevator Recall Control and
Supervisory Panel." No occupant evacuation notification Not monitored by central station
Installation standards ANSI/ASME A17.1, A17.3 Safety Code
for Elevators and Escalators NFPA 101, 72, 13, 70 Local or state adopted rules
May not be part of your building codeOverseen by an official Elevator Inspection Department
Installation standards
Electrical Elevator shaft may be used for
raceway if the circuitry serves elevator purposes only Elevator lobby smoke detectors Top and bottom of hoistway detectors
Smoke detectors not allowed in unsprinkled hoistway unless opening a hoistway exhaust vent
Installation standards Sprinkler
Chicago does not allow sprinklers in elevator machine rooms for required systems
Sprinklers in machine rooms & hoistway require a separate, system monitored shutoff valve and waterflow switch
Sprinkler heads in hoistway must be fed from the level it’s mounted on. Sprinkler risers are not allowed in the hoistway!
1. Terminology2. How it’s initiated3. Installation
requirements
Fireman’s Emergency Operations
Fireman’s Emergency Operations
1. Phase I (Recall)a. Primary Levelb. Alternate Level
2. Phase II (Fireman’s Operation)3. Fireman’s Hat4. Shunt
Elevator Recall Floor Designations
1. Designated Level (Primary) Main floor of direct egress Egress must be at exterior grade
2. Alternate Level Building egress available, not
usually direct Generally through exterior egress
stairwells Loading docks, parking garages
Elevator Recall Floor Designations
Designated Level (Primary) contains the following equipment:
Firefighter’s Command Center (FCC)
– Fire panel status and control– Emergency voice communication
equipment– May contain graphic annunciation
Elevator Recall Floor Designations
Designated Level (Primary) contains:
Elevator Annunciator Panel (EAP)
– Shows car locations– May have recall key switches– AKA Elevator Control Panel (ECP)
Designated Level (Primary) contains:Aux controls
– FansHOA switchesMay show fan statusMay be located in FCC
– Stairwell doorsUsually located in FCC (always in Chicago)
– Dampers
Elevator Recall Floor Designations
1. Phase I Also referred to as Elevator Recall Car reports to appropriate level
• Primary Recall Elevator lobby smoke detectors from
any level above designated primary level
Detectors from pit if alternate level is below primary
Fireman’s Emergency Operations
• Primary Recall (cont.)
Buzzer sounds continuously, fireman’s hat illuminates
Cab reports to primary floor Doors automatically open, remain
open
Fireman’s Emergency Operations
1. Phase One (cont.) Accomplished with two
programmable relays Can be activated manually via
Firefighter’s recall switch at ECP or primary lobby
Lobby detector can be a supervisory type device if not part of public area coverage
Fireman’s Emergency Operations
1. Phase One (cont.) Municipal codes may require two cross
zoned smoke detectors per elevator lobby
Cross zoning not required per NFPA 72 nor ASME 17.1(3)
Waterflow may be used in Chicago if entire building is sprinkled
Only municipality may allow other devices to activate recall
Fireman’s Emergency Operations
1. Phase I (cont.) Alternate Recall
• Detectors from primary level elevator lobby• Detectors from pit if alternate level is
above primary level• Buzzer sounds continuously, fireman’s hat
illuminates• Cab reports to AHJ approved alternate
floor of egress• Doors open, remain open
Fireman’s Emergency Operations
Lobby Detector Location
Locate smoke detector(s) within 21 feet of centerline of each elevator door of the bank under control of the detector
2. Phase II Also referred to as Firefighter’s
Service Allows firefighters to use cars after
Phase I has been activated Cars are hand operated by firefighters Key activated from inside the car Employs “Dead Man Drop” door
operation
Fireman’s Emergency Operations
3. Fireman’s Hat Detectors in machine room and/or
hoistway activate sequenceSmoke detectors not allowed in hoistways that are not sprinkled unless opening a hoistway exhaust ventHeat detectors may be used in hostile environments
Fireman’s Emergency Operations
3. Fireman’s Hat Warns firefighters that loss of
elevator may be imminent Sequence activates the flashing
fireman’s hat in the car(s) Accomplished with programmable
relay
Fireman’s Emergency Operations
4. Shunt Trip Why do we need it?
– Controlled shutdown before sprinklers – Water on brakes may cause:
Brake failureElevator car to stop between floors and leave the hoistway exposed
– Door operation circuitry on top of cab could short circuit when wet, allowing cab to travel up and down with open doors
Fireman’s Emergency Operations
4. Shunt Trip (cont.) Sequence activates shutdown of elevator
power Heat detectors in machine room and/or
hoistway activate sequenceDedicated, non-delayed waterflow may be used
Must be implemented if sprinklers are in machine room and/or hoistway
Power source of shunt trip activation must be monitored for availability by fire alarm system
Accomplished by programmable relay
Fireman’s Emergency Operations
4. Shunt Trip (cont.) Hoistway Sprinklers
A. Head not required in pit if:Hoistway is an enclosed, non-combustible shaftNo combustible hydralic fluids
B. Head not required at top of shaft if:Hoistway is an enclosed, non-combustible (or limited combustible) shaftCab enclosure materials meet ASME 17.1
Fireman’s Emergency Operations
4. Shunt Trip (cont.) Rate-of-rise heat detector activates shunt trip
Must be located within two feet of each sprinkler headTemperature rating below and sensitivity rating above that of the sprinkler
– Sprinkler head is usually 165°, standard response– Heat detector is usually 135°, but can be adjusted– Sensitivity is Response Time Index (RTI) of both
sprinkler head and heat detectorIf unknown, a fixed temperature heat detector used
Fireman’s Emergency Operations
Typical Elevator Shunt Trip Wiring
A. Fireman’s Emergency Operations
B. Fire alarm equipment neededC. Takeaways
Elevator Emergency Operations Review
Review of Elevator Firefighter’s Emergency Operations
1. Phase I Primary or alternate level recall Remains at recall level until
Bypassed with key Phase II activated with key Fire panel reset
2. Phase II Firefighter operates car via special key Car remains on floor of travel until
sequence repeated
Review of Elevator Firefighter’s Emergency Operations (cont.)
3. Firefighter’s Hat Warns of possible fire in machine room
and/or hoistway Loss of car power may be imminent
4. Elevator Shutdown Shunt trip Newer equipment brings car to nearest
floor to let occupants out before shunting power
Fire Alarm Interface Requirements1. Phase I
Smoke detector(s) in each elevator lobby Two addressable relays in elevator machine
room (primary and alternate recall)2. Phase II
None3. Firefighter’s Hat
Smoke detector(s) in elevator machine room Smoke detector in pit and top of shaft (if
sprinkled) Addressable relay in elevator machine room
Fire Alarm Interface Requirements
4. Elevator Shunt Trip (only if sprinkled) Heat detector within 24” of each sprinkler head
Elevator machine room Pit Top of shaft
Addressable relay in elevator machine room High voltage relay powered by shunt power
Some newer shunt trip breakers contain a relay Addressable module to monitor shunt power
relay
1. All automatic elevators must recall.2. All sprinkled elevators must shunt.3. Check with municipality for any
additional recall criteria.4. Ensure coordination between fire
alarm and elevator contractors.5. Ensure the correct sequences are
demonstrated before final elevator and occupancy inspections.
Final Takeaways