320-01 Elevator Operations

These guidelines apply to all Emergency Operations personnel dealing with malfunctioning elevators.

Personnel accountability procedures ensure that all responders are accounted for and safe.

Never attempt manual lowering, raising, hydraulic bleeding, or car drifting of the elevator. These actions should only be performed by trained elevator technicians.

Do not attempt to repair any electrical or mechanical equipment on the elevator. Call for qualified elevator technicians.

Stop switches, pit switches, and car top switches should only be used by qualified elevator technicians. Attempting to move or disable the power can be dangerous.

If possible, it's best to wait for the elevator service company to arrive and handle the situation. If there's a medical emergency or other extreme condition, however, immediate action may be required.

Fire Rescue personnel should never operate any elevator equipment that could result in movement. Technicians from the elevator company are the only ones authorized to perform such actions.

A Knox Box is a secure box that contains keys to buildings, including elevator keys. Fire Rescue personnel should check the Knox Box for the presence of elevator keys.

Before entering a hoistway, Fire Rescue personnel must wear a safety harness secured with a rope, a helmet, and gloves, ensuring constant monitoring by fellow personnel.

When rescuing passengers from a stalled elevator, a ladder is extended to the top of the elevator car, ensuring it goes 3 feet above the landing.

Before exiting the hoistway, rescuers must re-secure the roof hatch and ensure all hoistway doors are fully closed and secure.

After exiting the elevator car, passengers must be secured with a ladder belt or safety harness, monitored by Fire Rescue personal.

Rescuing passengers from one stalled elevator to another functional elevator car is highly technical and should only be performed as a last resort by Special Operations.

The danger of a unattended open hoistway is one of the most common causes of elevator fatalities.

Fire Rescue personnel must never place an elevator back into service following an incident. This responsibility belongs to building management or the elevator company.

Lockout/Tagout devices used to secure power switches in elevators remain in place until building management or the elevator company assumes responsibility.

The process of identifying and securing the elevator that is malfunctioning. It involves pressing the call button, instructing passengers to push buttons, ensuring the elevator door is closed, and verifying that all hoist way doors are closed.

The location where the electrical control systems and machinery for elevators are housed. Firefighters often need to access the machine room to de-energize the elevator.

The process of turning off the main power supply to the elevator to prevent further movement and hazards. This often involves locating and operating disconnect switches within the elevator machine room.

The process of using a special Fire Service key to attempt to manually return the elevator car to the main floor. This is a potential option for rescuing passengers.

The action of transporting passengers out of a stalled elevator when the elevator car floor is within 3 feet of a landing. This involves opening hoist way doors and assisting passengers with a ladder.

The process of rescuing passengers from a stalled elevator when the elevator car floor is more than 3 feet from a landing. This typically involves entering the hoist way and using ladders or ropes to reach the passengers.

A situation where the opening between the elevator car floor and the landing is large enough for a person to fall into the hoist way. This presents a significant risk to both passengers and rescuers.

An emergency procedure where a passenger is equipped with a safety harness and secured to a rope while exiting the elevator car. This is used in situations where passengers are exposed to heights.

The process of using a physical object to block a hoist way opening to prevent falls. This is recommended in situations where the opening is large enough that someone could fall into it.

A method of rescuing passengers from a stalled elevator by using an aerial ladder to reach them from above. This is an option when other access methods are not feasible.

A special procedure involving the use of the roof hatch to rescue passengers from a stalled elevator. This is a high-risk maneuver and should be carefully assessed.

The action of assessing the risk associated with a rescue operation involving a stalled elevator. This includes considering the height difference, the accessibility of the passengers, and the available resources.

The process of contacting and coordinating support from specialized teams, such as the Aerial Unit or Special Operations, when the complexity of a rescue operation requires additional expertise.

A key point of communication between firefighters and passengers trapped in a stalled elevator. It involves providing reassurance, instructions, and updates to the passengers.