101.1.1- Elevators

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Questions and Answers

What is the minimum floor area required for a firefighter elevator?

1.5 meters

3.5 meters

2.2 meters (correct)

4.5 meters

What is the minimum load-bearing capacity of a firefighter elevator?

900 kg (correct)

1000 kg

500 kg

700 kg

What is the minimum duration of the emergency power supply in a firefighter elevator?

1.5 hours

1 hour

2.5 hours

2 hours (correct)

Where is the manual recall switch typically located in a firefighter elevator?

In the entry-level lobby or Central Alarm Control Facility room Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum time taken for a firefighter elevator to travel from the ground floor to the top floor?

1 minute Signup and view all the answers

What rating is required for power and control wiring in a firefighter elevator?

1-hour fire rating Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of a yellow helmet located on or near the elevator frame?

It indicates an OFC-compliant firefighter elevator Signup and view all the answers

In which buildings are firefighter elevators required?

Buildings built prior to the 1975 Building Code Signup and view all the answers

What is the responsibility of the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) in Ontario?

Ensuring compliance with both the Ontario Building Code and Ontario Fire Code Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of a lack of Fire Fighter designation on an elevator?

The elevator does not fully comply with the OBC or OFC requirements Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical limitation of hydraulic elevators in terms of the number of stories?

Five or six stories Signup and view all the answers

Where are machine rooms usually located for traction elevators?

One or two floors above the elevator shaft Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of freight elevators?

Moving freight and large goods Signup and view all the answers

What is the marking color for OBC-compliant firefighter elevators?

Red Signup and view all the answers

In which type of buildings are OBC-compliant firefighter elevators required?

Residential and institutional buildings above 18 meters or 6 stories high Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of service elevators?

Providing oversized capacity for special needs Signup and view all the answers

How are OFC-compliant firefighter elevators marked?

With a YELLOW helmet Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical location of the machine room for hydraulic elevators?

At the bottom of the elevator shaft Signup and view all the answers

What type of elevators are designated for firefighter use during emergencies?

Firefighter elevators Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum height requirement for buildings to require a designated firefighter elevator, according to the Ontario Building Code (OBC)?

18 meters Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of Phase One in Fire Service Operation?

To return elevators to a safe floor away from the fire location Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between Independent or Service Mode and Automatic Service?

Independent or Service Mode is used by building staff, while Automatic Service is used by occupants Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the 'Peek' feature in Fire Service Operation?

To reopen the elevator doors before they fully close Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern with using Automatic Service during a fire?

Doors may not close if smoke is encountered Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of shunt trips in elevator installations with sprinklers?

To protect firefighters from getting trapped Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during the Reverse Stack Effect in response to a fire alarm?

Elevators recall to the lobby and their doors open, allowing smoke to rush into the hoist way Signup and view all the answers

How do Destination Dispatch Elevators differ from traditional elevator systems in terms of Fire Service Operation?

Phase Two controls and floor call buttons are behind a locked panel inside the car Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern with using Independent or Service Mode during a fire?

Doors may not close if smoke is encountered Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Firefighter Emergency Operation (FEO) key switch?

To initiate Phase One in Fire Service Operation Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of using Fire Service Operation during a fire?

It gives firefighters complete control over elevator functions Signup and view all the answers

What should firefighters do before entering an elevator?

Take note of stairwell locations Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the firefighter assigned to Elevator Control?

To remain with the elevator during a fire incident Signup and view all the answers

What should firefighters ensure during Phase Two of an elevator operation?

Proper operation of the elevator's functions Signup and view all the answers

What should firefighters do if the elevator is not working properly?

Exit the elevator as soon as safely possible and inform the Incident Commander Signup and view all the answers

Why should firefighters check hoist-ways before using the elevator?

To check for water, smoke, or fire Signup and view all the answers

Why should firefighters stop two floors below the reported alarm or fire?

For three reasons: Scissor Stairs, Access Stairs, and Safety Margin Signup and view all the answers

What should firefighters do while stopping two floors below the reported alarm or fire?

Size up the floor plan, standpipe location, unit numbers, and stairwell locations Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to size up the floor plan two floors below the reported alarm or fire?

To understand the layout of the fire floor Signup and view all the answers

What is typically the same as the floor below on the fire floor?

The layout Signup and view all the answers

What should firefighters do if they find water, smoke, or fire in the hoist-way?

Use another elevator or stairs Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Elevator Types

Hydraulic elevators operate using a piston filled with hydraulic fluid under pressure, typically limited to five or six stories.
Machine rooms are usually located at the bottom of the elevator shaft for hydraulic elevators.
Traction elevators operate using long hoisting cables and a traction sheave, with machine rooms usually located one or two floors above the elevator shaft.

Elevator Uses

Passenger elevators are for transporting people in residential and commercial high-rises.
Service elevators are oversized with extra height and wider doors.
Freight elevators are for moving freight and large goods, not intended for passenger use.

Firefighter Elevators

Firefighter elevators are designated in the Ontario Building Code (OBC) and Ontario Fire Code (OFC) for firefighter use during emergencies.
OBC-compliant elevators are marked with a RED helmet, while OFC-compliant elevators are marked with a YELLOW helmet.

OBC-Compliant Firefighter Elevators

Installed to OBC standards, identified by a RED HELMET located on or near the frame of the elevator, on the key switch plate, or near the elevator at the recall level.
Required in residential, institutional buildings above 18 meters or 6 stories high, and in buildings classified as assembly, office, mercantile or industrial occupancies above 36 meters from grade.
Must have a minimum floor area of 2.2 meters and accommodate a stretcher.
Capable of bearing a 900 kg load and have an emergency power supply for at least 2 hours.
Equipped with full in-car emergency service phase controls and a manual recall switch located in the entry-level lobby or Central Alarm Control Facility room.
Can travel from ground floor to top floor in one minute.
All power and control wiring are fire-rated for one hour.
Elevator shafts cannot be used as a smoke vent.

OFC-Compliant Firefighter Elevators

Installed to OFC standards, identified by a YELLOW helmet located on or near the elevator frame at the recall level, or in the car adjacent to the emergency switch.
Required in buildings built prior to the 1975 Building Code.
Marked with a YELLOW helmet.
Do not have all the features of an OBC-compliant elevator.
Do not require automatic return to the entry level floor.
Control switch is marked with the word EMERGENCY in yellow.
Floor area does not need to accommodate a stretcher.
Shafts may not be totally smoke-proof.
No emergency power supply is required.
No minimum speed requirement.

Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA)

Has overall responsibility for elevators in Ontario.
Ensures compliance with the Ontario Building Code and Ontario Fire Code.

Modes of Elevator Operation

Fire Service Operation: takes elevator control away from occupants through alarm activation or Firefighter-initiated action.
Consists of two phases: Phase One (Recall) and Phase Two.
Phase One (Recall): returns elevators to a safe floor away from the fire location.
Can be initiated automatically from the fire alarm system or manually from a Firefighter Emergency Operation (FEO) key switch.
Elevator doors open, and normal operation shuts down.
Phase Two: gives firefighters complete control over elevator functions, including door opening and closing.
Only possible after Phase One is complete.
Firefighter must shine a light up the elevator shaft to check for smoke, water, or fire before entering Phase Two.
Operation: Firefighters use a Phase Two switch, either two or three position, located inside the elevator.
Normal position of the two-position switch is 'Off', 'On' or 'Fire Service' positions give firefighters control.
Three-position switch has a 'Hold' position, ensuring the elevator remains static.
Firefighters insert the FEO key, select a floor, and press and hold the 'Door Close' button until the doors close and the car begins to move.
'Peek' feature: releasing the button before doors close will reopen them.
Elevator will remain at the desired floor until the sequence is repeated to close the doors again.

Automatic Service (Normal)

Normal day-to-day operation where elevators respond to floor calls and deliver occupants to various levels.
Unsuitable for emergency operations involving fire due to:
- Doors not closing if smoke is encountered.
- Elevators responding to floor calls from occupants.
- They travel in one direction fully before reversing direction.
- Doors opening automatically upon arrival at each floor.

Independent or Service Mode

Typically used by building staff.
Elevator no longer responds to floor call requests and is dedicated to a single user via a key.
User presses a 'door close' button and selects a floor.
Doors open automatically and remain open until the operator presses the door close button again.
Independent or Service Mode is NOT designed for emergency operations.
Door beam sensor is still active, preventing door closure if smoke is present.

Shunt Trip Devices and Warning Lights

Shunt trips are designed to protect firefighters but can also trap them.
Found in installations with sprinklers in the elevator shaft.
Shunt trips kill power to the elevator motor before sprinklers activate.
Warning lights on the elevator panel indicate Fire Service mode.
Constant light indicates normal operation.
Flashing light indicates an activated Fire Alarm Initiating Device, and the elevator should not be used.

Stack Effect and Elevators

The Stack Effect is the natural movement of air in and out of a structure, which can cause smoke to spread through elevator shafts and disperse on different floors in the event of a fire.
Elevator shaft doors are not airtight, allowing air currents to carry smoke into the hoist ways and disperse it on other floors.
The Stack Effect can cause smoke to spread from a lower floor to upper floors on a cold day, or from an upper floor to lower floors on a hot day.
Reverse Stack Effect: In response to a fire alarm, elevators will recall to the lobby and their doors will open, allowing smoke to rush into the hoist way and down the elevator shaft into the lobby.

Destination Dispatch Elevators

A type of elevator system that uses a touchscreen or keypad to select desired floors, and then dispatches the elevator to pick up passengers.
There are no call buttons in the lobby or floor buttons in the elevator car.
The system tells passengers which elevator to stand in front of and dispatches that elevator to pick them up.
Fire Service operation works the same as with traditional systems, with the exception of Phase Two controls and floor call buttons being behind a locked panel inside the car.

Firefighter Safety

Firefighters should always take note of stairwell locations prior to entering an elevator, as stairwell locations and building layout may change from floor to floor.
A firefighter should be assigned as Elevator Control and remain with the elevator during a fire incident to ensure proper operation of the elevator's functions.
Firefighters should ensure the proper operation of the elevator's functions while in Phase Two, including Call Cancel, Door Open, and Door Close.
If the elevator is not working properly, or if it is acting erratically, firefighters should exit the elevator as soon as safely possible and inform the Incident Commander.
Hoist-ways should be checked for water, smoke, or fire before using the elevator, and if any of these conditions exist, another elevator or stairs must be used.

Ascending to the Fire Floor

Firefighters should stop two floors below the reported alarm or fire for three reasons: Scissor Stairs, Access Stairs, and Safety Margin.
Firefighters should take the opportunity to size up the floor plan, standpipe location, unit numbers, and stairwell locations while in a non-IDLH atmosphere two floors below the fire.
The layout of the fire floor is typically the same as the floor below.

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Description

Learn about the different types of elevators, including hydraulic and traction elevators, and their uses in residential and commercial buildings. Understand the machine room locations and limitations of each type.