SOG 320-01: Elevator Passenger Removal

• SOG 320-01, issued on 05/21/2018, establishes guidelines for the safe removal of passengers from malfunctioning elevators, with an effective date of 06/21/2018.
• This guideline applies to all Emergency Operations personnel, under the authority of the Fire Rescue Administrator.

General Procedures

• Lockout/Tagout measures must be implemented as per SOG 300-03 Lockout-Tagout.
• Personnel accountability procedures should align with SOG 220-01 Personnel Accountability.
• Safety must be the priority when working around elevator machinery.
• Fire Rescue personnel should avoid moving the elevator by manual lowering, raising, hydraulic bleeding, or car drifting.
• Repairing any electrical or mechanical equipment should be avoided.
• Moving or disabling the power using stop switches, pit switches, or car top switches is not recommended.
• The removal of passengers from stalled elevators can be time consuming, labor-intensive, and requires well-thought-out actions with an emphasis on the safety of passengers and Fire Rescue personnel.
• If passengers are out of the elevator before Fire Rescue arrives, the Company Officer should identify the malfunctioning elevator, and report the issue to a building representative before leaving.
• Upon identifying a malfunctioning elevator, the elevator service company must be requested to respond, and obtain an ETA if possible.
• Unless there is a medical emergency or other critical situation, waiting for the elevator service company is advisable.
• Upon arrival of the elevator company, Fire Rescue should coordinate to ensure the safety and well-being of passengers and equipment.
• Even with the elevator company present, Fire Rescue should not operate any equipment, switches, valves, or devices that could cause elevator movement; only elevator company personnel can perform these operations.

Activity Sequence

• Check the building Knox Box for elevator keys.
• Use a fireground simplex channel (TAC 14A, TAC 15A) for on-scene communication to avoid interfering with normal tactical channels.
• Location of the stalled elevator should be determined by checking the position indicator, consulting bystanders, building personnel, or people in the elevator.
• Open the hoist way door and shine a light into the shaft, use an in-service elevator, or check the rooftop elevator machine room, looking down able drop holes.
• Machine guards are now required on all elevator machinery effective 2015.
• Establish communication with passengers via voice, elevator car telephone, or cell phone.
• Assess the passengers to determine the number, medical status, and provide emergency care instructions if needed.
• Request more resources if required and reassure passengers that measures are being safely implemented.
• Instruct passengers not to attempt to exit the elevator until assisted by Fire Rescue, and maintain contact with them during the incident.
• Clearly identify the malfunctioning elevator by pressing the call button, instructing passengers to push the main floor and lobby buttons, and ensuring the inside car door and hoist way doors are fully closed.
• In the elevator machine room, at least one firefighter should be present and maintain contact with other Fire Rescue personnel.
• Elevator main power switches are typically near the machine room door or within sight of the hoist motor.
• When multiple elevators are present it is important to shut down the right elevator, identified by numbers or letters, or by direction from the main lobby entrance.
• Generally, two disconnect switches are present per elevator: main power and a smaller switch for lights and fans.
• Leave the lights and fan switch "ON" if possible.
• Locate the elevator main power switch and wait for orders to shut the power “Off” then implement Lockout/Tagout procedures as per SOG 300-03.
• If possible, the elevator machine room firefighter should stay to secure the equipment.
• Attempt to recall the elevator to the main floor using the Fire Service key.
• Fire personnel should never "reboot" elevators.

Passengers Exiting

• Removal refers to elevators stopped within 3 feet of a landing, allowing passengers to step out safely.
• Rescue refers to elevators stopped more than 3 feet from a landing, with greater risk due to entering the hoist way and a large opening between the car and landing.
• Use extreme caution when a gap exists in the hoist way large enough for someone to fall through, consider blocking the opening with a physical object such as a ladder or table, and ensure any exiting passengers are secured.

Removal Procedure

• For elevators stalled within 3 feet of a landing:
• Communicate with the firefighter in the elevator machine room to cut power to the elevator and secure it with a Lockout/Tagout device.
• Open the hoist way doors with the hoist way door key.
• Help passengers out of the elevator using a ladder, stepladder, or stool if needed.
• If exiting passengers are exposed to the elevator car top or hoist way, they must use a ladder belt or safety harness secured with a rope.
• At a minimum, a firefighter should be the anchor point for the rope, securing to a fixed object.
• It should be closely monitored with adequate rope length, ensuring that all hoist way doors are fully closed and secured.

Rescue Procedure

• For elevators stalled more than 3 feet from a landing:
• Conduct a "risk analysis" for removing passengers through the roof hatch.
• Consider requesting assistance from Aerial or Special Operations.
• Communicate with the firefighter in the elevator machine room to cut power to the elevator and nearby elevators and secure the power switches with Lockout/Tagout devices.
• Access to the floor above the stalled elevator can be performed by opening the hoist way door with the key.
• All Fire Rescue personnel entering the hoist way must wear a safety harness secured with a rope, helmet, and gloves.
• A ladder should extend at least 3 feet above the landing.
• Unlock the roof hatch and extend a second ladder into the elevator car and place the switch in the "STOP" position (if applicable).
• Explain the removal plan to the passengers.
• All passengers entering a hoist way shall be wearing a ladder belt or safety harness.
• After the exiting passenger is secured, help passengers out of the elevator, one at a time, onto the roof of the elevator.
• Re-secure the roof hatch and ensure all hoist way doors are closed and secured.

Alternative Rescue

• Rescuing passengers from one stalled elevator car to another functional elevator car is an extremely technical operation performed only as a last resort by Special Operations.

Scene Termination

• Secure all hoist way openings, then transfer the elevator incident to a building representative or elevator company personnel.
• The Lockout/Tagout device should stay in place until the building representative or elevator company takes responsibility, according to SOG 300-03.
• Fire Rescue should never put an elevator back “in-service” following an incident.