Fire Department and Elevator Emergency Procedures

• Fire departments respond to emergency situations, such as people stuck in an elevator.
• When an emergency exists, it may become the function of the fire department to safely remove any persons from a stalled elevator car or hoistway.
• At no time will any member of the fire department repair or reactivate an elevator that has been deemed unsafe.
• Upon arrival at any elevator incident, the OIC shall request assistance from a qualified elevator mechanic.
• This shall be accomplished through the building management personnel. In an emergency, this should not delay the actions of the fire department and the safe removal of victims prior to the arrival of an elevator mechanic.
• It is not uncommon for people to be stuck in a stalled elevator. Removing the occupants should be a simple operation.
• Elevator malfunctions are, for the most part, due to electrical difficulties.
• An elevator contains many electric safety devices that are in place to protect the passenger.
• If there is car movement and no emergency exists, you must await an elevator mechanic.
• If car movement exist, no fire department members shall get on or into the car.
• Once the elevator car has stopped moving, the power may be secured and the occupants removed.

Test your knowledge of fire department procedures for dealing with elevator emergencies, including safely removing occupants and requesting assistance from elevator mechanics. Learn about the protocol for responding to stalled elevators and car movement.