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# Using Elevators Gaining assess to the fire area is the second biggest problem in high-rise fires. Usually, it involves using the elevators. Most firefighters know that the public is constantly told not to use elevators in the event of fire, and many firefighters assume that the rule holds true fo...

# Using Elevators Gaining assess to the fire area is the second biggest problem in high-rise fires. Usually, it involves using the elevators. Most firefighters know that the public is constantly told not to use elevators in the event of fire, and many firefighters assume that the rule holds true for them as well. In fact, this rule should be slightly modified to reflect the difference between the firefighters' use of the elevator and the public's; many of the public will be using the elevators to come down from above the fire, passing it in the process. Firefighters, on the other hand, will most often be using the elevator to come up from beneath the fire, stopping short of the fire floor. The greatest danger when using an elevator during a fire is to have the doors open on the fire floor. Elevators are electrically controlled to stop at each floor in sequence along the direction of travel. If someone on a floor above the fire attempts to use the elevator to descend, and if an electrical signal is received from the fire floor (either by intent or by accident), the elevator will automatically stop at the floor. The reason for this is because it is assumed that the elevator may be needed to move a fire company or other personnel to higher floors as quickly as possible.