Fireman's Or Firefighting Lifts?

We are often approached by clients enquiring whether their existing lift arrangements meet current regulations or indeed clients who have what is misleadingly termed a 'Firemans' lift (under now outdated and superseded regulations) in the mistaken belief that this fulfils the requirements above.

In this article we take a broad look at some basic regulatory requirements and best practice pertaining to fire-fighting arrangements from the point of view of compliance of lift installations within the wider context of fire safety standards and fire strategy within buildings.

It should be noted that this article is intended to serve only as a brief guidance and should be read in conjunction with the following standards amongst others:

• EN 81-72:2015 which replaced EN 81-72 :2003 in April 2015

• EN 81-50 which provides a framework for design and testing of lift components (Published 2014, Binding from 1st September 2017 for all new Lifts)

• Building Regulations 2010 - Approved Document B

• BS 9999:2008 Code of practice for fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings

Fire-fighting shaft basics

A fire-fighting shaft provides the fire and rescue service with a safe area from which to undertake firefighting operations. They link all necessary floors of a building, providing at least 2 hours of fire resistance to protect fire crews and are connected to fresh air. A fire-fighting shaft will typically contain a fire-fighting main, stairway, lobby and sometimes a lift.

Typical arrangements for fire-fighting shafts are indicated in the diagram below.

Q. What is a fire-fighting lift and when is it required to be fitted?

A. Building Regulations 2010 approved document B defines this as: ‘A lift designed to have additional protection, with controls that enable it to be used under the direct control of the fire and rescue service in fighting a fire... A firefighting lift is required if the building has a floor more than 18m above, or more than 10m below fire service vehicle access level.'

Q. What are the key elements that differentiate a fire-fighting lift from an ordinary one?

A. These can be broadly defined as:

• The Firefighting Lift’s electric power supply cables are fire protected - BS8519 provides guidance on this.

• A secondary power supply to the lift is provided, and located in a fire-protected area. This may be an alternative supply from a separate substation, but more likely will be from a backup generator.

• The fire-fighting lift is located in a shaft with a fire-protected lobby in front of every landing door. The area of each fire protected lobby is given by the requirements for the transportation of stretchers and the location of the doors in each single case.

• Where the distance between lift landing entrances is greater than 7 m, intermediate escape doors are provided.

• The lift is capable of reaching the top floor from FSAL (Fire Service Access Level) within a time of 60 seconds (for travels up to 200 m)

• The minimum rated load of the lift is 630kg

• The minimum interior lift car dimensions are 1100 mm wide by 1400 mm deep

• The minimum clear opening entrance width is 800 mm

• If the lift is also to be used for evacuation, and the use of a stretcher or bed, then the minimum rated load is 1000 kg. The minimum interior dimensions are 1100 mm wide by 2100 mm deep

• All electrical equipment within the lift well is protected against water ingress to the appropriate IP rating

• A trap door is provided in the lift car roof for purposes of escape from the lift car by firefighters

• Additional ladders are provided to facilitate escape from the lift car

• Measures are taken to minimise the ingress of water into the lift shaft - for example:

  Ramping up of the finished floor level in front of the lift entrance

  Drainage channels in front of each landing entrance

• Where measures such as those above are not taken to prevent the ingress of water into the lift shaft, then measures are taken to prevent water build up in the pit - for example:

  Drains to prevent water reaching a defined level

  Permanently installed drain or sump pumps to remove the water. The pumps should be fitted outside of the lift shaft, and provided with a secondary power supply

• Additional lift control system features are required above that which would be incorporated on a non-Firefighting lift - this will include amongst other features:

1. Two way communication between the FSAL, lift car, top of lift and lift machine room,

2. Controlled reversal and return of the lift to the FSAL without attending any calls or opening doors en route upon operation of the fire switch at the FSAL, where the lift will park with doors open. During fire-fighting service mode, all landing calls will be rendered inoperative.

3. Subsequent control of the lift exclusively from the lift car operating panel only - the lift shall also cancel all other car calls upon the selection of a floor from the car operating panel and shall attend that floor without opening the doors.

4. Once at the required floor, the doors shall open under the control of the door open button only and shall automatically reverse and fully shut if the door open button is released during the opening cycle (often referred to as 'peek-a-boo' operation). Once fully open the doors shall remain in the open position if the door open button is held (typically around 3-5 seconds) before being released once the doors have fully opened. The doors shall not re-close unless a car call is initiated. When on fire-fighting service, the infra red door safety edges shall be dis-engaged and inoperative.

5. The emergency top of car mechanic station shall be capable of being operational during fire service mode to assist rescue of fire-fighters/persons trapped within the lift.

6. The lift will recall to FSAL if it is switched off fire service and then fire service re-engaged (after a typical delay of 3-5 seconds) - The lift will return to normal service without the necessity for any specialist reset procedures once it is returned to normal service by the disengagement of the fire-fighting switch at FSAL upon the all-clear being given.

Q. My premises are fitted with a fire-evacuation lift. Is this the same as a fire-fighting lift?

A. No. An evacuation lift is a lift that may be used for the evacuation of people in a fire. It is generally not appropriate to use lifts if there is a fire because of the danger that they will become immobilised. However, in some circumstances lifts may be provided as part of a management plan for evacuation, although they will then need to be appropriately sited and protected and may need to contain a number of additional safety features which will also be dependent on the agreed fire safety plan for the particular building.

Where a fire-fighting lift provides access and facilities for the fire service, this can be used as part of a management plan for evacuating disabled people. However, any such plan should include contingency provisions for when the fire and rescue service arrive.

Q. I have a group of lifts which share a common lift shaft, is it possible for one of these lifts to be adapted or replaced with a fire-fighting lift?

A. Yes, but where there is no intermediate fire wall to separate the Firefighting Lift from other lifts in a common lift shaft, then all lifts within the common shaft and their electrical equipment must have the same fire protection as the Fire-fighting Lift. The common shaft will also need to fulfil the fire resistance requirements of a fire-fighters lift well.

Q. Can a goods lift within my existing premises be utilised/adapted to carry out fire-fighting lift function/provide compliance?

A. No. Generally speaking, to reduce the risk of the lift entrance being obstructed when the lift is required to operate on fire-fighters service, its use for moving refuse or goods should be restricted. Therefore, a lift whose primary intended function within the building is the regular movement of goods or refuse would be unsuitable.

Q. I have a 'through lift' (i.e. a lift with doors on more than one side of the lift car) - could this be adapted or could a new fire-fighting lift be provided utilising the same through lift arrangement?

A. Yes, through-car lift arrangements with the fire-fighting entrance on either side are permitted, providing of course that the fire-lobby arrangements etc. are fully met.

We trust this brief article will give you an insight on the basics of fire-fighting lift requirements and commonly asked questions and be of assistance. For further detailed information please refer to the standards mentioned within this article or contact us on the details below.

It is worth mentioning the obvious that for any precaution to be effective, it is wise to ensure that the fire-fighting functions of the lift are tested at regular intervals. We would be pleased to furnish you with a quotation for a fire-fighting lift survey and function test and report upon request.

To find out how we can assist you with inspection, condition surveys, design, maintenance management and all other aspects of lift and Escalator consultancy services please contact us via our office or website at www.consultalift.co.uk