2021 Webinar Series - afaa.org

Automatic Fire Alarm Association

2021 Webinar SeriesFire Protection and Elevators

Presented by: Ray Grill, P.E., FSFPE



Agenda• Elevator types• Fire protection requirements for elevators• When are Fire Service Access Elevators (FSAEs)

required? • FSAE requirements and features

tsapps.nist.gov/publications/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id+100971


Types of Elevators• Hydraulic

• Holed• Holeless

• Traction• Conventional with machine room• Machine room less (MRL)

• Limited-use/Limited-application• Hydraulic or Traction (Limited rise – Max 25ft.)


Drivers for Requirements• Building and Fire Codes• NFPA 72 – National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code• NFPA 13 – Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler

Systems• ASME A17.1 – Safety Code for Elevators and

Escalators • Local amendments


Sprinklers and Fire Alarm Devices• If the hoistway is sprinklered;

• Smoke detection at top required for recall

• Heat detection within 24 inches of each sprinkler required for power shunt trip or waterflow with zero delay can provide shunt trip activation


When are Sprinklers required - NFPA 13? • 2013 & 2016 Edition- 8.15.5 - Exceptions• 2019 Edition-9.3.6 - Exceptions• Bottom of the pit for hydraulic elevators

(within 2 ft of the bottom of the pit)• Machine rooms, Control Spaces in fully

sprinklered buildings. (Except for FSAE’s)• Combustible hoistways• MRL Hoistways (Except for FSAE’s)

• At top only unless combustible suspension system (check local criteria)

NFPA 13-2013 edition


When are Sprinklers required - NFPA 13?• If combustible suspension used (polyurethane

coated or elastomeric coated belts) (MRLs) sprinklers are required at top and bottom of shaft (8.15.5.7.1 – 2013)

• If the suspension means provides not less than a FT-1 rating per UL 62, Flexible Cords and Cables, and UL 1581, Reference Standard for Electrical Wires, Cables and Flexible Cords, sprinklers are not required (8.15.5.7.2 – 2013)


Machine-Room-Less Designs• Some jurisdictions require sprinklers in

hoistways of MRL’s regardless of the suspension system if the building is required to be fully sprinklered.

• Hoistway is considered a machinery space


NFPA 72 Requirements for Elevator Hoistways and Machine Rooms

• Smoke detector located within 21 feet from the centerline of the elevator in the elevator lobby (21.3.5)

• Other detection devices can be used in hoistways and machine rooms when ambient conditions do not permit smoke detectors (21.3.9)

• Heat detectors used for power shut down must be located within 24 inches of each sprinkler (21.4.2)

• Smoke detectors shall not be installed in un-sprinklered hoistways except to activate smoke relief (2013) or Phase I emergency recall (2016) (21.3.6)


Detection in the Pit?Prior to 2019 NFPA 72


Detection in the Pit? 2019 NFPA 72


ASME A17.1 Requirement – Elevator Inspection


IBC Requirements for FSAE’s• Occupied floor more than 120 feet

above FD Vehicle Access.

• 2018 IBC – Doesn’t require FSAE’s to serve levels below FD Vehicle access level.


IBC Requirements for FSAE’s• Cannot be sprinklered (Typically requires

separation from non-FSAEs in hoistway and machinery/control spaces)

• Hoistways illuminated 1 foot-candle during emergency activation (3007.5)

• Lobby’s shall have a fire resistance rating ≥1 hour with doors ≥ 3/4 hour rating (3007.6.2)

• FSAE symbol shall be installed on each side of the hoistway doorframe (3007.6.5)


NFPA 72 Requirements for Monitoring FSAE

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2013 Edition 2016 Edition


NFPA 72 Requirements for Monitoring FSAE

2019 Edition

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Hydraulic Elevator

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Using Waterflow Switch for Shunt trip


Traction with Machine Room

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Using Waterflow Switch for Shunt trip


Limited-use/Limited-application Elevators

• Typically installed to provided to meet accessibility requirements of the building code.

• Can travel a maximum of 25 feet.

• Maximum weight limit of 1400 lbs.

• Speed limited to 30 ft/min.

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Code Path for addressing a Hydraulic LULA Elevator

• NFPA 13 – 2013• Since it is hydraulic, Sprinklers required in the pit.

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Code Path for addressing a Hydraulic LULA Elevator

• NFPA 72-2013• Since sprinklers are

required, fire detection required in pit.

• Detector activation causes Phase I recall functions.

• Phase II not required for LULA Elevators.

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Contact Information

[email protected]

Documents

2021 Webinar Series - afaa.org