Elevators & Fire Alarm Systems: Understanding Interface Requirements

Presented by:Antonio Torres- North Central Regional Sales Manager

Learning ObjectivesAt the end of this program, participants will be able to:

Improve installation coordination by identifying which elevators are subject to recall operations utilizing ASME 17.1 and 17.3

Eliminate job site ambiguities by incorporating code compliant sprinkler and fire alarm designs per NFPA 13, 72 and ASME 17.1(3)

Learning Objectives (cont.)At the end of this program, participants will be able to:

Ensure proper design by correctly locating building systems control and annunciation equipment using ASME 17.1(3), NFPA 72 and municipal codes

Understand recall sequence requirements and specify accordingly per ASME 17.1(3), NFPA 72 and municipal codes

Let’s get started!

1. When it’s required2. How it’s initiated3. Installation

requirements

Recall Codes & Standards

Elevator Recall Definition

The override of an automatic elevator’s operation by a building's fire safety system upon activation of a specific set of initiation devices.

Purpose of Elevator Recall Safety of the public

Prevents travel to fire floorPrevents occupants from getting trapped in carControlled stoppage of cabs

Firefighters’ use• Cars available upon arrival• Can be key initiated if not activated

When is recall required?

New Installations: The original requirement was in

the 1973 supplement to ASME A17.1 1971

Required recall when car traveled 25 feet above or below designated level

When is recall required?New Installations: The 1992 supplement to A17.1

1989 revised the recall requirements

The 25 foot requirement allowance was eliminated

All automatic elevators must now recall regardless of travel distance

When is recall required?

Existing Installations: If capability is not present, no recall

required unless:

Equipment is substantially altered in some other fashion

Equipment fails Equipment is deemed unsafe by the

municipality

Systems that initiate recall sequence

Required building fire alarm system

Used for recalling the elevators Has fire alarm notification duties Co-located with the elevator control

and status panel

Systems that initiate recall sequence Local System

If no alarm system exists, a system with the sole purpose of recalling the elevators may be installed Marked "Elevator Recall Control and

Supervisory Panel." No occupant evacuation notification Not monitored by central station

Installation standards ANSI/ASME A17.1, A17.3 Safety Code

for Elevators and Escalators NFPA 101, 72, 13, 70 Local or state adopted rules

May not be part of your building codeOverseen by an official Elevator Inspection Department

Installation standards

Electrical Elevator shaft may be used for

raceway if the circuitry serves elevator purposes only Elevator lobby smoke detectors Top and bottom of hoistway detectors

Smoke detectors not allowed in unsprinkled hoistway unless opening a hoistway exhaust vent

Installation standards Sprinkler

Chicago does not allow sprinklers in elevator machine rooms for required systems

Sprinklers in machine rooms & hoistway require a separate, system monitored shutoff valve and waterflow switch

Sprinkler heads in hoistway must be fed from the level it’s mounted on. Sprinkler risers are not allowed in the hoistway!

1. Terminology2. How it’s initiated3. Installation

requirements

Fireman’s Emergency Operations

Fireman’s Emergency Operations

1. Phase I (Recall)a. Primary Levelb. Alternate Level

2. Phase II (Fireman’s Operation)3. Fireman’s Hat4. Shunt

Elevator Recall Floor Designations

1. Designated Level (Primary) Main floor of direct egress Egress must be at exterior grade

2. Alternate Level Building egress available, not

usually direct Generally through exterior egress

stairwells Loading docks, parking garages

Elevator Recall Floor Designations

Designated Level (Primary) contains the following equipment:

Firefighter’s Command Center (FCC)

– Fire panel status and control– Emergency voice communication

equipment– May contain graphic annunciation

Elevator Recall Floor Designations

Designated Level (Primary) contains:

Elevator Annunciator Panel (EAP)

– Shows car locations– May have recall key switches– AKA Elevator Control Panel (ECP)

Designated Level (Primary) contains:Aux controls

– FansHOA switchesMay show fan statusMay be located in FCC

– Stairwell doorsUsually located in FCC (always in Chicago)

– Dampers

Elevator Recall Floor Designations

1. Phase I Also referred to as Elevator Recall Car reports to appropriate level

• Primary Recall Elevator lobby smoke detectors from

any level above designated primary level

Detectors from pit if alternate level is below primary

Fireman’s Emergency Operations

• Primary Recall (cont.)

Buzzer sounds continuously, fireman’s hat illuminates

Cab reports to primary floor Doors automatically open, remain

open

Fireman’s Emergency Operations

1. Phase One (cont.) Accomplished with two

programmable relays Can be activated manually via

Firefighter’s recall switch at ECP or primary lobby

Lobby detector can be a supervisory type device if not part of public area coverage

Fireman’s Emergency Operations

1. Phase One (cont.) Municipal codes may require two cross

zoned smoke detectors per elevator lobby

Cross zoning not required per NFPA 72 nor ASME 17.1(3)

Waterflow may be used in Chicago if entire building is sprinkled

Only municipality may allow other devices to activate recall

Fireman’s Emergency Operations

1. Phase I (cont.) Alternate Recall

• Detectors from primary level elevator lobby• Detectors from pit if alternate level is

above primary level• Buzzer sounds continuously, fireman’s hat

illuminates• Cab reports to AHJ approved alternate

floor of egress• Doors open, remain open

Fireman’s Emergency Operations

Lobby Detector Location

Locate smoke detector(s) within 21 feet of centerline of each elevator door of the bank under control of the detector

2. Phase II Also referred to as Firefighter’s

Service Allows firefighters to use cars after

Phase I has been activated Cars are hand operated by firefighters Key activated from inside the car Employs “Dead Man Drop” door

operation

Fireman’s Emergency Operations

3. Fireman’s Hat Detectors in machine room and/or

hoistway activate sequenceSmoke detectors not allowed in hoistways that are not sprinkled unless opening a hoistway exhaust ventHeat detectors may be used in hostile environments

Fireman’s Emergency Operations

3. Fireman’s Hat Warns firefighters that loss of

elevator may be imminent Sequence activates the flashing

fireman’s hat in the car(s) Accomplished with programmable

relay

Fireman’s Emergency Operations

4. Shunt Trip Why do we need it?

– Controlled shutdown before sprinklers – Water on brakes may cause:

Brake failureElevator car to stop between floors and leave the hoistway exposed

– Door operation circuitry on top of cab could short circuit when wet, allowing cab to travel up and down with open doors

Fireman’s Emergency Operations

4. Shunt Trip (cont.) Sequence activates shutdown of elevator

power Heat detectors in machine room and/or

hoistway activate sequenceDedicated, non-delayed waterflow may be used

Must be implemented if sprinklers are in machine room and/or hoistway

Power source of shunt trip activation must be monitored for availability by fire alarm system

Accomplished by programmable relay

Fireman’s Emergency Operations

4. Shunt Trip (cont.) Hoistway Sprinklers

A. Head not required in pit if:Hoistway is an enclosed, non-combustible shaftNo combustible hydralic fluids

B. Head not required at top of shaft if:Hoistway is an enclosed, non-combustible (or limited combustible) shaftCab enclosure materials meet ASME 17.1

Fireman’s Emergency Operations

4. Shunt Trip (cont.) Rate-of-rise heat detector activates shunt trip

Must be located within two feet of each sprinkler headTemperature rating below and sensitivity rating above that of the sprinkler

– Sprinkler head is usually 165°, standard response– Heat detector is usually 135°, but can be adjusted– Sensitivity is Response Time Index (RTI) of both

sprinkler head and heat detectorIf unknown, a fixed temperature heat detector used

Fireman’s Emergency Operations

Typical Elevator Shunt Trip Wiring

A. Fireman’s Emergency Operations

B. Fire alarm equipment neededC. Takeaways

Elevator Emergency Operations Review

Review of Elevator Firefighter’s Emergency Operations

1. Phase I Primary or alternate level recall Remains at recall level until

Bypassed with key Phase II activated with key Fire panel reset

2. Phase II Firefighter operates car via special key Car remains on floor of travel until

sequence repeated

Review of Elevator Firefighter’s Emergency Operations (cont.)

3. Firefighter’s Hat Warns of possible fire in machine room

and/or hoistway Loss of car power may be imminent

4. Elevator Shutdown Shunt trip Newer equipment brings car to nearest

floor to let occupants out before shunting power

Fire Alarm Interface Requirements1. Phase I

Smoke detector(s) in each elevator lobby Two addressable relays in elevator machine

room (primary and alternate recall)2. Phase II

None3. Firefighter’s Hat

Smoke detector(s) in elevator machine room Smoke detector in pit and top of shaft (if

sprinkled) Addressable relay in elevator machine room

Fire Alarm Interface Requirements

4. Elevator Shunt Trip (only if sprinkled) Heat detector within 24” of each sprinkler head

Elevator machine room Pit Top of shaft

Addressable relay in elevator machine room High voltage relay powered by shunt power

Some newer shunt trip breakers contain a relay Addressable module to monitor shunt power

relay

1. All automatic elevators must recall.2. All sprinkled elevators must shunt.3. Check with municipality for any

additional recall criteria.4. Ensure coordination between fire

alarm and elevator contractors.5. Ensure the correct sequences are

demonstrated before final elevator and occupancy inspections.

Final Takeaways

Thanks for your

participation.Questions?

Antonio Torresantonio.torres@honeywell.com