Chris Eaton, Associate at Ardent Lift Consultancy looks at the requirements for Firefighting and Evacuation lifts (both within new and existing buildings) and provides an overview of their operational functions when being used in an emergency situation.
Firefighting / Evacuation function and purpose
As early as the 1930’s it was recognised that Firefighting lifts should be provided to offer a prompt means of access to the upper floors of high-rise or large properties. This resulted in conventional passenger lifts being converted to accommodate these requirements (London Buildings Act 1939). As high-rise buildings increased in height and popularity these requirements were revised in 1970, 1979 (BS 5655), and again in 1986 (BS 5588-5). Firefighting lift regulations are now formed under the requirements of BS EN81-72 and BS 9999.
Firefighting and Evacuation lifts differ in roles to standard passenger lifts. In the event of an emergency, a standard passenger lift will home and rest at the exit floor (when a signal is received from the property’s fire alarm system). The lift landing and car call buttons will be rendered inoperative and the lift doors will remain open so the Fireman can easily identify the lift car is empty and concentrate their efforts elsewhere.
Firefighting lifts behave in a similar manner when in normal operation. The lifts will home to the exit floor as per a standard installation; however, landing or car key switches allow the Fire Service to override this function, enabling the lift to operate under Firefighting control. The landing call pushes are disabled, and the lift will only operate from the car operating panel on a push and hold basis (allowing the fire crew total control of the lift). When operating in Firefighting mode the car doors operate via a ‘peekaboo’ function (to immediately reverse the doors if the arrival floor has a fire on the landing).
The firefighting lift includes other specialised features to enable the Fire Service to gain access to upper levels of the property (where fire or obstruction prevents access) internally via the lift shaft. Firefighting lifts have trap hatches installed within the ceiling of the lift car to enable the firefighters to gain access to the lift car top. The car top has ladders installed to enable access to the floor above, offering the fire crew alternative option when faced with fire or obstruction in the stair cores.
BS 9999 defines an evacuation lift as a ‘lift used as part of the evacuation sequence for persons with disability and persons requiring assistance, which has appropriate structural, electrical and fire protection and is capable of being taken under control by a trained and authorized person’. An Evacuation lift is utilised by building management or assigned persons to assist with the evacuation of a building in the event of an emergency. The Evacuation lift will travel to the exit floor in the event of an emergency (when a signal is received from the property’s fire alarm system). The Evacuation mode is initiated by a key switch activated by an authorised person (i.e. fire warden). The lift can then be utilised by the authorised person via the lift car operating panel enabling assistance and rescue to persons on upper floors unable to vacate using the stairs. Evacuation lift regulations are currently contained within BS 9999, Annex G, however, draft regulations are in writing (Greater London Authority, London Plan Guidance Sheet Policy D5(B5) and (EN81-76) further details are included below (so read on).
Key Firefighting lift requirements within a new property
If a new build has a top floor greater than 18m from the exit floor (or 10m below the exit floor) there is a requirement to install a Firefighting lift to comply with Building Regulations. With new buildings the Firefighting lift requirements can easily be incorporated during the design phase. Key components include secondary incoming power supplies (via a separate supply or generator) Firefighting lobbies (self-closing fire rated doors), ramped landing entrances or the installation of drainage gullies (to prevent the ingress of water into the lift shaft). Landing control switches and intercoms to provide two-way communication from the exit floor to car top. Fire-rated landing doors and shaft. Newly installed Firefighting lifts should offer full compliance to EN81-72 and BS 9999.
Internal lift shaft requirements
Generally, in residential developments, firefighting lifts are passenger lifts adapted to undertake the Firefighting role in an emergency. Therefore, the car top electrical equipment is IP rated; splash guarding is installed to the car door operator and landing doors. The shaft wiring is installed 1m from the lift shaft front to protect the electrical wiring from water ingress into the shaft. The lift pit lighting and electrical components are installed above 500mm from the pit floor or IP65 rated.
Firefighting/Evacuation Lifts in Existing Buildings
When refurbishing Firefighting lifts that have been previously installed (at a time were both building and lift requirements were less evolved), it can be sometimes difficult to undertake a refurbishment scheme that fully adheres to modern standards. When planning a refurbishment of a lift within an existing building it is essential that all items that can be adhered to are addressed.
Within the BS 8899:2016: Improvement of firefighting and evacuation provisions in existing lifts. A code of practice was drafted to provide guidance for the improvement and maintenance of evacuation lifts. Whilst change of building use often dictates upgrade to modern standards is required, it is advisable to improve compliancy for firefighting or evacuation when undertaking lift upgrade works. Where lifts do not fully comply after refurbishment (which is generally due to the existing building design rather than specific lift requirements) it is essential for the local fire brigade to inspect the buildings fire plan and lift equipment to acknowledge the level of firefighting functionality the lift can provide. Measures will then by noted and amended to provide a site-specific and robust fire strategy.
Draft publications for Evacuation lifts in new buildings
The Greater London Authority, London Plan Guidance Sheet Policy D5(B5) which will be later supported by EN81-76 Evacuation of persons with disabilities using lifts are currently both in draft format and expected to be published in 2021.
The standards are looking to make provision of an Evacuation lift mandatory, rather than provided under the guise of firefighting standards previously adhered to. The Evacuation lift will be a standalone entity within a buildings fire and evacuation strategy.
The key area in these standards is that persons should be allowed to vacate their property in a dignified manner, with Evacuation lifts seen as the best way to achieve this.
Useful tips for maintenance and lift aftercare
Secondary supplies are required for both Evacuation and Firefighting lifts. However, the maintenance of their secondary supplies is often overlooked after the installation and commissioning phase of a scheme, it is recommended that lifts secondary power supplies are tested on a MONTHLY basis.
There are numerous ways to provide secondary supplies (all of which should have automatic changeover switchgear), these include:
- Incoming mains from alternative supply to the primary power source
- Generators can be used to provide the secondary supply, though these too need to be tested monthly
- UPS (uninterruptable power supply) systems (i.e. large energy stores such as batteries) can be used for standalone supplies for Evacuation lifts, but the lift must be able to run for the time required to implement the Evacuation Plan.
The lift key switchgear for both Firefighting units and Evacuation lifts should be checked for correct operation and their functionality under their respective control proven at regular intervals. This includes any intercom systems associated with the lift function.
The property’s fire alarm should also be regularly tested, with the lift(s) connected to the building’s fire alarm. Upon the fire alarm signal the lift(s) should home to the exit floor with the car/landing doors held open. The landing pushes (on all floors) should remain inoperative until normal service is reinstated.
Additionally, the lift car emergency auto dialling system should also be routinely tested to ensure it connects to the incumbent’s service providers 24-hour help desk.
