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What is elevator recall? When is it required? When should it be integrated with a fire alarm system? How is that accomplished? These are a few of the many questions both elevator and electrical contractors have when elevator work is performed. With the constantly changing technologies and capabilities of elevator control and fire alarm systems, questions like these mandate close coordination between contractors. This article will explain what elevator recall (also referred to as firefighter emergency operations) is and when it is required. It will also cover the integration of the fire alarm system with elevator firefighter emergency operations.
Per ASME A17.1 section 2.27.3, Firefighter emergency operations (FEO) are required in all automatic elevators with a rise of over 80". If the facility has or is required to have a fire alarm system, then the fire detecting devices are part of that system. This system has the added responsibility of notifying the occupants and the fire department of alarm conditions. If a reporting fire alarm system is not required, the fire detection devices can be part of a stand alone fire alarm system whose sole purpose is to initiate an FEO sequence. Except for activating an internal sounder, this system, which is to be plainly marked "Elevator Recall Control and Supervisory Panel", does not notify occupants when activated, nor does it notify the fire department. However, it is located in a public space, generally near a security desk or the elevator lobby of the building's main egress floor.
FEO activation is mainly addressed by ASME A17.1, ASME A17.3, NFPA 13, NFPA 70, NFPA72 and NFPA 101. Locally, add in State of Illinois Public Act 096-0054, Chicago Building Code Section 18-30 & 13-196 and enforcement by both the fire department and the local elevator inspection department to get a picture of how complicated it can get. Each of the codes address a slice of the pie, so there isn't one location that one can look to for application guidance. We've consolidated the FEO requirements from these various regulations to help you understand what's required, so let's take a look.
First, let's define what FEO is and how it's activated. The FEO involves several phases of action, but essentially, it removes control and accessibility of the elevator cabs from the public and gives it to the firefighters. By giving firefighters total control of a facility's elevators, they have an additional tool to fight the fire. In a high rise situation, this tool is critically important. A second, equally important result is the consideration for public safety. By removing public access to elevators, the possibility of injury or death due to getting trapped in a non-operational cab or actually being delivered to the involved floor is removed.
The sequence of events that removes the elevators from public use is collectively referred to as the FEO, but it's also known as elevator recall, as the cabs are automatically recalled to a facility's predetermined floor of egress. This predetermination is made by the local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), usually the local fire department. Two floors of egress are determined: the Designated, or Primary Level and the Alternate Level. In the vast majority of cases, the Primary Level is the facility's main entrance floor. If verification of the primary floor is needed, the elevator annunciator panel, fire alarm annunciator panel, firefighter's communication center and controls to other building systems, such as fan, damper and stairwell door unlocking controls are located on the Primary Level as well. The Alternate Level is a secondary floor of egress should the Primary Level become unsafe for egress.
The first sequence of events in the FEO is conveniently referred to as Phase One operations. In Phase One, the cabs are automatically recalled to a facility's predetermined floor of egress. Fire alarm system smoke detectors that are programmed to activate Phase One are located in the elevator lobbies, elevator hoistway and elevator machine room. If smoke is detected in any of these areas, Phase One is automatically initiated to remove the possibility of the public being delivered to a smoke or flame filled area. If a smoke detector on any level except the Primary level activates, the cabs are recalled to the Primary level. If a Primary level detector activates, the cabs are recalled to the Alternate level. In both instances, a sounder and an FEO lamp in the cab will activate. The cab will proceed immediately to the proper level, open its doors. If no other FEO incidents occur, the cabs will remain in that state until the alarm is reset.
Another means of activating Phase One is by manually activation by key switch. The key switch is usually located in the elevator lobby of the Primary level. If the facility has an elevator annunciator panel, a switch will be located there as well. Firefighters arriving at a facility may need to use the elevator before Phase One is automatically activated. By using the key switch, firefighters can initiate Phase One manually. As long as the switch is in the 'On" position, the cabs will remain in Phase One operation.
Once Phase One is active, firefighters may use the cabs by utilizing Phase Two. Phase Two is manually activated from inside the cab with a key switch. Once a firefighter is in the cab, he overrides Phase One by activating the cab FEO switch with another key. Once activated, he can manually operate the cab by pressing and holding the cab command buttons. To close the doors, he must press and hold the 'Door Close' button until the doors are closed. If he releases the button before the doors close, the doors will open again. Once the doors are closed, he selects the desired floor and the cab will take him to that level. Upon arrival, he must press and hold the 'Door Open' button. Again, if he releases the button before the doors are fully open, they will close again.
Another FEO sequence is referred to as the 'Fireman's Hat' or 'Flashing Hat'. Should a smoke detector in the elevator hoistway or machine room activate, the FEO lamp in the cab will begin to flash. This alerts the firefighters that are using the cab that fire may be present in the hoistway or machine room, making the use of the elevator a risk to their safety.
One final sequence of the FEO is the Shunt Trip. In facilities that have wet sprinklers in their elevator hoistway and machine room, code requires the placement of a heat detector connected to a fire alarm system. The purpose of the heat detector is to shut down the elevator's power via a shunt trip mechanism when activated. Beyond saving the equipment from electrical damage, wet brakes or an uncontrolled loss of power can have deadly results. Consequently, the heat detector must activate before the sprinklers do. The heat detector's alarm threshold must therefore be lower than that of the sprinkler head's. Once activated, the heat detector is programmed to initiate a shunt trip breaker that removes power from the elevator cab. To be effective (and per code), a heat detector must be placed within two feet of any sprinkler head in the hoistway or machine room.
Here are other code requirements to consider as well:
- Smoke and heat detector wiring must be monitored for integrity by a commercial fire alarm control panel.
- Locally powered smoke detectors and stand alone heat detectors are not permitted to be used.
- If conditions are harsh, then you must use an alternate type of detection (heat detector).
- The installation of a smoke detector in a parking garage elevator lobby is not required. Heat detectors are acceptable.
- Smoke detectors are not allowed in the hoistway without sprinklers.
- The AHJ is permitted to allow machine room and hoistway smoke detectors to initiate a supervisory signal instead of an alarm signal.
- Dedicated hoistway waterflow switch (without a retard delay) can perform the shunt trip as well.
- Only the automatic detectors located in elevator lobbies, hoistway and machine rooms are permitted to initiate the recalling of elevators. In no case should an elevator be recalled by a manual pull station or by detectors located in other areas of the building unless mandated by AHJ.
In summary, the elevator's FEO are automatically activated by a commercial fire alarm system. The issuance of the elevator operating permit depends upon proper integration between the elevator control panel and the fire alarm system. There are additional criteria that apply to less common circumstances, so be sure to employ an experienced fire alarm contractor that will proactively coordinate the electrical and elevator interfacing requirements. A properly coordinated integration between the two systems can make the difference between passing the first inspection and incurring additional costs due to subsequent reinspections.
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