TB 140 - Elevator Ops At Highrise Incidents Flashcards
Firefighters wearing PPE and carrying equipment require approximately how long to ascend one floor in a stairwell?
-One minute
(fire doubles in size every minute it burns unchecked)
Elevator Emergency Service is divided into what two phases?
-Phase I, “Recall Phase”
-Phase 2, “Override Phase”
Which Elevator Emergency Service phase refers to the manual or automatic recall of elevators to the lobby or designated recall level of the building?
Phase I
•manual recall: “Emergency Service” key switch in the lobby or fire control room
•automatic recall: activation of an elevator lobby smoke detector.
Phase I operation:
When the emergency operation switch is turned to the “ON” position, all elevator cars in the bank are recalled to the lobby (or designated recall floor) automatically.
All elevators recalled and will remain there with their doors _______. The key should be REMOVED to prevent the system from being inadvertently turned off.
Open
Phase I Recall:
Some older emergency operation switches in the lobby have a ______ position which is used to place the elevator in operation on a temporary basis when the entire building has been deemed safe for normal use, BUT there is still enough residual SMOKE to actuate the detectors or the detectors are malfunctioning.
Bypass position
*The elevator key is NOT REMOVABLE when the switch is in the bypass position.
Older lobby key switches for Phase I Recall have “On,” “Off,” and possibly “Bypass.”
The 2008 Elevator Code requires a three position “Recall” key switch with the positions marked as?
-RESET
-OFF
-ON
(With this system, there is no means to “bypass” the alarm system when a fire protection device cannot be reset)
Which Elevator Emergency Service phase refers to the fire service controls within the elevator car itself which allows firefighters to manually control the elevator from inside the car only?
Phase II, Override Phase
Phase II Override:
An Emergency Service switch is provided in each elevator car with Phase II capability. This switch is “normally” a three-position key switch.
What are the three positions?
-On
-Off
-Hold
Turning both Phase I and Phase II switches to the “ON” position operates the ______ Phase.
Override phase
Elevator Recall:
Older elevator systems may have “fireman service” or “______” labels, as opposed to “On” and “Off.”
•“Normal”
Phase II Override:
When operating elevators in the “Emergency Service” mode, what two things are rendered inoperable?
automatic door open feature
photo-electric device
Phase II Override:
Open elevator car doors are closed by continuous pressure on the “Door Closed” button. If a “Door Closed” button is not provided, continuous pressure on the _____ button will serve to close the doors.
If either of these buttons are released before the doors reach the fully closed position, the doors will automatically reopen.
-the desired floor button
Phase II Override:
Continuous pressure on the “Door Open” button causes the elevator doors to open. If the button is released prior to the doors reaching the fully opened position, the doors will automatically close.
What is the only exception to this feature?
Elevator car doors may automatically open upon return to the lobby.
Phase II override:
The “HOLD” elevator panel key position is used in order to MAINTAIN the elevator car on the FLOOR where the elevator is currently located as well as maintaining the DOORS in the OPEN position.
Should the service key be removable from the panel when placed in the “HOLD” position?
Yes.
Elevator remains in “HOLD” position until key is reinserted and “ON” is selected.
Elevator ascent during investigations or firefighting operations shall only be used when the reported location is above the _____ floor.
6th floor
The Company Officer, before using an elevator, should attempt to accurately determine the location of the fire or alarm.
This can be accomplished by:
-inspection of the alarm panel
-security closed circuit video
-actual observation (fire indicated from an exterior window)
-information received from building security, building maintenance or occupants.
Elevators shall not be taken closer than ____ floors below the reported fire floor or the lowest indicated alarm floor location.
Two floors
Use of Elevators during Emergencies:
All elevators must be recalled (Phase I) and/or accounted for and ________.
equipped with Emergency Service (Phase II)
Under no circumstances should an elevator not equipped with Emergency Service or a freight elevator be utilized until?
determined safe on the desired floor(s) of operation
approved by the Incident Commander.
If the building is equipped with split bank elevators, do not use an elevator that services the fire floor if a lower bank of elevators reaches WITHIN _____ floors of the fire floor.
5
Additionally, elevators that travel through a “blind shaft’ should be avoided whenever possible
The high-rise retrofit ordinance (effective in 1989) requires all elevators on all levels in all existing high-rise buildings (except Group R, Division 1 occupancies) open into elevator lobbies which are separated from the remainder of the building, including corridors and other exits, by WALLS having a fire-resistive rating of not less than _____.
1 hour
The high-rise retrofit ordinance (effective in 1989) requires all lobby openings for elevator doors shall be protected with a ______ rated automatic-closing fire assembly with a magnetic hold-open device for door closure actuated by any initiating device (smoke detector) located on the floor.
3/4 hour (45 min) rating
Before utilizing an elevator, the elevator shaft shall be observed to determine the presence of?
-smoke
-fire
-water
(Use flashlight or TIC)
Fire attack shall consist of a minimum of 4 members. When an engine company is the first fire suppression resource at a high-rise fire, what must be in place in order to use elevators to go aloft?
Personnel from an additional resource (fire or RA) must be on-scene and one certified member assigned as the elevator operator
(Brings total to FIVE personnel in the elevator)
No more than _____ personnel with equipment shall be permitted in any one elevator at a time. This will prevent exceeding the weight capacity of the elevator.
Six
Utilizing elevator as a means of ascent:
All members, including the elevator operator, shall be equipped with:
-Full PPE
-SCBA
-Portable radio
-Sound power phone
-Forcible entry tool
-Equipment for fire suppression operations or the assigned task
-Dry chem extinguisher
How shall members preparing to go aloft an elevator be suited up?
Don SCBA facepiece and be prepared to connect regulator if IDLH environment is encounted
The initial fire invest team or Lobby Control Unit shall notify the IC of elevator status within the building.
Unaccounted elevators will require the IC to implement an “_________” to determine the location and status of any elevator not returning to its recall location and the potential for extrication and rescue.
Elevator Group
If the circular “fire service,” “fire helmet,” or “Maltese cross jewel” indicator light on the elevator car control panel is blinking, the elevator cars in that bank should not be used.
Why?
Impending elevator shutdown due to an elevator shunt switch activation.
The HEAT DETECTORS used for this operation will cause the visual indicator light (fire service button, ect) to illuminate intermittently indicating an impending elevator shutdown.
Phase II Override:
How do elevators without a door close button proceed to a chosen floor?
“Desired” floor button is held in a depressed position.
Phase II Override Checks:
To clear selected floors from the elevator control panel, press the ______ or ______ button.
Repeat this process a second time to ensure the feature is operating correctly.
Reset or Call Cancell
Phase II Override:
If determined that an elevator is going to be used for ascent, precautionary stops shall be made every _____ floors.
*This is done in order to TEST and CONFIRM that the elevator is PROPERLY OPERATING in Phase II as designed.
5 floors
Phase II Override:
Precautionary stops during elevator ascent will ensure that:
• The elevator stops at the desired floor
• The elevator doors remain closed when the elevator stops
• The elevator doors open when the door open button is activated
• The elevator doors close when the door open button is released
• The elevator is performing Phase II operations as designed.
*These precautionary stops shall be conducted even if the bank of elevators being used for ascent DOES NOT service the fire floor.
Phase II Override:
Members using an elevator for ascent should also determine the locations of the stairwells in relationship to the location of the elevator vestibule. When should this be accomplished?
At the FIRST , and SUBSEQUENT precautionary STOPS by observing the buildings emergency exit plan located at each elevator lobby landing
Phase II Override:
At each precautionary stop, the elevator shaft shall be observed to determine the presence of?
Smoke, Fire or Water.
Under what circumstances shall the elevator being used for ascent be abandoned by all members?
If at any time:
-smoke, fire or water is detected
-elevator acts erratically
-elevator does not function as designed
Phase II Override:
What is the minimum amount of precautionary stops that shall be made during elevator ascent?
2 stops minimum
Phase II Override:
What actions from LAFD members are expected if the elevator STOPS above the fire?
Exit the elevator and proceed to the nearest stairwell.
Use of an elevator always requires more than ____ people.
4
Elevator key switch with “Reset,” “Off,” and “On.”
How do you remove the elevators from the Phase I Emergency Recall Operation?
Switch shall be rotated FIRST to the “RESET” position, and then to the “OFF” position.
