1. Fire Alarm Systems for Emergency Operations of Elevators
Requirements of the International Building Code – 2003
Prepared by Robert P. Yerger
Berkshire Systems Group, Inc.

2. Goals of Presentation
Follow the Code requirements of the IBC as adopted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for Fire Alarm Systems controlling of Elevators.
Assist those that design, propose, program, install and commission, and approve fire alarm systems for elevator control and operation.
Only the fire alarm system requirement is covered, not the actual elevator operation and controls is covered in the presentation.

3. Disclaimer
The information provided in this presentation is based on the understanding of the various codes and standards by representatives of Berkshire Systems Group, Inc., and does not represent an official requirement. In addition, Authorities Having Jurisdiction, (AHJ’S) may interpret and/or require installation and operation that is different than that expressed in this presentation.

4. International Building Code (IBC) 2003
Chapter 30 Elevators and Conveying Systems
Fire-fighters emergency operation. Elevators shall be provided with Phase I emergency operation and Phase II emergency in-car operation in accordance with ASME A (Chapter 35 – Referenced Standards, references the 2000 version of A17.1)

5. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators A17.1 – 2000 Edition
Phase I Emergency Recall Operation. A17.1b-1989 through A17.1b-1992 required Phase I for an elevator with a travel of 25 ft. or more. Previous versions of the code allowed travel up to 50ft. before Phase I was required.
These new requirements apply for all automatic elevators except when the hoistway or a portion thereof is not required to be constructed of fire-restive construction, the travel does not exceed 2,000 mm or 80 in., and the hoistway does not penetrate a floor.

6. (ASME) A17.1 – 2000 Edition
The reference to the National Fire Alarm Code, NFPA 72 is to a standard with expertise to specify the type and installation of automatic initiating devices. The NFPA has been revised, at the request of the ASME A17 Committee, to address fire alarm systems in all building types.
Beginning with ASME A17.1b-1997 a fire alarm initiating device must be provided at all floors. ASME A17.1 recognizes that devices other than smoke detectors may be more appropriate under some conditions. These conditions are specified within NFPA 72.

7. (ASME) A17.1 – 2000 Edition
The effectiveness of smoke detectors for the recall function has also been questioned because of the possibility that smoke may be present on floors above and/or below the fire floor. The Code has addressed this in by indicating that the first smoke detector activation determines the recall level.
This requirement specifically states that the elevator only need to respond to the first detector, which was activated.

8. (ASME) A17.1 – 2000 Edition NFPA 72 (1999)
System-type smoke detectors or other automatic fire detection as permitted by located in elevator lobbies, elevator hoistway, and elevator machine rooms used to initiate fire fighters’ service recall shall be connected to the building fire alarm system.

9. (ASME) A17.1 – 2000 Edition NFPA 72 (1999)
(Contd.)
In facilities without a building fire alarm system, these smoke detectors or other automatic fire detection as permitted by shall be connected to a dedicated fire alarm system control unit that shall be designated as “elevator recall control and supervisory panel”, permanently identified on the control unit and on the record drawings.

10. (ASME) A17.1 – 2000 Edition NFPA 72 (1999)
(Contd.)
Unless otherwise required by the authority having jurisdiction, only the elevator lobby, elevator hoistway, and the elevator machine room smoke detectors or other automatic fire detection as permitted by shall be used to recall elevators for fire fighters’ service.

11. (ASME) A17.1 – 2000 Edition
A In facilities without a building alarm system, dedicated fire alarm system control units are required by for elevator recall in order that the elevator recall systems be monitored for integrity and have primary and secondary power meeting the requirements of this code.
The control unit used for this purpose should be located in an area that is normally occupied and should have audible and visible indicators to annunciate supervisory (elevator recall) and trouble conditions: however, no form of general occupant notification or evacuation signal is required or intended by

12. (ASME) A17.1 – 2000 Edition NFPA 72 (1999)
Each elevator lobby, elevator hoistway, and elevator machine room smoke detector or other automatic fire detection as permitted by shall be capable of initiating elevator recall when all other devices on the same initiating device circuit have been manually or automatically placed in the alarm condition.
(We would strongly recommend that an addressable system be supplied for elevator recall operation to assure that all required functions can operate simultaneously and to take advantage of the many additional features addressable systems provide.)

13. (ASME) A17.1 – 2000 Edition NFPA 72 (1999)
A lobby smoke detector shall be located on the ceiling within 21 ft. of the centerline of each elevator door within the elevator bank under control of the detector.
Exception: For lobby ceiling configurations exceeding 15 ft. in height or that or than flat and smooth, detector locations shall be determined in accordance with Chapter 2. (NFPA 72)

14. (ASME) A17.1 – 2000 Edition NFPA 72 – 1990 Edition
Smoke detectors shall not be installed in elevator hoistways.
Exception No. 1: Where the top of the elevator hoistway is protected by automatic sprinklers.
Exception No. 2: Where a smoke detector is installed to activate the elevator hoistway smoke relief equipment.

15. (ASME) A17.1 – 2000 Edition
Smoke detectors installed in elevator hoistways require continuous maintenance and are a source of numerous false or nuisance alarms. For this reason, the code has specifically excepted them from the elevator hoistway unless the top of the hoistway is protected by an automatic sprinkler system. If sprinklers are installed at the top of the hoistway, then the smoke detector is needed to provide the recall feature before the heat detector or waterflow switch on the hoistway sprinkler system actuates.

16. (ASME) A17.1 – 2000 Edition NFPA 72 – 1990 Edition
If ambient conditions prohibit installation of automatic smoke detection, other automatic fire detection shall be permitted.
Some Options:
Fixed temperature heat detection
Rate compensated heat detection (for exterior, damp and wet locations)
Air aspiration systems (Vesda)

17. (ASME) A17.1 – 2000 Edition
When actuated, each elevator lobby, elevator hoistway, and elevator machine room smoke detector or other automatic fire detection as permitted by shall initiate an alarm condition on the building fire alarm system and shall visibly indicate, at the control unit and required remote annunciators, the alarm initiation circuit or zone from which the alarm originated.

18. (ASME) A17.1 – 2000 Edition NFPA 72 – 1990 Edition
(Contd.)
Actuation from elevator hoistway and elevator machine room smoke detectors or other automatic fire detection as permitted by shall cause separate and distinct visible annunciation at the control unit and required annunciators to alert the fire fighters and other emergency personnel that the elevators are no longer safe to use. Actuation of these detectors shall not be required to actuate the system notification appliances where the alarm signal is indicated at a constantly attended location.

19. (ASME) A17.1 – 2000 Edition NFPA 72 – 1990 Edition
(Contd.)
The detectors located in the elevator hoistway and elevator machine room actuate Phase I elevator recall, but are not required to sound the building evacuation alarm.
Exception: If approved by the authority having jurisdiction, the elevator hoistway and machine room smoke detectors shall be permitted to initiate a supervisory signal.

20. Requirement for Monitoring of Fire Alarm Systems - IFC
Definition of Fire Alarm System (IFC 902.1) A system or portion of a combination system consisting of components and circuits arranged to monitor and annunciate the status of fire alarm or supervisory signal-initiating devices and to initiate the appropriate response to those signals.
Monitoring (IFC ) Where required by this chapter or by the International Building Code, an approved supervising station in accordance with NFPA 72 shall monitor fire alarm systems.
(There are some exceptions that don’t apply)

21. (ASME) A17.1 – 2000 Edition 3-9.3.6 (Contd.)
The exception option of should only be used where trained personnel are constantly in attendance and can immediately respond to the supervisory signal and investigate the cause of the signal. Means should be provided for initiating the fire alarm signal if the investigation of the cause of the supervisory signal indicates that building evacuation is necessary.

22. (ASME) A17.1 – 2000 Edition 3-9.3.6 (Contd.)
In addition, to having trained personnel constantly in attendance, it is recommended that if the supervisory signal is not acknowledged within a given period of time (3 minutes to 10 minutes), the fire alarm system will automatically and immediately initiate an alarm.

23. (ASME) A17.1 – 2000 Edition NFPA 72 (1999)
For each group of elevators within a building, three separate elevator control circuits shall be terminated at the designated elevator controller within the group’s elevator machine room(s). The operation of the elevators shall be in accordance with ANSI/ASME A The smoke detectors or other automatic fire detection as permitted by shall actuate the three elevator control circuits as follows:

24. (ASME) A17.1 – 2000 Edition NFPA 72 (1999)
The smoke detector or other automatic fire detection as permitted by located in the designated elevator recall lobby shall actuate the first elevator control circuit. In addition, if the elevator is equipped with front and rear doors, the smoke detectors in both lobbies at the designated level shall actuate the first elevator control circuit.
(This is the alternate floor recall)

25. (ASME) A17.1 – 2000 Edition NFPA 72 (1999)
The smoke detector or other automatic fire detection as permitted by in the remaining elevator lobbies shall actuate the second elevator control circuit. (This is the primary, key switch level, floor of return)
The smoke detector or other automatic fire detection as permitted by in elevator hoistways and the elevator machine room(s) shall actuate the third elevator control circuit. In addition, if the elevator machine room is located at the designated level, its smoke detector or other automatic fire detection as permitted by shall also actuate the first elevator control circuit.

26. (ASME) A17.1 – 2000 Edition
The third circuit will sound a warning in the elevator cab (Fire Hat) to notify the fire department personnel using the elevators on Phase II Operation during the fire to immediately move to a safe floor and exit the elevator.

27. NFPA 13 (1999) Elevator Shutdown
A ASME A17.1, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, requires the shutdown of power to the elevator prior to the application of water in elevator machine rooms or hoistways. This shutdown can be accomplished by a detection system with sufficient sensitivity that operates prior to the activation of the sprinklers (see also NFPA 72). As an alternative, the system can be arranged using devices or sprinklers capable of effecting power shutdown immediately upon sprinkler activation, such as a waterflow switch without a time delay. This alternative arrangement is intended to interrupt power before significant sprinkler discharge.

28. NFPA 13 (1999) Elevator Shutdown
Upright or pendent spray sprinklers shall be installed at the top of elevator hoistways.
Automatic sprinklers in elevator machine rooms or at the tops of hoistways shall be of ordinary (155 degrees) or intermediate (165 degrees) temperature rating.

29. NFPA 72 & 13 – 1999 Edition Elevator Shutdown
Where heat detectors are used to shut down elevator power prior to sprinkler operation, the detector shall have a lower temperature rating and a higher sensitivity as compared to the sprinkler.

30. NFPA 72 - 1999 Edition Elevator Shutdown
If heat detectors are used to shutdown elevator power prior to sprinkler operation, they shall be placed within 2 ft. of each sprinkler head and be installed in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 2. Alternately, engineering methods, such as specified in Appendix B, shall be permitted to be used to select and place heat detectors to ensure response prior to any sprinkler head operation under a variety of fire growth rate scenarios.

31. NFPA 72 - 1999 Edition Elevator Shutdown
If pressure or waterflow switches are used to shutdown elevator power immediately upon or prior to the discharge of water from sprinklers, the use of devices with time delay switches or time delay capability shall not be permitted.

32. NFPA 72 - 1999 Edition Elevator Shutdown
Control circuits to shut down elevator power shall be monitored for presence of operating voltage. Loss of voltage to the control circuit for the disconnecting means shall cause a supervisory signal to be indicated at the control unit and required remote annunciators.

33. Elevator Recall Matrix
Alarm Condition Origin Alternate Floor Relay Primary Floor Relay “Fire Hat” Relay
Primary Level (Key Sw.)
Elevator Lobby X
Detector
All Other
Elevator Lobby X
Detectors –
Elevator Machine Room
or Hoistway - On Primary X X
Level – Detector(s)
Or Hoistway Not On X X
Primary Level -Detector(s)