Fire Alarm Systems for Emergency Operations of Elevators

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Fire Alarm Systems for Emergency Operations of
Elevators

• Requirements of the International Building Code
  2003
• Prepared by Robert P. Yerger
• Berkshire Systems Group, Inc.

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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.

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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, (AHJS) may interpret and/or
  require installation and operation that is
  different than that expressed in this
  presentation.

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International Building Code (IBC) 2003

• Chapter 30 Elevators and Conveying Systems
• 3003.2 Fire-fighters emergency operation.
  Elevators shall be provided with Phase I
  emergency operation and Phase II emergency in-car
  operation in accordance with ASME A17.1.
  (Chapter 35 Referenced Standards, references
  the 2000 version of A17.1)

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The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
(ASME)Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators
A17.1 2000 Edition

• 2.27.3.1 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.

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(ASME) A17.1 2000 Edition

• 2.27.3.2.1 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.

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(ASME) A17.1 2000 Edition

• 2.27.3.2.4 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 2.27.3.2.5
  by indicating that the first smoke detector
  activation determines the recall level.
• 2.27.3.2.5 This requirement specifically states
  that the elevator only need to respond to the
  first detector, which was activated.

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(ASME) A17.1 2000 EditionNFPA 72 (1999)

• 3-9.3.1 System-type smoke detectors or other
  automatic fire detection as permitted by 3-9.3.5
  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.

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(ASME) A17.1 2000 EditionNFPA 72 (1999)

• 3-9.3.1 (Contd.)
• In facilities without a building fire alarm
  system, these smoke detectors or other automatic
  fire detection as permitted by 3-9.3.5 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.

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(ASME) A17.1 2000 EditionNFPA 72 (1999)

• 3-9.3.1 (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 3-9.3.5 shall be used to recall
  elevators for fire fighters service.

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(ASME) A17.1 2000 Edition

• A3-9.3.1 In facilities without a building alarm
  system, dedicated fire alarm system control units
  are required by 3-9.3.1 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 3-9.3.1

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(ASME) A17.1 2000 EditionNFPA 72 (1999)

• 3-9.3.2 Each elevator lobby, elevator hoistway,
  and elevator machine room smoke detector or other
  automatic fire detection as permitted by 3-9.3.5
  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.)

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(ASME) A17.1 2000 EditionNFPA 72 (1999)

• 3-9.3.3 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)

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(ASME) A17.1 2000 EditionNFPA 72 1990 Edition

• 3-9.3.4 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.

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(ASME) A17.1 2000 Edition

• 3-9.3.4 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.

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(ASME) A17.1 2000 EditionNFPA 72 1990 Edition

• 3-9.3.5 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)

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(ASME) A17.1 2000 Edition

• 3-9.3.6 When actuated, each elevator lobby,
  elevator hoistway, and elevator machine room
  smoke detector or other automatic fire detection
  as permitted by 3-9.3.5 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.

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(ASME) A17.1 2000 EditionNFPA 72 1990 Edition

• 3-9.3.6 (Contd.)
• Actuation from elevator hoistway and elevator
  machine room smoke detectors or other automatic
  fire detection as permitted by 3-9.3.5 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.

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(ASME) A17.1 2000 EditionNFPA 72 1990 Edition

• 3-9.3.6 (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.

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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 907.15) 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 dont apply)

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(ASME) A17.1 2000 Edition

• 3-9.3.6 (Contd.)
• The exception option of 3-9.3.6 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.

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(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.

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(ASME) A17.1 2000 EditionNFPA 72 (1999)

• 3-9.3.7 For each group of elevators within a
  building, three separate elevator control
  circuits shall be terminated at the designated
  elevator controller within the groups elevator
  machine room(s). The operation of the elevators
  shall be in accordance with ANSI/ASME A17.1. The
  smoke detectors or other automatic fire detection
  as permitted by 3-9.3.5 shall actuate the three
  elevator control circuits as follows

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(ASME) A17.1 2000 EditionNFPA 72 (1999)

• 3-9.3.7
• The smoke detector or other automatic fire
  detection as permitted by 3-9.3.5 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)

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(ASME) A17.1 2000 EditionNFPA 72 (1999)

• 3-9.3.7
• The smoke detector or other automatic fire
  detection as permitted by 3-9.3.5 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 3-9.3.5 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
  3-9.3.5 shall also actuate the first elevator
  control circuit.

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(ASME) A17.1 2000 Edition

• 3-9.3.7
• 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.

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NFPA 13 (1999) Elevator Shutdown

• A-5-13.6.2 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.

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NFPA 13 (1999) Elevator Shutdown

• 5-13.6.3 Upright or pendent spray sprinklers
  shall be installed at the top of elevator
  hoistways.
• 5-13.6.2 Automatic sprinklers in elevator
  machine rooms or at the tops of hoistways shall
  be of ordinary (155 degrees) or intermediate (165
  degrees) temperature rating.

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NFPA 72 13 1999 Edition Elevator Shutdown

• 3-9.4.1 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.

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NFPA 72 - 1999 Edition Elevator Shutdown

• 3-9.4.2 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.

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NFPA 72 - 1999 Edition Elevator Shutdown

• 3-9.4.3 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.

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NFPA 72 - 1999 Edition Elevator Shutdown

• 3-9.4.4 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.

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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)
• Elevator Machine Room
• Or Hoistway Not On X X
• Primary Level -Detector(s)