Using elevators during a fire requires establishing specific SOPs.
f firefighters can safely use elevators during fire operations on the upper floors of a building, fireground logistics are dramatically improved. Unfortunately, elevators often stall or act erratically under fire conditions, leaving firefighters in an elevator stalled between floors in substantial danger. Firefighters in an elevator that stops at a floor with considerable fire involvement may also be in immediate danger. Therefore, some fire departments forbid the use of elevators during high-rise firefighting, while others establish rules for using elevators as part of the department's standard operating procedures (SOPs). When writing elevator SOPs consider the following rules.
* Never use an elevator of questionable safety and don't use elevators for fires on lower floors.
* An SOP should spell out the lowest floor where an elevator can be used.
* Never take an elevator directly to the fire floor. Instead, get off at least two floors below the fire.
* When available, take advantage of fire separations and split-bank elevators.
* Place elevators under independent fire department control. * Control all elevators in multiple hoistways.
* Never overcrowd elevators and always wear personal protective clothing, including self-contained breathing apparatus.
* Firefighters using elevators should carry forcible entry tools and stop periodically to make sure the elevator is under control, checking floors for signs of smoke or fire and victims and to review the floor configuration.
A lot can be learned about elevator operations during pre-incident planning. For instance, some buildings are divided into fire zones, while others, such as hospitals, are typically built with fire-rated separations. This separation is important when controlling the spread of fire and smoke and protecting internal exposures. In a hospital, for example, it's better to move patients horizontally to a protected zone in the building than to try to evacuate bedridden patients by elevator. If an elevator must be used to move firefighters or evacuate victims, it's safer to use those separated from the fire area by two or more firewalls.
In addition, some elevator lobbies are similar to smoke-proof stairs. They aren't connected directly to the main building but are separated by open air. It's usually safe to use split-bank elevators if the incident commander (IC) is certain that the elevator shaft ends below the fire floor. All this information should be included in the department's pre-incident plans.
The IC must conduct a risk-versus-benefit analysis before allowing firefighters to use an elevator. Examples of size-up considerations are the building's height and configuration, automatic fire suppression equipment, and the potential life hazard. Elevator SOPs should be kept current, and all firefighters should be familiar with them. These procedures should include alternative measures for getting needed equipment to the fire floor when elevators can't be used.
Russ Sanders served with the Louisville, Kentucky, Fire Department for 29 years, the last 9 as department chief. He is now NFPA's Central Regional Manager After 30 years with the Cincinnati Fire Department, Ben Klaene retired as the Training/Safety Chief to teach at the University of Cincinnati Open Learning Fire Science Program.
Copyright National Fire Protection Association Jul/Aug 2001
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