Fire Sprinkler Design for Elevators

9/23/2016

This week's breakout is a summary of fire protection requirements for elevators under the International Building Code, NFPA 13, and ASME A17.1. While there are some staples across all elevator types, there's also a number of exceptions and opportunities for flexible design approach, depending upon which edition of NFPA 13 and 72 are applicable.

Sprinkler Elevator Requirements

Sprinkler at the Top of Shaft
Provide when:

elevators utilizes polyurethane-coated steel belts or other similar combustible belt material, unless tested as an FT-1 rating per UL 62 (NFPA 13 2010 Section 8.15.5.6, 2013-2016 Section 8.15.5.7)

Not required where:

the hoistway is noncombustible or limited-combustible and the car enclosure materials meet the requirements of ASME A17.1. (NFPA 13 2002 Section 8.14.5.5, 2007-2013 Section 8.15.5.5, 2016 Section 8.15.5.6)
elevators are Fire Service Access Elevators (IBC 2009-2015 Section 903.3.1.1.1(5)) or Occupant Evacuation Elevators designed per the International Building Code Section 3008 (IBC 2012-2015 Section 903.3.1.1.1(6))

Sprinkler near the Bottom of Shaft (Pit)
Provide when:

elevator is hydraulic type (NFPA 13 2010 Sections 8.15.5.1, 8.15.5.2)
elevator has polyurethane-coated steel belts or other similar combustible belt material, unless tested as an FT-1 rating per UL 62 (NFPA 13 2010 Section 8.15.5.6, 2013-2016 Section 8.15.5.7)

Not required where:

elevators are Fire Service Access Elevators (IBC 2009-2015 Section 903.3.1.1.1(5)) or Occupant Evacuation Elevators designed per the International Building Code Section 3008 (IBC 2012-2015 Section 903.3.1.1.1(6))

Installation Specifics

Provide at no more than 2 ft above pit floor
Branch lines serving sprinklers in hoistway shall supply no more than one floor unless going from top floor to shaft above the roof (ASME A17.1 2004-2010 Section 2.8.2.3.1)

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Confused

6/6/2019 10:40:25 am

If IFC or IBC do not require the building to be sprinklered (and by extension NFPA 13 is not required), would this still apply? Is machine room and shaft protection required simply because an elevator is installed?

Joe Meyer

6/6/2019 10:46:16 am

Typically no, if a building does not have a sprinkler system then there is no requirement for a sprinkler within the shaft. Good question though.

6/6/2019 10:55:42 am

I have heard that quantity of hydraulic oil can require sprinklers. Assuming it's class IIIB liquid, Hazardous use group isn't triggered until over 13,200 gallons of use or storage. Typical tank and system volume is a lot lower.

Evan Verduin

7/11/2019 05:35:55 am

I have a VB building that is 2 stories and under size/use requirements that would trigger sprinklers. Thus, no sprinklers per IBC Chap. 9. The shaft is not rated as well, per IBC chapter 7, only connecting two floors. The elevator is hydraulic type. I’m under the impression NFPA 13 would not apply here since the IBC is not requiring sprinklers, any assistance or precedents? Help would be great!!!

7/15/2019 01:29:03 pm

Evan,

That's correct - if the IBC does not require a fire sprinkler system then NFPA 13 would not apply.

Ben link

3/15/2020 05:50:10 am

I've seen a lot of buildings with sprinklers in the elevator shaft which seems may be over an above the requirements of NFPA 13. I suspect one factor is there is very little cost installing a sprinkler during construction, but enormous cost to adding a sprinkler to an elevator shaft of a finished building and contractors don't want to take the chance that some AHJ will tell them to put them in later.

A lot of elevators don't seal very well and debris can fall down the gap between the lift car and the floor when the doors are open and this could build up over the life of the building, leading to combustible contents. Is this something that sprinkler designers should take into account.

Mike Jones

7/30/2020 11:25:11 am

How do you sprinkle a elevator pit if the elevator is outside In States where the temperature drops blow freezing?

Jonathan Sullivan

7/30/2020 11:58:51 am

Mike - hopefully you've addressed in your code analysis that you do in fact need one for this elevator. You probably have a few options: condition the shaft (lots of energy code/aesthetic/structural issues with this), use a listed heat trace/wet system, use a listed antifreeze, or install a dry system with a heated valve room or valve enclosure.

Who is the AHJ, public agency?

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Fire Sprinkler Design for Elevators

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