|
How are we supposed to approach Fire Alarm requirement for elevator recall on key lock private elevator (elevators that goes directly into an apartment)?
I'm working on a new 3 story small apartment building where the first floor is only S-2 occupancy with no dwelling units and the 2nd and 3rd are R-2. Each floor classified as R-2 has 3 apartments and each one has a corresponding elevator that goes from the 1st floor and enter directly to each apartment. Access to each apartment is granted with a key that goes into the elevator. The building will have sprinklers likely NFPA 13 and will have smoke detectors with sounder base inside the dwelling units for notification. My question is how would you approach the elevator recall in this case taking into account that the only common area that the elevator land to on the whole building is the S-2 garage on the first floor? Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
4 Comments
Existing High Rise that was converted from office to residential (large Massachusetts program). I am the third party reviewer and they currently don't have a elevator recall.
Google searches point to that if the elevator doesn't change they don't need add recall, but for the "Trust but Verify" portion of this code investigation is turning up naught. Closest I can find is IEBC, Section 902.1.2 commentary, but as this is a change of occupancy I am not sure if I can apply Level 3 Alterations Requirements to Change in Occupancy. Is there an applicable code or standard reference that requires retrofit of elevator recall for an elevator that doesn't already have this capability? Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe We have an exterior elevator on a two-story building, required by ADA.
The required smoke detector outside the elevator door, installed under the soffit overhang, will quickly fill with dust/dirt. Any thoughts about using a heat detector at this spot that ties into the elevator recall requirement? I am the AHJ. Thank you. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe We have a passenger elevator that is a traction, machine room-less (MRL).
Under NFPA 13, 2013 Edition, Section 8.15.5.2, a 'sprinkler shall not be required for enclosed, non-combustible elevator shafts that do not contain combustible hydraulic fluids.' NFPA 72, 2013 Edition, Section 21.3.6 states that 'smoke detectors shall not be installed in unsprinklered hoistways unless they are installed to activate the elevator hoistway smoke relief equipment.' I believe these would apply to this elevator. Does the elevator only require lobby smoke detectors, including first floor for recall and second floor for alternate recall? Is a smoke detector actually required within the shaft? This is my first MRL elevator and I want to make sure we cover everything that's required. I would appreciate you views on this, thank you! Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe Requirements and guidance around Fire Service Access Elevators came into the IBC after 9/11.
Do any fire department or other code officials have experience in seeing these be helpful or lead to increased fire fighting capabilities? I have not heard of any fire incidents where they've been beneficial and they're going in more often now - just would love to hear if they've been in use. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe I am building out a space that has been vacant for multiple years. The space has a hydraulic elevator that travels 1 floor. There is a sub that is ushering the elevator contractor through the certificate milestone with all the adjacent trades.
He has proposed to change out the Class III-B hydraulic fluid with a Hydro-Safe or equivalent non-combustible fluid in order to work around the NFPA 13 requirement for a pit sprinkler and pit detection to be installed. My question is, does swapping the petrol-based fluid to a bio-equivalent have any long-term effects on the pump, pistol, seals, gaskets, etc.? Also, how do I make sure this is the fluid that remains in use for the life of the certificate? Sent in anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit Your Question | Subscribe In NFPA 13 (2007 Edition) Section 8.15.5.5 is the term "passenger elevator" specifically different from a Freight Elevator?
NFPA 13 Section states that sprinklers are not required for noncombustible hoistways where the car enclosure meets ASME A17.1, but it states specifically "passenger elevators". Does this mean that a hydraulic freight elevator will definitely need a sprinkler at the top and at the bottom of the shaft? Sent in anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit Your Question | Subscribe When an elevator does not have an elevator machine room, where should the fire alarm relays for the elevator be located?
Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit Your Question | Subscribe We have a machine room-less elevator where the motor is located on top of the elevator cab and the elevator equipment is located within the elevator shaft.
NFPA 13 (2016) 8.15.5.3(2) allows sprinklers to be omitted from the hoistway of "traction elevators" where the hoistway is "protected by smoke detectors, or other automatic fire detection installed in accordance with NFPA 72", and several other requirements. NFPA 72 (2016) 21.3.3 states that only the elevator hoistway and elevator lobby smoke detectors or other automatic fire detection (as permitted by 21.3.9) shall be used to initiate Phase I Emergency Recall Operation. NFPA 72 (2016) 21.3.9 states that if "ambient conditions prohibit installation of automatic smoke detection" that other automatic fire detection initiating devices shall be permitted. What type of ambient condition in an elevator shaft would qualify as prohibiting smoke detection? I understand smoke detectors in elevator hoistways can cause nuisance alarms (NFPA 72 2016 A.21.3.9) and are very difficult to test and replace within elevator shafts, so in my opinion a heat detector would be better for elevator recall in the shaft if it's allowed by code. Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Submit a Question | Subscribe |
ALL-ACCESS
SUBSCRIBESubscribe and learn something new each day:
COMMUNITYTop Oct '25 Contributors
YOUR POSTPE EXAMGet 100 Days of Free Sample Questions right to you!
FILTERS
All
ARCHIVES
November 2025
PE PREP SERIES |
RSS Feed
