Improvements for Fire Alarm in Elevators Chart?

6/29/2022

From Joe - first - thank you for being a part of this community. This forum really has turned into something outstanding, and far better than I could have hoped for when we brought it to life a few years ago. You may be surprised to know just how popular this is now with over 4,000 daily email subscribers. Keep up the great work, and thanks for being part of it!

Today I'd like to open up a discussion and ask for some feedback on a draft we created for design of Fire Alarm for Elevators.

A lot has changed in this space. I first put this draft version together a year ago, and now with the 2022 Edition of NFPA 72 out (among other code updates).

Well, now a year later, it's time I kick this into gear and get a formalized version together. Before I wrap this up and get through my own updates, I'd like to extend an invite; if you're a fire alarm junkie and you hear intelligibility whale noises in your nightmares, please take a look and let me know what feedback I might be able to incorporate.

We're all in this together and we're certainly trying to get things spot-on, so as always I appreciate and welcome the input. Feel free to post below, or if you'd rather just let me know directly, at [email protected].

Thanks so much for being a part of what we're doing here!

- Joe Meyer

Sent in by Joe for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe

4 Comments

Pete H

6/29/2022 10:21:02 am

I might note that the flow switch for the elevator sprinkler has to be "zero delay" (though that might be local jurisdiction rules, if it is, I'm wrong). But this looks fantastic! Granted I do not really know fire alarm very well, but still looks good to me.

Eric H

6/29/2022 10:34:17 am

A heat detector is not required if the sprinkler head is located within 24" of the elevator pit floor since there is typically not any electrical components located in this area. The sprinkler maximum height is 24", so does a heat detector ever need to be installed in the pit?

Kevin Foley

This flow chart is very helpful, I actually have a project that is an upgrade of an existing elevator and as part of the new controls they have added a feature called "Top Hat" which requires a relay to trip the elevator recall when they call out. I am going to forward this chart to the elevator company so they can confirm this operation of the fire alarm system. The problem we run into is the elevator company goes by their code book and we go by NFPA 72 code.

Fritz Descovich

12/19/2023 10:22:24 am

Hi Joe,

I am not sure if you have heard of a person out here in California who is one of the preeminent experts on elevator fire safety and the interface between elevators, fire alarms and fire sprinkler systems. His name is Sagiv Weiss-Ishai and his a FPE who is on the NFPA 72 technical committee, in particular regarding fire alarms for elevators. Additionally, he has submitted proposals to NFPA for updates to NFPA 13 regarding sprinkler protection of elevator spaces.

Sagiv is also well versed in the California elevator code and he is on a task force for fire protection with the California State Fire Marshals' office.

Sagiv hosts courses in the subject of elevators, NFPA 72 and the interface of fire alarms and sprinkler systems with elevators. He also works as a senior supervising FPE at the San Francisco Fire Department Plan Check division.

If it might be of some interest, here is a link to an upcoming 2-day course that Sagiv is conducting on January 25 & 26, 2023 titled "Interfacing Elevator Controls with Fire Alarm & Sprinkler Systems" | Fire Protection Education: https://www.fireprotectioneducation.com/class-1.html

I was just thinking this information may be of some help regarding updates to your great Fire Alarm for Elevators chart.

Please have a nice day.

Improvements for Fire Alarm in Elevators Chart?

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