Pressurization w/o Lobby In Lieu of FF Elevator?

11/4/2022

We have a new construction highrise that's more than 128-ft in height.

Under the IBC, 2018, Section 3007, it would require two firefighter elevators.

Can we use one dedicated firefighter elevator, with a protected lobby, and the other one an emergency passenger elevator, without a lobby, where we would use the pressurization option in lieu of the elevator lobby requirement?

Thanks in advance.

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5 Comments

Glenn Berger

11/4/2022 08:22:03 am

I do not believe that you make this exception without the approval of the AHJ. The requirement is for two firefighters' elevators.

Todd E Wyatt

11/4/2022 08:57:37 am

2018 IBC 403.6 requires (2) fire service access elevators (FSAE) if the High-Rise Building (HRB) has an "occupied floor more than 120-feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access."

Todd E Wyatt

11/4/2022 08:52:40 am

Yes, pressurization of an elevator hoistway is an acceptable option instead of an enclosed elevator lobby.

2018 IBC 3006.2 requires elevator hoistway door opening protection for High-Rise Buildings (HRB) with an elevator hoistway that is >75 feet in height. Based on the 128-feet HRB height, we can assume this is required.

Per 3006.3, elevator opening protection can be achieved by 1 of 4 ways :
1) Elevator lobbies protected by Fire Partitions, or
2) Elevator lobbies protected by Smoke Partitions & an Automatic Sprinkler System protecting the building, or
3) Additional doors (smoke and draft control assemblies) at the hoistway opening protection, or
4) Hoistway pressurization.

Fire service access elevators (FSAE) require an enclosed elevator lobby per 3006.1.(4) and it shall be 150 SF minimum with a 8-foot minimum dimension. If the FSAE includes (2) hoistway doors on a story, one hoistway door can be protected per 1 of the 4 methods per 3006.3

sean

11/8/2022 07:11:39 am

I would not see those as an equivalent.

GP Elevators link

5/11/2024 12:47:16 pm

This question delves into the intricacies of building code compliance, specifically regarding elevator requirements for high-rise constructions. Under the IBC 2018, Section 3007, buildings exceeding 128 feet in height typically necessitate two firefighter elevators for safety and accessibility during emergencies.

The query explores the possibility of utilizing one elevator as a dedicated firefighter elevator, complemented by a protected lobby, while the second elevator serves as an emergency passenger elevator without a lobby, potentially leveraging pressurization as an alternative to the lobby requirement.

This highlights the importance of understanding and navigating building codes effectively to optimize safety measures while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. By exploring alternative solutions within the framework of the IBC, building professionals can make informed decisions that balance safety requirements with practical considerations in high-rise constructions.

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Pressurization w/o Lobby In Lieu of FF Elevator?

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