Use a Heat Detector for Exterior Elevator Recall?

2/19/2025

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.

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9 Comments

Mike

2/19/2025 08:16:34 am

NFPA 72 (referencing 2022 ed.) § 21.3.10
If ambient conditions prohibit installation of automatic smoke detection used to initiate elevator Phase I Emergency Recall Operation, other automatic fire detection initiating devices shall be permitted. Use of automatic fire detection can help prevent nuisance alarms from smoke detectors subject to dust and dirt.

Brett

2/19/2025 08:18:59 am

To add to this, the associated annex expands on this and specifically calls out heat detectors. This is something that I personally specify for outdoor elevator lobbies all the time. Best practice is to use a low RTI heat detector with the lowest activation temperature that makes sense for the environment.

Brett

2/19/2025 08:18:02 am

As an AHJ myself, I have accepted heat detectors for elevator recall on exterior and partially exterior elevator lobbies many times. I've also seen this in jurisdictions other then my own as well.

Ivan J. Humberson

2/19/2025 08:18:36 am

I have seen heat detection substituted for smoke detection in a scenario such as you've described, because an exterior environment is typically not within the listing of a smoke detector. I would recommend a rate of rise or rate compensated heat detector, as opposed to a fixed temperature.

Christopher Nelson

2/19/2025 08:18:44 am

I am a fellow AHJ, I recently had a similar situation and had them bag the smoke detector, but keep it active and then tie in an adjacent heat detector both on elevator recall. Thought process was that the bag could melt away similar to paint booth sprinkler but the HD was there for backup.

Its not perfect, but its better than nothing.

Jonathan Griffin link

2/19/2025 09:31:18 am

Placing a bag over the Smoke Detector in an Outdoor environment opens the door for condensation due to changing weather conditions... the condensation will eventually cause corrosion both outside of & inside of the smoke detector. This does not bode well for the life-cycle of the smoke detector. Just a thought...

Rate-compensated & ROR Heat Detection has been the standard for Outdoor applications for over 40 years in the above application. I would recommend using the Heat Detector vs. the Smoke Detector. Good luck!

Glenn Berger

2/19/2025 08:24:49 am

Few items to discuss here --

You are correct that smoke detectors are not a good fit for most exterior applications.

I have seen heat detectors installed in this scenario. Depending where the project is located, heat detectors may still have environmental issues that much be addressed.

You said in your application that you have a 2 story building and as such recall function does not accomplish much. Your primary floor of recall would be the first floor. The alternative floor would be the 2nd floor. When the elevator reaches the recall floor, doors are suppose to remain open.

I would apply for an exemption to the recall requirement of the elevator code. Optical detectors may be a better fit if still required.

Chad

2/19/2025 08:46:54 am

That’s a very common application generally accepted everywhere in my experience.

Jack G

2/20/2025 06:36:24 pm

For Open air parking garages , the conditions are usually too harsh for smoke, photo- smoke and / or beam detectors. They clog then sound the alarm. Hey, in my 2 car garage, ( wired/battery) smokes were installed with the house alarm- detection system, we get so much pollen and or dust that I had to replace them with heats.
The code permits substitutions to heats.
Please check with the AHJ to ensure the substitution is permitted.

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Use a Heat Detector for Exterior Elevator Recall?

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