TB 140 - Elevator Ops At Highrise Incidents

Question 1

Firefighters wearing PPE and carrying equipment require approximately how long to ascend one floor in a stairwell?

Answer 1

-One minute

(fire doubles in size every minute it burns unchecked)

Question 2

Elevator Emergency Service is divided into what two phases?

Answer 2

-Phase I, “Recall Phase”

-Phase 2, “Override Phase”

Question 3

Which Elevator Emergency Service phase refers to the manual or automatic recall of elevators to the lobby or designated recall level of the building?

Answer 3

Phase I

•manual recall: “Emergency Service” key switch in the lobby or fire control room

•automatic recall: activation of an elevator lobby smoke detector.

Question 4

Phase I operation:
When the emergency operation switch is turned to the “ON” position, all elevator cars in the bank are recalled to the lobby (or designated recall floor) automatically.

All elevators recalled and will remain there with their doors _______. The key should be REMOVED to prevent the system from being inadvertently turned off.

Answer 4

Open

Question 5

Phase I Recall:
Some older emergency operation switches in the lobby have a ______ position which is used to place the elevator in operation on a temporary basis when the entire building has been deemed safe for normal use, BUT there is still enough residual SMOKE to actuate the detectors or the detectors are malfunctioning.

Answer 5

Bypass position

*The elevator key is NOT REMOVABLE when the switch is in the bypass position.

Question 6

Older lobby key switches for Phase I Recall have “On,” “Off,” and possibly “Bypass.”

The 2008 Elevator Code requires a three position “Recall” key switch with the positions marked as?

Answer 6

-RESET
-OFF
-ON

(With this system, there is no means to “bypass” the alarm system when a fire protection device cannot be reset)

Question 7

Which Elevator Emergency Service phase refers to the fire service controls within the elevator car itself which allows firefighters to manually control the elevator from inside the car only?

Answer 7

Phase II, Override Phase

Question 8

Phase II Override:
An Emergency Service switch is provided in each elevator car with Phase II capability. This switch is “normally” a three-position key switch.

What are the three positions?

Answer 8

-On
-Off
-Hold

Question 9

Turning both Phase I and Phase II switches to the “ON” position operates the ______ Phase.

Answer 9

Override phase

Question 10

Elevator Recall:
Older elevator systems may have “fireman service” or “______” labels, as opposed to “On” and “Off.”

Answer 10

•“Normal”

Question 11

Phase II Override:

When operating elevators in the “Emergency Service” mode, what two things are rendered inoperable?

Answer 11

automatic door open feature
photo-electric device

Question 12

Phase II Override:

Open elevator car doors are closed by continuous pressure on the “Door Closed” button. If a “Door Closed” button is not provided, continuous pressure on the _____ button will serve to close the doors.

If either of these buttons are released before the doors reach the fully closed position, the doors will automatically reopen.

Answer 12

-the desired floor button

Question 13

Phase II Override:

Continuous pressure on the “Door Open” button causes the elevator doors to open. If the button is released prior to the doors reaching the fully opened position, the doors will automatically close.

What is the only exception to this feature?

Answer 13

Elevator car doors may automatically open upon return to the lobby.

Question 14

Phase II override:

The “HOLD” elevator panel key position is used in order to MAINTAIN the elevator car on the FLOOR where the elevator is currently located as well as maintaining the DOORS in the OPEN position.

Should the service key be removable from the panel when placed in the “HOLD” position?

Answer 14

Yes.

Elevator remains in “HOLD” position until key is reinserted and “ON” is selected.

Question 15

Elevator ascent during investigations or firefighting operations shall only be used when the reported location is above the _____ floor.

Answer 15

6th floor

Question 16

The Company Officer, before using an elevator, should attempt to accurately determine the location of the fire or alarm.

This can be accomplished by:

Answer 16

-inspection of the alarm panel
-security closed circuit video
-actual observation (fire indicated from an exterior window)
-information received from building security, building maintenance or occupants.

Question 17

Elevators shall not be taken closer than ____ floors below the reported fire floor or the lowest indicated alarm floor location.

Answer 17

Two floors

Question 18

Use of Elevators during Emergencies:

All elevators must be recalled (Phase I) and/or accounted for and ________.

Answer 18

equipped with Emergency Service (Phase II)

Question 19

Under no circumstances should an elevator not equipped with Emergency Service or a freight elevator be utilized until?

Answer 19

determined safe on the desired floor(s) of operation

approved by the Incident Commander.

Question 20

If the building is equipped with split bank elevators, do not use an elevator that services the fire floor if a lower bank of elevators reaches WITHIN _____ floors of the fire floor.

Answer 20

5

Additionally, elevators that travel through a “blind shaft’ should be avoided whenever possible

Question 21

The high-rise retrofit ordinance (effective in 1989) requires all elevators on all levels in all existing high-rise buildings (except Group R, Division 1 occupancies) open into elevator lobbies which are separated from the remainder of the building, including corridors and other exits, by WALLS having a fire-resistive rating of not less than _____.

Answer 21

1 hour

Question 22

The high-rise retrofit ordinance (effective in 1989) requires all lobby openings for elevator doors shall be protected with a ______ rated automatic-closing fire assembly with a magnetic hold-open device for door closure actuated by any initiating device (smoke detector) located on the floor.

Answer 22

3/4 hour (45 min) rating

Question 23

Before utilizing an elevator, the elevator shaft shall be observed to determine the presence of?

Answer 23

-smoke
-fire
-water

(Use flashlight or TIC)

Question 24

Fire attack shall consist of a minimum of 4 members. When an engine company is the first fire suppression resource at a high-rise fire, what must be in place in order to use elevators to go aloft?

Answer 24

Personnel from an additional resource (fire or RA) must be on-scene and one certified member assigned as the elevator operator

(Brings total to FIVE personnel in the elevator)

Question 25

No more than _____ personnel with equipment shall be permitted in any one elevator at a time. This will prevent exceeding the weight capacity of the elevator.

Answer 25

Six

Question 26

Utilizing elevator as a means of ascent:

All members, including the elevator operator, shall be equipped with:

Answer 26

-Full PPE
-SCBA
-Portable radio
-Sound power phone
-Forcible entry tool
-Equipment for fire suppression operations or the assigned task
-Dry chem extinguisher

Question 27

How shall members preparing to go aloft an elevator be suited up?

Answer 27

Don SCBA facepiece and be prepared to connect regulator if IDLH environment is encounted

Question 28

The initial fire invest team or Lobby Control Unit shall notify the IC of elevator status within the building.

Unaccounted elevators will require the IC to implement an “_________” to determine the location and status of any elevator not returning to its recall location and the potential for extrication and rescue.

Answer 28

Elevator Group

Question 29

If the circular “fire service,” “fire helmet,” or “Maltese cross jewel” indicator light on the elevator car control panel is blinking, the elevator cars in that bank should not be used.

Why?

Answer 29

Impending elevator shutdown due to an elevator shunt switch activation.

The HEAT DETECTORS used for this operation will cause the visual indicator light (fire service button, ect) to illuminate intermittently indicating an impending elevator shutdown.

Question 30

Phase II Override:

How do elevators without a door close button proceed to a chosen floor?

Answer 30

“Desired” floor button is held in a depressed position.

Question 31

Phase II Override Checks:

To clear selected floors from the elevator control panel, press the ______ or ______ button.

Repeat this process a second time to ensure the feature is operating correctly.

Answer 31

Reset or Call Cancell

Question 32

Phase II Override:

If determined that an elevator is going to be used for ascent, precautionary stops shall be made every _____ floors.

*This is done in order to TEST and CONFIRM that the elevator is PROPERLY OPERATING in Phase II as designed.

Answer 32

5 floors

Question 33

Phase II Override:

Precautionary stops during elevator ascent will ensure that:

Answer 33

• The elevator stops at the desired floor
• The elevator doors remain closed when the elevator stops
• The elevator doors open when the door open button is activated
• The elevator doors close when the door open button is released
• The elevator is performing Phase II operations as designed.

*These precautionary stops shall be conducted even if the bank of elevators being used for ascent DOES NOT service the fire floor.

Question 34

Phase II Override:

Members using an elevator for ascent should also determine the locations of the stairwells in relationship to the location of the elevator vestibule. When should this be accomplished?

Answer 34

At the FIRST , and SUBSEQUENT precautionary STOPS by observing the buildings emergency exit plan located at each elevator lobby landing

Question 35

Phase II Override:

At each precautionary stop, the elevator shaft shall be observed to determine the presence of?

Answer 35

Smoke, Fire or Water.

Question 36

Under what circumstances shall the elevator being used for ascent be abandoned by all members?

Answer 36

If at any time:
-smoke, fire or water is detected
-elevator acts erratically
-elevator does not function as designed

Question 37

Phase II Override:

What is the minimum amount of precautionary stops that shall be made during elevator ascent?

Answer 37

2 stops minimum

Question 38

Phase II Override:

What actions from LAFD members are expected if the elevator STOPS above the fire?

Answer 38

Exit the elevator and proceed to the nearest stairwell.

Question 39

Use of an elevator always requires more than ____ people.

Answer 39

4

Question 40

Elevator key switch with “Reset,” “Off,” and “On.”

How do you remove the elevators from the Phase I Emergency Recall Operation?

Answer 40

Switch shall be rotated FIRST to the “RESET” position, and then to the “OFF” position.