TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE INCIDENTS

Question 1

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

Firefighters wearing personal protective equipment and carrying necessary equipment require approximately one minute per floor to ascend stairs.

With a fire doubling in size every minute it burns unchecked

Answer 1

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Question 2

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

Buildings with split banks of elevators, which may be used if the highest floor served by the elevator shaft terminates a minimum of ___ floors below the reported fire floor.

Answer 2

5

Question 3

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

Phase I, “Recall Phase”

Manual or automatic recall of elevators to the lobby or designated recall level of the building either through the operation of a “Emergency Service” key switch in the lobby or fire control room or by the activation of an elevator lobby smoke detector.

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

Answer 3

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Question 4

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

Phase I, “Recall Phase”

The “Bypass” position 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. The elevator key is not
removable when the switch is in the bypass position.

Answer 4

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Question 5

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

Phase I, “Recall Phase”

The 2008 Elevator Code requires a similar three position “Recall” key switch with positions marked “RESET,” “OFF,” and “ON”

To remove the elevators from Phase I Emergency Recall Operation, the switch shall be rotated first to the “RESET” position, and then to the “OFF” position. With this system, there is no means to bypass the alarm system when a fire
protection device cannot be reset.

Answer 5

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Question 6

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

Phase II, “Override Phase”

Fire service controls within the elevator car itself which allows firefighters to manually control the elevator from inside the car only.

This switch is “normally” a three-position key switch (On-Off-Hold) that becomes operative when the lobby “Emergency Service” switch is in the “ON” position. Turning both switches (Phase I and Phase II) to the “ON” position operates the “Override Phase”.

“on,” “off,” and “hold” key positions in the elevator cars. Older elevator systems may have “fireman service” or “normal” labels, as opposed to “on” and “off.”

Answer 6

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Question 7

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

If the elevators have been recalled to the lobby by the activation of a smoke detector, the lobby panel should always be switched to the “ON” position and the key removed.

Answer 7

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Question 8

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

When operating elevators in the “Emergency Service” mode, the automatic door open feature and photo-electric device are rendered inoperable.

Answer 8

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Question 9

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

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. The only exception is that the doors may automatically open upon return to the lobby.

Answer 9

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Question 10

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

Open doors are closed by continuous pressure on the “Door Closed” button, if provided. If a “Door Closed” button is not provided, continuous pressure on the desired floor 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 10

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Question 11

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

When multiple floor buttons have been selected, the elevator is designed to stop at the closest floor selected. At that time, all other selections are cancelled, and the elevator doors will remain closed.

Answer 11

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Question 12

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

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. The service key should be removable from the panel when placed in the “HOLD” position.

Answer 12

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Question 13

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

It is imperative that the elevator operator remain in the elevator car and either maintain constant pressure on the “DOOR OPEN” button or activate the “HOLD” feature, due to the fact that the elevator doors may close.

Answer 13

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Question 14

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

When the interior elevator key position is in the “OFF” position, the Emergency Service mode returns to Phase I, which will cause the elevator to return to the lobby.

Answer 14

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Question 15

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

The Company Officer, before using an elevator, should attempt to accurately determine the location of the fire or alarm. This can be accomplished through the inspection of the alarm panel, security closed circuit video, actual observation (fire indicated from an exterior window), or information received from building security, building maintenance or occupants.

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

Answer 15

2

2

Question 16

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

The City of Los Angeles enacted a high-rise retrofit ordinances (effective in 1989) that 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 fireresistive rating of not less than ___-hour. All lobby openings for elevator doors shall be protected with _____ automatic-closing fire assemblies with magnetic hold-open devices for door closure actuated by any initiating device
located on the floor,

Answer 16

one

3/4-hour (45 minute)

Question 17

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

All elevators must be accounted for, recalled (Phase I), and equipped with Emergency Service (Phase II).

Answer 17

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Question 18

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

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 five (5) floors of the fire floor.

Answer 18

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Question 19

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

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

Answer 19

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Question 20

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

Elevator lobbies, except for the main entrance level lobby, are provided with a smoke detector located on the lobby ceiling. All lobby doors are designed to close on actuation of any fire alarm initiating device for that specific floor. Elevator controls are designed so that activation of a lobby smoke detector will cause all elevators serving that lobby and any additional elevator serving that floor to return nonstop to the designated recall floor and then be under manual control only.

Answer 20

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Question 21

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

Before utilizing an elevator, the elevator shaft shall be observed to determine the presence of smoke, fire, or water. Directing a flashlight or thermal imaging camera up between the elevator car and the shaft wall can determine the presence of smoke, fire, or water in the elevator shaft. If the presence of any amount of smoke, fire, or water is detected, the use of the elevator for ascent shall be discontinued.

Answer 21

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Question 22

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

When an engine company is the first fire suppression resource at a high-rise fire, personnel from an additional resource must be on-scene and one member will be assigned and designated as the elevator operator before the elevator is used to go aloft. This additional member can be from an additional company or from a fire suppression certified rescue ambulance.

Answer 22

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Question 23

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

All members, including the member identified as the elevator operator, utilizing the elevator as a means of ascent shall be equipped with full personal protective equipment; breathing apparatus, portable radio, sound power phone, forcible entry tool, and the appropriate equipment for fire suppression operations or the assigned task.

Prior to going aloft, all members shall have donned their Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) facepiece and be prepared to connect to the SCBA regulator when an Immediate Dangerous to Life Hazardous (IDLH) environment is encountered. A dry chemical extinguisher shall remain in the elevator car with the elevator operator

Answer 23

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Question 24

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

During Phase I operation, if any elevator does not recall to the lobby or recall location, elevators shall not be used until all elevators are accounted for.

Answer 24

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Question 25

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

Unaccounted elevators will require the Incident Commander 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 25

Elevator Group (Reports to Operations)

Question 26

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

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

Answer 26

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Question 27

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

A test of Phase II operations should be conducted in the following manner:

1. Press the door close button until the doors are completely closed. Once closed, depress the door open button until the doors begin opening. Release the button and the doors should immediately close. This test verifies that the door open feature is working as designed. Open doors again to their full open position.
2. Enter several floors by pushing floor indicator buttons. The buttons should light up, but the elevator doors should not close and the elevator should not move. Elevators without a door close button will proceed to the first chosen floor if floor button is held in a depressed position. Touch
   buttons briefly or use door open button to keep doors open with the elevator stationary during this safety check.
3. Press the “Reset” or “Call Cancel” button to clear the elevator control panel. Repeat this process a second time to ensure the call cancel feature is operating correctly.
4. Select the desired floor of termination (two floors below the fire floor or two floors below the lowest activated fire alarm indication), plus a minimum of two additional floors, for precautionary checks, below the designated exit floor. If determined that an elevator is going to be used for ascent, precautionary stops shall be made every five- (5) floors in order to test and confirm that the elevator is properly operating in Phase II as designed. These precautionary stops will ensure that:

• 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, and
• 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. If for any reason, the elevator does not perform as designed in Phase II operations, or acts erratically, elevator operations shall be immediately stopped and the Fire Attack Team and the Elevator Operator proceed to an appropriate stairwell.

Answer 27

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Question 28

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

Members using an elevator for ascent should also determine the locations of the stairwells in relationship to the location of the elevator vestibule. This should be accomplished at the first, and subsequent precautionary stops by observing the buildings emergency exit plan located at each elevator lobby landing.

These stairway verification checks should be done above the building lobby level due to the fact that stairs leading to the exterior of the building may be connected by a hallway thus providing misleading information as to where the stairwells actually are in relationship to the ground level exits.

Answer 28

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Question 29

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

At each precautionary stop, the elevator shaft shall be observed to determine the presence of smoke, fire, or water.

Once again, if the presence of any amount of smoke, fire, or water is detected, the use of the elevator shall be immediately discontinued and members should proceed to an appropriate stairway.

Answer 29

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Question 30

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

If the elevator stops above the fire, exit the elevator and proceed to the nearest stairwell.

Answer 30

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Question 31

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGHRISE

Once assigned as the elevator operator, this member will report to the _______ Officer.

Answer 31

Lobby Control

Question 32

TB 140 ELEVATOR OPERATIONS AT HIGH-RISE

These precautionary stops will ensure that:

Answer 32

• 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, and
• The elevator is performing Phase II operations as designed.