History of Elevator Firefighters Emergency Operation

I have wanted to share this information for some time.  This is the history of Elevator Firefighters Emergency Operation.  It is interesting on how the elevator code requirements have changed over the years in reactions to different events.   The big event that escalated adoption and alternate floor recall was a fire at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas Nevada in 1980. 

Significance of MGM fire - The burning material created toxic fumes and smoke, which ascended throughout the hotel tower via vertical shafts (elevators and stairwells) and seismic joints and caused the majority of the deaths.  Firefighters reported having to crawl through the dark and over "mounds of stuff" trying to extinguish the fire, it was later determined that the "mounds" were deceased guests and staff near an elevator bank.  Proper evacuation of the hotel guests was hindered as there was no automatic means of returning elevators to the main floor during a fire, causing 10 deceased victims to be found in an elevator. Survivors recounted how some in the hotel had tied bedsheets together and hung them on balconies in an attempt to escape upper floor rooms and alert first responders.

*wikipedia.org

Definitions

Phase I – Phase I is the key switch that is in the main lobby/egress floor that can be operated by competent persons[elevator personnel, fire fighters trained in FEO and/or other people that have had the proper training as outlined in the elevator code.  This key switch will recall the elevators to the main egress.

Phase II – Phase II is the key switch that is in the elevator that allows competent persons to take control the elevator, typically fire fighters.

Automatic recall – Automatic recall is a trigger that will send the elevator down to a specified floor when a device is set off[smoke, flow switch or approved device].

Alternate landing – Alternate landing is the feature that allows the elevator to land at a non-fire floor; I.e. if the fire is at the main landing the elevator will go to the alternate landing[basement or 2^nd floor, whichever is better for building evacuation].  The elevator is hooked up to fire recall devices at each landing, machine room and at times inside the hoistway.

History

ASME 17.1-1973

Automatic Recall introduced in the Supplement.

Phase I – all elevators with 25 feet or more of travel.

Phase II – all elevators with 75 feet or more of travel.

ASME 17.1-1981

Phase II  - all elevators with 25 feet or more of travel.

Audible signals  -   Visible signals

Inspection audible

Machine Room and Main Floor Smokes Required

Alternate Floor Recall

Means of Car Call Cancel

ASME 17.1-1984

Phase II  -  Hold position added to switch.

Car Call Cancel pushbutton added.

ASME 17.1-1987

Firefighters’ Emergency Operation  required of all elevators with 25 feet or more of travel from the Designated landing.

ASME 17.1-1990

In-Car Firefighters’ Hat jewel.

Phase I instructions are specific at hallway key switch.

Phase II instructions are specific in-car.

 Phase I instructions

 Phase II instructions

ASME 17.1-1992

All elevators shall have Firefighters’ Emergency Operation no travel exceptions.

ASME 17.1-1996

“Power Operated” added to in-car instructions.

All elevators with 80 or more inches of travel shall have Firefighters’ Emergency Operation.

ASME 17.1-1998

Flashing Firefighters’ Indicator (FFI) with in-car instructions.

ASME 17.1-2000

Reset added to Phase I key switch.

ASME 17.1-2004

In-Car Firefighters’ Operating Panel added.

Power Monitor (Shunt Trip Monitor) added.

ASME 17.1-2005

“Power Operated” deleted from in-car instructions.

ASME 17.1-2007

Standardized key (FEO-K1) for all Firefighters’ Emergency Operation key switches.

Take away– As we review the evolution of FEO we see changes that are made to make the elevator system safer in the event of a fire.  There is a story and typically a fatality connected to each change in the elevator code.  While the chances of fatality/injury at a building you own, manage, work on, sell to, etc is very small we should all be educating our selves to make our buildings safer.  If you ever question the cost of safety, look in the mirror or think of your family and ask “how much is this life worth?”.

Credit – The MGM information is from wikipedia.org and the FEO history was taken from a document from Joseph Donnelly PE.

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