Elevator Recall Integration with Fire Alarm Systems

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What is elevator recall? When is it required? When should it be integrated with a fire alarm system? How is that accomplished? These are a few of the many questions both elevator and electrical contractors have when elevator work is performed. With the constantly changing technologies and capabilities of elevator control and fire alarm systems, questions like these mandate close coordination between contractors. This article will explain what elevator recall (also referred to as firefighter emergency operations) is and when it is required. It will also cover the integration of the fire alarm system with elevator firefighter emergency operations. Per ASME A17.1 section 2.27.3, Firefighter emergency operations (FEO) are required in all automatic elevators with a rise of over 80". If the facility has or is required to have a fire alarm system, then the fire detecting devices are part of that system. This system has the added responsibility of notifying the occupants and the fire department of alarm conditions. If a reporting fire alarm system is not required, the fire detection devices can be part of a stand alone fire alarm system whose sole purpose is to initiate an FEO sequence. Except for activating an internal sounder, this system, which is to be plainly marked "Elevator Recall Control and Supervisory Panel", does not notify occupants when activated, nor does it notify the fire department. However, it is located in a public space, generally near a security desk or the elevator lobby of the building's main egress floor. FEO activation is mainly addressed by ASME A17.1, ASME A17.3, NFPA 13, NFPA 70, NFPA72 and NFPA 101. Locally, add in State of Illinois Public Act 096-0054, Chicago Building Code Section 18-30 & 13-196 and enforcement by both the fire department and the local elevator inspection department to get a picture of how complicated it can get. Each of the codes address a slice of the pie, so there isn't one location that one can look to for application guidance. We've consolidated the FEO requirements from these various regulations to help you understand what's required, so let's take a look. First, let's define what FEO is and how it's activated. The FEO involves several phases of action, but essentially, it removes control and accessibility of the elevator cabs from the public and gives it to the firefighters. By giving firefighters total control of a facility's elevators, they have an additional tool to fight the fire. In a high rise situation, this tool is critically important. A second, equally important result is the consideration for public safety. By removing public access to elevators, the possibility of injury or death due to getting trapped in a non-operational cab or actually being delivered to the involved floor is removed. The sequence of events that removes the elevators from public use is collectively referred to as the FEO, but it's also known as elevator recall, as the cabs are automatically recalled to a facility's predetermined floor of egress. This predetermination is made by the local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), usually the local fire department. Two floors of egress are determined: the Designated, or Primary Level and the Alternate Level. In the vast majority of cases, the Primary Level is the facility's main entrance floor. If verification of the primary floor is needed, the elevator annunciator panel, fire alarm annunciator panel, firefighter's communication center and controls to other building systems, such as fan, damper and stairwell door unlocking controls are located on the Primary Level as well. The Alternate Level is a secondary floor of egress should the Primary Level become unsafe for egress. The first sequence of events in the FEO is conveniently referred to as Phase One operations. In Phase One, the cabs are automatically recalled to a facility's predetermined floor of egress. Fire alarm system smoke detectors that are programmed to activate Phase One are located in the elevator lobbies, elevator hoistway and elevator machine room. If smoke is detected in any of these areas, Phase One is automatically initiated to remove the possibility of the public being delivered to a smoke or flame filled area. If a smoke detector on any level except the Primary level activates, the cabs are recalled to the Primary level. If a Primary level detector activates, the cabs are recalled to the Alternate level. In both instances, a sounder and an FEO lamp in the cab will activate. The cab will proceed immediately to the proper level, open its doors. If no other FEO incidents occur, the cabs will remain in that state until the alarm is reset.

Another means of activating Phase One is by manually activation by key switch. The key switch is usually located in the elevator lobby of the Primary level. If the facility has an elevator annunciator panel, a switch will be located there as well. Firefighters arriving at a facility may need to use the elevator before Phase One is automatically activated. By using the key switch, firefighters can initiate Phase One manually. As long as the switch is in the 'On" position, the cabs will remain in Phase One operation. Once Phase One is active, firefighters may use the cabs by utilizing Phase Two. Phase Two is manually activated from inside the cab with a key switch. Once a firefighter is in the cab, he overrides Phase One by activating the cab FEO switch with another key. Once activated, he can manually operate the cab by pressing and holding the cab command buttons. To close the doors, he must press and hold the 'Door Close' button until the doors are closed. If he releases the button before the doors close, the doors will open again. Once the doors are closed, he selects the desired floor and the cab will take him to that level. Upon arrival, he must press and hold the 'Door Open' button. Again, if he releases the button before the doors are fully open, they will close again. Another FEO sequence is referred to as the 'Fireman's Hat' or 'Flashing Hat'. Should a smoke detector in the elevator hoistway or machine room activate, the FEO lamp in the cab will begin to flash. This alerts the firefighters that are using the cab that fire may be present in the hoistway or machine room, making the use of the elevator a risk to their safety. One final sequence of the FEO is the Shunt Trip. In facilities that have wet sprinklers in their elevator hoistway and machine room, code requires the placement of a heat detector connected to a fire alarm system. The purpose of the heat detector is to shut down the elevator's power via a shunt trip mechanism when activated. Beyond saving the equipment from electrical damage, wet brakes or an uncontrolled loss of power can have deadly results. Consequently, the heat detector must activate before the sprinklers do. The heat detector's alarm threshold must therefore be lower than that of the sprinkler head's. Once activated, the heat detector is programmed to initiate a shunt trip breaker that removes power from the elevator cab. To be effective (and per code), a heat detector must be placed within two feet of any sprinkler head in the hoistway or machine room. Here are other code requirements to consider as well:

Smoke and heat detector wiring must be monitored for integrity by a commercial fire alarm control panel. Locally powered smoke detectors and stand alone heat detectors are not permitted to be used. If conditions are harsh, then you must use an alternate type of detection (heat detector). The installation of a smoke detector in a parking garage elevator lobby is not required. Heat detectors are acceptable. Smoke detectors are not allowed in the hoistway without sprinklers. The AHJ is permitted to allow machine room and hoistway smoke detectors to initiate a supervisory signal instead of an alarm signal. Dedicated hoistway waterflow switch (without a retard delay) can perform the shunt trip as well. Only the automatic detectors located in elevator lobbies, hoistway and machine rooms are permitted to initiate the recalling of elevators. In no case should an elevator be recalled by a manual pull station or by detectors located in other areas of the building unless mandated by AHJ.

In summary, the elevator's FEO are automatically activated by a commercial fire alarm system. The issuance of the elevator operating permit depends upon proper integration between the elevator control panel and the fire alarm system. There are additional criteria that apply to less common circumstances, so be sure to employ an experienced fire alarm contractor that will proactively coordinate the electrical and elevator interfacing requirements. A properly coordinated integration between the two systems can make the difference between passing the first inspection and incurring additional costs due to subsequent reinspections.

Chicago Life Safety Evaluation 2012 - Information on Amendments

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Affiliated is your total Fire Alarm Company. We are a U.L. listed service company with N.I.C.E.T. Certified technicians. If you have any questions about the 2012 Chicago Life Safety amendments, please give Affiliated a call at 630-434-7900 and we can help your company or business address these requirements. The Chicago City Council passed two amendments to the Chicago Building Code (CBC) addressing life safety deficiencies in high rise buildings built prior to 1975. Previously, these buildings were exempted from the CBCs life safety requirements. Collectively, they are commonly and alternatively referred to as the High Rise Building Ordinance, the High Rise Sprinkler Ordinance, the High Rise Voice Evac Ordinance, Chicago 2012 Ordinance and the Chicago Life Safety Ordinance, or variances thereof.

Chapter 13-78 was added to Title 13 of the CBC in May of 2002 in response to the 9/11 attacks. This substitution ordinance mandated the creation of an evacuation plan for all buildings 80 and taller (defined as high rise buildings). Certain high rises must file their plans with the Office of Emergency Communications. Beyond identifying actions to be taken in specific scenarios, these plans identify key personnel that fill leadership roles in planning, coordinating and executing evacuation plans (to include conducting evacuation drills). Plans must be updated as personnel and building conditions change. The same ordinance added amendments addressing ADA compliant signage at various points of egress within high rise buildings. Chapter 13-76 and 13-196 were amended by adding sections 075 & 076 and 085 & 086 respectively. Chapter 13-76-075 & 13-196-085 added the requirement of ADA compliant signage at each stairwell door, both within and on the occupancy side of the stairwell. Chapter 13-76-076 and 13-196-086 added the requirement of ADA compliant signage at every designated Area of Rescue Assistance (aka Area of Refuge). Chapter 18-30 added section 2620, which mandated floor identification outside the upper left door jamb of each elevator car on every floor. Deadline for compliance was 7/31/02, except for the elevator amendment, which had a 10/31/02 deadline. An ordinance adding sections 203-209 to CBC Chapter 13-196 was passed that mandated, among other things, the completion of a Life Safety Data Sheet (13-196-203), a Life Safety Evaluation (LSE) (13-196-206), one-way & two-way voice communication systems (13-196-204) and automatic sprinkler systems (13-196-205) for these same buildings. Once completed, the Life Safety Data Sheet must be filed with the Fire Department. Deadline for compliance was 4/1/05. The LSE must be performed by a licensed architect or professional engineer (PE) and was due to the Department of Buildings and Fire Department by January 1, 2006. Automatic sprinkler and voice communication systems must be installed no later than January 1, 2012. Mandated high rise commercial occupancy automatic sprinkler systems can be installed in three phases, due January 1, 2009, January 1, 2012 and January 1, 2017 respectively.

NFPA 72 2010 Chapter 24: Emergency Communications Systems

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Throughout this decade, the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) has strived to keep its codes current and applicable with the rapid advances in technology. Additionally, the discoveries of communication gaps uncovered by tragic events have introduced new concerns in terms of life safety. After years of attempting to fit new technologies and responsibilities in the existing chapters of NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code), the NFPA has completely remade this code for its 2010 edition. As one of the most referenced codes in the NFPA library, the impact of these changes impacts a broad spectrum of industries. This article focuses on one of those changes: the addition of Chapter 24, Emergency Communications Systems. In the late 20th century, emergency communication methods were as varied as the technologies that could carry them. Pagers, television, radio and public address systems were all used to transmit specific information about specific events. There was very little coordination between communication mediums as the technology was still developing. Other than for national defense, the commercial demand for real time mass communication was negligible and viewed as a tool of convenience. The events of 9/11, Columbine High School and Virginia Tech were catalyst events that changed all that. The ability to reliably communicate to a large group of people in real time is now viewed as essential, rather than convenient, to campus and high rise administrators. In its 2002 and 2007 editions, NFPA 72 addressed the communication issue by putting mass notification installation guidelines in its annex material. However, these were informational guidelines, not enforceable by merely requiring NFPA 72 installation standards. With the 2010 edition, an enforceable chapter 24: Emergency Communications Systems was created by:

Moving annex material into the code body. Relocating and consolidating related material from other chapters Incorporation of elements from United Facilities Criteria 4-021-01 Inclusion of NFPA 72 committee members input

What, exactly, is an emergency communication system (ECS)? An ECS is comprised of a supervised, code regulated emergency alarm/voice communication system (EVACS) and an unsupervised, mass notification system (MNS). The EVACS is typically the firefighters command center found at the entrance of a building. The MNS is typically a buildings public address system, but also includes scrolling signs, text messaging, emails and outdoor speaker systems. Previously, the two systems were not allowed to be combined into a single system. One could trigger another, but unsupervised circuitry was not allowed to reside on the EVACS. Chapter 24 now spells out the criteria of combining the EVACS with the MNS. If one is designing an emergency communication system (ECS) in a newly constructed facility, several questions must be answered before a proper design can emerge:

Does the owner have an Emergency Management program? If not, suggest a joint review of NFPAs recommended practice code in order to establish one. Has a risk assessment been performed? Answer: If so, review with owner to highlight key concerns. If not, emphasize the value of identifying conditions and matching them up with syctations. Utilize NFPAs risk assessment code to ensure a complete review. What are the local code requirements regarding ancillary use of the EVACS? Some

jurisdictions have concerns about using the EVACS as a pubic address system as well. They should be addressed up front with municipal code enforcement officials to accommodate their concerns.

Who is generating the messaging? What is the simplest way to accomplish that?

It is also important to remember what the intended use of the ECS is. It is intended to communicate information about emergencies including, but not limited to, fire, human-caused events (accidental and intentional), other dangerous situations, accidents, and natural disasters. Real time, accurate information can mean the difference between life and death, so the information provided must be relevant and provide enough time for the occupants to take the correct action. Many high rise emergency management plans focus on personnel actions and relocation efforts without considering information dissemination. The ECS should be an integral component of the emergency management plan that must be regularly tested to be effective. If the project decision makers are reluctant to implement an ECS as opposed to separate EVACS and MNS systems, two advantages may be pointed out to help with the decision. 1. With an ECS, security personnel that operate the equipment will deal with one system, one procedure and one microphone. The system is only as good as its performance. A confident user will get the correct message out in a timely manner. 2. Perhaps the most important end user consideration is the cost factor. Using one system for both functions will save thousands of dollars in material cost and labor, not the mention the infrastructure footprint, both visible and above ceiling. Be sure to look for our next newsletter that will continue to keep you abreast of life safety industry changes and code explanations, as well as opportunities to increase design efficiencies. For additional information on this and many other life safety topics, contact Gene Rowe at Affiliated Customer Service, Inc., at generowe@affiliatedinc.com or (630) 434-7900

An Introduction to Fire Alarm Systems - Defining the System

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Fire alarm systems have two jobs. It must detect a potential fire in a facility, and then notify its occupants. Its that simple. Getting the system to work properly and meet local life safety codes; thats not so simple. This article is the first in a series that will explain fire alarm systems to personnel that need to design them, as well as those that will interact with them after the facility is occupied. Who's In Charge Here? The fire alarm control panel (FACP) is the origin of all fire alarm activity. Depending on the size of the installation, there may be a number of FACPs in a system that talk to each other, but the basic premise is the same. The FACP controls all devices connected to it. What makes up an FACP? First, there must be a main control board. This board processes signals from the devices on its field circuitry and supervises all subcomponents for proper operation. These subcomponents include:

Circuit boards Power supplies System CPU Initiating devices

Notification appliance circuits

Initiating the action Weve discussed the two jobs of the FACP, detection and notification. Detection devices are also referred to as initiating devices. An initiating device initiates an output of some type on the fire alarm system when activated. Examples of initiating devices are:

Smoke detectors Heat detectors Manual pull stations Dry contact monitoring devices + Sprinkler waterflow + Sprinkler shut off valve + Fire pump status

The status of other building systems, such as fans and stairwell door locking systems, can by monitored via dry contacts as well.

Grabbing your attention The output associated with the activation of an initiating device may be the activation of the internal sounder on the panel, a relay that will shut down the ventilation system or audio/visual devices. Audio/visual devices are referred to as notification appliances and reside on notification appliance circuits (NACs). Examples are:

Horns Speakers Strobes Combination audio/visual (A/V) devices

Other types of notification devices are those that alert the fire department via phone lines or radio and annunciation devices. It may be helpful to remember that everything connected to an FACP is either initiating events or notifying someone about an event.

On the lookout for trouble Initiating devices are supervised by the FACP in two manners. The first is referred to as conventional. Conventional initiating devices operate on low voltage only and initiate alarms by shorting their connection circuitry. This circuit is referred to conventional zone. The number of conventional devices that are on a single zone is determined by a combination of:

Number of electrically operated devices that can be powered by the zone Area of coverage fire codes limit the square footage of a zone Type of conventional devices - some types of initiating devices cannot share zones with other types

Logically, if the FACP has only conventional zones, it is referred to as a conventional panel. In the 1990s, these panels began to give way to addressable panels and devices. Addressable technology utilizes digital data transmissions rather than voltage to monitor initiating devices. This allows for point identification, or addressing, of these devices. Instead of annunciating the alarm as a general zone, systems can now identify exactly where the alarm was generated. Other advantages of addressable devices are:

Lower installation costs

Customization of the detectors sensitivity to smoke or heat Software grouping to allow specific outputs per group Required by most fire departments for new installations

Be sure to look for our next newsletter that will touch on the effectiveness and intelligibility of mass communication messages. For additional information on this and many other life safety topics, contact Gene Rowe at Affiliated Customer Service, Inc., at generowe@affiliatedinc.com or (630) 434-7900