Mr. Mitchell’s question to Ms. Schultheis was:
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Barbara
Thank you for taking a moment to speak to me in regards to the new elevator code requirement for smoke detectors. Here is how the code reads.
Under the previous code A17.1-1996 we followed the rule that no device, other than the Phase I switch(es) or the smoke detectors in the elevator lobbies, machine room, or hoistway (Rule 211.3b), shall initiate Phase I operation.
Rule 211.3 Firefighters' Service - Automatic Elevators 211.3b Smoke Detectors.
(1) The activation of a smoke detector in any elevator lobby, other than at the designated level, shall cause all cars that serve that lobby to return nonstop to the designated level.
The key words here are “cars that serve that lobby”
(4) Elevators shall only react to the first smoke detector zone which is activated for that group.
Under the current code A17.1-2004
2.27.3.1 Phase I Emergency Recall Operation
2.27.3.1.4 Only the “FIRE RECALL” switch(es) or fire alarm initiating device located at floors that are served by the elevator, or in the hoistway, or in the elevator machine room (see 2.27.3.2) shall initiate Phase I Emergency Recall Operation.
The key words “cars that serve that lobby” have been changed to read “at floors that are served by the elevator”
Under the latest (not yet adopted by DOSH) code A17.1-2007
2.27.3.1 Phase I Emergency Recall Operation
2.27.3.1.4 Only the “FIRE RECALL” switch(es) or fire alarm initiating device located at floors that are served by the elevator, or in the hoistway, or in an elevator machine room, or a control space, or a control room (see 2.27.3.2) shall initiate Phase I Emergency Recall Operation.
Some changes made in 2005 but still keeping the phrase “at floors that are served by the elevator”
This is a big difference and really does need to be clarified. As I read it and others in the elevator industry read it this goes from smoke detectors located in elevator lobby’s only to ALL fire alarm initiating devices on the floor. As I understand it the wording “fire alarm initiating device” was used so as to include heat sensors but was it also used to include pull stations? I don’t see a clear definition of fire alarm initiating device in the text of this code.
2.27.3.2 Phase I Emergency Recall Operation by Fire Alarm Initiating Devices
2.27.3.2.1 In jurisdictions not enforcing the NBCC, fire alarm initiating devices used to initiate Phase I Emergency Recall Operation shall be installed in conformance with the requirements of NFPA 72, and shall be located
(a) at each floor served by the elevator
(b) in the associated elevator machine room
(c) in the elevator hoistway, when sprinklers are located in those hoistways
2.27.3.2.2 In jurisdictions enforcing the NBCC, automatic Emergency Recall Operation shall be permitted when the following devices, complying with the requirements in the NBCC, initiate the operation:
(a) smoke detectors installed in each elevator lobby, or the building fire alarm system
(b) smoke detectors installed in the elevator lobby at the designated level, if that floor area is not sprinklered throughout
(c) smoke detectors installed in the machine room if the machine room is sprinklered
I am very interested in your opinion on this changing issue and do need to get some clarity as to why this wording was changed and if indeed we are going to follow this change in programming of smoke detectors.
cc John Guhl of CAL
Respectfully submitted
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Ms. Schultheis promptly replied to Mr. Mitchell’s enquiry with the following:
Bill-
NPPA 72, 2007 states:
6.16.3.3 Unless otherwise required by the authority having jurisdiction, only the elevator lobby, elevator hoistway, and the elevator machine room smoke detectors, or other automatic fire detection as permitted by 6.16.3.7, shall be used to recall elevators for fire fighter's service.
(6.16.3.7 If ambient conditions prohibit installation of automatic smoke detection, other automatic fire detection shall be permitted.)
It is my position that when there are enclosed elevator lobbies, only those smoke detectors listed in 6.16.3.3 should recall elevators. My staff will be enforcing this as such. When there are unenclosed lobbies, the situation will be looked at on a case by case basis.
Please do not reprogram other devices to recall elevators unless you have gotten specific direction from the fire department to do so.
Thanks.
Barbara Schultheis
Fire Marshal
(415) 558-3320 ph.
(415) 558-3322 fax
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Mr. Mitchell’s replied back closing the enquiry with the following:
Barbara
Thank you for your quick response to this issue. I will let all of my subcontractors know that the activation of a smoke detector in an elevator lobby, shall cause all elevators of that group that serve that lobby are to recall and not cars in other groups unless they share the same lobby. This is how we have been doing things for years. Thank you for your clarification.
Regards
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I know this is a rather lengthy blog post and I gave some thought to trying to shortening it by condensing the correspondence. But in review I thought the correspondence itself stated the matter perfectly and I preferred the complete detail to any abbreviation. Thanks again Bill and Barbara – this is a great piece of code clarification, one many of us needed to have.
Your Code Reporter,
Rich Blaska
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