Firefighting Lifts Explained

Introduction:

EN81-72 is a standard which governs lifts for use by firefighters in emergency situations. A fire fighters lift is defined as a lift installed primarily intended for passengers use which has additional protection, controls and signals, which enable it to be used under the direct control of the fire service.

Firefighting shafts are provided in larger buildings to help firefighters reach floors further away from the building’s main access point. They enable fire fighting operations to start quickly and in comparative safety by providing a safe route from the point of entry to the floor where the fire has occurred.

BS EN 81 discusses safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts. BS EN 81-72 specifies the additional or deviating requirements to EN 81-20:2020 for new passenger and goods passenger lifts, which can be used for firefighting and evacuation purposes under firefighters’ control.

What are Firefighter Lifts?

Fire lifts, designed explicitly for use during emergencies such as fires, serve as vital tools for fire service personnel. These specialised elevators facilitate swift access to various floors, minimising response times crucial for effective firefighting operations. Adhering to rigorous standards, such as EN81-72, fire lifts ensure rapid traversal between floors, with a mandated limit of 60 seconds for travel from the lowest to the highest floor within a 200-meter range.

Primarily utilised to transport firefighters and their equipment swiftly, firefighting lifts play a pivotal role in accessing required floors during emergencies. Their necessity arises in buildings where the highest floor is over 18 meters above the main fire service access level or where the depth of the lowest floor exceeds 10 meters. Moreover, additional firefighting lifts are mandated for structures with expansive floor areas exceeding 900 square meters or as stipulated by specific development requirements.

These lifts are strategically positioned to facilitate the expedited arrival of firefighters equipped with necessary gear and additional personnel to combat fires effectively. It’s important to note that lifts designated for firefighting purposes serve a distinct function from evacuation lifts, emphasising the critical distinction between emergency response and evacuation protocols.

Importance of Firefighter Lifts in Emergency Response:

In contrast to conventional passenger lifts, firefighter lifts are meticulously engineered to remain operational for as long as feasible during a building fire. Their paramount purpose lies in swiftly ferrying firefighters and their equipment to their required floors, minimising response time and exertion. Additionally, they can serve as a crucial means to aid in the evacuation of individuals with limited mobility.

It’s imperative to note that any lifts lacking compliance with EN81-72 standards will be inaccessible to the fire service. Consequently, the absence of a firefighting lift in a building mandated to have one renders the structure non-compliant. These lifts are indispensable components of a building’s fire safety strategy when stipulated.

Understanding BS EN 81-72:

BS EN 81-72 serves as a comprehensive guide and set of requirements, it also outlines significant hazards, hazardous situations, and events relevant to a firefighters lift when they are used as intended and under the conditions as foreseen by the installer. This standard delineates fundamental requirements essential for the proper functioning of firefighter lifts.

Firefighting lifts may contain many of the same features as an evacuation lift, they serve distinct purposes. It’s important to understand that while both types of lifts may facilitate the evacuation of occupants, firefighting lifts do not preclude the fire and rescue service from evacuating disabled or impaired individuals when necessary.

Firefighting Lifts or Evacuation Lifts are often referred to as Fire Evacuation, these are two different types of lifts and must meet distinct performance criteria and comply with different standards. It’s imperative to verify compliance with specific standards to ensure appropriate lift performance.

It’s critical to note that firefighting lifts should not be utilised for evacuating individuals as part of Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs). This restriction is due to the necessity for these lifts to be operated under the direct control of the fire safety manager or a designated representative during emergency situations.

Firefighting lifts deviate from standard passenger lifts in various aspects, including the design of the lift car, lift well, machinery space, control system, and communication system. These differences are essential to meet the stringent safety requirements unique to firefighting lifts. Merely having firefighting controls within a lift does not automatically designate it as a firefighting lift, underscoring the importance of adherence to specific safety standards and regulations.

Key Requirements and Features of Firefighter Lifts:

BS EN 81-72 serves as a comprehensive guide, detailing crucial aspects such as power supplies, control system configuration, lift machinery, associated equipment, entrances, and building reinforcements necessary for a lift to function effectively in fire situations.

The requirements for firefighter lifts encompass additional safety features essential for enabling access by fire services, provided the lift shaft remains unobstructed. These differentiating features include: