Rank: Forum user 
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I have advised that lifts in a building default to the ground floor in the event of a fire alarm.
The response asks what piece of legislation states this as money is tight and it will cost to make the lifts do this.
I know that not all actions are covered in legislation but wondered how you would deal with this reaction.
I have advised that we need to make sure the building is evacuated and that there is no-one stuck in the lift. Also the Fire and Rescue Service may choose to use the lift in the event of a rescue from a temporary waiting space or to move their gear to a higher floor rather than carrying it up the stairs.
Your thoughts would be welcome.
Son of Skywalker
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Rank: Super forum user
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Unless it's a proper fire fighter lift the the fire brigade won't use it even to get there equipment up to the top floor. mainly because of power failure then they would be trapped also the lift shaft will act like a chimney for fire/smoke.
Phil
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Rank: Forum user
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I would have thought that it defaults to the nearest floor. The idea being that it's the quickest way out of the lift system and people can make their way down the fire escape? No?
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Rank: Guest
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Mick,
Most new lifts will drop down to the ground on activation of the fire alarm
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Rank: Super forum user
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What if the source of the fire is on the ground floor - directly outside the lift?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Then that would be hugely unlucky or arson. In any event, it depends if the lifts are interlinked with the fire alarm, or whether someone has to turn a key/flick a switch to get them to ground level and to make them stay there. Where I work now the lifts have to be manually told to go to the ground level, and that is done from the ground level. If the fire was outside the lift doors on the ground level they would obviously not be sent there, they would be told to go to another floor instead.
I agree though, it would be a bit rough to send people in a lift to the precise area where the fire is if it is in the ground floor lift lobby. Anyone know of overrides in this instance other than manual controls? Say, if the fire alarm is zoned and zone one is the lift lobby on the ground floor, would there be a system override built in if the alarm was activated from that zone?
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Rank: Forum user
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I discussed this with some H&S contacts and was pointed in the direction of BS EN 81-73:2005
Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts —
Particular applications for passenger and goods passenger lifts —
Part 73: Behaviour of lifts in the event of fire.
Unfortunately the lifts were put in place before this standard and the standard is not retrospective.
In my mind this leaves a disjointed approach to lifts across the UK. If the standard applied the lifts should go to the specified floor. If the standard does not apply the lift does not go to the specified floor.
Son of Skywalker
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Rank: Forum user
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Martin
Thanks for that link. It does take me back to my last post though.
If a standard is not retrospective we would then have to look at a manual system of calling lifts down and ensuring this is well documented and being actioned. This would probably be cheaper to implement but will have the desired effect.
Son of Skywalker
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