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Elevator connection requirements
In addition, NFPA 72-2002 provides the installation requirements to comply with the enabling codes. What you may not know is that in many jurisdictions, the elevators are required to be upgraded with recall features regardless of whether or not a fire alarm system exists. NFPA 72-2002 has specific requirements in section 6.15.3.2, addressing the buildings that may not have a fire alarm system but need to have elevator recall.
The section states in part that “In facilities without a building fire alarm system ... smoke detectors or other automatic fire detection ... shall be connected to a dedicated fire alarm system control unit that shall be designated as an elevator recall control and supervisory panel,’’ permanently identified on the control unit and on the record drawings.
In addition, NFPA 101-2003 states that devices used for recall and elevator power shutdown are not required to “activate the building evacuation alarm if the power supply and installation wiring to such detectors are monitored by the building fire alarm system, and if the activation of such detectors initiates a supervisory signal at a constantly attended location.”
Wiring issues to be aware of
The code also requires that the wiring between the fire alarm control unit, relay or other control appliance be monitored for integrity. Once the elevator system has been interfaced with the fire alarm system, NFPA 72-2002 section 6.15.2.8 requires that an operational test be conducted at the time of the fire alarm system acceptance test to verify the correct performance of the elevator fire alarm system interface.
Devices that can initiate elevator recall
The automatic detection devices used to recall elevators are normally smoke detectors installed in “only the elevator lobby, elevator hoistway and the elevator machine room.”
Elevator lobby, elevator hoistway and elevator machine room smoke detectors are the only devices permitted to initiate elevator recall unless otherwise required by the authority having jurisdiction. This prevents elevator recall from being actuated unnecessarily.
Lobby smoke detectors
About The Author
MOORE, a licensed fire protection engineer, was a principal member and chair of NFPA 72, Chapter 24, NFPA 909 and NFPA 914. He is president of the Fire Protection Alliance in Jamestown, R.I. Reach him at [email protected].
