Chapter 30 Elevators and Conveying Systems
Section 3001 General
3001.1 Scope.
This chapter governs the design, construction, installation, alteration and repair of elevators and conveying systems and their components.
3001.2 Elevator emergency communication systems.
An elevator emergency two-way communication system that includes both visual and audible communication modes complying with the requirements in ASME A17.1/CSA B44 shall be provided in each elevator car. The system shall provide a means to enable authorized personnel to verify:
- 1.
The presence of someone in the car.
- 2.
That the person(s) is trapped.
Once an entrapment is verified, the system shall enable authorized personnel to:
- 1.
Determine if assistance is needed.
- 2.
Communicate when help is on the way.
- 3.
Communicate when help arrives on site.
3001.3 Referenced standards.
The design, construction, installation, alteration, repair and maintenance of elevators and conveying systems and their components shall conform to the applicable standard specified in Table 3001.3 and Section 3001.6.
TYPE | STANDARD |
Automotive lifts | |
Belt manlifts | |
Conveyors and related equipment | |
Elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, moving walks, material lifts | *ANSI/ASSE A10.4, ANSI/ASSE A10.5 |
Industrial scissor lifts | |
Platform lifts, stairway chairlifts, wheelchair lifts |
Section 3002 Hoistway Enclosures
3002.1 Hoistway protection.
A hoistway for elevators, dumbwaiters and other vertical-access devices shall comply with Sections 712 and 713. Where the hoistway is required to be enclosed, it shall be constructed as a shaft enclosure in accordance with Section 713.
3002.1.2 Hardware.
Hardware on elevator hoistway doors shall be of an approved type installed as tested, except that approved interlocks, mechanical locks and electric contacts, door and gate electric contacts and door-operating mechanisms shall be exempt from the fire test requirements.
3002.2 Number of elevator cars in a hoistway.
Where four or more elevator cars serve all or the same portion of a building, the elevators shall be located in not fewer than two separate fire-resistance-rated hoistways. Not more than four elevator cars shall be located in any single fire-resistance-rated hoistway enclosure.
3002.3 Emergency signs.
A pictorial sign of a standardized design shall be posted adjacent to each elevator call station on all floors instructing occupants to use the exit stairways and not to use the elevators in case of fire. Where elevators are not a component of the accessible means of egress, the sign shall read: IN CASE OF FIRE, ELEVATORS ARE OUT OF SERVICE. USE EXIT. Where the elevator is a component of the accessible means of egress, a sign complying with Section 1009.11 shall be provided.
3002.4 Elevator car to accommodate ambulance stretcher.
Where elevators are provided in buildings four or more stories above, or four or more stories below, grade plane, not fewer than one elevator shall be provided for fire department emergency access to all floors. The elevator car shall be of such a size and arrangement to accommodate an ambulance stretcher 24 inches by 84 inches (610 mm by 2134 mm) with not less than 5-inch (127 mm) radius corners, in the horizontal, open position and shall be identified by the international symbol for emergency medical services (star of life). The symbol shall be not less than 3 inches (76 mm) in height and shall be placed inside on both sides of the hoistway door frame.
3002.6 Prohibited doors or other devices.
Doors or other devices, other than the elevator car door and the associated elevator hoistway doors, shall be prohibited at the point of access to an elevator car unless such doors or other devices are readily openable from inside the car without a key, tool, special knowledge or effort.
3002.7 Common enclosure with stairway.
Elevators shall not be in a common shaft enclosure with a stairway.
Exception: Elevators within open parking garages need not be separated from stairway enclosures.
3002.9 Plumbing and mechanical systems.
Plumbing and mechanical systems shall not be located in an elevator hoistway enclosure.
Exception: Floor drains, sumps and sump pumps shall be permitted at the base of the hoistway enclosure provided that they are indirectly connected to the plumbing system.
Section 3003 Emergency Operations
[F] 3003.1 Standby power.
In buildings and structures where standby power is required or furnished to operate an elevator, the operation shall be in accordance with Sections 3003.1.1 through 3003.1.4.
[F] 3003.1.1 Manual transfer.
Standby power shall be manually transferable to all elevators in each bank.
[F] 3003.1.2 One elevator.
Where only one elevator is installed, the elevator shall automatically transfer to standby power within 60 seconds after failure of normal power.
[F] 3003.1.3 Two or more elevators.
Where two or more elevators are controlled by a common operating system, all elevators shall automatically transfer to standby power within 60 seconds after failure of normal power where the standby power source is of sufficient capacity to operate all elevators at the same time. Where the standby power source is not of sufficient capacity to operate all elevators at the same time, all elevators shall transfer to standby power in sequence, return to the designated landing and disconnect from the standby power source. After all elevators have been returned to the designated level, not less than one elevator shall remain operable from the standby power source.
[F] 3003.1.4 Venting.
Where standby power is connected to elevators, the machine room ventilation or air conditioning shall be connected to the standby power source.
Section 3004 Conveying Systems
3004.2 Escalators and moving walks.
Escalators and moving walks shall be constructed of approved noncombustible and fire-retardant materials. This requirement shall not apply to electrical equipment, wiring, wheels, handrails and the use of 1/28-inch (0.9 mm) wood veneers on balustrades backed up with noncombustible materials.
3004.2.2 Escalators.
Where provided in below-grade transportation stations, escalators shall have a clear width of not less than 32 inches (815 mm).
3004.3.2 Conveyor safeties.
Power-operated conveyors, belts and other material-moving devices shall be equipped with automatic limit switches that will shut off the power in an emergency and automatically stop all operation of the device.
3004.4 Personnel and material hoists.
Personnel and material hoists shall be designed utilizing an approved method that accounts for the conditions imposed during the intended operation of the hoist device. The design shall include, but is not limited to, anticipated loads, structural stability, impact, vibration, stresses and seismic restraint. The design shall account for the construction, installation, operation and inspection of the hoist tower, car, machinery and control equipment, guide members and hoisting mechanism. Additionally, the design of personnel hoists shall include provisions for field testing and maintenance that will demonstrate that the hoist device functions in accordance with the design. Field tests shall be conducted upon the completion of an installation or following a major alteration of a personnel hoist.
Section 3005 Machine Rooms
3005.1 Access.
An approved means of access shall be provided to elevator machine rooms, control rooms, control spaces and machinery spaces.
3005.2 Temperature control.
Elevator machine rooms, machinery spaces that contain the driving machine, and control rooms or spaces that contain the operation or motion controller for elevator operation shall be provided with an independent ventilation or air-conditioning system to protect against the overheating of the electrical equipment. The system shall be capable of maintaining temperatures within the range established for the elevator equipment.
3005.3 Pressurization.
The elevator machine room, control rooms or control space with openings into a pressurized elevator hoistway shall be pressurized upon activation of a heat or smoke detector located in the elevator machine room, control room or control space.
3005.4 Machine rooms, control rooms, machinery spaces, and control spaces.
Elevator machine rooms and machinery spaces shall be enclosed with fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both. The fire-resistance rating shall be not less than two hours. Openings in the fire barriers shall be protected with assemblies having a fire protection rating not less than that required for the hoistway enclosure doors.
3005.5 Shunt trip.
Where elevator hoistways, elevator machine rooms, control rooms and control spaces containing elevator control equipment are protected with automatic sprinklers, a means installed in accordance with Section 21.4 of NFPA 72 shall be provided to automatically disconnect the main line power supply to the affected elevator prior to the application of water. If the means is located in the affected elevator machine room, it shall be in a water-resistant enclosure. This means shall not be self-resetting. The activation of automatic sprinklers outside the hoistway, machine room, machinery space, control room or control space shall not disconnect the main line power supply. Machine rooms having a two- hour fire separation from the building and provided with smoke detection interconnected to the building fire alarm system are not required to be sprinklered.
3005.6 Plumbing systems.
Plumbing systems shall not be located in elevator equipment rooms.
Section 3006 Elevator Lobbies and Hoistway Door Protection
3006.1 General.
Enclosed elevator lobbies and elevator hoistway door protection shall be provided in accordance with the following:
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
- 4.
- 5.
3006.2 Elevator hoistway door protection required.
Elevator hoistway doors shall be protected in accordance with Section 3006.3 where an elevator hoistway connects more than three stories, is required to be enclosed within a shaft enclosure in accordance with Section 712.1.1 and any of the following conditions apply:
- 1.
- 2.
The building contains a Group I-1, Condition 2 occupancy.
- 3.
The building contains a Group I-2 occupancy.
- 4.
The building contains a Group I-3 occupancy.
- 5.
The building is a high rise and the elevator hoistway is more than 75 feet (22 860 mm) in height. The height of the hoistway shall be measured from the lowest floor to the highest floor of the floors served by the hoistway.
- 6.
Exceptions:
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
Protection of elevator hoistway doors is not required on levels where the elevator hoistway doors open to the exterior.
3006.3 Elevator hoistway door protection.
Where Section 3006.2 requires protection of the elevator hoistway doors, the protection shall be provided by one of the following:
- 1.
An enclosed elevator lobby shall be provided at each floor to separate the elevator hoistway doors from each floor with fire partitions in accordance with Section 708. In addition, doors protecting openings in the fire partitions shall comply with Section 716.2.2.1. Penetrations of the fire partitions by ducts and air transfer openings shall be protected as required for corridors in accordance with Section 717.5.4.1.
- 2.
An enclosed elevator lobby shall be provided at each floor to separate the elevator hoistway doors from each floor by smoke partitions in accordance with Section 710. In addition, doors protecting openings in the smoke partitions shall comply with Sections 710.5.2.2, 710.5.2.3 and 716.2.6.1. Penetrations of the smoke partitions by ducts and air transfer openings shall be protected as required for corridors in accordance with Section 717.5.4.1.
- 3.
Additional doors or other devices shall be provided at each elevator hoistway door in accordance with Section 3002.6. Such doors or other devices shall comply with the smoke and draft control door assembly requirements in Section 716.2.2.1.1 when tested in accordance with UL 1784 without an artificial bottom seal.
- 4.
- 5.
A smoke-protective curtain assembly for hoistways shall be provided at each elevator hoistway door opening in accordance with Section 3002.6. Such curtain assemblies shall comply with the smoke and draft control requirements in Section 716.2.2.1.1 when tested in accordance with UL 1784 without an artificial bottom seal. Such curtain assemblies shall be equipped with a control unit listed to UL 864. Such curtain assemblies shall comply with Section 2.11.6.3 of ASME A17.1/CSA B44. Installation and maintenance shall be in accordance with NFPA 105.
3006.4 Means of egress.
Elevator lobbies shall be provided with not less than one means of egress complying with Chapter 10 and other provisions in this code. Egress through an enclosed elevator lobby shall be permitted in accordance with Item 1 of Section 1016.2. Electrically locked exit access doors providing egress from elevator lobbies shall be permitted in accordance with Section 1010.2.14.
Section 3007 Fire Service Access Elevator
3007.1 General.
Where required by Section 403.6.1, every floor above and including the lowest level of fire department vehicle access of the building shall be served by fire service access elevators complying with Sections 3007.1 through 3007.9. Except as modified in this section, fire service access elevators shall be installed in accordance with this chapter and ASME A17.1/CSA B44.
Exceptions:
- 1.
Elevators that only service an open or enclosed parking garage and the lobby of the building shall not be required to serve as fire service access elevators.
- 2.
The elevator shall not be required to serve the top floor of a building where that floor is utilized only for equipment for building systems.
3007.2 Automatic sprinkler system.
The building shall be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, except as otherwise permitted by Section 903.3.1.1.1 and as prohibited by Section 3007.2.1.
3007.2.1 Prohibited locations.
Automatic sprinklers shall not be installed in machine rooms, elevator machinery spaces, control rooms, control spaces and elevator hoistways of fire service access elevators.
3007.2.2 Automatic sprinkler system monitoring.
The automatic sprinkler system shall have a sprinkler control valve supervisory switch and water-flow-initiating device provided for each floor that is monitored by the building’s fire alarm system.
3007.3 Water protection.
Water from the operation of an automatic sprinkler system outside the enclosed lobby shall be prevented from infiltrating into the hoistway enclosure in accordance with an approved method.
3007.5 Hoistway enclosures.
The fire service access elevator hoistway shall be located in a shaft enclosure complying with Section 713.
3007.5.2 Hoistway lighting.
When firefighters’ emergency operation is active, the entire height of the hoistway shall be illuminated at not less than 1 footcandle (11 lux) as measured from the top of the car of each fire service access elevator.
3007.6 Fire service access elevator lobby.
The fire service access elevator shall open into an enclosed fire service access elevator lobby in accordance with Sections 3007.6.1 through 3007.6.5. Egress is permitted through the enclosed elevator lobby in accordance with Item 1 of Section 1016.2.
3007.6.1 Access to interior exit stairway or ramp.
The enclosed fire service access elevator lobby shall have direct access from the enclosed elevator lobby to an enclosure for an interior exit stairway or ramp.
Exception: Access to an interior exit stairway or ramp shall be permitted to be through a protected path of travel that has a level of fire protection not less than the elevator lobby enclosure. The protected path shall be separated from the enclosed elevator lobby through an opening protected by a smoke and draft control assembly in accordance Section 716.2.2.1.
3007.6.2 Elevator lobby separation.
The fire service access elevator lobby shall be separated from each floor with a smoke barrier in accordance with Section 709, except that lobby doorways shall comply with Section 3007.6.3.
Exception: Fire service access elevator lobbies are not required to be separated at the levels of exit discharge.
3007.6.3 Elevator lobby doorways.
Other than doors to the elevator control room or elevator control space, each door in the smoke barrier shall be provided with a 3/4-hour fire door assembly complying with Section 716 . Such a fire door assembly shall comply with the smoke and draft control door assembly requirements of Section 716.2.2.1.1 and be tested in accordance with UL 1784 without an artificial bottom seal.
3007.6.4 Lobby size.
Regardless of the number of fire service access elevators served by the same elevator lobby, the enclosed fire service access elevator lobby shall be not less than 150 square feet (14 m2) in an area with a dimension of not less than 8 feet (2440 mm).
3007.6.5 Fire service access elevator symbol.
A pictorial symbol of a standardized design designating which elevators are fire service access elevators shall be installed on each side of the hoistway door frame on the portion of the frame at right angles to the fire service access elevator lobby. The fire service access elevator symbol shall be designed as shown in Figure 3007.6.5 and shall comply with the following:
- 1.
The fire service access elevator symbol shall be not less than 3 inches (76 mm) in height.
- 2.
The helmet shall contrast with the background, with either a light helmet on a dark background or a dark helmet on a light background.
- 3.
The vertical center line of the fire service access elevator symbol shall be centered on the hoistway door frame. Each symbol shall be not less than 78 inches (1981 mm), and not more than 84 inches (2134 mm) above the finished floor at the threshold.
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
3007.8 Electrical power.
The following features serving each fire service access elevator shall be supplied by both normal power and Type 60/Class 2/Level 1 standby power:
- 1.
Elevator equipment.
- 2.
Elevator hoistway lighting.
- 3.
Ventilation and cooling equipment for elevator machine rooms, control rooms, machine spaces and control spaces.
- 4.
Elevator car lighting.
3007.8.1 Protection of wiring or cables.
Wires or cables that are located outside of the elevator hoistway and machine room and that provide normal or standby power, control signals, communication with the car, lighting, heating, air conditioning, ventilation and fire-detecting systems to fire service access elevators shall be protected using one of the following methods:
- 1.
- 2.
Electrical circuit protective systems shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 hours. Electrical circuit protective systems shall be installed in accordance with their listing requirements.
- 3.
Construction having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 hours.
Exception: Wiring and cables to control signals are not required to be protected provided that wiring and cables do not serve Phase II emergency in-car operations.
3007.9 Standpipe hose connection.
A Class I standpipe hose connection in accordance with Section 905 shall be provided in the interior exit stairway and ramp having direct access from the enclosed fire service access elevator lobby.
3007.9.1 Access.
The exit enclosure containing the standpipe shall have access to the floor without passing through the enclosed fire service access elevator lobby.
Section 3008 Occupant Evacuation Elevators
3008.1 General.
Elevators used for occupant self-evacuation during fires shall comply with Sections 3008.1 through 3008.10.
3008.1.1 Number of occupant evacuation elevators.
The number of elevators available for occupant evacuation shall be determined based on an egress analysis that addresses one of the following scenarios:
- 1.
Full-building evacuation where the analysis demonstrates that the number of elevators provided for evacuation results in an evacuation time less than 1 hour.
- 2.
Evacuation of the five consecutive floors with the highest cumulative occupant load where the analysis demonstrates that the number of elevators provided for evacuation results in an evacuation time less than 15 minutes.
Not fewer than one elevator in each bank shall be designated for occupant evacuation. Not fewer than two shall be provided in each occupant evacuation elevator lobby where more than one elevator opens into the lobby. Signage shall be provided to denote which elevators are available for occupant evacuation.
3008.1.3 Fire safety and evacuation plan.
The building shall have an approved fire safety and evacuation plan in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 404 of the International Fire Code. The fire safety and evacuation plan shall incorporate specific procedures for the occupants using evacuation elevators.
3008.2 Automatic sprinkler system.
The building shall be equipped throughout with an approved, electrically supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, except as otherwise permitted by Section 903.3.1.1.1 and as prohibited by Section 3008.2.1.
3008.2.1 Prohibited locations.
Automatic sprinklers shall not be installed in elevator machine rooms, machinery spaces, control rooms, control spaces and elevator hoistways of occupant evacuation elevators.
3008.2.2 Sprinkler system monitoring.
The automatic sprinkler system shall have a sprinkler control valve supervisory switch and water-flow-initiating device provided for each floor that is monitored by the building’s fire alarm system.
3008.3 Water protection.
Water from the operation of an automatic sprinkler system outside the enclosed lobby shall be prevented from infiltrating into the hoistway enclosure in accordance with an approved method.
3008.5 Hoistway enclosure protection.
Occupant evacuation elevator hoistways shall be located in shaft enclosures complying with Section 713.
3008.6 Occupant evacuation elevator lobby.
Occupant evacuation elevators shall open into an enclosed elevator lobby in accordance with Sections 3008.6.1 through 3008.6.6. Egress is permitted through the elevator lobby in accordance with Item 1 of Section 1016.2.
3008.6.1 Access to interior exit stairway or ramp.
The occupant evacuation elevator lobby shall have direct access from the enclosed elevator lobby to an interior exit stairway or ramp.
Exceptions:
- 1.
Access to an interior exit stairway or ramp shall be permitted to be through a protected path of travel that has a level of fire protection not less than the elevator lobby enclosure. The protected path shall be separated from the enclosed elevator lobby through an opening protected by a smoke and draft control assembly in accordance Section 716.2.2.1.1.
- 2.
Elevators that only service an open parking garage and the elevator lobby of the building shall not be required to provide direct access.
3008.6.2 Elevator lobby separation.
The occupant evacuation elevator lobby shall be separated from each floor with a smoke barrier in accordance with Section 709, except that lobby doorways shall comply with Section 3008.6.3.
Exception: Occupant evacuation elevator lobbies are not required to be separated at the levels of exit discharge.
3008.6.3 Elevator lobby doorways.
Other than the doors to elevator machine rooms, machinery spaces, control rooms and control spaces in the smoke barrier, each doorway to an occupant evacuation elevator lobby shall be provided with a 3/4-hour fire door assembly complying with Section 716. Such a fire door assembly shall comply with the smoke and draft control assembly requirements of Section 716.2.2.1.1 and be tested in accordance with UL 1784 without an artificial bottom seal.
3008.6.3.1 Vision panel.
A vision panel shall be installed in each fire door assembly in the smoke barrier. The vision panel shall consist of fire-protection-rated glazing, shall comply with the requirements of Section 716 and shall be located to furnish clear vision of the occupant evacuation elevator lobby.
3008.6.3.2 Door closing.
Each fire door assembly in the smoke barrier shall be automatic-closing upon receipt of any fire alarm signal from the emergency voice/alarm communication system serving the building.
3008.6.4 Lobby size.
Each occupant evacuation elevator lobby shall have minimum floor area as follows:
- 1.
The occupant evacuation elevator lobby floor area shall accommodate, at 3 square feet (0.28 m2) per person, not less than 25 percent of the occupant load of the floor area served by the lobby.
- 2.
The occupant evacuation elevator lobby floor area shall accommodate one wheelchair space of 30 inches by 52 inches (760 mm by 1320 mm) for each 50 persons, or portion thereof, of the occupant load of the floor area served by the lobby.
Exception: The size of lobbies serving multiple banks of elevators shall have the minimum floor area approved on an individual basis and shall be consistent with the building’s fire safety and evacuation plan.
3008.6.5 Signage.
An approved sign indicating elevators are suitable for occupant self-evacuation shall be posted on all floors adjacent to each elevator call station serving occupant evacuation elevators.
3008.6.6 Two-way communication system.
A two-way communication system shall be provided in each occupant evacuation elevator lobby for the purpose of initiating communication with the fire command center or an alternate location approved by the fire department. The two-way communication system shall be designed and installed in accordance with Sections 1009.8.1 and 1009.8.2.
3008.7 Elevator system monitoring.
The occupant evacuation elevators shall be continuously monitored at the fire command center or a central control point approved by the fire department and arranged to display all of the following information:
- 1.
Floor location of each elevator car.
- 2.
Direction of travel of each elevator car.
- 3.
Status of each elevator car with respect to whether it is occupied.
- 4.
Status of normal power to the elevator equipment, elevator machinery and electrical apparatus cooling equipment where provided, elevator machine room, control room and control space ventilation and cooling equipment.
- 5.
Status of standby or emergency power system that provides backup power to the elevator equipment, elevator machinery and electrical cooling equipment where provided, elevator machine room, control room and control space ventilation and cooling equipment.
- 6.
Activation of any fire alarm initiating device in any elevator lobby, elevator machine room, machine space containing a motor controller or electric driving machine, control space, control room or elevator hoistway.
3008.8 Electrical power.
The following features serving each occupant evacuation elevator shall be supplied by both normal power and Type 60/Class 2/Level 1 standby power:
- 1.
Elevator equipment.
- 2.
Ventilation and cooling equipment for elevator machine rooms, control rooms, machinery spaces and control spaces.
- 3.
Elevator car lighting.
3008.8.2 Protection of wiring or cables.
Wires or cables that are located outside of the elevator hoistway, machine room, control room and control space and that provide normal or standby power, control signals, communication with the car, lighting, heating, air conditioning, ventilation and fire-detecting systems to occupant evacuation elevators shall be protected using one of the following methods:
- 1.
- 2.
Electrical circuit protective systems shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 hours. Electrical circuit protective systems shall be installed in accordance with their listing requirements.
- 3.
Construction having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 hours.
Exception: Wiring and cables to control signals are not required to be protected provided that wiring and cables do not serve Phase II emergency in-car operation.
3008.9 Emergency voice/alarm communication system.
The building shall be provided with an emergency voice/alarm communication system. The emergency voice/alarm communication system shall be accessible to the fire department. The system shall be provided in accordance with Section 907.5.2.2.
3008.9.1 Notification appliances.
Not fewer than one audible and one visible notification appliance shall be installed within each occupant evacuation elevator lobby.