Fireman Lift Requirements

In the event of a fire, control of the lift operation and communication system is handed over to firefighters. This ensures that they have full command over the lift’s movements, allowing them to access different floors of the building as needed during firefighting operations.

The lift is housed in a separate, fire-resistant shaft that shields it from the direct effects of the fire and smoke, allowing firefighters to operate it safely.

Throughout the firefighting operation, an emergency intercom system is in place to facilitate communication between firefighters inside the lift cabin and personnel on various landings throughout the building. This real-time communication is essential for coordination and safety.

In case firefighters find themselves trapped in the lift cabin, a trap door and ladders are provided as an emergency escape route. This ensures that they have a means of egress if the lift becomes inoperable.

Water from firefighting operations can potentially enter the lift well, posing a risk to electrical components. To mitigate this, all electrical elements within the lift shaft and cabin are specially protected against water ingress and insulated to withstand exposure to fire.

Reliability is paramount for a fire fighting lift. Therefore, it is equipped with a dedicated and separate power supply, often from a generator, to ensure continuous operation even if the mains supply fails during a fire emergency.

To address the possibility of water accumulating in the lift pit during firefighting activities, pumps are strategically installed. These pumps are designed to efficiently remove excess water, preventing any compromise to the lift’s functionality or safety.

The minimum rated load is 630kg, unless the lift is used for evacuation in which case the minimum rated load is 1000kg and a cabin size of 1100mm x 2100mm specified.

The lift must be capable of reaching the top floor within 60 seconds (up to 200m).

• Site Assessment. The process begins with a comprehensive assessment of the building and its specific needs. This involves evaluating factors such as building height, layout, occupancy, and fire safety regulations to determine the lift’s optimal location and specifications.
• Compliance Check. Ensuring compliance with relevant standards, such as BS EN 81-72:2020, is of primary importance. During this phase, the design team carefully reviews local fire safety regulations and codes to confirm that the proposed lift design aligns with these standards.
• Customisation. The lift’s design is tailored to meet the unique requirements of the building. This includes selecting the appropriate size, capacity, and features to support firefighting operations effectively.

• Shaft Construction. A dedicated, fire-resistant lift shaft is constructed to house the lift. This shaft is designed to withstand high temperatures and prevent the spread of fire and smoke.
• Lift Installation. The lift itself, with its specialised firefighting features, is installed within the dedicated shaft. This includes the placement of key components such as the cabin, control panel, emergency intercom, and the trap door and ladders for emergency egress.
• Electrical Systems. Electrical components within the lift shaft and cabin are meticulously installed, with a strong emphasis on water and fire protection. This involves careful insulation and sealing to safeguard against damage from water and fire exposure.
• Power Supply. A separate power supply, often a generator, is integrated to ensure the lift’s operation remains reliable even in the event of a mains power failure during a fire emergency.

• Functional Testing. Before the lift can be put into service, thorough functional testing is conducted. This includes checks of all safety features, emergency systems, communication systems, and the lift’s ability to switch to firefighting mode seamlessly.
• Safety Certification. Independent certification agencies review and certify the fire fighting lift’s compliance with safety standards and regulations. This step is critical to ensuring that the lift meets all required safety criteria.

• Commissioning. The lift is officially commissioned for service after successful testing and certification. It is integrated into the building’s fire safety systems, including alarms and control systems.

• Regular Maintenance. To ensure continued reliability and compliance, routine maintenance and inspections are crucial. Maintenance schedules are established to inspect, service, and repair components as needed.

Yes, but a major structural rework is usually required. Modernisation can upgrade the control system, but you can’t easily retrofit a 2-hour fire-rated shaft core or an integrated drainage pit pump into an existing building without stripping the property down to its foundations.

The firefighter system must feature a built-in escape route. BS EN 81-72 mandates a top emergency trapdoor (minimum 0.5m x 0.7m) and an internal wall ladder so firefighters can self-rescue directly into the shaft if a structural shift jams the lift car.

Your lift contractor handles all the initial testing, but final approval needs sign-off from an independent approved building control inspector. They will physically test the 60-second top-floor transit time and force a power-fail scenario to check the backup switchover.

No. Modern Machine Roomless (MRL) configurations are completely acceptable. You must, however, house the main controller cabinet inside a 2-hour fire-rated enclosure that’s accessible only to engineers.