Elevator Emergencies

Section 2 - EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

PURPOSE:

Establish guidelines for handling elevator emergencies in the safest way possible.

PROCEDURE:

• Whenever possible, elevator malfunction issues should be handled by an elevator mechanic with Fire Department members assisting.
• Emergency evacuation procedures shall only be utilized in true emergency situations. All non-emergency evacuations shall be conducted by elevator personnel.
• Responses to a report of persons stuck inside an elevator will not be considered an emergency unless:
  • There is a true emergency medical condition with one of the car’s occupants.
  • There is an individual unable to “cope” with the entrapment.
  • There is a circumstance involving fire or potential fire.
• Upon arrival, the OIC will meet with a building representative, preferably the building engineer, if possible to determine the elevator company they utilize for service. That company shall be contacted to respond immediately. The OIC will request an ETA. If necessary, the OIC shall make direct contact with a supervisor of the elevator company to explain the situation and request a timely response. In the event that the elevator company in question is not available or has a significant delay, attempts should be made to make arrangements with another company for response.
• The OIC will determine the safety and condition of the occupants and make contact with the occupants verbally to offer reassurance. The OIC will weigh the “risks vs. benefits” of affecting a rescue and will make an informed decision on how to proceed.
  

If after careful assessment of the situation it is revealed that all that will be required is the opening of the car door (car within 3 feet of landing and occupants are ambulatory), the OIC may chose to remove the victims AFTER securing power to the car breaker panel, leaving the cab light ON. Extreme care must be taken when choosing this option.

• In the event that victim rescue is necessary before the arrival of elevator personnel, all safety measures must be followed. The safest means of rescue is through elevator doors. Power to the car in question and any adjacent elevators shall be secured prior to affecting a rescue. An FD member shall be assigned to guard the power disconnect to prevent someone from prematurely restoring the power. This shall be obtained by utilizing a lock-out device.
• In rare circumstances it may be necessary to affect a rescue via the hoistway. Safety precautions must be maintained. Power must be secured to the car in question and adjacent cars as well.
• Following an incident with an elevator, the building representative shall be advised to leave the elevator out of service until it can be assessed by appropriate elevator service personnel. FD members shall not reengage the power source until the elevator has been properly assessed and or repaired by elevator personnel.