Elevator, Sprinkler and Fire Alarm Requirements
Fire protection requirements for elevator shafts has been a point of consternation for elevator inspectors, fire sprinkler installers, and fire alarm technicians alike. The need to balance requirements between ASME A17.1, International Building Code, NFPA 13, and NFPA 72 has led to confusion and questions for when sprinklers and detection are required in the elevator shaft. NFPA 13 requires a sidewall sprinkler not more than 2 feet above the floor of the pit in the elevator hoistway when hydraulic fluids are present in the space. A proposal has been submitted for the 2025 edition of NFPA 13 to allow sprinklers to be omitted from all elevator hoistways. However, that proposal is waiting final approval through the NFPA standards development process. Sprinkler protection is not required in the hoistway for traction type elevators when the conditions outlined in Section 9.3.6.3 are met. ASME A17.1 requires Phase I emergency recall for nearly all elevators. When Phase ...