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SOG 5-03 ELEVATOR RESCUE

A. Scope:  

This operational guideline shall be utilized for firefighters operating in or around malfunctioning elevators. Firefighters should become proficient in all skills, information, and procedures pertaining to such operations. 

B. Guidelines:

1. Response:  The response order for elevator emergencies will be as follows: Squad 14, Ladder 14, Engine 14, Utility 1416 unless otherwise authorized by an officer.

2. Radio Designations:  The radio designation for all positions will be the title of  the riding assignment preceded by the apparatus number, i.e. Engine, Squad, Ladder 14, Nozzle; Officer; Driver; Irons etc.

3.  Incident Classifications

a. Nonemergency: Occupants are confined to the elevator car with no immediate danger or injury.

b. Emergency: Occupants are confined to the elevator car and are injured or ill, in a state of panic, or endangered by problems associated with fire, building integrity, or elevator malfunction.

4. Size Up

a. Locate the duty maintenance personnel for the building

i. Discuss actions taken prior to arrival

ii. Discuss system limitations

iii. Discuss remedies

b. Locate the car by using:

i. Lobby Panel

ii. Intercom or telephone

 iii. Floor selector in machine room

c.  Communicate with passengers using:

i. Elevator car phone

ii. Intercom

iii. Converse through doors

d.   Determine the method to remove passengers:

i. Primary removal

 ii. Secondary Removal 

 iii. Emergency Removal

5. Non-emergency Removal Procedures 

a.   Primary

i. This is performed without turning the main power off to the car in question

ii.Check electrical contacts

iii. Have occupant deactivate emergency stop

iv.Have occupant press the door open button

v. Have occupant press the lobby call button

vi. Have occupant push the car door toward the closed position to help complete door contact

vii. Have HFC Personnel close all hoist way doors on the hadt in question to close the interlock

viii. Activation Procedures

(a)   Firemen’s service will override the emergency stop button

(b) If the car returns to the lobby or does not respond, deactivate the firemen’s service. 

b.Secondary

i. Request a confined space rescue team (R13, R151)

ii. Have building maintenance request a response of elevator mechaniciii. Secure Main Power (Do not restore power once secured)

iv. Send HFC personnel with radio, flashlight, keys/code, and forcible entry tools to elevator equipment room

v. Communicate with personnel to ensure room is accessible and       power has been secured and ensure HFC Personnel maintains watch on power supply circuit.

vi. If necessary have personnel force entry into room

vii. Inform occupant of operations and what to expect with respect to noise, movements, etc

viii. Personnel should NOT open hoist way doors or enter elevator shaft until confirmation that power has been secured.

ix.  Personnel operating in or around hoist way must be secured with life safety rope and a Type II harness.

x.  Open hoist way with elevator key or by poling.

xi. Personnel should be posted on floors above and below car to ensure occupants receive appropriate instruction

xii. Removal of Occupants should be performed by the confined space rescue team:

(a) Occupants should be taken up and out when possible

(b) If occupants are taken to lower level, precautions should be taken to protect the open shaft way

6. Emergency Removal Procedures        

a. Primary

 i. Request a confined space rescue team (R13, R151)

ii. Have building maintenance request a response of elevator mechanic

iii. Secure Main Power (Do not restore power once secured)

iv. Send HFC personnel with radio, flashlight, keys/code, and forcible entry tools to elevator equipment room

v. Communicate with personnel to ensure room is accessible and power has been secured and ensure HFC Personnel maintainswatch on power supply circuit.

                            (a) If necessary, have firefighters force entry into room

vi. Inform occupant of operations and what to expect with respect to noise, movements, etc

vii. Determine best method for occupant removal

(a) Top Hatch Removal

(b) Side Hatch Removal

               viii. Prep for incoming confined space rescue team

(a) Adequate Lighting

(b) Life Safety Rope

(c) Closet and single fly ladders

(d) Forcible entry tools

                            (e) Force Entry of Hoist Way/Elevator Car Doors

b. Secondary (These procedures are a last resort.  Damage and deformation of car doors is eminent).

                   i. Airbag System Forced Entry

(a) Make purchase point

(b) Place bags as high as possible between door and jam

(c) Make sure that the center of the bag is as close as possible to the door edge

(d) Inflate bag until hoist way door opens

(e) Open car door manually

ii. Rabbit Tool/Hydra Ram Forced Entry

(a) Make purchase point

(b) Insert jaws as high as possible between door and jamb

(c) Make sure that the tool is flush with the hoist way door

(d) Operate tool to open door CAUTION – If door begins to come off track, stop.

(e) Open car door manually

(1) The confined space rescue team should perform Removal of Occupants:

(2) Occupants should be taken up and out when possible

(3)  If occupants are taken to lower level, precautions should be taken to protect the open shaft way

7. Fire                 

a. Machine Room

i. Elevator equipment usually involves electrical fires and produces large volumes of smoke 

ii. Secure Power

iii. Use caution due to low visibility

iv. Use appropriate fire suppression procedures depending on fire type

v. Combustibles – Class A extinguisher

vi. Hydraulics – Class B extinguishers

(a) Car occupants health and safety concerns

(b) Positive pressure ventilation

(c) Activation of elevator shaft exhaust system                

b. Elevator Cars

 i. Car fires usually include fan motors, light ballasts, or improperly disposed cigarettes.

ii. Secure power

iii. Use appropriate fire suppression procedures depending on fire type

(a) Combustibles – Class A extinguisher

(b)   Hydraulics – Class B extinguishers

iv. Car occupants health and safety concerns

(a) Positive pressure ventilation

(b) Activation of elevator shaft exhaust system

NOTES:

#6 2 Cars Plaza Building   428-7425, 1 Car Woodlyn Building 429-0523, 1 Car Haddon Building 429-8876

#7  – 807 Haddon – Key to Maint. Rm is in Lock Box in Basement Hallway – Combination is LLC, Elevator Key Hanging on wall just inside door of Maint. Rm – Maint. 641-2088

#13 – Haddonfield Home has 4 key locations – Elevator Room, Maint. Key Box on Wall, Elevator Room Green Cabinet

#17 – Middle School Lift Serviced by School Maint. Dept