FIRE ALARM FOR ELEVATORS

UNDER NFPA 72 2002-2019

This flowchart covers fire alarm requirements under the International Building Code (IBC)
Provide outputs to elevator and NFPA 72. Review for code/standard for detail and commentary.
Is elevator an controller for elevator
START HERE Occupant Evacuation Yes occupant evacuation per For more fire protection resources like this, subscribe for free at

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Elevator? ASME A17.1 and NFPA 72 www.meyerfire.com/subscribe.
21.6.2 ('19)
Article first posted at www.meyerfire.com | March 2020
No

T
Heat Detector Not Required
in Elevator Machine Room
Heat Detector  Sprinkler located No
(No Requirement in ASME Provide heat detector:

F
in Elevator within the elevator A17.1 & NFPA 72) - within 24-inches of each sprinkler (NFPA 72 2002
Machine Room machine room? 6.15.4.2, 2007 6.16.4.2, 2010-19 21.4.2),
Yes
- for shunt trip (ASME A17.1 2004-10 2.8.2.3.2),
Heat Detector Not Required - at lower temperature and higher sensitivity than sprinkler
at Top of Shaft (NFPA 72 2002 6.15.4.1, 2007 6.16.4.1, 2010-19 21.4.1).
No

A
(No Requirement in ASME
Heat Detector Sprinkler located at A17.1 & NFPA 72)
at Top of Shaft top of shaft?
Yes
Detection Not Required at

R
Bottom of Shaft
No
(No Requirement in ASME Provide heat detector/smoke detector listed for
Heat or Smoke A17.1 & NFPA 72) environment:
Sprinkler located at
Detector - within 24-inches of each sprinkler (NFPA 72 2002
elevator pit?
at Bottom of Shaft No 6.15.4.2, 2007 6.16.4.2, 2010-19 21.4.2),

D
- for elevator recall to alternate level 
- at lower temperature and higher sensitivity than sprinkler
Is sprinkler in pit (NFPA 72 2002 6.15.4.1, 2007 6.16.4.1, 2010-19 21.4.1).

[
isolated with own
Yes
waterflow switch and
control valve?

Detection Not Required at Bottom of Shaft, but waterflow

switch must be monitored with recall and with no time
Yes
delay.* (NFPA 72 2002 6.15.4.3, 2007 6.16.4.3, 2010
21.4.3, 2013-19 21.3.3, 21.3.7, 21.4.3)
Provide smoke detector:
- for elevator recall
No (NFPA 72 2002 6.15.3.3, 2007 6.16.3.3, 2010-19 21.3.3)
Is lobby ceiling - spaced per Chapter 17
Smoke Detector
smooth, flat, and less (NFPA 72 2002 6.15.3.5, 2007 6.16.3.5, 2010-19 21.3.5) Provide smoke detector:
in Elevator Lobby
than 15-feet tall? - for elevator recall
Yes (NFPA 72 2002 6.15.3.3, 2007 6.16.3.3, 2010-19 21.3.3)
- within 21 feet of centerline of each elevator door
(NFPA 72 2002 6.15.3.5, 2007 6.16.3.5, 2010-19 21.3.5)

*Clarification not explicit in NFPA 72 Editions prior to 2013

 FIRE ALARM FOR ELEVATORS

]
UNDER NFPA 72 2002-2019

T
Smoke Detector Provide smoke detector:
in Elevator Machine - for elevator recall (NFPA 72
Room 2016 21.3.3)

F
Smoke detector not required
at top of shaft
No (NFPA 72 2002 6.15.3.6,
Smoke relief 2007 6.16.3.6, 2010-19
No damper/equipment 21.3.6)
Sprinkler located provided? Provide smoke detector at top of shaft:

A
Smoke Detector Yes
above lowest level of - for elevator recall (NFPA 72 2002
at Top of Shaft
recall? No 6.15.3.7, 2007 6.16.3.7, 2010-19 21.3.7)
Do ambient shaft - must be listed for environment
conditions prohibit (NFPA 72 2013-19 21.3.8)
Yes
use of smoke

R
detector? Provide heat detector or other detection
device at top of shaft:
Yes
- for elevator recall (NFPA 72 2016
21.3.7, 21.3.9)

[D