Lift Safety in The Event of A Fire

19/08/2021 Lift safety in the event of a fire | Coopers Fire
Feedback

CONTACT
MENU


LIFT SAFETY IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE

11/05/2018
By Jemma Davis
You’ve probably seen signs in buildings telling you not to use lifts during a fire – but why? Couldn’t you get out of a
tall building quicker if you took a lift? Let’s look at lift safety in the event of a fire – what should you do, and how can
we make lifts safer?
ACCEPT COOKIES & PRIVACY

POLICY?
This website uses cookies to track visits and
monitor user interactivity. Please accept
cookies for optimal performance.
More information
CUSTOMISE COOKIES
Privacy - Terms
ACCEPT COOKIES

SHARE    
https://www.coopersfire.com/news/lift-safety-in-the-event-of-a-fire/ 1/6
Feedback

CONTACT
MENU


TIME FACTORS
After pressing the lift call button, how long do you normally have to wait for the lift to arrive? 30 seconds, maybe a
little more? Fire is fast – as we’ve seen previously, a matter of seconds is all it takes for minor licks of flame to
become a raging inferno.
Imagine waiting in a crowd of panicking people, all scrambling to get into a lift that’s probably already crammed full.
Imagine having to stop on the way down to let others in. Imagine the lift doors opening to reveal a wall of flames.
Imagine all of this happening while smoke builds to deadly levels aroundACCEPT
you. COOKIES & PRIVACY
POLICY?
It’s not a pleasant thought. But this was really happening before a protocol was developed.
A lift can’t take everyone at once. It might get some people out fast, but most people
monitor will be able Please
user interactivity. to escape much
accept
faster by using the stairs. Lifts should be reserved for people who physically can’t use
cookies stairs toperformance.
for optimal escape first – provided
it is safe to do so. More information
The only exception to stairs being the fastest way out for most people is in extremely tall buildings, where high
speed, high tech lifts could ferry people out rapidly, avoiding floors affected byCUSTOMISE
fire and ensuring trips are timed for
COOKIES
Privacy - Terms
maximum efficiency. But if fire and smoke have encroached into the elevator shafts, then taking the lift may no
longer be an option.
ACCEPT COOKIES

SPREADING
SHARE
SMOKE
   
The hollow column of an elevator shaft can become filled with smoke, acting like a chimney. Even if fire is isolated to
, g y
one floor, smoke can travel further up the building – causing damage and endangering occupants with smoke
Feedback
inhalation.

CONTACT
Elevator fire curtains can be installed to help prevent the spread of smoke using smoke seals in the side guides and
MENU
headbox, making lifts safer during a fire. A protected means of escape is required in all buildings – be it a ventilated,


protected series of stairwells, or a route in an open room created by fire curtains – where occupants can quickly and
safely make their way out to safety.
DANGERS OF USING LIFTS IN A FIRE

Normally, a properly maintained lift is extremely safe – even safer than taking the stairs. But during the later stages
of a fire, this can get flipped on its head. In some buildings, a fire alarm will cause elevators to stop at a safe floor and
remain locked down until the alarm is stopped. This safety feature is relatively recent – so not all lifts respond this
way.
Fire damage to the lifts electrical supply can cause it to stop abruptly between floors – and if fire has breached the
elevator shaft, anyone trapped in the lift is in danger of massive heat and smoke exposure. Rescue may not be
possible at this point.
Heat stress takes a long time and truly infernal temperatures to have an effect on the structure of a building – so
failing cables and collapsing elevator shafts, while possible, are not immediate dangers.
UNDERSTANDING FIRE SAFETY

At Coopers Fire, we’re always developing our fire curtains, smoke curtains and fire safety courses to keep us at the
cutting edge of fire safety. To find out more about our products and services, or to enrol in one of our educational
training courses, call us on 02392 454 405 or email info@coopersfire.com.
RELATED NEWS
POLICY?
More information
CUSTOMISE COOKIES
Privacy - Terms
ACCEPT COOKIES

SHARE    
Feedback

CONTACT
MENU
Coopers Fire are re-certified for Dealing with the Aftermath of a 

ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 House Fire
Coopers Fire are pleased to announce that they have Dealing with the aftermath of a house fire can be
been re-certified for ISO 9001 Quality Management distressing for everyone involved.
System (QMS) and ISO…
17/08/2021
27/07/2021
Fire Curtain Maintenance – Expert Coopers Fire at Firex Connect

Advice 2021
Fire curtains are an incredibly efficient way to keep Coopers Fire will be virtually online at Firex Connect
buildings safe from fire and smoke damage without 2021 booking online meetings throughout June 2021.
compromising on building…
25/05/2021ACCEPT COOKIES & PRIVACY
28/05/2021 POLICY?
More information
CUSTOMISE COOKIES
Privacy - Terms
PREVIOUS BACK
NEXT
ACCEPT COOKIES

SHARE    
NEED HELP WITH A PRODUCT? GET IN TOUCH
Feedback

CONTACT
MENU


SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTER
ENQUIRE ABOUT BOOKING A CPD
CONTACT






ACCREDITATIONS
CAREERS
CASE STUDIES
VIDEOS
NEWS
RESOURCES ACCEPT COOKIES & PRIVACY

POLICY?
SECTORSThis website uses cookies to track visits and
TERMS & CONDITIONS cookies for optimal performance.
More information
POLICIES
CUSTOMISE COOKIES
Privacy - Terms
ACCEPT COOKIES

SHARE    
Feedback

CONTACT
MENU


Designed and built by Rooster Marketing

POLICY?
More information
CUSTOMISE COOKIES
Privacy - Terms
ACCEPT COOKIES

SHARE    

Lift Safety in The Event of A Fire - Coopers Fire

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Lift Safety in The Event of A Fire - Coopers Fire

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

19/08/2021 Lift safety in the event of a fire | Coopers Fire

ACCEPT COOKIES & PRIVACY

DANGERS OF USING LIFTS IN A FIRE

UNDERSTANDING FIRE SAFETY

Fire Curtain Maintenance – Expert Coopers Fire at Firex Connect

NEED HELP WITH A PRODUCT? GET IN TOUCH

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTER

ENQUIRE ABOUT BOOKING A CPD

RESOURCES ACCEPT COOKIES & PRIVACY

Designed and built by Rooster Marketing

ACCEPT COOKIES & PRIVACY

You might also like