F89 Elevator Emergency Operations and Firefighter Service 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During Phase I Emergency Recall, which floor should elevators NOT return to if the fire alarm originates on the lobby level?
- The floor directly above the lobby
- The alternate floor designated in the building's fire safety plan (Correct answer)
- The highest occupied floor
- The floor where the most occupants are located
Correct answer: The alternate floor designated in the building's fire safety plan
When a lobby-level alarm activates Phase I recall, elevators must return to the designated alternate recall floor rather than the lobby to avoid the hazard.
Question 2: A firefighter using Phase II service notices the elevator doors are not closing after pressing the 'Door Close' button. What is the most likely cause?
- Power failure in the elevator motor
- An object or person is blocking the door safety beam (Correct answer)
- The Phase II key switch is in the wrong position
- The elevator is bypassing that floor due to a recall command
Correct answer: An object or person is blocking the door safety beam
Door safety beams detect obstructions and prevent door closure regardless of button commands to protect passengers.
Question 3: Under ASME A17.1, how long must firefighters' service (Phase II) controls remain operational after a building power failure if the elevator has standby power?
- Until the standby generator fuel runs out
- A minimum of 2 hours (Correct answer)
- At least 1 hour
- Only as long as normal power is restored within 15 minutes
Correct answer: A minimum of 2 hours
ASME A17.1 requires that standby power maintain firefighters' service operation for a minimum of 2 hours.
Question 4: Which action by the Fire and Life Safety Director is INCORRECT when assisting firefighters during elevator emergencies?
- Providing the fire department with elevator key locations
- Stationing a building employee at the fire control room
- Sending non-emergency elevator calls to divert cars away from the fire floor (Correct answer)
- Coordinating with the elevator company representative if on site
Correct answer: Sending non-emergency elevator calls to divert cars away from the fire floor
Under Phase I recall, elevator dispatching is controlled by the fire recall system; FLSDs must not attempt to override or divert calls through normal dispatch.
Question 5: What does a flickering or intermittent elevator lobby status light on the Fire Command Center typically indicate?
- The elevator is traveling between floors
- A short circuit in the elevator motor
- A supervisory condition or trouble signal in the elevator recall circuit (Correct answer)
- Normal operation during Phase I recall
Correct answer: A supervisory condition or trouble signal in the elevator recall circuit
Intermittent or trouble indicator lights on the Fire Command Center typically signal a supervisory or fault condition in the elevator recall circuit.
Question 6: In a high-rise building, when should the FLSD advise occupants via the public address system NOT to use elevators?
- Only after the fire department orders evacuation
- Immediately upon any fire alarm activation in the building
- Whenever the elevator Phase I recall has been activated (Correct answer)
- Only if smoke is confirmed in the elevator shaft
Correct answer: Whenever the elevator Phase I recall has been activated
Once Phase I recall is activated, the FLSD should immediately advise occupants not to use elevators, as they are reserved for emergency operations.
Question 7: A building has 30 floors and the fire is on floor 18. Firefighters activate Phase II service on elevator 3. To which floor should they initially travel to stage operations?
- Floor 18 to directly engage the fire
- Floor 17, two floors below the fire floor
- Floor 16, two floors below the fire floor (Correct answer)
- The lobby to confirm equipment before ascending
Correct answer: Floor 16, two floors below the fire floor
FDNY and NFPA protocols direct firefighters to stop two floors below the fire floor when using Phase II service to avoid opening doors into a smoke or fire condition.
F89 Elevator Emergency Operations and Firefighter Service 4
During Phase I Emergency Recall, which floor should elevators NOT return to if the fire alarm originates on the lobby level?