F89 Elevator Emergency Operations and Firefighter Service 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary reason elevator doors are kept from fully closing when firefighters are using Phase II service and exit the cab?
- To allow the FLSD to monitor the elevator position from the lobby
- To prevent the elevator from being recalled or dispatched away from that floor (Correct answer)
- To reduce the risk of the elevator moving with the door open
- To allow smoke to vent from the hoistway
Correct answer: To prevent the elevator from being recalled or dispatched away from that floor
Holding the door open prevents the elevator from responding to other calls or being recalled, keeping it available at the firefighters' staging floor.
Question 2: During elevator testing as part of the annual Fire and Life Safety Director drill, which of the following must be verified for Phase I Emergency Recall?
- That the elevator travels to the designated recall floor and doors open automatically (Correct answer)
- That the elevator speed increases to minimum code requirements
- That all Phase II key switches are removed from the cab
- That the freight elevator bypasses Phase I recall during fire events
Correct answer: That the elevator travels to the designated recall floor and doors open automatically
Phase I recall testing must confirm elevators return to the correct recall floor and doors open fully upon arrival, as required by ASME A17.1.
Question 3: Under New York City rules, who has authority to return elevators to normal service after Phase I recall has been activated?
- The building owner or property manager
- The FLSD after confirming the alarm was false
- The Incident Commander of the fire department (Correct answer)
- The elevator mechanic on call
Correct answer: The Incident Commander of the fire department
Only the Incident Commander of the responding fire department has authority to authorize return of elevators to normal service after emergency recall.
Question 4: A building's fire alarm activates on the 12th floor. The elevators complete Phase I recall and return to the lobby. Shortly after, the fire alarm is reset. What must the FLSD confirm before allowing occupants to use the elevators again?
- That the elevator Phase II key switches have been secured
- That the fire department has authorized return to normal service (Correct answer)
- That at least 10 minutes have passed since the recall was initiated
- That the elevator motors have cooled sufficiently
Correct answer: That the fire department has authorized return to normal service
The FLSD must receive explicit authorization from the fire department Incident Commander before returning elevators to normal occupant use.
Question 5: Which type of elevator is typically EXEMPT from Phase I Emergency Recall requirements under ASME A17.1?
- Hydraulic passenger elevators installed before 1973
- Elevators serving only two consecutive floors (Correct answer)
- Freight elevators in buildings under 75 feet
- Elevators in buildings with fewer than 10 floors
Correct answer: Elevators serving only two consecutive floors
Elevators that serve only two consecutive floors are generally exempt from Phase I recall requirements under ASME A17.1.
Question 6: When firefighters are using Phase II elevator service, which button allows them to hold the doors open for an extended period while loading equipment?
- The 'Door Open' button held continuously (Correct answer)
- The 'Door Hold' or independent service switch in the cab
- The lobby call button pressed three times
- The Phase I key switch turned to 'Hold'
Correct answer: The 'Door Open' button held continuously
In Phase II service, continuously holding the 'Door Open' button keeps doors open, allowing firefighters to load equipment without the doors automatically closing.
Question 7: If an elevator fails to respond to Phase I automatic recall, what is the FLSD's immediate required action under NYC fire safety protocols?
- Attempt to manually recall the elevator using the Phase II key switch
- Notify the fire department immediately and log the malfunction (Correct answer)
- Post a building employee at every elevator lobby on all floors
- Disconnect the elevator's power supply from the building control room
Correct answer: Notify the fire department immediately and log the malfunction
A failure of Phase I recall must be immediately reported to the fire department and documented, as it constitutes a life-safety system malfunction requiring fire department awareness.
F89 Elevator Emergency Operations and Firefighter Service 5
What is the primary reason elevator doors are kept from fully closing when firefighters are using Phase II service and exit the cab?