Building Systems and Elevators Flashcards

A fire alarm is activated in an elevator machine room. The building's elevators are equipped with Phase I emergency recall. Which of the following best describes the expected action of the elevators in that bank?

Answer: The elevators will bypass all other calls and return non-stop to the designated recall floor, typically the lobby.

Phase I Emergency Recall is an automatic function designed to return elevators to a designated floor (usually the main lobby) upon activation of specific fire alarm initiating devices, such as smoke detectors in elevator lobbies, hoistways, or machine rooms. This prevents occupants from being taken to a fire floor and makes the elevators available for fire department use.

In a high-rise building, what is the primary purpose of a stairwell pressurization system?

Answer: To create a higher air pressure in the stairwell compared to adjacent floors, preventing smoke from entering.

Stairwell pressurization systems use fans to pump fresh air into the stairwells, creating positive pressure. This higher pressure prevents smoke from the fire floors from migrating into the stairwells, thus keeping the means of egress tenable for evacuating occupants and providing a smoke-free path for firefighters.

An FLSD is at the Fire Command Center when a fire alarm activates. After initiating Phase I recall, arriving FDNY personnel want to use an elevator to reach the floors below the fire. What is the name of the operation that allows firefighters to manually control an elevator from inside the car?

Answer: Phase II Emergency In-Car Operation

Phase II Emergency In-Car Operation allows firefighters to take manual control of a specific elevator car using a key switch inside the car, but only after Phase I recall has been activated. This enables them to transport personnel and equipment to a desired floor while overriding normal hall calls and automatic functions.

During a prolonged power outage, a high-rise building's emergency generator is running. According to NYC Building Code, which of the following is considered a critical life-safety system that MUST be powered by the emergency or standby power system?

Answer: At least one elevator serving all floors and the fire alarm system.

NYC Building Code mandates that emergency and legally required standby power systems support critical life-safety functions. This includes the fire alarm system, emergency lighting, fire pumps, and at least one elevator that can serve all floors to facilitate firefighter access and potential evacuations. It does not typically require power for all elevators or general tenant loads.

A fire alarm system is interconnected with the building's HVAC system. Upon the activation of a duct smoke detector in the main supply ductwork for the 15th floor, what is the expected automatic action of the associated HVAC unit?

Answer: The unit will shut down to prevent the distribution of smoke.

A primary function of duct smoke detectors is to prevent the spread of smoke through the HVAC system. When a detector activates, it sends a signal to the fire alarm panel, which in turn signals the air handling unit to shut down, stopping the fan and closing dampers to contain the smoke.

A smoke detector in the 5th-floor elevator lobby of a 30-story building activates, initiating Phase I recall. However, a separate smoke detector then activates in the main lobby, which is the primary designated recall floor. Where will the elevators be directed to go?

Answer: They will proceed to the designated alternate recall floor.

Standard elevator recall logic includes a provision for an alternate recall floor. If the primary recall floor (usually the lobby) has a fire alarm activation, the system will redirect the elevators to a pre-programmed alternate floor to ensure they do not open into a hazardous environment.