Firefighting lifts and Fire mans lift, so what's the difference?

It is common for firefighting lifts and fireman's lifts to be mistaken for each other. However, it is crucial to understand the difference between these two types of lifts as they operate differently. This note aims to assist the Responsible Person(s) in identifying the type of lift installed in their property and the appropriate testing and maintenance procedures to follow. Additionally, this note provides further guidance on what to do if the Responsible Person(s) is unsure about the type of lift in their property.

Firefighting shafts and firefighting lifts are essential in larger buildings to help firefighters reach floors that are far from the building’s access point. They provide a safe route from the point of entry to the floor where the fire has occurred, enabling firefighting operations to begin quickly and safely. If a building has a storey that is more than 18m above the Fire and Rescue Service vehicle access level, it should have one or more firefighting shafts that contain a firefighting lift. Firefighters can access this lift via a protected firefighting lobby.

A firefighting lift is different from a normal passenger lift. It is designed to operate as long as possible during a fire and has additional protection and controls that allow it to be used by the fire and rescue service when fighting a fire. Its primary function is to transport firefighters and their equipment to the scene of a fire quickly and efficiently. It can also be used to help evacuate less mobile people, depending on the personnel available on-site to assist.

However, firefighting lifts should not be used to evacuate people as part of a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP's) since the lift must be operated under the control of the fire safety manager or a delegated representative, or by someone who is trained and authorized to use the lift (such as person(s) contracted to work on behalf of the landlord) as per BS 9999. The lift may be used in normal times as a passenger lift by the occupants of the building. However, it should not be used for moving refuse or goods since doing so may cause the entrance to be obstructed when the lift is required to go into the firefighting mode.

In buildings that have a single lift, its use for transporting goods needs to be avoided unless it is essential. Lift lobbies must be kept clear, and when the lift is used for moving goods, the doors must not be propped open.

A firefighting lift installation must have the following components:

? A secondary back-up power supply to ensure that it continues to operate in case of power failure to the building

? Lift control system

? Lift communication system

Firefighting lift installations must comply with the standards BS EN 81-72 and BS EN 81-20. The testing and maintenance of firefighting lifts must be in accordance with BS EN 81-72/BS 9999.

The following checks should be performed:

? Weekly operation of the firefighters' lift switch to verify that the lift returns to the fire service access level, parks with its doors open, and does not respond to landing calls.

? Check that the lift responds to the instructions from the BMS (Building Management System) or detection system if it is connected to these systems.

? Monthly simulation of power supply failure to check the changeover to the secondary supply and operation from it. If the secondary supply is from a generator, it should energize the lift(s) for at least 1 hour.

? Annual full test of the firefighters' lift operation arranged by the Responsible Person with the lift maintenance contractor. The test should check the full firefighting facilities, including communication systems. The lift should be able to be driven to any required floor, and on arrival at a floor, it should open its door only when instructed to do so and then stay at the floor with its doors open.

Regular checks should be conducted to ensure that the building's lift is functioning properly and that water does not enter the lift well. The lift maintenance contractor is responsible for conducting an annual test of the firefighters lift and recording the correct operation of all related communication systems. The contractor should also inform the Facilities Manager of any component replacements or changes that could affect the lift's reliability during a fire.

Following the Grenfell Tower inquiry, it has been recommended that building owners and managers inspect the lifts designed for emergency use by firefighters regularly. The results of these inspections should be reported monthly to the local fire and rescue service. Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced that the measures would be put into law after a consultation.

Fireman's lifts are typically found in older, less complex buildings. They are a part of regular passenger lifts and have a "fireman's" override control switch located on the ground floor. Attending Fire & Rescue Services use the override switch to take control of the lift(s) once they have returned to the ground floor. However, fireman's lifts should not be used to evacuate individuals as part of a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) because they must be operated by the Fire & Rescue Service. The override control switch can be operated in several ways, including using a break glass, crescent switch, Yale key switch, triangle key, budget key, or drop key (the most common method). The actions of these override systems can vary from one building to another, but the most common effect is to override all floor calling and return the lift to the ground floor. The lift is controlled purely through the lift car's buttons. Unlike firefighting lifts, fireman's lifts do not have the same structural protection, control and communication systems, or secondary backup power supply. According to BS 9999, the operation of the fireman's lift switches should be tested once a week and should be repaired or replaced if found to be faulty..

It is important to test and maintain fireman's lifts as per the guidelines stated in BS 9999. The switches of the fireman's lift need to be checked weekly and repaired or replaced if any faults are found. In case there is confusion about the type of lift installed in a building, the appointed contractor responsible for maintaining the lifts must be asked to provide formal confirmation as to whether it is a firefighting lift or a fireman's lift. This information must be documented and kept in the fire logbook for future reference.