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When you step into a high-rise building, you’ll usually find a bank of passenger lifts designed for daily convenience. But among them, you might notice one special lift marked as “Fire Lift.” Ever wondered why it is different from the others? Let’s break it down.
A fire lift is a specially designed elevator intended to be used by firefighters and emergency responders during a fire or similar emergency. Unlike a normal passenger lift, which becomes unsafe and is automatically disabled when a fire alarm activates, the fire lift remains operational under specific controls, allowing firefighters to reach upper floors quickly with their equipment.
Enables firefighters to access affected floors rapidly.
Facilitates rescue of trapped occupants, especially in high-rise structures.
Provides a safe, protected vertical transportation system during fire emergencies.
Fire lifts are mandatory in all high-rise buildings (≥15 m height for residential, ≥24 m for commercial).
Also required in hospitals, assembly buildings, hotels, and special occupancies where firefighting access is critical.
Requires fire service access elevators (FSAE) in high-rise buildings taller than 120 ft (36.5 m).
At least one dedicated fire service lift per building or per bank of lifts.
Buildings with an occupied floor more than 120 ft above fire department access must provide a fire service access elevator.
In addition, in tall buildings, occupant evacuation elevators may also be mandated.
Fire-rated Shaft & Lobby: The lift shaft and its lobby must be enclosed with 2-hour fire-rated construction.
Separate Electrical Supply: Independent, fire-protected power supply with automatic changeover.
Waterproofing & Fire Protection: All lift wells to be protected from water seepage during firefighting.
Controls: Manual override for firefighters, with a special key (fireman’s switch).
Capacity: Minimum load capacity of 8 passengers (545–630 kg) as per NBC.
Speed: Capable of reaching the top floor within 1 minute.
Signage: Clearly marked as “FIRE LIFT – TO BE USED ONLY BY FIREMEN IN CASE OF FIRE.”
As per NBC, the fire lift should be located adjacent to the passenger lift shaft for easy access but must have a separated, fire-rated lobby to prevent smoke ingress.
NFPA & IBC also emphasize fire-rated lobbies and separation to ensure a safe staging area for firefighters.
Monthly: Function test of fireman’s switch, emergency communication, and independent power supply.
Quarterly / Half-Yearly: Inspection of shaft, doors, fire rating, ventilation, and lobby conditions.
Annual: Full load testing, speed check, power changeover simulation, and certification.
Records must be maintained as per NBC and NFPA requirements for audit by fire authorities.
Once the fire alarm is triggered, all passenger lifts return to the designated recall floor (usually ground level) and remain out of service to prevent people from becoming trapped.
Only the fire lift remains operational for emergency responders under controlled access.
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