Introduction

This Technical Specification has been prepared in response to ISO/TC 178 Resolution 273/2007 in which the Technical Committee requested that WG 6 undertake to write a specification for lift features that if incorporated into an appropriate lift would enable it to be used in safety to evacuate persons from a building that was suitably designed.

This work results from a detailed study undertaken by TC 178/WG6 into the feasibility of using lifts for evacuation of persons. The study ISO/TR 25743 indicated that it was feasible to use lifts, provided that certain features were incorporated in the lift and also in the building.

Lift engineers and other specialists have been involved in the production of this specification.

It has been recognized that lift engineers are not experts in building design or fire engineering. The writing of this Technical Specification does not indicate if it is acceptable or permitted to use lifts for building evacuations. It only indicates the features required should those persons responsible wish to make such a decision. This Technical Specification does not define, in any detail, building features that will have to be provided in conjunction with a lift intended to be used for evacuation. Its aim is to make clear to those persons involved in building design and fire engineering the issues that they shall address to enable the lift to be used safely.

There are many reasons why a building might need to be evacuated, such as a fire, explosion, chemical or biological attack, flooding, storm damage, earthquake, etc. Not all of these are relevant to every building and other hazardous situations, while existing, are so unlikely to occur that they can be disregarded. Designers of buildings have to determine if a particular hazard is sufficiently great as to require addressing.

If, for example, a small office block is being designed that will be located in a mid-town area, it is within the realm of possibility that it could be subjected to an explosion or chemical attack (terrorism). It is not, however, very likely to be the case unless it has some particular reason to make it vulnerable. In most cases, the risk of these events is probably so low as to make it unnecessary for them to be addressed.

If the building is to be the headquarters of National Security, this will increase the likelihood of it being subjected to some form of attack. It might be necessary to consider the effects of an explosion in or close to the building or a chemical agent being introduced into the building.

Clearly, a building constructed in an area where earthquakes do not normally occur need not have provisions made for such an event.

If a building is to be built in the centre of a major city to form a prestigious landmark, it might be essential to consider all likely events that could occur.

The designer of the building has to determine, by risk assessment or other methods, what hazardous events needs to be reasonably addressed. Once this is completed, ISO/TR 25743 can be used to understand the lift and building features that might be required for each evacuation scenario envisaged.

A lift or lifts can enable disabled persons to evacuate a building in relative ease, but if it is thought, lifts could play a role in general evacuation, they might or might not make a significant contribution to reducing the general evacuation time. It will depend on the building size, number of lifts, etc.

This Technical Specification defines lift requirements to address common hazards that all users could be exposed to if lifts are used for evacuation.

Even if it is thought that lifts could play a part in a general evacuation, it might prove to be uneconomical. It is not suggested for lifts to replace or change the requirements for escape stairs, and that using lifts instead of stairs can increase evacuation times in many building designs. The intention is to allow lifts to play a positive role in assisting and improving the efficiency of the building evacuation strategy.

This Technical Specification is divided into sections covering the key items that have to be addressed. There is no priority intended from the order in which the items are listed.

PD ISO/TS 18870:2014

Lifts (elevators). Requirements for lifts used to assist in building evacuation

Current

Published:

31 Aug 2014