Joint Policy-Elevators
MEMORANDUM
DATE: January 4, 1999
TO: Building Officials Fire Departments Elevator
Contractors Designers Sprinkler Contractors
FROM: Thomas R. Joachim
State Building Codes & Standards Division
Thomas R. Brace
State Fire Marshal Division
SUBJECT: FIRE PROTECTlON - ALL ELEVATOR
SYSTEMS
It is the cooperative intent of the State Building Codes
& Standards Division and the State Fire Marshal Division to provide
uniformity in design, installation and injection of elevator and automatic fire
protection systems in the State of Minnesota.
TRACTION (CABLE) TYPE ELEVATORS - FIRE SPRINKLERS
ARE NOT REQUIRED IF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET:
Automatic fire
sprinkler protection is not required at the top of the shaft if the shaft is of
noncombustible construction. See MSBC 1305.0704 subp.6/MUFC Sec. 1003.4.
Automatic fire
sprinkler protection is not required at the bottom of the shaft if the shaft is
of noncombustible construction and does not contain combustible hydraulic fluid.
See MSBC 1305.0704 subp.I/NFPA-13-1996,4-13.5.1, exception.
Automatic fire
sprinkler protection is not required in the machine rooms of traction type
elevators when the rooms are located on the top of the elevator shaft and are
separated from other areas of the building, other than the shaft, by not less
than one hour fire-resistive occupancy separation. See MSBC 1305.0704 subp.6@C
Sec. 1003.4.
HYDRAULIC TYPE ELEVATORS - AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS:
Automatic fire
sprinkler protection is required at the bottom of the shaft. The sidewall
sprinkler head shall be positioned not more than 2 ft. above the floor of the
pit. See MSBC 1305.0704 subp.I/NFPA-13-1996,4-13.5.1.
Automatic fire
sprinkler protection is required in elevator equipment rooms. The ASME Al 7.1
code requires the disconnection of power (shunt trip breakers) to the elevator
prior to the application of water in elevator machine rooms or hoistways.
This disconnection
is normally accomplished by a heat detector (located adjacent to the sprinkler
head) with sufficient sensitivity to operate the shunt trip breakers prior to
the activation of the sprinklers. See NFPA-72-1993, sec. 3-8.16.
The new elevator code, expected to be adopted in early
1999, contains an exception: If sprinklers are added in an existing elevator
machine room or hoistway, automatic disconnect of the main power supply is not
required if the existing elevator is hydraulic, installed prior to the adoption
of ASME A17.1-1996, and equipped with Phase I and Phase Il firefighter's service
in compliance with Rules 211.3 through 211.9.
(This exception will not apply when the elevator itself
is being altered.)
Water flow control
valves and/or tamper switches are currently required on pipe feeding sprinkler
heads located in the elevator shaft or equipment room.
(Note: The new ASME Al 7.1-1996 edition will delete this
requirement. This code is expected to be adopted in early 1999.)
Automatic fire
sprinkler protection is not required at the top of the shaft if it is of
noncombustible construction. Elevator car enclosure materials shall meet the
requirements of ASME A17.1, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators. See MSBC
1305.0704 subp.6/MUFC Sec. 1003.4 and NFPA- 13-1996, 4-13.5.3, exception.
TRACTION AND HYDRAULIC TYPE ELEVATORS:
The only sprinkler
piping that shall be allowed in the equipment room or in the pit is the actual
line piping feeding the sprinkler head(s). No crossmain, bulk runs or risers
shall be routed through these area.
Should you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to contact David Stegura at 651.215.0514 or Elroy
Berdahl at 651.297.7081.
Sincerely,
Thomas R. Joachim
State Building Official
Thomas R. Brace
State Fire Marshal
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