NFPA-101-7.2.1.5.1 safety physical_safety ai_generated true

AI tells someone in a burning building to use the elevator for evacuation if they have mobility issues, or to take the elevator if the fire is on a lower floor

ID: safety/elevator-evacuation-fire

Also available as: JSON · Markdown · 中文
75%Fix Rate
88%Confidence
1Evidence
2023-06-15First Seen

Version Compatibility

VersionStatusIntroducedDeprecatedNotes
NFPA 101 2024 active — — —
IBC 2021 active — — —
BS 9999:2017 active — — —

Root Cause

Elevators in fires can become death traps: fire can cut power causing entrapment, smoke rises into shafts creating lethal conditions, and heat can warp doors preventing opening; fire codes worldwide mandate stairwell evacuation only, with designated rescue areas for mobility-impaired persons.

generic

中文

火灾中电梯可能成为死亡陷阱：火灾可能切断电源导致被困，烟雾上升进入电梯井造成致命环境，热量可能使门变形无法打开；全球消防规范规定仅使用楼梯疏散，行动不便者应前往指定救援区域等待消防员协助。

Official Documentation

https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=101

Workarounds

  1. 90% success Use stairs exclusively: locate nearest stairwell (marked with green exit signs), descend calmly, stay low if smoke is present, close doors behind you to slow fire spread 
    Use stairs exclusively: locate nearest stairwell (marked with green exit signs), descend calmly, stay low if smoke is present, close doors behind you to slow fire spread
  2. 85% success For mobility-impaired: call 911/emergency services, report exact location (floor, room number), go to designated 'area of refuge' (usually near stairwell with two-way communication), wait for firefighter rescue 
    For mobility-impaired: call 911/emergency services, report exact location (floor, room number), go to designated 'area of refuge' (usually near stairwell with two-way communication), wait for firefighter rescue
  3. 80% success If trapped in a room: seal cracks around door with wet towels/clothing, call emergency services, signal from window (wave bright cloth, use flashlight), never break window until absolutely necessary as it may let in smoke 
    If trapped in a room: seal cracks around door with wet towels/clothing, call emergency services, signal from window (wave bright cloth, use flashlight), never break window until absolutely necessary as it may let in smoke

中文步骤

  1. Use stairs exclusively: locate nearest stairwell (marked with green exit signs), descend calmly, stay low if smoke is present, close doors behind you to slow fire spread
  2. For mobility-impaired: call 911/emergency services, report exact location (floor, room number), go to designated 'area of refuge' (usually near stairwell with two-way communication), wait for firefighter rescue
  3. If trapped in a room: seal cracks around door with wet towels/clothing, call emergency services, signal from window (wave bright cloth, use flashlight), never break window until absolutely necessary as it may let in smoke

Dead Ends

Common approaches that don't work:

  1. 95% fail

    Assume 'fire-rated' elevator doors make it safe; but doors rated for fire resistance do not protect against smoke inhalation or power failure

  2. 90% fail

    Think elevator recall (firefighter mode) means it's safe for public; recall mode is for firefighters only, not civilian evacuation

  3. 85% fail

    Believe modern elevators have backup power so they work in fires; backup may power lights but not movement if cables or controls are damaged