Firecode – fire safety in the NHS

Health Technical Memorandum

05-03: Operational provisions
Part E: Escape lifts in healthcare premises

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Document Purpose Best Practice Guidance

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Title
Firecode HTM 05-03 Part E Escape Lifts in Healthcare Premises

Author Department of Health Estates & Facilities Division

Publication Date 01 Aug 2006
Target Audience Directors of Estates & Facilities; NHS Trust Fire Safety Advisers

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Description Guidance to update and replace the existing Firecode Fire Practice
Note 3 Escape Bed Lifts

Cross Ref Firecode suite

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Contact Details Paul Roberts
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Firecode – fire safety in the NHS
Health Technical Memorandum
05-03: Operational provisions

Part E: Escape lifts in healthcare premises

This document replaces Fire Practice Note 3

London: The Stationery Office

Firecode – Fire safety in the NHS: HTM 05-03 Operational provisions – Part E: Escape lifts in healthcare premises

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ii
Preface

About Health Technical Memoranda main source of specific healthcare-related guidance for
estates and facilities professionals.
Engineering Health Technical Memoranda (HTMs) give
comprehensive advice and guidance on the design, The core suite of nine subject areas provides access to
installation and operation of specialised building and guidance which:
engineering technology used in the delivery of healthcare. • is more streamlined and accessible;
The focus of HTM guidance remains on healthcare- • encapsulates the latest standards and best
specific elements of standards, policies and up-to-date practice in healthcare engineering;
established best practice. They are applicable to new and
existing sites, and are for use at various stages during the • provides a structured reference for healthcare
whole building lifecycle: engineering.
Figure 1 Healthcare building life-cycle

DISPOSAL CONCEPT

RE-USE
DESIGN & IDENTIFY
OPERATIONAL OPERATIONAL
MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS

Ongoing SPECIFICATIONS
MAINTENANCE TECHNICAL & OUTPUT
Review

PROCUREMENT
COMMISSIONING

CONSTRUCTION
INSTALLATION

Healthcare providers have a duty of care to ensure that Structure of the Health Technical
appropriate engineering governance arrangements are in Memorandum suite
place and are managed effectively. The Engineering
Health Technical Memorandum series provides best The series of engineering-specific guidance contains a
practice engineering standards and policy to enable suite of nine core subjects:
management of this duty of care. Health Technical Memorandum 00
It is not the intention within this suite of documents to Policies and principles (applicable to all Health
unnecessarily repeat international or European standards, Technical Memoranda in this series)
industry standards or UK Government legislation. Where Health Technical Memorandum 01
appropriate, these will be referenced. Disinfection and sterilization
Healthcare-specific technical engineering guidance is a Health Technical Memorandum 02
vital tool in the safe and efficient operation of healthcare Medical gases
facilities. Health Technical Memorandum guidance is the

iii
Firecode – Fire safety in the NHS: HTM 05-03 Operational provisions – Part E: Escape lifts in healthcare premises

Health Technical Memorandum 03 In a similar way Health Technical Memorandum 07-02

Ventilation systems will simply represent:
Health Technical Memorandum 04 Environment and Sustainability – EnCO2de.
Water systems
All Health Technical Memoranda are supported by the
Health Technical Memorandum 05 initial document Health Technical Memorandum 00
Fire safety which embraces the management and operational policies
from previous documents and explores risk management
Health Technical Memorandum 06
issues.
Electrical services
Some variation in style and structure is reflected by the
Health Technical Memorandum 07
topic and approach of the different review working
Environment and sustainability
groups.
Health Technical Memorandum 08
DH Estates and Facilities Division wishes to acknowledge
Specialist services
the contribution made by professional bodies,
Some subject areas may be further developed into topics engineering consultants, healthcare specialists and
shown as -01, -02 etc and further referenced into Parts A, NHS staff who have contributed to the review.
B etc.
Example: Health Technical Memorandum 06-02 Part A
will represent:
Electrical Services – Safety – Low Voltage
Figure 2 Engineering guidance

iv
Executive summary

Preamble • fire-fighters could use fire-safe lifts to move

personnel and equipment over long vertical
This Health Technical Memorandum provides technical distances with greatly enhanced safety and
details for the design and use of escape lifts in healthcare reliability;
buildings.
• where it is not possible to practice evacuation
It also provides guidance on managerial and by stairs sufficiently often to ensure
organisational issues that need to be considered to ensure competence.
that escape lifts are used safely and effectively in case of
fire as part of an integrated fire safety strategy.
Standards and guidance
This guidance supersedes Fire Practice Note 3 – ‘Escape
There are no specific standards for the use of lifts for the
bed lifts’.
evacuation of buildings; however, the following standards
provide valuable guidance for some of the issues that
Using lifts during a fire emergency need to be addressed in the development of the fire
For many years, the public has been trained to avoid evacuation strategy:
using lifts during fire emergencies, with warning signs • BS 5588-5 ‘Fire precautions in the design,
telling people not to use the lifts during fire evacuations. construction and the use of buildings. Code of
The dangers of using lifts during fire are well known and practice for fire-fighting stairs and lifts’
accepted by both lay persons and experts. (provides specific guidance for fire-fighting that
However, assuming that there are no insurmountable needs to be considered as part of the overall
technological hurdles, there are good reasons for using strategy);
lifts during a fire emergency: • BS 5588-8 ‘Fire precautions in the design,
• lifts could be used to evacuate persons who for construction and use of buildings. Code of
clinical reasons, or physical disabilities, would practice for means of escape for disabled
be unable to descend stairs without assistance people’;
or significant risk of additional injury; • BS EN 81-73 ‘Safety rules for the construction
• lifts, used in conjunction with stairs, would and installation of lifts. Particular applications
reduce the amount of time needed to evacuate for passenger and goods passenger lifts.
large buildings; Behaviour of lifts in the event of fire’.
• even for persons without disabilities,
descending many flights of stairs is an onerous
task in very tall buildings;


Firecode – Fire safety in the NHS: HTM 05-03 Operational provisions – Part E: Escape lifts in healthcare premises

Contents

Preface
Executive summary
Chapter 1 Introduction 1
Chapter 2 Definitions 2
Chapter 3 Considerations that will influence the provision of escape lifts 3
Objectives of escape lift provisions
Fire safety strategies utilising escape lifts
Assumptions
Considerations
Priority of use
Refuge
Time taken to evacuate by lift
Capacity of the reception floor
Alternative provisions if lift evacuation is not viable
Stairs and lifts are limited resources
Coordinating and directing the evacuation
Chapter 4 Physical requirements for escape lifts 8
Escape lift provision
Construction
Machine room construction
Escape lift cars
Evacuation control point
Chapter 5 Services required for escape lifts 10
Electrical supplies
Communications systems
Fire detection and alarm system
Lighting
Ventilation
Smoke control
Evacuation control switch
Lift car control station
Chapter 6 Installation and commissioning 13
Reliability and maintenance
Chapter 7 Operating escape lifts 14
Evacuation procedure
Chapter 8 Out-of-service arrangements 15
Release of passengers from failed escape lifts
Fire drills
References 16
Department of Health publications
British Standards

vi
1 Introduction

1.1 This Health Technical Memorandum provides • the additional safeguards and facilities described
technical details for the design and use of escape in this Health Technical Memorandum to
lifts in healthcare buildings. It should be read in ensure that the lift can be used safely and
conjunction with other documents intended to give effectively for evacuation.
guidance on the necessary means of escape and
1.4 The additional features required include a specially
maintenance systems applicable to the premises.
protected electrical power supply with additional
It also provides guidance on managerial and
protected stand-by power supply arrangements and
organisational issues that need to be considered
special lift control and communication systems.
to ensure that escape lifts are used safely and
effectively in case of fire as part of an integrated fire 1.5 This guidance document requires that some
safety strategy. communication and control facilities that are not
normally provided by lift suppliers should form
1.2 It assumes that the structural fire protection and
part of the overall fire safety strategy wherever lift
means of escape of the hospital, and the provision
evacuation is required.
of escape lifts, is in accordance with Firecode, the
Building Regulations, relevant British Standards 1.6 It recommends the appointment of lift wardens to
and any other applicable guidance. take control of the escape lifts in a fire emergency
and supervise and assist the evacuation of
1.3 For the purpose of this Health Technical
occupants. Members of staff who have had the
Memorandum, escape lifts are passenger lifts
appropriate training will be assigned the roles of lift
conforming to:
wardens.
• the relevant parts of BS 5655 and other relevant
1.7 This guidance also incorporates issues related to the
DH guidance;
use of lifts as part of the evacuation strategy for
• the appropriate British Standards and disabled people in accordance with BS5588-8:
Regulations; and 1999.


Firecode – Fire safety in the NHS: HTM 05-03 Operational provisions – Part E: Escape lifts in healthcare premises

2 Definitions

2.1 Terms used throughout the Firecode series and this Lift warden: A person nominated to undertake duties in
Health Technical Memorandum have the same relation to the evacuation of occupants in case of fire by
meaning. means of an escape lift installation. There are three types
of lift warden each having separate duties, namely lift
2.2 The following additional terms are defined for the
wardens (floor), lift wardens (control), and lift wardens
purposes of this Health Technical Memorandum.
(car). Their duties are explained in Chapter 7.
Car control station: The push button in the car for the
Landing: The lobby or section of the hospital street from
use of passengers/lift warden (car).
which the lift is entered.
Dependent department: A fire compartment on a storey
Machine: The unit, including the motor or pump, which
that is not a ground storey.
drives and stops the lift.
Emergency plan: A predetermined plan of action to be
Occupant: Staff, patient or visitor.
taken in the event of a given emergency.
Place of safety: A place where persons are in no danger
Escape lift: A passenger lift protected in accordance with
from fire.
this Health Technical Memorandum to enable it to be
used to safely transport occupants to the ground storey Reception floor: The floor within the building to which
in the event of fire. the escape lift is taken to unload its occupants. There
may be more than one reception floor at any time; the
Evacuation control point: The point from which the
decision as to which reception floor is appropriate will
evacuation of occupants using an escape lift is controlled.
depend on a number of factors including the continued
Evacuation control switch: A switch to bring the escape care of patients.
lift under immediate evacuation service control.
Refuge: A place of temporary safety within a building,
Evacuation service: The operation of a selected escape protected by suitable means as to provide an area capable
lift under an agreed system of management and control of holding all those threatened and from which there is
for the evacuation of occupants in the case of fire. potential for further escape.
Exit storey: A storey of the building from which suitable Registered call: A call made on a car control station or
direct access to a place of safety outside the building is from a landing push button which is accepted by the lift
provided. control equipment. (Note that when a lift is operating
Healthcare building: A building used primarily for under evacuation service, any attempted call on a landing
medical diagnosis, treatment or care. push button is not registered.)

Healthcare premises: A building, or part thereof, used

primarily for medical diagnosis, treatment or care.


3 Considerations that will influence the
provision of escape lifts

Objectives of escape lift provisions can be derived to suit all applications. Indeed, a
number of possible strategies may exist for escape
3.1 While escape lifts are beneficial in the vertical lift use in any building. Furthermore, the diverse
evacuation of building occupants unable circumstances within any building may result in
to make use of the escape stairs unaided, those different strategies being adopted for each floor or
involved in the specification, design and provision specific occupant group requiring escape lift
of escape lifts should understand fully both the evacuation.
potential merits and the implications of lift
evacuation during a fire. 3.8 This degree of diversity and potential flexibility in
design solution and subsequent operation means
3.2 Those involved in the decision to provide escape that each application of escape lifts and the
lifts should set clear objectives for such provision. strategies for their use will be bespoke for the
Any objectives for the provision of escape lifts building and the occupants for which they are
should be both realistic and robust, and their intended.
careful examination should ensure their validity.
3.9 The guidance for the development of strategies in
3.3 It is unrealistic to believe that the total evacuation this document will apply primarily to new buildings
of occupants from upper floors of multi-storey or extensive retrofits in which escape lift provision
buildings can be achieved solely by the use of lifts. is being considered as part of the evacuation
Therefore, escape stairs will always be necessary. strategy. However, the guidance provided in this
3.4 Escape lifts may provide an acceptable solution Health Technical Memorandum should be
to a specific evacuation need, such as providing considered during the periodic review of fire
additional vertical escape capacity where insufficient policies and procedures for those organisations that
stair capacity exists. In such a situation, the may utilise existing escape lift provision.
objective of the planned escape lift provision can
be clearly stated with reference to the vertical Assumptions
evacuation capacity to be achieved. 3.10 The guidance provided in this Health Technical
3.5 While it is important to set clear objectives for any Memorandum assumes that the building has been
escape lift provision, it is equally important to designed in accordance with current healthcare
ensure that such provision is fully integral to the building standards, and that the development of
fire strategy for the building in which the provision fire evacuation strategies and the management of
is made. risk have been part of that design process.
3.11 The assumptions include:
Fire safety strategies utilising escape
• exit routes, including stair capacity, meet
lifts requirements of modern building regulations,
3.6 Having set the objectives for the provision of escape Firecode and other relevant guidance;
lifts, it is necessary to develop a detailed strategy for • the building fire protection system (that is,
their use. The way in which escape lifts are to be compartmentation, sprinklers etc) will retard the
used in practice will greatly influence their design growth and spread of fire sufficiently to permit
and the design of building fire precautions and an orderly evacuation for all anticipated fires;
infrastructure necessary to support their use.
• lift lobbies will always be accessible to persons
3.7 Because each healthcare building is unique in unable to descend stairs, that is, no steps
design, no single strategy for the use of escape lifts between wards, departments and lift lobbies;


Firecode – Fire safety in the NHS: HTM 05-03 Operational provisions – Part E: Escape lifts in healthcare premises

• if a group of lifts is not involved in the fire or in Priority of use

the primary path of smoke flow, its lift lobby
will provide an area of safety for a sufficient Building occupancy
period of time to permit its occupants to be 3.15 Occupants unable to descend stairs should,
evacuated by lifts; wherever possible, be evacuated using the escape
• the lift system has been designed to resist water lifts provided. Initially, occupants will be evacuated
from sprinklers and fire-fighting; consequently, progressively on the same floor level to the
run-off water will not prevent lift operation; compartment next to the lift lobby, then a number
at a time into the lift lobby where they will be
• lifts have been designed with reliable and
evacuated using lifts.
suitably protected electrical supply and control
systems; 3.16 Occupants who are able to use the stairs should be
allowed to use the escape lifts so long as such use
• the building is designed and built with features
does not hinder the safe evacuation of all occupants
intended to retard the effects of fire on the
uanble to use the stairs.
structure for a period of time sufficient to
maintain the building’s structural stability, 3.17 While evacuating occupants unable to use stairs is
allowing evacuation to other safe areas as part of the most obvious reason for using lifts in a fire
the overall evacuation strategy; emergency, an emergency plan might call for lift
evacuation for some occupants who are able to use
• the building is designed and built with features
stairs.
intended to retard the vertical spread of fire for
a period of time sufficient to protect occupants 3.18 The primary reasons are to:
on floors located above the fire, allowing • make full use of all available egress capacity and
evacuation to other safe areas as part of the thereby complete the evacuation more quickly;
overall evacuation strategy;
• help make stairways more available to fire-
• the potential impact of arson has been fighters; and
considered in the building design and operation;
• avoid burdensome descents using stairs in very
• evacuation strategies for occupants will account tall buildings.
for the needs of fire-fighters, and neither will
impede the other. 3.19 Those occupants with a greater dependency on
staff, and particularly those with a critical
Considerations dependency, should generally be given priority in
the use of escape lifts for their evacuation.
3.12 There is no single strategy that will work for all the
occupants in a multi-storey healthcare building. Occupant location
Escape lift evacuation requires dynamic
management with proactive decision-making as an 3.20 Those located on the floor of the fire should be
integral part of the escape lift control function. The given priority to use the escape lifts provided. The
ability of those in control during the escape lift second priority should be given to those on floors
evacuation to make appropriate decisions will be above the fire. Those occupying floors below the
greatly enhanced by the provision of a strategy for level of the fire are generally a lower priority for lift
evacuation by the escape lift(s) provided. evacuation.
3.13 However, the circumstances of any fire incident Capacity
cannot be comprehensively predicted, and the fire
strategy developed for the use of escape lifts should 3.21 The overall capacity of the escape lift will
provide sufficient flexibility to support adaptation determine the constraints within which the lift can
during the evacuation process. be used. Generally, a larger capacity will allow
greater flexibility over the use of the lifts.
3.14 When developing a fire evacuation strategy that
incorporates the use of escape lifts, the factors 3.22 The lift provision capacity will also determine how
outlined in paragraphs 3.15–3.52 should be the occupants on the floor of the fire and those on
considered. the floors above and immediately below the fire can
be safely accommodated. Generally, the larger the


 3 Considerations that will influence the provision of escape lifts

lift provision capacity, the less time occupants will Phase 1 – initial lift service
require to be accommodated on the floor of the fire
3.30 This phase of the lift evacuation incorporates
or floors likely to be affected.
the time taken for the initial lift response to the
3.23 When determining lift capacity, consideration actuation of the fire detection and alarm system
should be given to the number of lifts to be plus the time to bring the lift into evacuation
designated as fire-fighting lifts (if any). Such use service.
will increase the ability of the fire-fighters to move
3.31 The length of this phase is dependent on a number
both equipment and personnel rapidly for effective
of factors:
deployment, but will as a consequence reduce the
potential capacity for occupant evacuation. • the location of the lift at the time the fire
detection and alarm system is actuated. This will
Refuge determine the time taken for the lift to ascend/
descend to the reception floor to allow occupants of
3.24 Since the capacity of any escape lift provision will
the lift to evacuate safely;
not be enough to accommodate all occupants
requiring evacuation by lift at any one time, • the location of nominated personnel required to
sufficient areas of safe refuge should be provided to release passengers trapped in an escape lift. This
accommodate those that may be required to wait will determine the time taken for those nominated
for the availability of the escape lift. to confirm their availability at an appropriate
location to assist in the release of any passengers
3.25 Any refuge provision should take into account:
that may become trapped in the escape lift;
• the number of occupants likely to be awaiting
• the location of the lift warden (control) and the
evacuation by lift;
lift warden (car). This will determine the time
• the number of occupants reaching escape lifts taken for the wardens to reach the lift car and
through progressive horizontal evacuation; and control points, actuate the controls to bring the lift
• the capacity of the escape lift provision at that into evacuation service, and send the lift to the
point. appropriate floor level;

3.26 Generally, occupants will take refuge in the • the location of the lift warden (floor). This will
compartment adjacent to the protected lift lobby determine the time taken for the warden to reach
or section of hospital street adjacent to the lift. the lift lobby and signal a request for evacuation
Sufficient space should be provided by the lift service;
lobby, or section of hospital street, to accommodate • the time for the lift to travel between the
all occupants and associated equipment intended to reception floor and the appropriate floor for
be transported during the next lift travel. evacuation service. The time will take into
account the fact that the lift will not stop at any
Time taken to evacuate by lift floors on its journey to the evacuation floor, and
3.27 The evacuation flow is not continuous for those should be empty.
evacuating a building using lifts. There will be 3.32 Some of these activities will occur simultaneously
points during the evacuation process at which in response to an alarm condition; however,
building occupants will be required to wait before consideration should be given to potential failures,
continuing the next phase of their evacuation. since all of the above activities are required to
While waiting, occupants are not making progress complete phase 1 of the lift evacuation process.
to a place of relative or ultimate safety. Hence, the
entire evacuation process is likely to be extended. Phase 2 – loading the escape lift
3.28 Consideration should be given to the amount of 3.33 This phase incorporates the time taken to load the
time taken to successfully evacuate using any escape lift with the occupants and associated equipment
lift provision when determining the overall fire intended to travel in the escape lift. This may
strategy. include periods during which the lift is held at the
3.29 The phases of evacuation outlined in paragraphs evacuation floor awaiting passengers.
3.31–3.43 are unique to evacuation by lifts. 3.34 The time for this action will be largely determined
by the capacity of the lift, the mix of occupants and


Firecode – Fire safety in the NHS: HTM 05-03 Operational provisions – Part E: Escape lifts in healthcare premises

equipment, and the agility and ability of the providing lift evacuation to one floor, then the
support staff to respond to a lift evacuation. It also other.
assumes that the lift lobby is clear and free of other
occupants. If evacuation of other occupants via a Capacity of the reception floor
stairway adjacent to the escape lift impinges on 3.44 The larger the capacity of the lift provision, the
keeping the lift lobby clear, the use of an alternative greater the potential for congestion at the reception
staircase should be evaluated. floor. As occupants evacuated by lift reach the
reception floor, sufficient provisions should be
Phase 3 – lift travel
made to ensure their timely movement away from
3.35 This phase incorporates the time taken for the lift the escape lift in order to reduce potential
to travel between the evacuation floor and the congestion and the time taken to successfully
reception floor. unload the escape lift.
3.36 Although this phase will be relatively short, it will
Alternative provisions if lift evacuation is not
be largely dependent on the lift performance and
viable
the number of floors through which the lift travels.
3.45 There may be occasions when escape lifts are
3.37 During the development of the evacuation strategy,
not available for evacuation service, for example
consideration should be given to the benefits of
during periods of maintenance. There may also be
reducing lift travel time, by electing to evacuate
occasions when the proximity of a fire incident to
to a level below the fire, against the benefits of
the escape lift is such as to threaten the safety of
evacuating to a level from which a place of ultimate
those using the escape lift.
safety outside the building can be readily reached.
3.46 In these circumstances, sufficient alternative
Phase 4 – unloading the escape lift provisions must be available. These may include
escape stairs and the means to effect the appropriate
3.38 This phase incorporates the time taken to unload
staff-assisted evacuation. Alternatively, additional
the escape lift at the reception floor.
escape lift provision remote from the first lift may
3.39 Consideration should be given to the management be sufficient to facilitate the evacuation of
of any potential congestion that may extend this occupants unable to use the stairs.
evacuation phase.
3.47 Any escape lift provision must ensure that sufficient
3.40 The unloading plan should take into account the capacity remains even when one or more of the lifts
clinical priorities of the lift occupants to ensure that may reasonably be affected at any one time are
they can move to a safe place without increasing unavailable.
risk to their well-being. The development of the
fire strategy should resolve any potential issues of Stairs and lifts are limited resources
this type.
3.48 Occupants on upper floors must use stairways or
lifts, or a combination of both, to descend or
Phase 5 – lift return travel
ascend either to a floor where there is a safe area
3.41 This phase incorporates the time taken for the lift’s designated as a refuge, or to an exit to the outside.
return travel between the reception floor and the
3.49 At some time following the start of the evacuation,
evacuation floor.
fire-fighters must use stairways or lifts, or a
3.42 The length of this phase will be largely determined combination of both, to ascend or descend to the
by the same factors as phase 3. “bridgehead” and fire floors from which fire-
3.43 Phases 2 to 5 are repeated through each cycle of the fighting activities will be conducted.
escape lift operation, and will be the determining 3.50 Careful consideration should be given to ensuring
activities in the length of time taken to evacuate that the use of facilities provided for the access and
those occupants as appropriate from a particular use of fire-fighting personnel does not interfere
floor level. In reality, it is possible that priorities with the provisions required for the safe evacuation
may change during the evacuation process, which of building occupants.
will mean that requests for evacuation may be
serviced from more than one floor at a time by


 3 Considerations that will influence the provision of escape lifts

Coordinating and directing the evacuation

3.51 During a fire incident, decisions may need to be
taken about which floors will be evacuated and in
which order. In a large building, this information
may not be readily available. It will be necessary to
have in place effective communication systems to
relay information about conditions elsewhere in the
building. Anticipating these needs for data and
information will be vital to the development of the
best possible decision protocols, task descriptions
(needed to select and train team members) and
human–machine interfaces.
3.52 Specific decisions and information needs will vary
from building to building. Some of the commonly
required information can be anticipated. Certainly,
a building’s particular characteristics and fire safety
features should be considered.


Firecode – Fire safety in the NHS: HTM 05-03 Operational provisions – Part E: Escape lifts in healthcare premises

4 Physical requirements for escape lifts

Escape lift provision required for the structural fire protection to the lift
enclosure.
4.1 Sufficient escape lifts should be provided and sited
appropriately to accord with the organisation’s
fire evacuation strategy developed with full
Escape lift cars
consideration of the issues outlined in Chapter 3. 4.8 The car of an escape lift should comply with the
relevant requirements of BS 5622:1986, BS 5655-
4.2 Where an escape lift is one of a group of lifts in one
2:1988, BS EN 81-1:1998, BS EN 81-2:1998 and
protected enclosure, all the lifts in the group should
BS 5588-8:1999, with the following additional
be escape lifts in accordance with this Health
recommendations:
Technical Memorandum.
4.9 Where the escape lift is intended to evacuate
4.3 As a minimum, sufficient escape lifts should be
patients on beds, the internal dimensions of the car
provided appropriately remote from each other
should be not less than that required to carry the
such that should a fire affect one escape lift,
occupied bed and its ancillary equipment, an
sufficient alternative escape lifts will remain
attendant, and a lift warden. The types of bed to
available for use to facilitate the implementation of
be considered may vary. Some standard car sizes to
the organisation’s fire evacuation strategy and
accommodate standard King’s Fund beds are given
procedures.
in the ergonomic data sheets for bed passenger lifts
in Health Building Note 40 Volume 2 – ‘Recurring
Construction public, social and circulatory spaces’.
4.4 The structural layout and constructional details of 4.10 The capacity of each lift in respect of the number
the escape lift installation should be as described in of beds, cots, wheelchairs, occupants etc will
this Health Technical Memorandum, BS 5588-5: depend on the requirements of the fire safety
2004 and BS EN 81-72:2003. strategy in addition to normal operational
4.5 The enclosure to the escape lift, or group of requirements.
lifts, should be constructed as a protected shaft 4.11 The rated speed of the lift should be capable of
providing a minimum period of fire resistance from meeting the requirements of the organisation’s fire
adjacent risks of not less than two hours. safety strategy, and as a minimum it will run its full
4.6 If not from the hospital street, access to the escape travel in not more than one minute when fully
lift, or group of lifts, should be provided via a loaded.
protected lobby appropriately sized to facilitate the 4.12 The car should be clearly and conspicuously
fire evacuation strategy and protect the lift shaft(s) marked with a notice complying with the fire-safety
from potential smoke ingress. sign requirements of BS 5499-1 stating “ESCAPE
LIFT: DO NOT USE FOR GOODS OR
Machine room construction REFUSE”.
4.7 The machine (or pump) room, and any power
transmission circuit (for example, cabling or Evacuation control point
hydraulic circuit) between it and the lift should be 4.13 Each escape lift, or group of lifts, should have
contained within the same protected shaft as the associated with it an evacuation control point from
lift. Failing this, it should be protected against the where a lift warden (control) can bring the lift(s)
action of fire for a period not less than that under evacuation service control and organise the
vertical evacuation of occupants. The evacuation


 4 Physical requirements for escape lifts

control point, which will normally be in the exit

storey lift landing, must be located in a protected
lobby, hospital street or protected escape route.

Note
The lift may be used for light goods necessary for the
day-to-day running of the ward (for example, trolleys
containing medical supplies, a library or meals-on-
wheels service) provided that such use will have no
adverse affect on the implementation of the fire safety
strategy and ultimately any evacuation process. In no
circumstances should it be used for transporting heavy
goods.


Firecode – Fire safety in the NHS: HTM 05-03 Operational provisions – Part E: Escape lifts in healthcare premises

5 Services required for escape lifts

Electrical supplies group. This will be determined by the fire safety

strategy.
5.1 Any healthcare organisation’s electrical substation,
stand-by generator, installation distribution 5.7 In some circumstances, there is the potential for
equipment, cabling, or other apparatus supplying confusion where an intercom system, described
the machinery and controls for an escape lift should above, is the only means of communication
be protected from the action of fire for a period of between the lift landings and the evacuation
not less than that specified for the enclosure to the control point. For example, in a tall building
lift installation. with a large number of dependent departments,
an additional system such as a signalling and
5.2 The electrical supply to each escape lift should be indicator system should be provided to indicate to
from a circuit dedicated to the lift and separate supervisory staff that occupants are awaiting the
from any other building services as defined by evacuation service, and at which landings they are
BS 5655-6:2002, BS 5588-5:2004 and other waiting. This should comprise a manually operated
relevant standards. signalling device at each landing served by the lift
5.3 Where more than one escape lift is provided in the and an indicator panel at the evacuation control
same protected shaft, they may be fed from the point.
same circuit, provided that it is adequate for this 5.8 Consideration should be given to providing a direct
purpose and that a fault occurring in any one lift communication link between the evacuation
system will not affect in any way the operation of control points of escape lifts. At times of high
any other. demand, such links could prove valuable in
5.4 All switchgear controlling supplies to escape lifts transferring occupants horizontally between lifts
should be secured against unauthorised operation to relieve congestion, utilise spare capacity and
and clearly labelled “ESCAPE LIFT: DO NOT manage expectations.
SWITCH OFF”. 5.9 Each escape lift should be provided with an
indicator system that shows, at each lift landing
Communications systems served by that lift, the availability of that lift for
5.5 In addition to the emergency alarm devices defined escape purposes.
in BS 5655-1:1986, a vandal-resistant intercom 5.10 On activation of the fire detection and alarm
system or similar device should be provided for system, and in accordance with the predetermined
two-way speech. This will enable communication strategy for operation, the lifts serving those areas
between the evacuation control point and each lift near the location of the incident would normally be
landing, the lift car, and the machine room, while required to travel to a predetermined floor and
the lift is under the control of the evacuation remain there until brought under evacuation
switch. All communication should be through the control. During this period, the indication at each
evacuation control point; that is, lift landings, the lift landing served by the lift should signal that the
lift car and the machine room should not be able to lift is not available for evacuation purposes.
communicate directly with each other.
5.11 Once the escape lift has been brought under
5.6 Careful consideration should be given to the type evacuation control, the indication at each lift
of communication system provided, for example landing served by the lift should signal that the lift
the ability to select individual communication is available for evacuation purposes.
paths to each of the landings individually or as a

10
 5 Services required for escape lifts

5.12 Should the risk to the lift operation increase to an and BS 5655-2 together with the requirements of
unacceptable level, or should the lift fail during BS EN 81-1 and BS EN 81-2.
operation, it should be possible to control the
indication system from the lift control point such Ventilation
that the indication at each lift landing served by the
5.20 Ventilation to the lift car, lift well, and machine
lift signals that the lift is not available for
evacuation purposes. room should be in accordance with BS 5655-1
and BS 5655-2 together with the requirements of
5.13 Where parties other than the lift system provider BS EN 81-1 and BS EN 81-2.
are responsible for providing the above facilities,
the specification should clearly define the extent of Smoke control
each party’s responsibilities. Careful consideration
should be given to the coordination and interfacing 5.21 Smoke ventilation of, or pressurisation to, the lift
of all the various facilities associated with the escape landings should be provided in accordance with
lift, ensuring that collectively they form a robust, BS 5588-5.
coherent fire safety system.
Evacuation control switch
Fire detection and alarm system 5.22 The escape lift should be provided with an
5.14 The arrangement of alarm devices at or near evacuation control switch to enable the lift wardens
the evacuation control point, lift landings and to obtain immediate control of the lift, as and
machine room should facilitate the use of the when a fire alert is raised as defined by the fire
communication systems provided. Consideration safety strategy. The switch should be positioned at
should be given to the provision of low-level sound the evacuation control point and clearly marked
devices and/or visual alarms as necessary. “ESCAPE LIFT”. The switch should be enclosed in
a “break glass” box. The operation positions of the
5.15 Each evacuation control point should be provided switch should be clearly marked “ON” and “OFF”.
with the means to receive information regarding An exposed key switch should not be used because
the detection of fire spread. Such information may of the risk of vandalism which could render the key
prove invaluable in assessing the ongoing viability switch inoperable.
of the safe operation of the escape lift(s).
5.23 Where two or more escape lifts are installed
5.16 Information regarding the detected spread of fire together in one protected shaft, one evacuation
should be clearly and unambiguously displayed at control switch should be provided which should
each control point. cause all the lifts in the shaft to respond as required
5.17 The display of fire detection information may be by this Health Technical Memorandum and the
achieved by the provision of a fire detection repeat organisation’s fire safety strategy.
panel together with an outline plan detailing floor 5.24 On operation of the evacuation control switch,
plan layouts, compartment boundaries and lift all lift controls and safety devices should remain
locations. Sufficient information should be operative except as specifically recommended to the
provided by the fire detection repeat panel to contrary in this Health Technical Memorandum. In
clearly identify the location of a detected fire when particular, the evacuation control switch should not
related to the outline plan. override the inspection control or stop switch on
5.18 Where a repeat panel is provided for the purpose of the car top; nor should it override the stop switches
displaying information, the internal sounder should in the pit or the machine room or the pulley room.
sound for a period of two seconds on each newly 5.25 Operation of the evacuation control switch should
detected event. Following this, the buzzer should ensure the following:
sound for a period of 0.5 seconds every 15 seconds
until the fire detection and alarm system is reset. • unless this has already occurred, the associated
escape lift(s) travels without stopping to the exit
Lighting storey or to the level of the evacuation control
point if different;
5.19 Lighting of lift cars, landing, machine and pulley
rooms should be in accordance with BS 5655-1 • all landing call buttons and any group collective
control system are rendered inoperative;

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Firecode – Fire safety in the NHS: HTM 05-03 Operational provisions – Part E: Escape lifts in healthcare premises

• all car preference switches are rendered are fully open, the doors should automatically
inoperative; reclose. Once fully open, the doors should
remain open until a fresh call is registered on
• the evacuation communication systems are
the car control station;
operative.
• it should be possible to override automatic
5.26 After the lift has parked, with doors open,
door mechanisms, provided to prevent the lift
operation of the evacuation control switch should
doors closing during normal operation while
vest sole control of the lift via the lift car control
obstructed, by the application of constant
station.
pressure on the “door close” button or switch
for a period of not less than 10 seconds or more
Lift car control station than 15 seconds. If the button or switch is
5.27 The following should be ensured: released before the doors are fully closed, the
doors should automatically re-open. Once fully
• it should be possible to register a call to any
closed, the doors should remain closed until
selected landing. Registration of a call should
constant pressure is applied to the “door open”
cause the doors to close and the lift car to travel
button or switch, or the car stops at the landing
to, and stop with the doors remaining closed at,
selected by a fresh call registered on the car
the required landing;
control station.
• if the car is in motion, it should be possible to
5.28 Effective means should be provided:
register further calls from within the car. The
car should stop at the nearest landing in its • within the lift car to indicate the confirmation
current direction of travel for which a call is of all calls registered on the car control station;
registered. When the car stops, all calls so and
registered should be automatically cancelled and • both in the car and at the evacuation control
the car should not depart until a fresh call is point to show the position of the car at any
registered; time, whether the car is in motion or at rest.
• it becomes possible to control the opening of 5.29 If the escape lift is also designated a fire-fighters’
the car doors only by the application of constant lift, additional controls in accordance with
pressure on the “door open” button or switch. If BS 5588-5 should be provided that are only
the button or switch is released before the doors operable by fire authority personnel.

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6 Installation and commissioning

6.1 Lifts should be installed to the general requirements communication systems, function as required by
of Health Technical Memorandum 2024 – ‘Lifts’ this Health Technical Memorandum. The tests
and BS 5655-6 as supplemented by this Health given in Appendix C of BS 5588-5:2004 provide
Technical Memorandum. Commissioning should an example of the type and range of tests required.
be in accordance with the recommendations of
BS 5655-10. Reliability and maintenance
6.2 As well as the normal commissioning checks for 6.3 It is essential that all lifts used as part of the
lifts, the additional facilities required by this Health fire safety strategy be maintained in optimum
Technical Memorandum should be thoroughly condition. Health Technical Memorandum 2024 –
checked. In particular, it should be demonstrated ‘Lifts’ provides guidance on this issue.
that the evacuation control switch, and

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Firecode – Fire safety in the NHS: HTM 05-03 Operational provisions – Part E: Escape lifts in healthcare premises

7 Operating escape lifts

Evacuation procedure 7.6 Examples are as follows:

7.1 The procedure to be used for the safe operation • lift wardens (floor) – within each dependent
of escape lifts will be determined from the fire department, their duties are to organise the
evacuation strategy formulated and developed horizontal evacuation of occupants and to assess
from the design of the escape lift provision and/or the need for vertical evacuation. Their duties
procedural review of the evacuation strategy using will also include making sure that the lift
existing lift provisions. warden at the evacuation control point of the
appropriate lift(s) knows that the evacuation
7.2 As stated in previous sections of this Health service will be required (by using the
Technical Memorandum, the complex nature and communication systems);
diversity of healthcare buildings in which escape
lifts may be provided means that no single strategy • lift wardens (control) – their duties are to
for the use of escape lifts can be derived to suit all manage the evacuation control point of each
applications. It is therefore not possible in a escape lift, or bank of lifts, to operate the
guidance document such as this to provide a evacuation control switch, and to organise
generic operating procedure for the use of escape orderly vertical evacuation via that lift, or bank
lifts. of lifts, using the communication system;
7.3 An escape lift should be designed to the standards • lift wardens (car) – where deemed necessary,
described in this Health Technical Memorandum, their duties are to manage each escape lift car
operated under the direction and control of lift and to control the lift car from the car control
wardens using an agreed evacuation procedure. station in response to instructions from the lift
warden at the evacuation control point;
7.4 A sufficient number of lift wardens capable of
carrying out the necessary duties should be • a procedure should be laid down for ensuring
appointed and trained to assist in the management that sufficient qualified staff who are authorised
of any fire evacuation. A procedure should be laid for dealing with failed lifts are always available.
down for ensuring that sufficient lift wardens for 7.7 The evacuation procedure should include
the various duties are always available. contingency plans for the failure of a lift or group
7.5 The duties of the lift wardens during an evacuation of lifts under evacuation service.
should be determined to suit the needs of the 7.8 Fire procedures should not include the isolation of
organisation and will be defined by the electrical circuits supplying the escape lifts or
development of the fire safety strategy. associated facilities.

14
8 Out-of-service arrangements

8.1 Any escape lift that is out of service due to 8.4 If an escape lift failed during an evacuation,
breakdown or maintenance is not then available for the release of the lift passengers should be
evacuation. A risk assessment should be undertaken undertaken as a matter of urgency in accordance
by the Fire Safety Adviser (see Health Technical with the organisation’s fire safety strategy and other
Memorandum 05-01 – ‘Managing healthcare fire risk management procedures. A sufficient number
safety’ for definitions of key personnel) and a of authorised and trained personnel should always
strategy prepared and put into action in order to be available to carry out manual or emergency
minimise the hazard during such non-availability electrical operation of the lifts. Appropriate
and establish alternative means by which to management procedures should be in place to
evacuate occupants. ensure that any failure can be remedied quickly and
effectively at minimum risk.
8.2 The strategy should form part of an organisation’s
emergency plan. It should include warnings to all
staff, explaining the situation and raising awareness Fire drills
of the need for scrupulous fire precautions and 8.5 Fire drills and training should be undertaken at
extra vigilance to prevent fires and other hazards. regular intervals as required, and should include the
use of the lifts, control and communication systems
Release of passengers from failed that would be employed in the event of an
escape lifts evacuation.

8.3 The provision for emergency operation of failed 8.6 Fire drills should include scenarios where lifts are
lifts and the procedures for releasing passengers unavailable or become unavailable during the
should be based on BS 7255 “Code of practice course of the evacuation. At such times the
for safe working on lifts”, using risk management procedures for releasing occupants trapped in failed
and manual handling assessments to define the lifts should be practised.
appropriate methods according to the need of the
occupants.

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Firecode – Fire safety in the NHS: HTM 05-03 Operational provisions – Part E: Escape lifts in healthcare premises

References

Department of Health publications BS 5655-2:1988. Lifts and service lifts. Safety rules for
the construction and installation of hydraulic lifts. British
Health Building Note 40 Volume 2 – Recurring Standards Institution, 1988.
public, social and circulatory spaces. The Stationery
Office, 2006 (forthcoming). BS 5655-6:2002. Lifts and service lifts. Code of practice
for the selection and installation of new lifts. British
Health Technical Memorandum 2024 – Lifts. HMSO, Standards Institution, 2002.
1995.
BS 5655-10:1986. Lifts and service lifts. Specification
Health Technical Memorandum 05-01 – Managing for the testing and inspection of electric and hydraulic
healthcare fire safety. The Stationery Office, 2006. lifts. British Standards Institution, 1986.

British Standards BS EN 81-1:1998. Safety rules for the construction and

installation of lifts. Electric lifts. British Standards
BS 5499-1:2002. Graphical symbols and signs. Safety Institution, 1998.
signs, including fire safety signs. Specification for
geometric shapes, colours and layout. British Standards BS EN 81-2:1998. Safety rules for the construction and
Institution, 2002. installation of lifts. Hydraulic lifts. British Standards
Institution, 1998.
BS 5588-5:2004. Fire precautions in the design,
construction and the use of buildings. Code of practice BS EN 81-72:2003. Safety rules for the construction and
for fire-fighting stairs and lifts. British Standards installation of lifts. Particular applications for passenger
Institution, 2004. and goods passenger lifts. Fire-fighters lifts. British
Standards Institution, 2003.
BS 5588-8:1999. Fire precautions in the design,
construction and use of buildings. Code of practice for BS EN 81-73:2005. Safety rules for the construction and
means of escape for disabled people. British Standards installation of lifts. Particular applications for passenger
Institution, 1999. and goods passenger lifts. Behaviour of lifts in the event
of fire. British Standards Institution, 2005.
BS 5655-1:1986. Lifts and service lifts. Safety rules for
the construction and installation of electric lifts. British
Standards Institution, 1986.

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