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FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Fire Safety => Topic started by: Username on September 29, 2008, 04:05:19 PM

Title: Evacuation Lifts - small clarification if possible
Post by: Username on September 29, 2008, 04:05:19 PM

Wonder if anyone can help clarify this for me?

BS5588-8 exempts hydraulic lifts serving two storeys from the alternative power supply requirement, but doesn't say why.

I'm guessing it's to do with the relative ease with which the lift can be recovered to the ground floor in the event of the power being lost, but in that event what happens to the rest of your evacuation plan? Risk assess and back up plans?

Thanks for any enlightenment.

Title: Evacuation Lifts - small clarification if possible
Post by: Roy on October 01, 2008, 01:58:02 PM

It's a flaw in the BS.

You are correct in your thinking, the idea is that people that need to use the lift can do so due to the controlled desent using the hydraulic system.

However, this has the obvious disadvantages that you mention, i.e. what if the lift is on the ground floor when the power fails or what if you need to use the lift more than once.

There are two way rounds the problem, moving and handling techinques with trained persons, with the aid of the lift if available, or insist on a back up-power supply regardless of what the BS says.

Title: Evacuation Lifts - small clarification if possible
Post by: nearlythere on October 01, 2008, 02:04:46 PM

Quote from: Roy

It's a flaw in the BS.

You are correct in your thinking, the idea is that people that need to use the lift can do so due to the controlled desent using the hydraulic system.

However, this has the obvious disadvantages that you mention, i.e. what if the lift is on the ground floor when the power fails or what if you need to use the lift more than once.

There are two way rounds the problem, moving and handling techinques with trained persons, with the aid of the lift if available, or insist on a back up-power supply regardless of what the BS says.

Don't quite get where you are coming from Roy. If the lift is on the ground floor thats fine as people can get out of it. Why would you want to use the lift more than once? It would not be an evacuation lift.

Title: Evacuation Lifts - small clarification if possible
Post by: Roy on October 01, 2008, 04:03:04 PM

What if there are people on the first floor and the lift is on the ground floor when the power fails?

What if there are more occupancts that require the lift that can fit in to it in one go?

Title: Evacuation Lifts - small clarification if possible
Post by: nearlythere on October 01, 2008, 05:48:53 PM

Quote from: Roy

What if there are people on the first floor and the lift is on the ground floor when the power fails?

What if there are more occupancts that require the lift that can fit in to it in one go?

Lifts are not normally used for escape purposes and, unless specially adapted for use as, should not be used for such purposes.

Title: Evacuation Lifts - small clarification if possible
Post by: Username on October 02, 2008, 08:23:42 AM

Does anyone know if the reference to hydraulic lifts is the same in the new BS 9999?

Title: Evacuation Lifts - small clarification if possible
Post by: Fishy on October 06, 2008, 12:17:36 PM

Yes, it is.

Quote from: Username

Does anyone know if the reference to hydraulic lifts is the same in the new BS 9999?

Title: Evacuation Lifts - small clarification if possible
Post by: Username on October 06, 2008, 03:59:49 PM

Thanks Fishy.