Fireman's lift / firefighting lift

[shaunmckeever]

Can anyone tell me what the difference is between a firemans lift and a firefighting lift. If such a difference exists, can both types be used as part of the evacuation strategy for disabled persons?

Thanks.

[wee brian]

Theres no difference. Of course given that we don't say fireman any more, firefighting lift is the prefered term.

The draft ADB that is out on consultation at the mo says that they can be used for disabled evac. Some FRSs dont like this.

[AnthonyB]

The above poster is correct with respect to the correct technical description- they are one and the same.

However in the past (& still to some extent) I have seen the terms used for different things - a firemans lift being used to describe a normal lift in a normal shaft, but with a "firemans control" switch at ground floor to override normal lift function; and a firefighters lift being a lift with independant control overide in a protected shaft opening into a firefighting lobby, often with dry/wet riser outlet and a fire telephone

[shaunmckeever]

Thanks Brian/Anthony you have confirmed what I thought to be true. The issue arose because I had a client who is a tenant in a building whom I advised could use the lift as part of the evacuation strategy for disabled persons. The building manager insisted that there was a difference between the two types and was then supported by his own lift engineer and refused to allow any consideration of the lift to be used as part of the evacuation strategy. The building has 9 floors above ground and was constructed around 1980 so it was unlikely to be anything other than a firefighting lift. However, as the lift engineer supported the building manager an element of doubt was sewn in my mind.

[fireftrm]

Ain't Firefighting lifts brilliant. All you do is set them to work and away they go putting the fire out all by themselves.

Sorry feeling POETS day sillyness flooding over me

[Chris Houston]

Ain't Firefighting lifts brilliant. All you do is set them to work and away they go putting the fire out all by themselves.

Sorry feeling POETS day sillyness flooding over me

Should the term be firefighter's lifts?

I hope we get some better Friday humour than this!  I'll post a joke in the meeting room.

[colin todd]

The lift engineer is right I am afraid.  The term firefighting lift should really be reserved for the modern BS 5588-5 lift that IS suitable for use by disabled people. A 1980 vintage ''fireman's lift'' or ''fire lift'' may not be.

[shaunmckeever]

Thanks for throwing that little spanner in there Colin!

Could you enlighten me a little further - what is missing in the 1980 vintage that would make it unsuitable for evacuating disabled occupants?

[AnthonyB]

Most vintage firemans lifts are just one of the buildings normal lifts with a "fireman's" overide switch at ground floor to overide the normal controls. As a normal lift it will not normally have all the structural protection, protected services, duplicate power etc that a BS lift will:

firefighting lift-
a lift designated to have additional protection, with
controls that enable it to be used under the direct
control of the fire service in fighting a fire
NOTE The firefighting lift is a development of the type of lift
known as a fireman’s lift. Although existing firemen’s lift
installations may be replaced, firemen’s lifts should not be used
in new installations. Only lifts complying with this code of
practice can be designated firefighting lifts.

[colin todd]

Anthony has hit the nail on the head, Shaun.

[shaunmckeever]

Thanks Anthony/Colin

[Ken Taylor]

If it's not a true firefighting lift, Shaun, you could investigate conversion to an evacuation lift as per BS5588-8.