All automatic passenger elevators constructed and installed in any building or structure within the City shall be made to conform, in addition to any other requirements imposed by the statutes of the State or the ordinances of the City, to the following:
(a) At the main floor of a single elevator or for each group of elevators, a three- (3) position (on, off, by-pass) key-operated switch must be provided.
(1) When the switch is in the "on" position, all elevators controlled by this switch and which are on automatic service shall return nonstop to the main floor, and the doors shall open and remain open. Any elevator traveling away from the main floor shall reverse at the next available floor without opening its doors. An elevator equipped with automatic power-operated doors and standing at a floor other than the main floor, with doors open, shall have its doors close without delay, and then proceed to the main floor. A car which is stopped at a landing shall have its "emergency stop switch" rendered inoperative as soon as the doors are closed and it starts toward the main floor. A moving car, traveling to or away from the main floor, shall have its "emergency stop switch" rendered inoperative immediately. Door reopening devices for power-operated doors which are sensitive to smoke, heat, or flame shall become inoperative as shall all car and corridor call buttons. Call registered lights and direction lanterns shall also stop operating.
(2) The main lobby key-operated switch placed in the "by-pass position" shall cut out or by-pass the sensing devices and restore the elevator to normal service.
(3) Double-deck elevators (one over the other for the purpose of serving two (2) floors at once) may have the three- (3) position lobby switch at either main lobby.
(b) Smoke or combustion product sensing devices shall be required in the elevator lobby at each floor with the following exceptions:
(1) Freight elevators located in or at openings to manufacturing areas; and
(2) Elevator lobbies at unenclosed landings.
Sensing devices must be installed in accordance with NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm Code.
(c) All elevators in buildings exceeding three (3) stories in height must be equipped with a three- (3) position key-operated switch inside the car to provide emergency operation for firefighters.
(1) Operation of the three- (3) position switch at the main floor or the triggering of a sensing device shall return all elevators to the main floor. Fire fighters shall then be able to operate the car by moving the car switch to the "on" position. Standard procedure shall be to bring the elevator to the floor below the fire floor and to avoid the fire floor or floors above the fire floor, if possible.
(2) Under emergency operation the car shall not respond to corridor calls. Someone in the car must press the "car call button" or the "door close button" to close the doors. A "door open button" of the continuous pressure type, if prematurely released, shall allow the elevator doors to close immediately unless the doors have already reached the full open position. If fire conditions should cause the car door electrical contacts or hoistway door interlocks to malfunction the elevator car shall stop where it happens to be. The three-(3) position car switch can then be put into the "by-pass" position and the car shall only go down and shall stop if switched back to the "on" position. This procedure shall return the firefighters to the main lobby and remove the car from further service.
(3) In double-deck elevators (one over the other for the purpose of serving two (2) floors at once) the three- (3) position car switch must be in the top deck to operate only the top deck with the bottom decks being put out of service first.
(d) Keys used to operate the three- (3) position key-operated switches required in this section must be identical and not part of any building master key system. Keys must also be readily available and accessible at all times for use by fire department personnel. A separate key shall be required for each three- (3) position switch.
(e) At least one (1) elevator in each multi-family or medical/health care-related building shall be capable of accommodating a patient on a stretcher in the supine position.
(Ord. 2005-127. Passed 9-6-05.)
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