Tactical Operations Manual #04: Elevator Use During Fire Emergencies

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the Baltimore County Fire Department's standard operating procedures for elevator use during fire emergencies, including operational phases, safety thresholds, and key indicator signals.

Firefighter’s Operation

A system designed to prevent elevator use by building occupants and allow fire department personnel to take elevators out of automatic operation and place them under manual control.

Phase I (Recall Phase)

Initiated manually or by smoke detectors, this phase recalls elevators non-stop to the primary floor of recall, normally located on the ground floor lobby.

Phase II (Operational Phase)

A key-operated mode, activated after Phase I, that makes the elevator operable only by the person inside the car.

Phase III

An activation originating from lobbby or first floor smoke/heat detectors that recalls cars to a pre-designated floor other than the lobby, usually the second floor.

Bypass mode

A setting that allows the elevator to be used in normal operations during system activation once the building is deemed safe but smoke still exists to actuate the alarm.

5th floor or higher

The location criteria required before identifying an incident as high enough to justify the decision to use an elevator.

Two (2) floors below the IDLH

The minimum distance from the fire floor where firefighters must stop and exit the elevator car before proceeding to the attack stairwell.

Every five (5) floors

The interval at which crews must stop to evaluate elevator shaft conditions for fire, smoke, or water.

Phase II Door Operation

A manual process where the "Door Close" and "Door Open" buttons must be held in until the doors are completely closed or fully open.

Call Cancel button

The button inside the elevator car used to clear any previously selected floor destinations.

Lobby Control officer

The individual responsible for taking control of the elevators and designating one person to control each bank of elevators in use.

Fire Helmet Indicator (Flashing)

A lamp in the elevator car that, when blinking, indicates smoke or fire has been detected in the elevator hoistway or machine room.

Phase II HOLD position

A switch setting that holds the elevator car at the current floor; the Lobby Control Officer must be notified if this position is used.

Elevator Operator Equipment

Required gear including full PPE, SCBA with face piece ready, a set of irons, fire extinguisher, radio, and flashlight.

Phase II OFF position (Initial Operations)

The setting used by an initial attack crew to return the elevator car to the lobby for use by additional crews while leaving the key in place.

Proximity to IDLH Rules

Guidelines stating crews must never go directly to the fire floor and never pass the fire floor.

Basement/Sub-basement Access

Areas where elevator use is strictly prohibited and stairways must be used for incidents.