2. Objectives
• To discuss general safety considerations during
elevator rescue.
• Explain Elevator Key Use.
• Explain the manual lowering procedure for a
hydraulic elevator.
Note: We are specifically focusing our training
upon rescue from a hydraulic elevator, without
forcible entry techniques.
3. General Safety Considerations
• After an incident size-up, if no emergency
conditions exist (i.e. No fire, no medical
emergency, etc.), wait for an authorized elevator
technician. This is our preferred course of action.
• If we must make a rescue attempt, prevent
elevator car movement before you open the
doors. Turn off the power and perform
lockout/tagout.
• Opening the doors is most safe when carried
out at the lowest landing possible. Eliminate the
fall factor if you can!
4. General Safety Considerations
• Exposed / Unprotected hoistways are a
hazard. Place a short ladder or other barricade
across any open space. The barricade must be
enlarged if passengers are being brought out of
the car. Secure the barricade the best you can.
• Firefighters must wear a Class II or Class III
harness and be tied off using life safety rope
when working around an open hoistway.
5. Locating the Hydraulic Machine
Room
• The vast majority of elevators in Riverview are
hydraulic. In general, buildings below 60 ft (6
stories) most often have hydraulic elevators.
• The machine room is typically on the lowest
landing, but can be located elsewhere.
• Most machine room will be found within ten
feet of the hoistway, but can be further away.
•Note: Hydraulic fluid is combustible. When
overheated it can produce smoke.
7. The Elevator Key
• The key will only open the hoistway door, not
the car door.
• Not all hoistway doors have a keyhole. Often
they are only located on the lowest level.
• The “Drop Key” is the most common type in
use. These often come with a pre-set adjustable
stop collar if used with just one elevator.
• To operate, slide the key through the key hole
until the link is free to drop on the hoistway side
of the door. Rotate the key to engage the
unlocking bolt. Minimal force is needed.
8. So the Hoistway Door Is Open, Now What?
• Prior to 1980, the occupants of
an elevator could manually
push open the car door easily
from the inside, just by
pushing. Many deaths and
injuries resulted.
• Since 1980, all elevators have
“restrictors” installed to
prevent this. This complicates
our job as firefighters.
• The restrictor must be
manually operated in order to
open the elevator car door.
10. Manually Lowering a Hydraulic
Elevator
• To eliminate the hazard of an open hoistway, it
may be best to lower the car to the bottom floor.
Also as mentioned, this may be the only location
where your elevator key can be used to open the
hoistway.
Steps:
• Locate the machine room and isolate the power
(lockout/tagout)
• Ensure the car door is closed for occupant safety.
• Inform the car occupants what you are doing.
• Activate the manual lowering valve.
11. Conclusion
• Only take measures to remove occupants from
an elevator if emergency conditions exist.
Otherwise, wait for an elevator technician.
• Always turn off the power and lockout/tagout if
you attempt any rescue.
• If the elevator is hydraulic, it can be lowered by
using the manual lowering valve. The bottom
floor is the safest place for firefighters to open
the hoistway and car doors.
