Do elevator shafts need to be vented?
Elevator shafts need ventilation for the same reason they require protection from smoke, usually by dedicated lobbies. Once the smoke enters the hoistway, it can move throughout the entire building.
Do elevator shafts need to be fire rated?
Fire resistance requirements apply to elevator systems in most situations. For this reason, a shaft containing an elevator ordinarily needs to be fire resistance rated for one-hour when connecting less than four stories, and ordinarily requires a two-hour rating when connecting four or more stories.
How are elevators ventilated?
Elevator hoistway ventilation A car ventilation system operates through air intake slots at the car floor level where air is drawn from the hoistway and discharged at the top of the car through a 12-in. diameter exhaust fan that discharges air back into the hoistway.
Are elevator shafts heated?
The science is simple: Heat is continuously being lost through leaks in buildings, especially out of the tops of elevator shafts. Then, as a lobby door is opened, cold air rushes in and must be heated. The process repeats each time the door is opened.
What is the building code for elevator shafts?
The Building Code has always required ventilation of elevator hoistway shafts, as seen in 3004.5.1 of the 2014 Code. Hoistways must receive adequate ventilation simply because there is no such thing as a smoke-proof elevator hoistway door; they all leak air and smoke rather badly.
Why are elevator shafts required to have ventilation?
Take elevator hoistway shaft vents, for example. The Building Code has always required ventilation of elevator hoistway shafts, as seen in 3004.5.1 of the 2014 Code. Hoistways must receive adequate ventilation simply because there is no such thing as a smoke-proof elevator hoistway door; they all leak air and smoke rather badly.
Is the elevator hoistway and machine room ventilation Code Red?
Elevator Hoistway and Machine Room Ventilation August 13, 2019 by Kevin Lynch The MA Board of Elevator Regulations has removed the longstanding amendment to ASME A17.1: Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators requiring a means of elevator ventilation to the outer air from enclosed elevator hoistways and machine rooms.
How big of a vent do you need for an elevator?
The area of vents in the hoistway or the elevator machine room and the smoke hole shall be not less than 3 1 / 2 percent of the area of the hoistway nor less than 3 square feet (0.28 m 2) for each elevator car, whichever is greater. Such vents shall comply with the following requirements:
