SubscribeWe are now all too aware of the signage in every lift around the world "In Case of Fire DO NOT Use Lifts, Use Stairways".
Such warning signs are the results of numerous tragedies and are based on well documented evidence. In sealed windowed multi storey buildings, lift shafts can become gigantic chimneys, sucking smoke and heat in and up. Three of the MGM Grand Hotel's lifts jammed in the shafts because heat had melted the hoist cables.
In the World Trade Centre tragedy of 9/11, the express elevator sucked in a great fire ball from the 89th floor to the reception area on the ground. The fire ran out of oxygen and went downwards initially and returned to its point of origin and beyond. Not withstanding terrorist attacks, there are some who argue that fire proof lifts are designed for such eventuality, but the truly intelligent lift should automatically go to ground level for the benefit of the Fire Controller, and not to collect passengers on the way.
Smoke Kills
In most fire scenarios it is the smoke that kills. Smoke consists of small particles of partially burnt carbonaceous materials which contain several odourless, invisible poisonous gases. Some notable gases include carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, hydrogen cyanide and carbon dioxide.
Carbon is present in most combustible materials and is readily oxidised under fire conditions to form carbon dioxide (C0˛) if oxidation is complete; or carbon monoxide (C0) if supply is limited, e.g. in an enclosed space on in the middle of a fire. 1.3 per cent of C0 in the air is enough to cause unconsciousness after two or three breaths, and as little as 0.32 per cent can cause death in thirty minutes. C0˛ is slightly toxic, acting as an asphyxiate whereby the victim is likely to lose consciousness within a few minutes at 9 per cent.
Who is at Risk?
The new Regulatory Reform Order 2006 requires that a Responsible Person should carry-out sufficient assessments of the risks, and assess the probability in each of the following steps
- Identify Fire Hazard (source, ignition, fuel)
- Identify people at risk
- Evaluate, reduce, protect
- Record, plan, train, maintain
- Review and revise
Government statistics show that the disabled are no small minority. More than 9.4 per cent of the white collar labour force has a chronic physical disability. An additional 4 per cent are temporarily disabled each year. Sixty per cent of all pregnant working women work in the last trimester when their balance and mobility is impaired. Finally, the working population continue to grow older. Such groups are high risk, and even stairways are an insurmountable problem even in a controlled evacuation.
Think Evac!
David Egen, president of Evac+Chair Corporation, had experienced a close brush with personal tragedy. He and his wife had become isolated in a high rise building in New York during a false fire alarm, and this inspired him to design a stairway evacuation chair; the Evac+Chair.
Subsequently it became the award winning Design of the Decade emergency wheelchair, awarded by the Industrial Designers of America. In 1985, he met with Barry Scholes, who now produces most of the world's requirements from his factory in Birmingham UK under a license agreement. From its inception in the early 1980's, the Evac+Chair has revolutionised evacuation techniques, and arguably ranks as one of the most invaluable life safety devices ever invented.
