This is taken from www.firealarmsonline.com. Click here for the full article. Fire Service Access Elevators or F.S.A.E. for short, are designed with strict and rigorous standards to allow firemen and first responders to utilize the elevator for the purpose of quickly accessing floors as well as evacuating occupants in the event of an emergency. This is a huge step for first responders as time is extremely crucial when addressing buildings of this size.

Another special condition for elevators is known as Occupant Evacuation Elevators. These are self-evacuation elevators with special requirements much like FSAEs.

What Code Requires the Use of Fire Service Access Elevators?

The requirement to provide fire service access elevators can be found in the IBC or International Building Code 2015 section 403.6.1

“In buildings with an occupied floor more than 120 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access, no fewer than two fire service access elevators, or all elevators, whichever is less, shall be provided in accordance with section 3007. Each fire service access elevator shall have a capacity not less than 3500 pounds.”

The requirements on how a fire service access elevator is to be installed can be found in the IBC or International Building Code 2015 section 3007.