Lifts and Machinery Rescues

Service Delivery 2

Aim

To provide students with information to

enable them to deal with lift incidents.

Learning OutcomesAt the end of the session the student will:

• Know the role of the fire service at lift incidents and rescues involving machinery

• Be aware of the component parts of lifts and escalators

• Know how to rescue, and minimise harm to, persons shut in lifts and mechanisms

• Recognise the hazards and risks associated with lifts and escalators.

Lift Rescues

• Where persons are shut in the lift car and it has stopped between floors

• Where persons are trapped in the mechanism.

Two categories;

Electric lifts

• A ‘car’ suspended by steel ropes from a

winding machine

• Guides

• Remote control system

• Counterweight (weight of lift car +50% of

the load)

• Safety devices.

Electric lift

Car framework.

Lift car

•Framework supports

•Car body – some have trap door in roof

•Safety gear

•Lifting ropes.

Component parts

• Driving mechanism - electric motor

• Safety devices

• Gates, doors and keys.

Safety device.

Lift doors.

Hydraulic lifts

Differ from electric lifts as follows;

• Usually only up to 4 floors

• Powered by a hydraulic pump operating a

ram fixed to the car (direct) or via chains or

ropes attached to the top of the car (indirect)

• Direct systems have different safety gear.

Hydraulic lifts

Direct

Indirect.

Escalators.

Paternoster.

Rescues from lifts(1)

• Find out the nature of the incident

• Identify occupants and type of lift

• Two firefighters to the motor room

• Isolate the power supply.

Rescues from lifts(2)

• Contact lift engineer

• Determine need for medical assistance

• Effective communications essential

• Contact the public affected

• Hand wind to nearest/easiest landing

• Leave in a safe state.

Never do this.

Rescues from Machinery.

Machinery rescues

• Carry out a risk assessment • Control power to the machinery• Liaise with site engineer • Summon medical assistance• Ensure all equipment is used safely• Supervise closely.

The Incident Commander will;

Safety

• Dynamic risk assessment

• Use personnel / equipment safely

• Supervision.

ConfirmationAssessments will be based on this lesson and the corresponding study note

Learning Outcomes• Know the role of the fire service at lift

incidents and rescues involving machinery• Be aware of the component parts of lifts and

escalators• Know how to rescue, and minimise harm to,

persons shut in lifts and mechanisms• Recognise the hazards and risks associated

with lifts and escalators.

THE END