An elevator designated and equipped for use by the fire service during a building fire emergency, conforming to EN 81-72 with a dedicated recall switch, firefighter operation mode, and enhanced structural protection.
Full Definition
A firefighter elevator (fire service lift, EN 81-72) is a specially equipped elevator that allows fire brigade personnel to transport equipment and injured persons to upper floors during a fire emergency when stairwells are hazardous. EN 81-72 specifies requirements additional to EN 81-20: a fire-rated hoistway enclosure with a lobby at each served floor acting as a protected refuge; a two-stage recall and firefighter operation mode initiated by a key-operated switch at the designated fire service access level; the car must reach the fire service access level from any other floor within 60 s; car controls must allow firefighters to hold doors open, override landing calls, and control the car independently. The electrical supply must be from a protected circuit maintained during fire; the car must withstand water ingress from firefighting operations. Load capacity must be at least 630 kg (EN 81-72 minimum) and car depth at least 1.4 m to accommodate a stretcher. The firefighter elevator designation does not replace compliance with EN 81-20; it adds supplementary requirements on top of the base standard.
