Human Factors Considerations for the Potential Use of Elevators for Fire Evacuation of FAA Air Traffic Control Towers.
Human Factors Considerations for the Potential Use of
Elevators for Fire Evacuation of FAA Air Traffic Control
Towers.
(1414 K)
Levin, B. M.; Groner, N. E.
NIST GCR 94-656; NIST SP 983; 23 p. August 1994.
Collected Publications Related to the Use of Elevators
During Fires. NIST SP 983. May 2002, Bukowski, R. W.;
Burgess, S. R.; Reneke, P.A., Editor(s)(s), 2002.
Sponsor:
National Institute of Standards and Technology,
Gaithersburg, MD
Available from:
TO VIEW NIST SP 983 GO TO
Website:
http://wtc.nist.gov/pubs/elevators
Order number: PB94-217163
Keywords:
air traffic control; building fires; elevators (lifts);
emergencies; evacuation; fire research; handicapped;
human behavior; life safety; occupants
Abstract:
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is interested
in the possibility of using elevators for evacuation of
air traffic control towers during fire emergencies.
Assuming that the FAA could design, install, and
maintain elevators that could safely be used by tower
occupants during fire evacuations, it would be important
to study a number of human factor considerations. This
report, which is partly based on interviews of occupants
in thirteen FAA towers, discusses these issues. Given
the fact that there has been a 20 year campaign to
discourage elevator use during fire emergencies, most
interviewees indicated a willingness to use such
elevators as a backup mode of escape with some
reluctance. The controls in the elevator would not need
any major modification but a special communication
system would be needed. Fire emergency plans and
training are important to assure proper use of the
proposed system and confidence in the safety it
provides.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899