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When Are Sprinklers Required in Elevator Shafts and Machine Rooms?

By Jonathan Hart
31-Jul-2021
Elevators are found in almost all new buildings that are greater than one story. While they certainly provide a convenient and
accessible means for traveling up and down through a building they also create vertical openings in a building, increasing the
potential for the spread of fire and smoke. There are many fire and life safety code provisions that mitigate this risk and permit
elevators to be used without increasing the risk to occupants. This blog will focus on one aspect of this fire protection—whether
or not fire sprinklers are required.

NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, is based on the general principle that sprinklers must be installed
throughout a premises. This contributes to the standard’s purpose of providing a reasonable degree of protection for both life
and property. However, there are certain concealed spaces and special situations, such as elevator hoistways and machine
rooms where sprinkler protection can be omitted. The need for sprinklers is addressed for three different locations; at the
Alt+A
bottom of the pit, at the top of the hoistway, and in the elevator machine room, machinery space, or control room.

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The images below demonstrate hydraulic elevators and traction elevators and show the different locations where the need for
sprinklers must be evaluated. Note that sprinklers are shown in the pit and machine room of the hydraulic elevators as those are
always required but the top of the hoistway for hydraulic elevators and the pit, top of hoistway, and machine room for traction
elevators can also require sprinklers.

Elevator Pit
Sidewall spray sprinklers are required to be installed at the bottom of each elevator hoistway at a maximum of 2 ft (600 mm)
above the floor of the pit. The exemption to this is for hoistways that are enclosed, noncombustible, and do not contain
combustible hydraulic fluid. This means that the majority of hydraulic type elevators will require this and traction type elevators
need it only where the construction of the shaft is of combustible or limited-combustible material.

Top of Shaft
Sprinklers are permitted to be omitted from the top of the shaft where the hoistway is noncombustible or limited-combustible
and the car enclosure materials meet the requirements of ASME A17.1, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators. Any hoistway
not meeting those requirements must have an upright, pendent, or sidewall spray sprinkler installed at the top.

Additionally, where elevators utilize combustible suspension means such as noncircular elastomeric-coated or polyurethane-
coated steel belts, sprinklers must be provided unless the suspension means provide not less than an FT-1 rating when tested to
a vertical burn test of UL 2556 and specific criteria are met.

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Elevator Machine Room, Machinery Space, Control Room, Control Space

The machine rooms for hydraulic type elevators are required to be provided with sprinkler protection. For traction type elevators
there are a number of provisions that can all be met in order to omit sprinklers from these spaces. These include the installation
being in accordance with NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code® or the applicable building code as well as the space being dedicated to
elevator equipment only, protection by smoke detectors or other automatic fire detection, separation from the rest of the
building by construction with fire ratings specified by the applicable building code, and no materials unrelated to elevator
equipment being stored in the space.

Other Considerations
While the provisions highlighted here from NFPA 13 are relatively straightforward there is added complexity of elevator codes as
well as local amendments in many jurisdictions. ASME A17.1 does not permit water discharge in elevator shafts until electrical
power to the elevator cab has been shut down. This situation necessitates some special arrangement, such as a shunt trip or a
preaction system, to make sure that water does not flow in the elevator shaft until power shutdown has occurred.

Some jurisdictions will have special provisions that modify power shut down provision or they will not permit sprinklers at all out
of concerns for first responders utilizing the elevator during a fire. It is also important to note that the discussion above is for
buildings that require sprinkler protection per NFPA 13. If the building code does not require sprinkler protection based on
occupancy, constructions type, size, or height then the elevator is also not required to be protected.

Important Notice: Any opinion expressed in this column (blog, article) is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent
the official position of NFPA or its Technical Committees. In addition, this piece is neither intended, nor should it be relied upon, to
provide professional consultation or services.

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Jonathan Hart
NFPA Technical Lead

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24 Comments

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Write your comment...

James Patterson 2 months ago

J
Good afternoon,
We have a situation where an existing building is not sprinklered. A hydraulic elevator is going to be installed to serve the building; will s
hydraulic elevator?
Reply

Chris Strawn 20 days ago

C
when the building is changing, so will the requirements. the local fire-marshal will approve a life-safety solution reflecting the requ
the hoistway is separated from the building by fire ratings (a standup hoistway newly attached to the building), and the building is
sprinklers, the likelihood of providing sprinklers is doubtful. If the building is being re-purposed, and/or the fire-panel is being rep
the entire building with an automatic sprinkler system. Your question leads to other questions and it is difficult to answer clearly w
or without sprinklers in a hydraulic elevator pit, fire-rated hoistway/s separated but attached to the exterior of a building, fire dete
for the protection of the public. Fire detection, would at a minimum, provide for alarm and subsequent fire-recall, to ensure passen
moved to a floor safely away from any potential. If the elevator (and machine room) will be within the building envelope, the fire-m
which includes a fully sprinklered building.
Reply

Edwin 2 months ago

E
NFPA 13 states that sprinklers required at the top of the elevator hoistway shall not be required where the hoistway for passenger eleva
combustible and the car enclosure materials meet ASME A17.1. My question is regarding the term "passenger elevator". Can this passag
freight elevator? If an elevator is built as an enlarged passenger elevator but is to serve as both passenger and service elevator, does tha
sprinklers can be omitted?
Reply

Chris Strawn 20 days ago

C
sprinklers are not required for elevators meeting the requirements of ASME A17.1 with few exceptions. Noncombustible materials
combustible is no longer used in A17 but was used (ASME A17.1b-1985) prior to the transition to 'noncombustible'. These terms (
and forth since limited combustible entered A17 codes years ago - they are treated the same. If the elevator is installed to the A17
hydraulic) no sprinklers are 'required'. Remember, NFPA 13 and 72 allow for the installation of sprinklers (and resulting fire-detecti
identified/addressed.
Reply

Robert Nelson 2 months ago

R
IS A FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM NEEDED IN AN ELEVATOR IF THE BELTS AREN'T FIRE RATED?
Reply

Chris Strawn 20 days ago

C
sprinklers are required for elevators using noncircular elastomeric coated steel suspension members not having at least the FT-1 ra
Reply

Noel 3 months ago

N
Good morning Jhonatan, we are going tonbuilt a Non Fire service elevator ( because of the Travel time is less than 7 Meters) . This is ren
Does it requires sprinklers on the top of the hoist and pit?

Thank you
Reply

Olia 5 months ago

O
Good Morning, Jonathan,
D th l t l bbi f t ti l t i i kl ? Th l bbi d l t h ft l di t (fi t
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Do the elevator lobbies of a traction elevator require sprinklers? The lobbies and elevator shaft are enclosed in a concrete core (fire rate
lobbies and elevator shaft are fire rated, and the doors between the elevator lobbies and hallways are fire rated?
Reply

Faith 9 months ago

F
Good Afternoon, using the latest building codes...is an enclosed elevator lobby needed for a high-rise dorm. If so what are the exception
elevators open in the lobby area?
Reply

Mike Davidson 1 year ago

M
Good Morning Jonathan - Inquiring about about a two story chair lift shaft. Both floors will have FR doors, the shaft is not currently sprin
you
Reply

Adam Meeker 1 year ago

A
Hello Jonathan,

The section "Elevator Machine Room, Machinery Space, Control room, Control space" in the article appears to be written based on NFPA
standard appear to be similarly written, and in each case also makes reference to "hoistways of traction elevators".

If an installation satisfies the requirements of NFPA 13-2013, 8.15.5.3, can sprinklers be omitted from the top of a traction elevator hoistw
requirements noted in the "Top of Shaft" section of the article be complied with as well in order to omit sprinklers from the top of the s
for traction elevator hoistways mutually exclusive)?

Thank you in advance for any time and consideration you may provide.
Reply

Tariq 1 year ago

T
Thanks, Jonathan for the valuable information.

One question about escalators upper and lower pits, is there need for sprinklers in the pits if there is heat/smoke detector installed in th
activated?
Reply

Fakhre Bobali 1 year ago

F
Great article, especially that if total building doesn't require to be sprinklered throughout than no need for elevators shaft. Well said.
Reply

wfears 1 year ago

w
Thank you for your article. A quick follow up. Are you using NFPA 13 to mean both full 13 and 13R, or do the requirements differ?
Reply

Jonathan Hart 1 year ago

J
Thank you for this great question. What is included above is only for NFPA 13. NFPA 13R has less stringent requirements for system
criteria. The following is from the 2022 edition of NFPA 13R:

6_6.6.6*
Sprinklers shall not be required in attics, penthouse equipment rooms, elevator machine rooms, concealed spaces dedicated exclu
ventilation equipment, crawl spaces, floor/ceiling spaces, vertical chases, elevator shafts where the elevator installation complies w
Elevators and Escalators, and other concealed spaces that are not intended for living purposes or storage and do not contain fuel-
Reply

R. Coleman 1 year ago

R
Hospitals I-2 have too be 100% sprinklered throughout the facility even in areas you mentioned. My question is what if the e
not part of the inside structure, does it have to be sprinklered?
Reply

bkelley 1 year ago

b
J ff S fid
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Jeff Scafide
Mr. Hart, Trying to determine the need for sprinklers in the pit for a hydraulic elevator when the building is not sprinkled. The same artic
elevators always require sprinklers. I understand the common sense approach, however i cant find in any of the books (IBC, IFC or NFPA)
if the building is not sprinkled. NFPA 101 9.7.1.2 states that sprinkler piping serving not more than six heads for a hazardous area can be
line if the water capacity is sufficient. This would be perfect for one head in the pit! NFPA 13 9.3.6.1 thru 9.3.6.5 explains the requirement
mention whether or not the building is sprinkled.
Reply

Jonathan Hart 1 year ago

J
Hello, thank you for the great question. I should actually go back into this and edit the information to specify that the approach I t
are required to be sprinklered. If NFPA 13 is not required for the building or the choice is not made to take advantage of "fully spr
building code then this information would not apply. It was an oversight on my part not to address this. You won't find this written
that it must be referenced in order to apply.
Reply

Henry Lopez 1 year ago

H
Hi Mr. Jonathan Hart.
Following the last paragraph of this topic ( If the building code does not require sprinkler protection based on occupancy, constructions
also not required to be protected), it is something in NFPA 13 that specify something similar?.
Reply

Jonathan Hart 1 year ago

J
Hello. Thank you for the comment. This is not something explicitly called out in NFPA 13 or any building code. But if the building d
there is no requirement to follow 13 and therefore you wouldn't get to the elevator sprinkler requirements.
Reply

Henry Lopez 1 year ago

H
Thank you for that information.
Reply

Michael Brown 1 year ago

M
You reference sidewall spray sprinkler heads for elevator pits, are pendant heads acceptable if they are somewhat centered in the pit be
24"?
Reply

Jonathan Hart 1 year ago

J
Hi Michael- Thanks for reading and posting the question. The standard is very specific in calling for the elevator in the pit to be a s
provides some explanation for this.

9.3.6.1*
Sidewall spray sprinklers shall be installed at the bottom of each elevator hoistway not more than 2 ft (600 mm) above the floor of

A.9.3.6.1
The sprinklers in the pit are intended to protect against fires caused by debris, which can accumulate over time. Ideally, the sprinkl
pit below the elevator doors, where most debris accumulates. However, care should be taken that the sprinkler location does not i
which extends below the face of the door opening.
Reply

Freddy Toh 6 months ago

F
Hi Jonathan, side wall sprinklers typically has a requirement of 100mm (min) to 150mm (max) from a flat ceiling and that com
case of the sprinkler installed in the lift pit where there's no ceiling, how do we comply with this requirement?
Reply

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