In everyday use, fire service lifts function as normal passenger or goods lifts; in the event of a fire, they remain operational and provide firefighters with a rapid route to the source of the fire or a quick escape route when evacuating people.
In the event of a fire, fire service lifts are intended exclusively for use by the fire service.
They are installed in airports, hospitals, special-purpose buildings and high-rise buildings where fire service lifts are required under the Model High-Rise Building Directive (MHHR) or the high-rise building regulations of the federal states.
Safety requirements for fire service lifts are generally governed by the Lift Directive EN 81-72. However, many regional fire safety authorities in Germany have their own specific requirements, which must also be taken into account and which in some cases deviate from the standard.
The initial acceptance test is carried out by: an approved inspection body (e.g. TÜV) + the regional fire safety authority
Our recommended approach to planning projects involving firefighters' lifts
General requirements for firefighters' lifts
Fire service lifts must be designed in accordance with EN 81-20 and meet the additional requirements of standard EN 81-72 (protective, control and signalling devices).
If other safety rules from the EN 81 series of standards apply, these must also be met:
EN 81-70 – Accessibility of lifts for persons, including persons with disabilities
EN 81-71 – Protection against vandalism
Control panels for firefighters' lifts
Präsentationsfolien aus dem Feuerwehraufzug Webinar Teil 1 - Bedientableaus für Feuerwehraufzüge (german)
Fire brigade communication system
Präsentationsfolien aus dem Feuerwehraufzug Webinar Teil 2 - Feuerwehrkommunikationssystem (german)
Video recording of the webinar ‘Firefighter lifts’
Firefighter lifts
In this webinar, we will be looking at fire service lifts. In addition to the requirements set out in the lift standard EN 81-72, we must also take into account the requirements of the relevant local fire service, some of which may differ from the standard.
