NCC 2019 Volume One
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Part E3 Lift installations (DtS)
Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions
E3.0 Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions
(a)
Where a Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution is proposed, Performance Requirements EP3.1 to EP3.4 are satisfied by complying with—
(i)
E3.1 to E3.10; and
(ii)
for a building containing an occupiable outdoor area, Part G6; and
(iii)
for public transport buildings, Part H2.
(b)
Where a Performance Solution is proposed, the relevant Performance Requirements must be determined in accordance with A2.2(3) and A2.4(3) as applicable.
Intent
To clarify that EP3.1 to EP3.4 will be satisfied if compliance is achieved with E3.1 to E3.8in the case of all buildings,Part G6 in the case of occupiable outdoor areas and, for public transport buildings, Part H2.
E3.1 to E3.7 and EP3.1 to EP3.4
Where a solution is proposed to comply with the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions, compliance with E3.1 to E3.8, Part G6and Part H2 achieves compliance with EP3.1 to EP3.4.
Where a Performance Solution is proposed, the relevant Performance Requirements must be determined in accordance with A2.2(3) and A2.4(3) as applicable. (See commentary on Part A2).
E3.1 Lift installations
An electric passenger lift installation and an electrohydraulic passenger lift installation must comply with Specification E3.1.
E3.1 requires that an electric passenger lift and an electrohydraulic passenger lift installation in a building comply with Specification E3.1 for building-related matters. This would include ventilation and lighting of the lift car and foyer access as well as ventilation of the lift shaft.
The conditions in the lift car and the lift shaft machinery are dependant on the conditions in the lift shaft. If the lift shaft air temperature can be elevated due to the effects of the sun, then adequate treatment such as ventilation may be required to maintain safe conditions in the lift shaft along with satisfactory operating temperatures for the lift car machinery and car.
An electric passenger lift may also be a combined electric passenger and goods lift.
An electrohydraulic passenger lift may also be a combined electrohydraulic passenger and goods lift.
E3.2 Stretcher facility in lifts
(a)
A stretcher facility in accordance with (b) must be provided—
(ii)
where an emergency lift is not required, if passenger lifts are installed to serve any storey above an effective height of 12 m, in at least one of those lifts to serve each floor served by the lifts.
(b)
A stretcher facility must accommodate a raised stretcher with a patient lying on it horizontally by providing a clear space not less than 600 mm wide x 2000 mm long x 1400 mm high above the floor level.
Intent
To require lifts to be able to accommodate a stretcher.
Under E3.2(a), stretcher facilities are required in one of the emergency lifts required by E3.4. Where no emergency lift is required and passenger lifts are provided, then stretcher facilities are to be provided to one lift serving any storey above an effective height of 12 metres.
Where there is just a single emergency or passenger lift that lift must have stretcher facilities.
E3.2(b) sets out the minimum dimensions of a lift car to accommodate a stretcher. It is allowable to have a protuberance or an openable recess in the lift car to accommodate a stretcher with the dimensions stated.
E3.3 Warning against use of lifts in fire
A warning sign must—
(a)
be displayed where it can be readily seen—
(i)
near every call button for a passenger lift or group of lifts throughout a building; except
(ii)
a small lift such as a dumb-waiter or the like that is for the transport of goods only; and
(b)
comply with the details and dimensions of Figure E3.3 and consist of—
(i)
incised, inlaid or embossed letters on a metal, wood, plastic or similar plate securely and permanently attached to the wall; or
(ii)
letters incised or inlaid directly into the surface of the material forming the wall.
Figure E3.3 Warning sign for passenger lifts
Intent
To alert people to the dangers of using lifts during a fire.
E3.3 applies to all passenger lifts, even if the building has an effective height of less than 12 metres.
A suitable warning sign must be provided near a lift or lift call button, so that people do not use a lift at an inappropriate time (note that E3.3(b) specifies that such a sign must warn occupants against lift use during a fire).
E3.3 does not apply to small lifts, such as “dumb waiters”, not intended to accommodate a person.
E3.3(b) and Figure E3.3 specify the nature, content, and minimum dimensions for the warning sign. The size and colour of the lettering on the sign are important, so that the sign can be easily read and stand out against the background colour.
E3.4 Emergency lifts
(a)
At least one emergency lift complying with (d) must be installed in—
(i)
a building which has an effective height of more than 25 m; and
(ii)
a Class 9a building in which patient care areas are located at a level that does not have direct egress to a road or open space.
(b)
(c)
(d)
An emergency lift must—
(i)
be contained within a fire-resisting shaft in accordance with C2.10; and
(ii)
in a Class 9a building serving a patient care area—
(A)
have minimum dimensions, measured clear of all obstructions, including handrails, etc complying with Table E3.4; and
(B)
be connected to a standby power supply system where installed; and
(iii)
if the building has an effective height of more than 75 m, have a rating of at least—
(A)
600 kg if not provided with a stretcher facility; or
(B)
900 kg if provided with a stretcher facility.
Table E3.4 Minimum emergency lift dimensions in Class 9a buildings
Lift component
Minimum dimension (mm)
Minimum depth of car
2280
Minimum width of car
1600
Minimum floor to ceiling height
2300
Minimum door height
2100
Minimum door width
1300
Intent
To require that lifts be suitable for their purpose and also be available for emergency services personnel.
E3.4(a) to (d) only applies to buildings with an effective height above 25 metres, and in certain Class 9a buildings.
E3.4(b) clarifies that a passenger lift may be used as an emergency lift, provided it satisfies the other provisions of E3.4.
An emergency lift must serve all the floors in a building served by passenger lifts but is not required to serve other floors such as those containing only plant and equipment.
One emergency lift is not required to serve all floors in a building. Just as one bank of passenger lifts may serve certain floors, so may emergency lifts.
E3.4(c)(i) requires that where more than one passenger lift serves a floor, at least two emergency lifts must serve that floor.
E3.4(c)(ii) requires that if the passenger lifts are in separate shafts, the emergency lifts must also be in separate shafts. This maximises the probability of the emergency lifts operating in an emergency, by minimising the risk that a fire in one shaft will endanger both lifts. It also excludes from its requirements a lift that is within an atrium and not wholly contained within a shaft.
To protect people using an emergency lift during a fire, E3.4(d) requires it to be within a fire-resisting shaft in accordance with the requirements of C2.10.
Appendix A of AS 1735.1 and AS 1735.2 contains specific provisions for emergency lifts. These provisions allow emergency services personnel to override the operation of the lift, including the re-call of the lift to a nominated floor. Note E3.5 with regard to the non-applicability of Clause 12.2 of AS 1735.2.
The E3.4(d)(ii)(A) dimensions for an emergency lift in a Class 9a building serving a patient care area are to accommodate a stretcher or bed for non-ambulatory patients.
The E3.4(d)(ii)(B) requirement for an emergency lift in a Class 9a building serving a patient care area to be connected to a standby power supply (if the building has such a system) is in recognition of the risk likely in the event of a power failure.
Under E3.4(d)(iii), all emergency lifts serving buildings with an effective height of more than 75 metres must be capable of carrying a weight of at least 600 kg. This recognises the increased difficulties emergency services personnel (particularly fire brigade officers) face in carrying heavy equipment to such heights.
E3.5 Landings
Access and egress to and from liftwell landings must comply with the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of Section D.
E3.6 Passenger lifts
In an accessible building, every passenger lift must—
(a)
be one of the types identified in Table E3.6a, subject to the limitations on use specified in the Table; and
(b)
have accessible features in accordance with Table E3.6b; and
(c)
not rely on a constant pressure device for its operation if the lift car is fully enclosed.
Table E3.6a Limitations on use of types of passenger lifts
Lift type
Limitations on use
No limitation.
Electrohydraulic passenger lift
No limitation.
Must not—
(a) be used to serve a space in a building accommodating more than 100 persons calculated according to D1.13; or
(b) be used in a high traffic public use area such as a theatre, cinema, auditorium, transport interchange, shopping centre or the like; or
(c) be used where it is possible to install another type of passenger lift; or
(d) connect more than 2 storeys; or
(e) where more than 1 stairway lift is installed, serve more than 2 consecutive storeys; or
(f) when in the folded position, encroach on the minimum width of a stairway required by D1.6.
No limitation.
Must not travel more than 1000 mm.
Low-rise, low-speed constant pressure lift
Must not—
(a) for an enclosed type, travel more than 4 m; or
(b) for an unenclosed type, travel more than 2 m; or
(c) be used in a high traffic public use areas in buildings such as a theatre, cinema, auditorium, transport interchange, shopping complex or the like.
Small-sized, low-speed automatic lift
Must not travel more than 12 m.
Table E3.6b Application of features to passenger lifts
Feature
Application
Handrail complying with the provisions for a mandatory handrail in AS 1735.12
All lifts except—
(a) a stairway platform lift; and
(b) a low-rise platform lift.
Lift floor dimension of not less than 1400 mm wide x 1600 mm deep
All lifts which travel more than 12 m.
Lift floor dimensions of not less than 1100 mm wide x 1400 mm deep
All lifts which travel not more than 12 m except a stairway platform lift.
Lift floor dimensions of not less than 810 mm wide x 1200 mm deep
Minimum clear door opening complying with AS 1735.12
All lifts except a stairway platform lift.
Passenger protection system complying with AS 1735.12
All lifts with a power operated door.
Lift landing doors at the upper landing
All lifts except a stairway platform lift.
Lift car and landing control buttons complying with AS 1735.12
All lifts except—
(a) a stairway platform lift; and
(b) a low-rise platform lift.
Lighting in accordance with AS 1735.12
All enclosed lift cars.
(a) Automatic audible information within the lift car to identify the level each time the car stops; and
All lifts serving more than 2 levels.
(b) audible and visual indication at each lift landing to indicate the arrival of the lift car; and
(c) audible information and audible indication required by (a) and (b) is to be provided in a range of between 20–80 dB(A) at a maximum frequency of 1 500 Hz
Emergency hands-free communication, including a button that alerts a call centre of a problem and a light to signal that the call has been received
All lifts except a stairway platform lift.
Intent
To require that lifts necessary for use by people with a disability are suitable.
E3.6 only applies when a passenger lift is required by D3.3(b) for vertical movement of people with a disability. Table E3.6a details the limitation of each defined type of lift.
E3.6(f)-(n) and specific components of AS 1735.12 referenced by the table require passenger lifts to have specific features.
There are a number of limitations on the use of stairway platform lifts including that they must not be installed if it is possible to use another type of passenger lift described in E3.6.
Some types of lifts must not be used in high traffic public use areas of certain buildings. For example, a stairway platform lift or a low-rise, low-speed constant pressure lift must not be used at the entry to a theatre. However, these types of lifts may be used to provide access to the stage in a theatre because the access to the stage is not considered to be a high traffic public use area.
E3.7 Fire service controls
Where lifts serve any storey above an effective height of 12 m, the following must be provided:
(a)
(b)
A lift car fire service drive control switch complying with E3.10 for every lift.
Intent
To require fire service controls for lifts serving any storey above an effective height of 12 m.
By having all lift cars serving any storey above an effective height of 12 m fitted with fire service controls there is no confusion as to which lift car can be used by emergency services personnel, and it also increases the reliability of having an operational lift in the event of an emergency (where more than one lift is provided). This does not require lifts to be increased in size to take a stretcher.
Fire service controls include a fire service recall control switch complying with E3.9 and a lift car fire service drive control switch complying with E3.10.
E3.8 Residential care buildings
Where residents in a Class 9c residential care building are on levels which do not have direct access to a road or open space, the building must be provided with either—
(a)
at least one lift to accommodate a stretcher in accordance with E3.2(b); or
(b)
a ramp in accordance with AS 1428.1, and
the lift or ramp must discharge at a level providing direct access to a road or open space.
Intent
To require the installation of a lift where residents of a Class 9c building are on levels not having access to a road or open space.
E3.8 applies to Class 9c buildings. It requires all levels of residential care buildings to have direct access to a road or open space via a ramp or lift capable of carrying a stretcher. This is to overcome the difficulty experienced by some residents negotiating stairways and enable the use of stretcher facilities on all levels of a residential care building. It also assists with the daily functioning of the building, especially with the use of mobile baths and other equipment.
E3.9 Fire service recall control switch
(a)
Each group of lifts must be provided with one fire service recall control switch required by E3.7 that activates the fire service recall operation at (e). The switch must—
(i)
be located at the landing nominated by the appropriate authority; and
(ii)
be labelled "FIRE SERVICE" in indelible white lettering on a red background; and
(iii)
have two positions with an "OFF" and an "ON" position identified; and
(iv)
be operable only by the use of a key that is removable in either the "OFF" position or the "ON" position.
(c)
The key in (a)(iv) must be able to turn all fire service recall control switches in the building and must have a different key combination to other keys used for lifts in the building.
(d)
The fire service recall operation must be activated by—
(i)
switching the fire service recall control switch in (a) to "ON"; or
(ii)
a signal from a fire management system approved by the appropriate authority.
(e)
The activation of the fire service recall operation at (d) must—
(i)
cancel all registered car and landing calls; and
(ii)
inactivate all door reopening devices that may be affected by smoke; and
(iii)
ensure lift cars travelling toward the nominated floor continue to the nominated floor without stopping; and
(iv)
ensure lift cars travelling away from the nominated floor stop at or before the next available floor without opening the doors (either automatically or by the door open button), reverse direction and travel without stopping to the nominated floor; and
(v)
for lifts stopped at a floor other than the nominated floor, close the doors and travel without stopping to the nominated floor; and
(vi)
ensure that lifts stay at the nominated floor with doors open; and
(vii)
permit all lifts to return to normal service if the fire service recall control switch at (a) is switched to the "OFF" position during or after the fire service recall operation.
(f)
(g)
Lifts having manual controls must signal an alert to the lift for the lift to return to the nominated floor containing the recall switch that activated the signal.
Intent
To specify the fire service recall control switch required for passenger lifts.
E3.9 details the switch, labelling, key and operation procedures for a fire service recall control switch.
A group of lifts is where a number of lifts are under the same sequence controls.
E3.10 Lift car fire service drive control switch
(a)
The lift car fire service drive control switch required by E3.7 must be activated from within the lift car. The switch must—
(i)
be located between 600 mm and 1500 mm above the lift car floor; and
(ii)
be labelled "FIRE SERVICE" by indelible white lettering on a red background; and
(iii)
have two positions with an "OFF" and an "ON" position identified; and
(iv)
operate only by the use of a key that is removable in either the "OFF" position or the "ON" position.
(c)
When the lift car fire service drive control switch at (a) is turned to the "ON" position, the lift must—
(i)
not respond to the fire service recall control switch; and
(ii)
cancel all registered lift car and landing calls; and
(iii)
override all lift car call access control systems; and
(iv)
inactivate all door reopening devices that may be affected by smoke; and
(v)
allow the registration of lift car call by lift car call buttons, however the lift doors must not close in response to the registration of lift car calls; and
(vi)
activate door closing by constant pressure being applied on the "door close" button unless the button is released before the doors are fully closed, in which case the doors must reopen and any registered lift car calls must be cancelled; and
(vii)
when the doors are closed, move the lift in response to registered lift car calls while allowing additional lift car calls to also be registered; and
(viii)
travel to the first possible floor in response to registered lift car calls and cancel all registered lift car calls after the lift stops; and
(ix)
ensure doors do not open automatically, rather by constant pressure being applied on the "door open" button unless the button is released before the doors are fully open, in which case the doors must re-close; and
the requirements of (c)(i) to (c)(ix) do not apply to a lift operating on inspection service.
(d)
A multi-deck lift installation must have systems in place that—
(i)
are able to communicate to the fire officer that the fire service drive control switch will not operate until all decks have been cleared of passengers; and
(ii)
ensure there is an appropriate method of clearing all deck landings of passengers; and
(iii)
maintain all doors to deck landings not containing the fire service control switch closed and inoperative while the lift is on fire service drive control.
Intent
To specify the fire service drive control switch required in all passenger lifts.
E3.10 details the switch initiation, labelling and operation for the fire service drive control switch.
A multi-deck installation is a lift car with passengers on more than one deck. The most common multi-deck lift car has two levels opening to two landings at each storey served.