Luna Dragofelis ΘΔ🏳️‍⚧️🐱
world improvement proposal:

Invent elevators that can be safely used in case of fire, so that disabled people who can't use stairs can still safely get out of a building.

This would probably involve a backup power supply for the elevator and air filters on the elevator cabin.

Of course those elevators would be supposed to be ONLY used by disabled people in an evacuation (in regular service everyone can use them). For people who can use stairs, it's still better for them to use the stairs in an evacuation.
Apr 5 at 5:10pmWeb
Show threadLuna Dragofelis ΘΔ🏳️‍⚧️🐱2d ago
this post was inspired by this youtube short: https://youtube.com/shorts/KUOJkJWTE9M
Crazy Safety System!

YouTube
Show threadRiley S. Faelan2d ago
@LunaDragofelis The problem is, the chutes that lifts run in can function like fire-magnets in case of fire, because of the chimney effect. As long as this stays the case, lifts are inherently unsafe to be used during fire. It'd take replacing ordinary lifts with something like staircase lifts or maybe human-carrying robots to make a human vertical transportation system to become (reasonably) safe to use during a fire in the building.
Show threadLuna Dragofelis ΘΔ🏳️‍⚧️🐱2d ago
@riley doesn't the same chimney effect apply to vertical staircases?
Show threadRiley S. Faelan2d ago
@LunaDragofelis It can, and modern fire codes require staircases of high-rise builings to be independently fire-proof and isolated from the rest of the building by fire door for that reason. There may also be rules requiring dividing a staircase into vertically fire-resisting sections, which can't be done with elevators. Achieving a staircase-comparable level of fire resistance is currently not considered feasible for common forms of elevator systems.
Show threadAurani Casts Fireball2d ago

@riley @LunaDragofelis there’s also literally nothing in stairwells to catch fire; it’s mostly concrete/stone/etc. and metal. With a foot of concrete between them and apartments (with flammable junk), means fire just doesn’t survive there unless something seriously wrong has happened.

Plus it’s all enclosed with no immediate ventilation at the top and all doors closed.

Smoke is the most dangerous part

Show threadRiley S. Faelan2d ago

@Aurani Yep. Fire codes tend to be rather strict about the fire-resistance of the stairwells, and about not storing anything flammable in stairwells.

@LunaDragofelis

Show threadXander (KanawhaCountyWX)2d ago
@J3317 @LunaDragofelis Good idea, biggest issue would be that elevators can use anywhere from 2% to 10% of a building's total electrical capacity. Plus, elevators use three-phase power to run the motors. The batteries, inverters, switchgear and supporting electronics would be large and expensive. But, evacuation of folks with disabilities is important. Many folks just wouldn't justify the cost, building owners will always skimp on costs where possible.
Show threadAurani Casts Fireball2d ago

@LunaDragofelis most high rises and even mid rises now are poured concrete. They’re basically giant concrete boxes with stuff inside.

If my next door neighbour’s apartment is on fire, the safest place to be is in my apartment.

It’s physically impossible for the fire to reach my apartment without active human intervention.

Keep the door closed so smoke can’t get in, and let the firefighters do their job unimpeded.

The elevators should even be safe to use at that point, but the firefighters don’t want to have to compete with the auto logic doing unexpected things.

Show threadKevin Karhan1d ago

@LunaDragofelis well, #FireElevators aka. #Elevators that can be safely used during fires DO EXIST.

  • The problem isn't even power for the most part, as Elevators for the most part are designed to slowly descent upon max load and otherwise their counterweights raise them slowly.
    • the problem is that #BuildingCodes and #FireSafety legislation don't mandate them outside of extremely tall buildings like TV Towers with Public Visitor Platforms / Restaurants.
Show threadKevin Karhan1d ago

@LunaDragofelis Those #FireElevators usually can be distinguished by a second set of key switches on the inside [for use by #firefighters only!] that override the door safety and allow opening/closing the door that way and disregard the light sensor barriers.

  • Which are the prime reason one shouldn't use #elevators in a #fire, because #smoke will render them useless and potentially force a stop in a smoke-filled floor.
Show threadKevin Karhan1d ago

@LunaDragofelis on a different note: #Buildingcodes in terms of #FireSafety do get updated and more stringent, with #accessibility and #safety first in mind, requiring redundant safe exits even for upper floors and having strict requirements for #FireElevators in places where mobility-disabled or otherwise immobile people are to be expected like hospitals, schools and caretaking facilities.

  • So modern buildings have like external escape doors and -ramps to comply with said requirements.