Elevator machine rooms also referred to as a elevator machinery room or lift motor room is a enclosed room that generally houses the elevator operation such as the drives and controllers. They machine room is generally located near the elevator shaft where space is at a premium.
Recently the New York State Medical Board has enforced an existing code requiring that all elevator machine rooms in all hospitals and nursing homes in New York City be protected by fixed fire extinguishing systems. The New York City Building & Fire Codes and Fire Department prohibits most conventional fire protection systems, sprinklers and gas systems, in these rooms. The New York State Bureau of Quality and Surveillance, Center for Health Care Quality and Surveillance brokered a deal with the New York City Building and Fire Codes and the Federal Government to accept an alternative (non-aqueous) extinguishing agents for protection of these rooms.
Since these rooms have many openings the use of NFPA 2001 compliant gas fire extinguishing systems is extremely difficult. Stat-X® systems do not require sealed hazard areas like Clean Gas Solutions. Stat-X solutions are easy to install and maintain they are an excellent choice for protection for elevator machine rooms.
Although this has only been enforced in New York and Illinois to date, we see the elevator machine rooms as being an application for promotion by our certified distribution and a viable and accepted solution for end users.
Please contact the state medical board of your state to determine their position regarding fire protection requirements in elevator machine rooms for medical facilities.
Stat-X Fire Suppression Features:
- Effective Agent Performance
Highly effective based on required density - Compact and Modular
Offering adaptable design especially when space and weight are critical - Simple and Economic Installation
No piping required, resulting in significant savings on parts and labor - Durable
Ideal for harsh environments and remote locations - Long service life
Service life of fifteen (15) years - Virtually Maintenance Free
No cylinder weighing requirement or leakage risks - U.S. EPA SNAP listed for normally occupied and unoccupied spaces
Regulatory certainty
No risk of future regulations interrupting supply - Environmentally Friendly
Zero potential for global warming or ozone depletion - Made in the USA
Immovable Objects vs. Unstoppable Forces
Immovable objects vs. unstoppable forces: NYC and NY State Requirements for Fire Suppression Systems in Elevator Machine Rooms Posted on January 30, 2014 by Thomas Hudak, RA and Rick Meilan,...READ MORE »