SOP - LIFT RESCUE PROCEDURES Doc_Ref: EFM_SoP_01 V2:2016_03_15 Page 1 of 6
Contents 1. INTRODUCTION... 3 2. APPLICATION... 3 3. LIMITATIONS... 3 4. RESCUE PROCEDURE UoB EMERGENCY HELP DESK Ext: 2222... 3 5. RESCUE PROCEDURE SITE BASED STAFF... 4 6. LIFT FAULTS... 5 7. ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS LIST... 5 8. SITE BASED STAFF LIFT RESCUE PROCEDURE FLOWCHART... 6 Doc_Ref: EFM_SoP_01 V2:2016_03_15 Page 2 of 6
1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. This standard operating procedure (SOP) describes the procedure for the safe rescue of persons trapped in University lifts. 2. APPLICATION 2.1. This procedure is applicable to all staff, including; Caretakers, Premises Officers, Technical Staff and others. 3. LIMITATIONS 3.1. Staff are not permitted to attempt to rescue trapped persons from lifts. To do so is dangerous and may result in serious life changing injury and will result in disciplinary action being taken. 3.2. Contracts are in place with specialist lift engineers to affect lift rescue. 3.3. Only the appointed competent lift engineers or the Fire & Rescue Services may free / rescue passengers from a lift. 4. RESCUE PROCEDURE UoB EMERGENCY HELP DESK Ext: 2222 4.1. All passenger lifts have built-in communicators which dial to the University Emergency Helpdesk which is manned 24/7. When the emergency button is pressed in the lift the system will call the Emergency Helpdesk and will also sound the local lift alarm, alerting persons locally that someone is trapped. 4.2. On receiving a recue request call, the Emergency Helpdesk operator will handle the call using the LIFT RESCUE FORM and will follow the prompts and directions on the form. 4.3. Having taken necessary information from the passengers in the lift, the Emergency Helpdesk Operator will call the Lift Contractor to report the entrapment, request that an engineer be dispatched and establish how long it will take the engineer to arrive on site. This may take several minutes whilst the Lift Contractor establishes contact with one of their local engineers and determines how long it will take. 4.4. The Emergency Helpdesk Operator must ensure that they regularly contact the lift passengers to update and inform them of progress. 4.5. If the Lift Contractor cannot attend within around 30 minutes or a passenger is in need of medical assistance or is distressed then the Emergency Helpdesk Operator must call the Fire & Rescue Services (dial (9) 999) and request that they attend site to effect a rescue. 4.6. The lift passengers, the Lift Contractor and the local Caretakers must be informed / updated. 4.7. The Emergency Helpdesk Operator will inform the appropriate site manager/premises officer of the people stuck in the lift during normal working hours. After normal working hours the Falmer security officer shall inform the most senior security manager on duty who shall decide if the Duty Site Manager needs to be informed. Doc_Ref: EFM_SoP_01 V2:2016_03_15 Page 3 of 6
5. RESCUE PROCEDURE SITE BASED STAFF 5.1. On hearing the lift alarm or being informed by others of a lift failure the duty Caretaker will immediately attend to the lift and apply the process noted on the flow chart included in this document below. 5.2. If present on site, the Site Manager or Premises Officer shall attend and render necessary assistance and provide supervisory oversight and direction as they deem necessary. 5.3. Because the Emergency Helpdesk manages communication for the lift entrapment it is important that the local Caretaker attending to the lift (or the supervisor present) makes contact with the Emergency Helpdesk to confirm their findings and to notify of any local actions taken. 5.4. A decision may need to be made to call the Fire & Rescue Services. This decision rests in the first instance with the Emergency Helpdesk Operator who should be in contact with the lift passengers via the lift communication system. The agreed procedure is to ask the Fire & Emergency Services to affect a rescue if it will take the Lift Contractor longer than 30 minutes to attend. 5.5. However, if a lift passenger becomes ill, very distressed or anyone has concerns for their health or safety then the Fire & Rescue Services must be called and informed of the circumstances. This call should be made by the Emergency Helpdesk Operator. However, if site based staff are unable to communicate with the Emergency Helpdesk Operator then they should call the Fire & Rescue Services themselves and then seek to update the Emergency Helpdesk Operator. 5.6. The Fire & Rescue Services have advised as follows: We will still attend for free for humanitarian reasons. We have to attend at road speed unless we are given reasons to use blues i.e. medical emergencies, persons in lift in distress. Please make sure that your team know that the more information we get at time of call the better to enable us to make right decisions. 5.7. Note: The term entrapment should only be used if a person has become entangled, physically entrapped by lift parts or crushed by a lift. It is important that the terminology we use is consistent with that of the rescue services. Please turn to the next page Doc_Ref: EFM_SoP_01 V2:2016_03_15 Page 4 of 6
6. LIFT FAULTS Note: If the Fire & Rescue Services or any other party forces open the lift doors or winds the lift then the lift MUST immediately be taken out of service and Amalgamated Lifts informed. Forcing the doors open is likely to damage safety critical sensors. The lift will have to undergo a number of critical safety inspections by a competent lift engineer before it can be put back into service. 6.1. Local staff should report faults directly to the current lift maintenance service provider as this is the quickest way of ensuring that they are informed and the lift is put back into service. 6.2. All lift faults must be reported on PLANON regardless of whether the lift appears to have rectified itself - stating the building, lift fault code and nature of the fault. A note must be made in the site diary. This is to ensure that we have an accurate audit trail. 6.3. Stop the faulty lift car from operating by means of the key switch inside the lift car (Lift car keys are held in the key Traka cabinet). 6.4. Only if absolutely necessary may the site Electrician electrically isolate the lift if he is sure that it is safe to do so. However it will result in the lift fault code being wiped off the system. 6.5. Attach the approved LIFT OUT OF SERVICE notices to the lift doors at each floor. 6.6. All other staff are prohibited from operating any controls or electrical panels / switchgear the Lift Motor Room unless they have expressed permission to do so from a senior engineering manager based at the E+FM main office. 6.7. The lift motor room must be kept locked shut. CURRENT LIFT MAINTENANCE SERVICE PROVIDER AMALGAMATED LIFTS 24 HOUR TELEPHONE No: 01322 556661 7. ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS LIST 8.1 LIFT RESCUE FORM 8.2 Department of Estate and Facilities Health and Safety Policy Please turn to the next page Doc_Ref: EFM_SoP_01 V2:2016_03_15 Page 5 of 6
8. SITE BASED STAFF LIFT RESCUE PROCEDURE FLOWCHART Lift Alarm Site Operatives -Process Flow Chart Lift Alarm Activated / Heard on site / Informed of Entrapment by Emergency Helpdesk at Falmer Campus. Take radio or mobile phone and find lift Ensure you have the UoB Emergency Helpdesk Number programmed into the mobile: 01273 642222. Is it possible to communicate with passengers? NO Call UoB Emergency Helpdesk and report findings. YES Tell passengers who you are and that you are there to reassure them help is on the way. Tell them they are safe and all efforts are being made to free them as soon as possible. Enquire about their wellbeing - Is anyone ill? NO Ask if they have been in contact with the UoB Emergency Helpdesk via the lift emergency call system? Contact the Falmer FM Office Ext: 2222 to establish what action is being taken and how long it may take. Prepare to facilitate lift engineer or Fire Brigade attendance clear parking area and arrange quick access to the building etc. If at any time it becomes apparent that the passengers in the lift are in need of emergency assistance then ensure that the Fire & Rescue Services are called. This call should be made by the UoB Emergency Helpdesk if they are in contact with the lift passengers. (Site staff can make this call if contact with the Helpdesk is in doubt). Keep the Emergency Helpdesk informed of any changes on site or 999 calls made. Doc_Ref: EFM_SoP_01 V2:2016_03_15 Page 6 of 6