Design and construction of firefighting shafts

Firefighting shafts should be designed and constructed in accordance with the relevant recommendations BS 9999. Where a building falls within paragraph 6.3(a) or (c) all firefighting shafts should have a firefighting lift complying with the relevant recommendations of BS 9999. A firefighting lift installation includes the lift car itself, the lift well and the lift machinery space, together with the lift control system and the lift communication system. The firefighting lift installation should conform with BS EN 81-72 and BS EN 81-20. Every firefighting stair and firefighting lift in a firefighting shaft should be approached from the accommodation area through the firefighting lobby. However, in a Purpose Group 1(a) (flat) building it is not necessary for a firefighting shaft to have firefighting lobbies provided that – (a) the firefighting stair opens directly into a protected lobby or protected corridor provided for means of escape; and (b) where the firefighting shaft has a firefighting lift – the lift opens directly into a protected lobby or protected corridor provided for means of escape and the lift landing doors are not more than 7.5 m from the door to the firefighting stair.