Elevator recall programming becomes much easier when you stop thinking about individual devices and start thinking in terms of inputs, outputs and the required sequence of operations. This guide explains designated-level recall, alternate-level recall, the flashing fire hat signal, shunt trip and the fire alarm interfaces used for elevator emergency operation.
How Does Elevator Recall Programming Work?
Elevator recall is one of those fire alarm functions that can look complicated on a sequence-of-operations matrix but becomes surprisingly logical once the system is broken into individual inputs and outputs.
The basic concept is simple:
- A fire alarm initiating device detects a condition associated with the elevator.
- The fire alarm control unit processes that input.
- The fire alarm system activates the appropriate elevator interface output.
- The elevator controller performs the required elevator operation.
What Codes Govern Elevator Recall?
Elevator recall is not governed by a single code section.
A properly designed system requires coordination between several codes and standards, including:
- IBC Chapter 30 for building requirements affecting elevators and emergency operation
- ASME A17.1/CSA B44 for elevator safety and Firefighters' Emergency Operation
- NFPA 72 Chapter 21 for fire alarm emergency-control interfaces involving elevators
- NFPA 13 where automatic sprinkler protection affects the elevator hoistway or associated elevator equipment spaces
- The locally adopted building, fire and elevator codes
The current International Building Code requires elevators subject to these provisions to have Phase I Emergency Recall Operation and Phase II Emergency In-Car Operation in accordance with ASME A17.1/CSA B44.
For the fire alarm designer, NFPA 72 provides the requirements for the fire alarm initiating devices, emergency-control interfaces and related functions used to initiate the required elevator operation.
Phase I vs Phase II Elevator Operation
Phase I Emergency Recall Operation
Phase I is the automatic or manually initiated operation that removes elevators from normal passenger service and returns them to the appropriate recall level.
This is the portion of elevator emergency operation most directly associated with fire alarm system programming.
Phase II Emergency In-Car Operation
Phase II is the firefighter-controlled operating mode available from inside the elevator car after the elevator has entered the required emergency operation.
The fire alarm system is heavily involved in initiating Phase I and providing required signals, but it is important not to describe Phase II as simply another fire alarm output. Phase II is an elevator-system function governed by the applicable elevator safety requirements.
Designated Level vs Alternate Level Recall
Most elevator recall programming revolves around two fundamental destinations:
- Designated Level
- Alternate Level
The exact floors are established by the approved elevator design and are not automatically "Floor 1" and "Floor 2."
What Is Designated-Level Elevator Recall?
The designated level is the normal landing selected for Phase I Emergency Recall Operation.
In a typical installation, activation of an applicable elevator recall initiating device on a floor other than the designated recall level causes the elevator system to receive the designated-level recall signal.
The elevator controller then performs the required Phase I operation and recalls the affected elevator or elevator group to the designated level.
What Is Alternate-Level Elevator Recall?
The alternate recall level provides another landing when the designated level itself could be affected by the fire condition.
A classic example is smoke detection at the elevator lobby on the designated recall floor.
Instead of bringing the elevator directly toward the detected condition, the fire alarm system provides the appropriate alternate-level recall interface signal so the elevator controller can perform the required operation.
Simple Elevator Recall Example
Imagine a four-story building where the approved elevator design establishes:
- Designated recall level: Floor 1
- Alternate recall level: Floor 2
For a simplified programming example:
| Input | Typical Elevator Interface Function |
|---|---|
| Floor 1 elevator lobby smoke detector | Alternate-level recall |
| Floor 2 elevator lobby smoke detector | Designated-level recall |
| Floor 3 elevator lobby smoke detector | Designated-level recall |
| Floor 4 elevator lobby smoke detector | Designated-level recall |
This is a simplified teaching example. The actual project must follow the approved elevator/fire alarm sequence and applicable code.
Where Are Elevator Recall Smoke Detectors Located?
Where automatic fire detection is required to initiate elevator Phase I Emergency Recall Operation, the applicable NFPA 72 and ASME A17.1/CSA B44 provisions determine the required initiating-device locations.
Depending on the elevator arrangement, applicable initiating devices can be associated with locations such as:
- Elevator lobbies
- Elevator machine rooms
- Control rooms
- Control spaces
- Machinery spaces
- Hoistways where detection is specifically required
Do not automatically place smoke detectors throughout an elevator hoistway simply because the building has elevator recall.
The 21-Foot Elevator Lobby Detector Rule
One of the most recognized NFPA 72 elevator-recall rules involves the location of lobby smoke detectors used to initiate Phase I Emergency Recall Operation.
Where the applicable prescriptive arrangement is used, the detector is located within 21 feet of the centerline of each elevator door within the elevator bank under control of that detector.
The important words are each elevator door in the bank.
Do not turn "21 feet" into a generic smoke-detector spacing rule. It is an elevator-recall detector-location requirement for the applicable configuration.
Does Every Elevator Hoistway Need a Smoke Detector?
No.
This is an important correction to many older elevator-recall explanations.
Smoke detection is not automatically installed in every elevator hoistway. Whether detection is required depends on the hoistway configuration, sprinkler arrangement, elevator equipment located within the hoistway, smoke-relief functions and the applicable elevator/building/fire alarm requirements.
NFPA 72 specifically addresses situations involving hoistway sprinklers and situations where elevator machinery or control equipment is located within the hoistway.
The correct approach is to determine why detection is required before placing a detector in the shaft.
Elevator Machine Room and Control Space Detection
Elevator technology has changed considerably. Many modern elevators do not have the traditional large machine room that older fire alarm drawings show.
You may encounter:
- Machine rooms
- Control rooms
- Machinery spaces
- Control spaces
- Machine-room-less elevator arrangements
That is why modern elevator/fire alarm coordination should not simply use "EMR smoke detector" as a universal design note.
Identify the actual elevator equipment configuration and coordinate the required detection and interfaces accordingly.
What Is the Flashing Fire Hat Signal?
One of the most recognizable elevator emergency indicators is the illuminated or flashing firefighter helmet symbol, commonly called the fireman's hat or firefighter hat light.
Its purpose is to warn firefighters of specified fire conditions associated with the elevator equipment or hoistway so they have additional information before using the elevator under Firefighters' Emergency Operation.
Elevator Recall Is Not the Same as Elevator Shunt Trip
This distinction causes a tremendous amount of confusion.
Elevator recall and elevator power shutdown are separate functions.
Recall initiates the appropriate elevator emergency operation so the elevator controller can move the car to the required recall landing and remove it from normal passenger operation.
Shunt trip, where required, disconnects the affected elevator's main line power before water from specified automatic sprinklers can be applied to elevator electrical equipment.
The current IBC requires automatic elevator power shutdown where qualifying elevator hoistways, machine rooms, control rooms or control spaces containing elevator control equipment are sprinkler protected. The shutdown means is coordinated with NFPA 72 and must operate before application of water.
For a detailed explanation, see our complete guide: Elevator Shunt Trip Requirements & Codes.
Do Elevator Shunt-Trip Heat Detectors Recall the Elevator?
Do not automatically treat a shunt-trip heat detector as an ordinary elevator recall detector.
The detector used to initiate elevator power shutdown has a specific emergency-control function. Its required outputs must follow the approved sequence and current elevator/fire alarm requirements.
This distinction is important when programming addressable fire alarm systems because one physical initiating device can have multiple required consequences, but those consequences should come from the approved sequence rather than assumptions carried over from another project.
Heat Detector vs Sprinkler Temperature for Shunt Trip
Where heat detection is used to initiate elevator power shutdown before sprinkler operation, the detector selection and installation must be coordinated so the required power shutdown occurs before the application of water.
Do not reduce this requirement to the oversimplified rule:
"Just use a lower-temperature heat detector."
Temperature ratings, response characteristics, spacing, sprinkler characteristics, ceiling conditions and the applicable code/listing all need to be coordinated.
We explain that subject separately in: Elevator Shunt Trip Requirements & Codes.
Typical Fire Alarm Inputs for Elevator Recall
The exact devices depend on the project, but a fire alarm programmer might encounter inputs associated with:
- Designated-level elevator lobby detection
- Other elevator lobby detection
- Machine-room detection
- Control-room detection
- Machinery-space detection
- Control-space detection
- Required hoistway detection
- Heat detection associated with elevator power shutdown
- Sprinkler-system supervisory or waterflow functions where required
Typical Fire Alarm Outputs Associated With Elevators
Depending on the approved design, outputs may include:
- Designated-level recall
- Alternate-level recall
- Firefighter warning / flashing hat signal
- Elevator power shutdown interface
- Standby or emergency-power-related interface functions where required
- Other elevator-controller interfaces required by the approved sequence
How I Break Down Elevator Recall Programming
When programming an addressable fire alarm system, I recommend starting with the approved sequence of operations instead of starting at the fire alarm panel.
Make a list of every elevator-related input.
Then make a separate list of every required output.
Finally, create an input/output matrix showing exactly which output each input must activate.
Example Programming Matrix
| Example Input | Recall Function | Other Required Function |
|---|---|---|
| Designated-floor lobby smoke | Alternate recall | Per approved sequence |
| Other-floor lobby smoke | Designated recall | Per approved sequence |
| Elevator equipment-space smoke | Per approved recall sequence | Firefighter warning where required |
| Shunt-trip initiating device | Do not assume ordinary recall logic | Power shutdown and other required interfaces per approved sequence |
Don't Program Elevator Recall From Memory
Even if you have programmed hundreds of elevators, do not assume the next project uses exactly the same sequence.
Before programming, review:
- Approved fire alarm drawings
- Elevator shop drawings
- Fire alarm sequence of operations
- Elevator interface requirements
- Sprinkler drawings
- Applicable building and elevator code requirements
- Emergency/standby power arrangement
- AHJ requirements
The fire alarm drawings and elevator drawings should agree on the required interfaces.
Fire Alarm Relay Modules and Elevator Controllers
In an addressable fire alarm system, elevator interfaces are commonly provided through listed addressable control/relay modules.
The fire alarm relay provides the required contact operation to the elevator control interface. The exact contact state, supervision, fail-safe arrangement and interface requirements must match the approved elevator controller requirements and project documentation.
Never assume that every elevator manufacturer wants the same normally-open or normally-closed interface arrangement.
For additional interface information, see: How to Wire an Elevator Shunt Trip | ECID & Relay Supervision.
Elevator Recall Testing
Elevator recall should be functionally tested as an integrated system rather than stopping when the fire alarm relay changes state.
Depending on the project and test scope, verification can include:
- Correct initiating device activation
- Correct FACU annunciation
- Correct designated or alternate recall output
- Receipt of the signal by the elevator controller
- Correct elevator response
- Correct firefighter warning indication where required
- Correct power-shutdown sequence where applicable
- Required emergency or standby power interaction
- Proper restoration after testing
A relay LED turning on is not proof that the complete elevator recall sequence works.
Special Case: Fire Service Access and Occupant Evacuation Elevators
Do not automatically apply an ordinary passenger-elevator shunt-trip detail to every elevator.
Modern building codes contain special provisions for Fire Service Access Elevators and Occupant Evacuation Elevators.
For example, current IBC provisions prohibit the ordinary Section 3005.5 shunt-trip means on elevator systems used as Fire Service Access Elevators and Occupant Evacuation Elevators.
These systems require careful coordination with the building, elevator, sprinkler and fire alarm designs.
Common Elevator Recall Programming Mistakes
- Assuming Floor 1 is always the designated recall floor.
- Sending designated-floor lobby smoke to designated recall instead of the required alternate operation.
- Treating elevator recall and shunt trip as the same function.
- Installing hoistway smoke detection automatically without determining why it is required.
- Using outdated "machine room only" terminology on machine-room-less elevators.
- Programming the flashing firefighter hat from memory instead of the approved sequence.
- Assuming every elevator controller uses identical relay contact logic.
- Testing only the fire alarm relay instead of verifying the elevator actually performs the required operation.
- Copying an old project sequence into a new project without reviewing the current elevator shop drawings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is elevator recall?
Elevator Phase I Emergency Recall Operation removes affected elevators from normal passenger service and sends them to the appropriate recall landing in response to specified emergency conditions.
What is designated-level recall?
Designated-level recall causes the elevator controller to perform Phase I operation to the designated recall landing established by the approved elevator design.
What is alternate-level recall?
Alternate-level recall sends the elevator to the approved alternate landing when the designated landing is associated with the detected fire condition or when otherwise required by the approved sequence.
Is the designated recall level always the first floor?
No. Although the main level of exit discharge is commonly used, the actual designated and alternate recall levels must be verified from the approved elevator design.
How far can an elevator lobby smoke detector be from the elevator?
Where the applicable NFPA 72 prescriptive lobby-detection arrangement is used, the detector must be positioned so the required elevator doors in the controlled bank are within the specified 21-foot criterion. Always verify the adopted NFPA 72 edition and project configuration.
Does every elevator shaft require a smoke detector?
No. Hoistway detection depends on the elevator, sprinkler, machinery/control-space and smoke-control configuration and the applicable codes and standards.
Does elevator recall shut off elevator power?
No. Recall and elevator power shutdown are separate functions. Shunt trip is used only where required by the applicable code and sprinkler/elevator arrangement.
Does a shunt-trip heat detector automatically recall the elevator?
Do not make that assumption. The initiating device's required functions must come from the approved sequence of operations and applicable current codes.
What is the flashing fire hat?
It is the firefighter warning indicator associated with specified elevator emergency conditions. Its operation must follow the applicable elevator code and approved sequence.
Related Fire Alarms Online Elevator Guides
Elevator recall is only one part of the complete fire alarm/elevator interface. Continue with these related Fire Alarms Online guides:
- Elevator Recall and Shunt Trip Basics
- Elevator Shunt Trip Requirements & Codes
- How to Wire an Elevator Shunt Trip | ECID & Relay Supervision
- Elevator Shunt Trip Wiring Diagram | Fire Alarm Power Shutdown
- Elevator Recall & Shunt Trip Explained | Current Code Guide
Bottom Line
Think of elevator recall programming as a sequence rather than a collection of relays:
Detection → Fire Alarm Logic → Elevator Interface → Elevator Controller → Required Emergency Operation.
Determine the designated and alternate recall levels, identify every required initiating device, establish the correct elevator interface outputs, separate recall from power shutdown, and verify the entire sequence through functional testing.
When the input/output matrix is correct, programming the fire alarm panel is usually the easy part.
It is a really great idea to connect the fire system alarm to the elevator system.
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