Describes a joint U.S./Canadian project to evaluate the feasibility of using elevators for the evacuation of physically handicapped people during a fire. The project consisted of conceptual studies, full-scale fire experiments and theoretical analysis. Summarises the findings that are relevant to the design of smoke control systems for lifts. Discusses a method of dealing with lift piston effect. Presents different approaches for dealing with the pressure fluctuations caused by opening and closing of building doors. Presents an approach for design and analysis with example analyses of two different lift smoke control systems. States the results indicate that many types of lift smoke control systems can be designed to provide acceptable levels of pressurisation even under severe conditions of doors opening and closing.

KEYWORDS: Lifts, pressurisation, smoke ventilation, experiment, physically handicapped people, designing, escape routes, fire protection