Elevator hoistway exhaust fan

[Electromatic]

Dang elevator codes are driving me crazy! I'm in the final steps of a new install in an existing business-type building (restaurant 1st floor, office space 2nd, unfinished 3rd). There are sprinkler heads at the top of the shaft and in the pit, and there is a smoke detector at the top of the shaft. It is a machine room-less system with the gear sitting in a cowling in the shaft on the 1st floor.
There is an exhaust fan at the top of the shaft. All our plan says is to provide power. I would imagine that the fan would be controlled by the smoke detector at the top of the shaft. However, there are two trains of thought on its operation. Is it normally on then turns off if the detector is activated? This would help stop air flow to a fire. Or is it normally off and turns on when the detector is activated? This would vent smoke from the shaft during a fire.
All I can find in the IBC talks about machine room venting to maintain temperature for equipment. ASME 17.1 just says when required, hoistways shall be provided with means to prevent the accumulation of smoke and hot gases.

Also, if anyone wants to weigh-in on the pit wiring and devices needing to be NEMA 4 or even 3R, I'll listen. I read some other threads here and have gone through ASME 17.1. Again, there is a sprinkler in the pit. I'm of the opinion that the pit accessories (convenience receptacle, etc.) do not have to be any type of wet location rated. NEC doesn't say anything like that, and the ASME talks about elevator electrical equipment needing to be NEMA 4. I take that to refer to the actual elevator equipment, not the pit accessories, especially since I don't see how you would achieve a NEMA 4 receptacle.

Thanks for any thoughts and reading this pseudo rant!

 

[MyCleveland]

E…matic
You need to get the ME or MC to tell you how the fan gets controlled. Don’t take on work others should be doing.

Never used nema 3R or type 4 in the pit.

All jobs that had sprinklers, also needed shunt trip for the main power feed, and smokes and heat detectors in pit and top of shaft. Talk with your FA guy.

Separate ccts for ALL 120v loads, cab ltg, pit recep, sump, etc.

Pit log….20 fc I believe. Sometimes lag in shaft at each floor.

Label for short cct current, make note that every mfg data sheets I have seen simply state controller labeled at 10k SCCR.

 

[gadfly56]

E…matic
You need to get the ME or MC to tell you how the fan gets controlled. Don’t take on work others should be doing.

Never used nema 3R or type 4 in the pit.

All jobs that had sprinklers, also needed shunt trip for the main power feed, and smokes and heat detectors in pit and top of shaft. Talk with your FA guy.

Separate ccts for ALL 120v loads, cab ltg, pit recep, sump, etc.

Pit log….20 fc I believe. Sometimes lag in shaft at each floor.

Label for short cct current, make note that every mfg data sheets I have seen simply state controller labeled at 10k SCCR.

You only provide a shunt trip if there are sprinklers in the top of the hoistway or in the elevator machine room. Pit sprinklers don't count.

Pit lights and receptacles have to be wet location rated.

 

[MyCleveland]

You only provide a shunt trip if there are sprinklers in the top of the hoistway or in the elevator machine room. Pit sprinklers don't count.

Pit lights and receptacles have to be wet location rated.

I thought stated was sprinkler at top and in pit.

Always called out pit ltg as VT enclosed…as far as other items not disputing just never called out for wet. Probably like many things, EC new better and had it included.

 

[gadfly56]

I thought stated was sprinkler at top and in pit.

Always called out pit ltg as VT enclosed…as far as other items not disputing just never called out for wet. Probably like many things, EC new better and had it included.

I was just trying to draw the distinction that just because the pit has sprinklers, you have to look up and see if they are there as well. It sounded to me like you were saying any sprinklers, regardless of location. Apologies if I misread you.

 

[Electromatic]

Thanks for the feedback, though it seems even @gadfly56 and @MyCleveland have different opinions on the pit devices needing to be 3R. The light is a vaportight as spec'd in the prints. I think this is often used for guarding of the "bulb" as is required. I put the devices in 4sq boxes with raised covers. The elevator guys (out of town company only coming back when inspection is ready) never said anything until right before they left then told me they should be weatherproof. I've asked two of the local inspectors and have not received an answer.

I do have separate circuits for the sump, convenience rec, etc. I'm using a Littelfuse elevator disconnect that has the shunt trip built into it and has the tie-in points for power monitoring, etc.

As for the fan, the architect/engineer is out of the picture at this point. The MC has given no input. The GC thinks it should be on then turn off with smoke detection. I asked the local inspector about this, too, as was just told that it's up to the elevator inspector. I did find in the NYC building code for mechanical hoistway ventilation: "The smoke detector shall be placed at the top of the hoistway and shall activate the mechanical ventilation system." I, however, am not in New York.

 

[MyCleveland]

E…matic
Engineer is out of picture, I assume you mean EE and ME.
I would try the state officials and maybe you can catch someone in office or return your call. Be sure to tell them the engineers have not detailed anything and the plans were approved with none of the requirements.