December 7, 2021
TO: Plan Check and Inspection Unit Development Services Section Fire Prevention and Public Safety Bureau
FROM: Dwayne Laurent, Fire Captain II Fire Development Services
SUBJECT: ELEVATOR CAR TO ACCOMMODATE AMBULANCE STRETCHER- EXEMPTIONS TO THE MINIMUM DIMENSIONS
It has been brought to our attention that new elevator cars intended to be used for emergency medical service are being manufactured to dimensions smaller than the minimum code required size set forth in the California Building Code (CBC) 3002.4.3a.
CBC 3002.4.3a states: 3002.4.3a Elevator entrance openings and car size. The elevator car shall be of such a size and arrangement to accommodate a 24-inch by 84-inch (610 mm by 2134 mm) ambulance gurney or stretcher with not less than 5-inch (127 mm) radius corners, in the horizontal, open position, shall be provided with a minimum clear distance between walls or between walls and door excluding return panels not less than 80 inches by 54 inches (2032 mm by 1372 mm), and a minimum distance from wall to return panel not less than 51 inches (1295 mm) with a 42-inch (1067 mm) side slide door.
Exception: The elevator car dimensions and/or the clear entrance opening dimensions may be altered where it can be demonstrated to the local jurisdictional authority’s satisfaction that the proposed configuration will handle the designated gurney or stretcher with equivalent ease. Documentation from the local authority shall be provided to the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board.
The exception in CBC 3002.4.3a grants the local jurisdiction, in this case the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), the authority to accept elevator car dimensions demonstrated by an elevator manufacturer to accommodate an ambulance gurney with surface extenders.
In an effort to assist elevator manufacturers, architects, engineers and developers in proposing alternate elevator car sizes to accommodate ambulance stretchers, the LAFD has established the following procedures for approval of a smaller medical emergency service elevator.
1. The elevator manufacturer shall submit a request in writing to the LAFD Development Services Section (FDS) for approval at 201 N Figueroa St Suite 210 Los Angeles, CA 90012. Approval shall be in writing by the FDS Field Inspection Unit Commander. Said approval can be revoked at any time without prior notice.
2. Plans shall be prepared by the elevator manufacturer that show graphically that an ambulance stretcher with minimum dimensions of 24-inches by 84-inches (610 mm by 2134 mm) with not less than 5-inch (127 mm) radius corners and surface extenders with a dimension of 27-inches by 38-inches (605.6 mm x 965.2 mm) can be accommodated with similar ease as the code prescribed elevator car size See figure 1 for gurney specifications.
3. Plans shall also show that space will be provided for a minimum of two (2) LAFD emergency operations members in addition to the ambulance stretcher. Each LAFD members shall be shown graphically as a 21-inch (533.4 mm) diameter circle.
4. The minimum dimensions for the elevator car shall not be less than any other code required minimum, including but not limited to, those dimensions required by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA).
5. Approval shall be presented to the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) for filing of approval to the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board.
2021
The following elevator cars have been reviewed and granted approval by FDS. The list will be amended as additional elevators are approved.
Delta - 2800, 88” X 52” Front Opening
Delta - 2800, 88” x 52” Front and Rear Opening
Delta - 2800, 58” x 80.5” Front Opening
Delta - 2800, 58” x 80.5” Rear Opening
Delta - 3500, 80” x 64” Front Opening
Delta - 3500, 80” x 64” Front and Rear Opening
Diamond Elevator - 2800, 88" x 51.5" Front and Rear Opening
KONE – MonoSpace 300 or MonoSpace 500, 2500# (6’-8” x 4’-3 31/32”) Front Opening Side Slide
KONE – MonoSpace 300 or MonoSpace 500, 2500# (6’-8” x 4’-3 31/32”) Front and Rear Side Slide Diagonally Opposed
KONE – MonoSpace 300 or MonoSpace 500, 3500# (6’-4 23/32” x 5’-6 3/16”) Front Opening Side Slide
KONE – MonoSpace 300 or MonoSpace 500, 3500# (6’-4 23/32” x 5’-6 3/16”) Front and Rear Side Slide Diagonally Opposed
KONE – MonoSpace 300 or MonoSpace 500, 4000# (7’-5 13/16” x 5’-6 3/16”) Front Center Opening
KONE – MonoSpace 300 or MonoSpace 500, 4000# (7’-5 13/16” x 5’-6 3/16”) Front and Rear Center Opening
KONE – MonoSpace 300 or MonoSpace 500, 4000# Service (5’-6 3/16” x 7’-7 15/32”) Front Side Slide
KONE – MonoSpace 300 or MonoSpace 500, 4000# Service (5’-6 3/16” x 7’-7 15/32”) Front and Rear Side Slide
KONE – MonoSpace 300 or MonoSpace 500, 4500# Service (5’-6 3/16” x 8’-1 3/8”) Front Side Slide
KONE – MonoSpace 300 or MonoSpace 500, 4500# Service (5’-6 3/16” x 8’-1 3/8”) Front and Rear Side Slide
KONE – MonoSpace 300 or MonoSpace 500, 5000# Service (5’-6 3/16” x 8’-9 3/16”) Front Side Slide
KONE – MonoSpace 300 or MonoSpace 500, 5000# Service (5’-6 3/16” x 8’-9 3/16”) Front and Rear Side Slide
KONE – MonoSpace 300 or MonoSpace 500, 5200# Service (5’-8 1/2” x 9’-0”) Front Side Slide
KONE – MonoSpace 300 or MonoSpace 500, 5200# Service (5’-8 1/2” x 9’-0”) Front and Rear Side Slide
Model 3300, 3000 Pound car:
Schindler - 3300, 3,000# ( 6’9” x 4’10 7/8”) Front Opening 2SSO RH Door Right Side
Schindler - 3300, 3,000# ( 6’9” x 4’10 7/8”) Front Opening 2SSO LH Door Right Side
Schindler - 3300, 3,000# ( 6’9” x 4’10 7/8”) Front & Rear Staggered Entrances 2SSO RH/ RH Doors
Schindler - 3300, 3,000# ( 6’9” x 4’10 7/8”) Front & Rear Staggered Entrances 2SSO LH/LH Doors
4 December 7, 2021
TRE 3500 88 X 52 Front opening
KONE – MonoSpace 700 or MiniSpace, 3500# (6’-8 1/2” x 5’-5 1/4”) Front Opening Side Slide
KONE – MonoSpace 700 or MiniSpace, 3500# (6’-8 1/2” x 5’-5 3/4”) Front and Rear Side Slide Diagonally Opposed
KONE – MonoSpace 700 or MiniSpace, 4000# (7’-8 1/2” x 5’-5 1/4”) Front Center Opening
KONE – MonoSpace 700 or MiniSpace, 4000# (7’-8 1/2” x 5’-5 3/4”) Front and Rear Center Opening
KONE – MonoSpace 700 or MiniSpace, 4000# Service (5’-8 1/2” x 7’-6”) Front Side Slide
KONE – MonoSpace 700 or MiniSpace, 4000# Service (5’-8 1/2” x 7’-6 1/2”) Front and Rear Side Slide
KONE – MonoSpace 700 or MiniSpace, 4500# Service (5’-8 1/2” x 8’-0”) Front Side Slide
KONE – MonoSpace 700 or MiniSpace, 4500# Service (5’-8 1/2” x 8’-0 1/2”) Front and Rear Side Slide
KONE – MonoSpace 700 or MiniSpace, 5000# Service (5’-8 1/2” x 8’-7 3/4”) Front Side Slide
KONE – MonoSpace 700 or MiniSpace, 5000# Service (5’-8 1/2” x 8’-8 1/4”) Front and Rear Side Slide
KONE – MonoSpace 700 or MiniSpace, 5200# Service (5’-8 1/2” x 9’-0”) Front Side Slide
KONE – MonoSpace 700 or MiniSpace, 5200# Service (5’-8 1/2” x 9’-0 1/2”) Front and Rear Side Slide
Modular Elevator Manufacturing - HOLE-LESS HW-2-3500G
OTIS – G2S, 3500# (6’-5 9/16” x 5’-5 9/16”) Side Slide
OTIS – G2S, 3500# (6’-6 3/4” x 5’-6 1/8”) Side Slide
OTIS – Hydrofit, 3500# (6’-5 9/16” x 5’-5 9/16”) Side Slide
OTIS – Hydrofit, 3500# (6’-6 3/4” x 5’-6 1/8”) Side Slide
Schindler – 3300, 3500# (6’-4 9/16” x 5’-6 15/16”) Front Opening 2SSO RH Door Right Side Schindler – 3300, 3500# (6’-4 9/16” x 5’-6 15/16”) Front Opening 2SSO LH Door Left Side
Schindler – 3300, 3500# (6’-4 9/16” x 5’-6 15/16”) Front & Rear Staggered Entrances 2SSO RH/ RH Doors
Schindler – 3300, 3500# (6’-4 9/16” x 5’-6 15/16”) Front & Rear Pass/Through Entrances 2SSO RH/LH Doors
OTIS - G20, GEN3 & HydroFit 3500# (80" x 66") Front & Rear Opening
OTIS - G20, GEN3 & Hydrofit 3500# (80" x 65") Front Opening
OTIS - G2S, GEN3 & Hydrofit 3500# (78" x 66") Front & Rear Opening
OTIS - G2S, GEN3 & Hydrofit 3500# (78" x 66") Front Opening
Figures below are examples of the diagrams that need to be prepared by the elevator manufacturer for consideration of a reduced size.
Figure 1:
Current LAFD gurney manufacturer specifications:
