Fires in elevator hoistways will generally be which size?

Fires in elevator hoistways will generally be which size?

• A. Very large
• B. Medium
• C. Unknown
• D. Small

Answer: (D)

Fires in elevator hoistways stay small because the shaft provides limited fuel and restricted airflow. The hoistway is a confined space with mostly inert construction—steel, concrete, and modest amounts of insulation and equipment—so there isn’t a large fuel load to feed a fire. The vertical shaft also limits oxygen and tends to slow flame spread, helping keep the fire growth to a minimum. In practice, shaft fires are typically contained to a small area, even if smoke can be significant. This is why the expected size is small.

Fires in elevator hoistways stay small because the shaft provides limited fuel and restricted airflow. The hoistway is a confined space with mostly inert construction—steel, concrete, and modest amounts of insulation and equipment—so there isn’t a large fuel load to feed a fire. The vertical shaft also limits oxygen and tends to slow flame spread, helping keep the fire growth to a minimum. In practice, shaft fires are typically contained to a small area, even if smoke can be significant. This is why the expected size is small.