Imagine a firefighter running into a building with a fire on a high floor and he can’t find where it is located. The same holds for emergency service personnel who are responding to the report of a man with a heart attack. In both instances seconds can make a difference, says Ira Meister, president and CEO, Matthew Adam Properties, a leading New York property management firm.
Elevator signage helps prevent confusion for firefighters and emergency personnel
To reduce the uncertainty, chaos and lost time, the New York City Department of Buildings and the Fire Department have implemented recommendations from the real estate community that improve elevator signage in residential and commercial buildings. .
“The new regulations help eliminate any confusion for firefighters and other emergency service personnel when responding to a call” says Meister The signage identifies the various elevator banks so responders can more quickly find the bank where assistance is needed.
“This regulation is a good idea,” Meister says. He explains that the new regulations require buildings to have both a letter and number to designate elevators. Elevator banks will be identified by a letter and the individual cars by a number. “For example, this makes it easier for firefighters to immediately find the elevator bank where the fire is located,” Meister says.
The signage must be posted at a designated level, usually the street floor that best serves the needs of the firefighters or emergency personnel and then on every floor at all entrance points to the elevator bank. The lettering must be at least 3 inches high. Also, all elevator equipment will have the same designation.
“This regulation is being enforced and buildings that have not complied to date should do so as soon as possible to avoid receiving a notice of violation,” Meister says.