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C7 • • An effective solution to the counter-flow issue is a dedicated firefighting stairway. Codes in the United Kingdom contain specifications for such fire- fighting stairs, elevators, and intervening lobbies in buildings of a certain height (Figure 2.23). Current U.S. codes do not require dedicated stairways or elevators. The disadvantages of dedicated firefight- ing stairways include: cost, space, and the effort needed to keep them clear and in operating order. A solution to egress delays caused by either counter-flow or total evacuation is to provide addi- tional exit capacity by means of additional stairs or widened stairs. Cost and space are also disadvan- tages of this solution. [.,I 1 1.L in 1T11;=iI,E611' ul Ei 11-7 :N - ...r ~-N k i 1;i :t - is ..,2-i F c:., ? - . • -r^r:•`: r' !I,-t:i I:iul I'*.1 • ~ 7l : ~7' - l! u,, f c~._ l: ,l'c: i.a..,• ~ ;I:•. ,iii '{'_-N', ~ 1 '~t_:; (Fig. 2.23) Dedicated firefighting stairway/elevator tower. © Crown Copyright 2000 Queen's Printer of Acts of Parliament. These issues currently remain unresolved in the code community; however, a designer may encounter these issues on projects for large, high- security, or high-profile facilities. Further guidance on the movement of people in buildings can be found in the Society of Fire Protection Engineers' publication, Human Behavior in Fire. Considerations - Firefighter Access . ■ Consider firefighter foot access in site design. ■ Avoid using areas that are likely to be obstructed (i.e., shipping and receiving areas). - ■ Label blocked doors with exterior signage. ■ Coordinate temporary construction storage and loading areas with access points and fire, protection features. ■ Provide key boxes when required; recommend. their use in other areas. ■ Locate key boxes as recommended by the par- ticular fire department. ■ Include fire protection features on building directories. ■ Provide signs or diagrams at limited access entrances. ■ Identify rooms containing utility shutoffs and fire protection equipment. ■ Coordinate elevator recall level with fire serv- ice operating procedures. ■ Design elevator shutdown feature to minimize the chance of trapping firefighters. ■ Provide identification signs at each level. of every stairway. ■ Extend stairs up or down with construction or demolition; consider the need for lighting and rated enclosure. ■ Where total evacuation of a large building is likely, consider additional egress capacity. ■ Where firefighter.counter-flow is expected, consider. additional egress capacity or dedicat- ed firefighting stairs. FIRE SERVICE FEATURES OF BUILDINGS AND FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS s 141 s 261