Overview
An elevator shunt, or shunt trip, is a safety device that cuts power to an elevator's motor by tripping its main circuit breaker when smoke or heat detectors in the machine room activate, stopping the elevator. This system uses heat detectors set at lower temperatures than sprinklers to trigger.
NEW BUILDINGS
- In lieu of compliance with §9-604.6.3 Shunt Trip, Title 24 of the California Fire Code. Fire sprinklers within building shall be installed in compliance with §9.3.6 Elevators, NFPA 13 2025 ED.
EXISTING BUILDINGS
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A fire alarm system upgrade does not generate an existing elevator controller upgrade. If an elevator is upgraded or altered (elevator controller replacement, etc.) the requirements of ASME A17.1-2025, NFPA 72, 2025 ED, and items 2-4 below shall apply.
- If the existing elevator was provided with a shunt-trip function, the fire alarm system shall maintain this function, unless an elevator improvement, upgrade, or remodel is provided. NFPA §9.3.6, NFPA 13 2025 ED shall be applied and the elevator shunt-trip function shall be removed.
- Sprinklers shall not be required in elevator hoistways where the suspension means is in accordance with one of the following:
- A noncombustible suspension means
- A combustible suspension means in accordance with the FT-1 test method and tested to the vertical burn test requirements of UL 2556, Wire and Cable Test Methods, that does not continue to burn for more than 60 seconds, and the indicator flag does not burn more than 25 percent
- Sprinklers shall be required in elevator machine rooms, machinery spaces, control rooms, and control spaces containing combustible hydraulic fluid.
- Where provided, sprinklers in elevator machine rooms, machinery spaces, control rooms, control spaces, or hoistways shall be standard response spray sprinklers.
- Sprinklers shall not be required in elevator hoistways where the suspension means is in accordance with one of the following:
Applicants shall have this reflected in construction documents as part of the building permit package.
- If an existing elevator was not provided with the shunt-trip function, and existing sprinklers are located in the elevator machine room/ shaft in accordance with the code at the time of construction for the building and an elevator upgrade is not part of the scope of the project; the sprinklers may remain as installed as part of the pre-existing conforming condition.
- If new sprinklers are installed, sprinkler coverage shall be for elevator hoistways and elevator machinery spaces shall be in accordance with §9.3.6, NFPA 13 2025 ED.
- Sprinklers shall not be required in elevator hoistways where the suspension means is in accordance with one of the following:
- A noncombustible suspension means
- A combustible suspension means in accordance with the FT-1 test method and tested to the vertical burn test requirements of UL 2556, Wire and Cable Test Methods, that does not continue to burn for more than 60 seconds, and the indicator flag does not burn more than 25 percent
- Sprinklers shall be required in elevator machine rooms, machinery spaces, control rooms, and control spaces containing combustible hydraulic fluid.
- Where provided, sprinklers in elevator machine rooms, machinery spaces, control rooms, control spaces, or hoistways shall be standard response spray sprinklers.
- Sprinklers shall not be required in elevator hoistways where the suspension means is in accordance with one of the following:
Applicants shall have this reflected in construction documents as part of the building permit package.
For further information, please reach out to [email protected]