When an alarm sounds, people naturally look for the quickest way out. In a multi-storey building, that can make a lift seem like the obvious choice. But can lifts operate during fires? In most buildings, lifts are designed to stop normal passenger service and return to a nominated floor when the fire system activates. This is not a fault. It is a deliberate safety response that helps keep occupants out of a lift car that may become unsafe during an emergency.

For property owners and facility managers, the key point is simple: a lift may still have power or be capable of moving during a fire, but that does not mean it is available for general occupant use. Fire recall, firefighter operation and evacuation lift systems each serve different purposes. Understanding the difference is essential when planning a building, maintaining its compliance systems or responding to an incident.

Why ordinary lifts are usually not used in a fire

A conventional passenger lift relies on electrical power, lift shafts and landing doors that can all be affected by fire, heat, smoke or water. Smoke entering a lift well or machine space can interfere with equipment. Water from sprinklers or firefighting hoses can affect electrical components. A fire on the floor where the lift stops may also expose passengers to immediate danger when the doors open.

There is another serious risk: if the building loses power or a critical lift component fails, passengers can become trapped between floors. Emergency crews may then need to perform a lift rescue while managing a fire elsewhere in the building.

For these reasons, evacuation plans generally direct able-bodied occupants to use fire-isolated stairs, follow emergency wardens and leave by the designated exits. Signs advising people not to use lifts during a fire are not a general precaution. They reflect the way standard lift systems are intended to operate during an alarm condition.

Can lifts operate during fires under fire recall?

Many commercial and multi-residential lifts are connected to the building fire detection and alarm system. When the relevant alarm activates, the lift enters a fire recall sequence. The exact operation depends on the building design, lift controls and applicable requirements, but the usual outcome is that the lift travels automatically to a designated recall level, opens its doors and is taken out of normal service.

The designated level is often the main entry level, provided it is safe. If the alarm is triggered at, or affects, that level, the lift may be directed to an alternative recall floor. This helps prevent the lift from delivering occupants into the area of concern.

Once recalled, the lift will generally not respond to ordinary car or landing calls. This removes the temptation for occupants to use it as an exit route and makes the lift available for authorised emergency operation if required.

A fire recall sequence only works as intended when the lift, fire panel, detectors, interfaces and emergency power arrangements are correctly installed, tested and maintained. A lift can be mechanically sound yet still fail to respond appropriately if a fire interface has been altered, damaged or not tested after building works.

Firefighter lift control is different from passenger use

Some buildings have lift controls that allow authorised fire services personnel to take command of a lift after it has been recalled. This is commonly referred to as firefighter operation. It gives attending crews a controlled way to use a suitable lift for access, equipment movement or operational support.

A firefighter-controlled lift is not an ordinary passenger lift with a different key switch. It forms part of a broader emergency strategy. Its suitability depends on factors such as the lift’s protection, controls, communications, power supply and the conditions at the site. Firefighters make the decision about whether to use it after assessing the incident.

Building staff should never attempt to override recall operation or place a lift back into service during a fire. Doing so can put occupants, contractors and emergency crews at risk. If a lift has entered fire mode, keep people clear, follow the site emergency plan and wait for direction from emergency services.

Evacuation lifts provide a different option

The statement “never use a lift in a fire” is useful for most occupants, but it is not the full picture for every modern building. Some buildings are designed with evacuation lifts that can be used as part of a managed evacuation strategy, particularly for people who cannot safely use stairs.

An evacuation lift is a specially designed and protected system. It may include additional fire and smoke protection, protected electrical supplies, suitable communications, water management measures and controls that support emergency use. It also needs to be integrated with the building’s fire engineering approach, evacuation procedures and trained staff response.

This matters for buildings serving residents, patients, visitors and workers with reduced mobility. A refuge area, assisted evacuation plan or evacuation lift may be needed to provide a safe and practical alternative to stairs. However, an evacuation lift should only be used according to the building’s documented emergency procedures. It is not safe to assume that every lift in an aged care facility, hospital, apartment tower or office building has this capability.

For new developments and major refurbishments, early coordination between the building surveyor, fire engineer, architect, electrical contractor and lift provider is critical. Retrofitting a lift to meet a specialist evacuation function can involve far more than changing controls inside the car.

What facility managers should check

A fire event exposes the connections between several building systems. The lift itself is only one part of the response. Facilities teams should ensure the emergency procedures clearly state what occupants, wardens and security staff must do when lifts recall.

The practical priorities include keeping fire recall interfaces tested, confirming that nominated recall levels remain appropriate after tenancy changes, and ensuring lift landing signage is visible and current. Lift phones and any emergency communication equipment should also be maintained so trapped passengers can speak with the appropriate contact if a separate fault occurs.

After a fire alarm, fire incident or water ingress event, do not simply return the lift to service because the alarm has stopped. The lift should be assessed by an approved lift technician, with attention to the shaft, pit, doors, controller, travelling cables and electrical equipment. Even minor smoke contamination or moisture can create delayed reliability issues.

Maintenance supports dependable emergency operation

Routine maintenance is not just about smoother travel, accurate levelling and fewer breakdowns. It also provides an opportunity to identify worn door equipment, damaged seals, control faults and communication issues before an emergency reveals them.

Testing must be coordinated carefully. Fire recall testing can affect tenants and building access, while changes to the fire system may affect lift operation. Documented testing, clear contractor coordination and prompt rectification help minimise disruption while protecting compliance and occupant safety.

For older buildings, modernisation may be worth considering where controls are unreliable, communication systems are outdated or the existing fire interface no longer suits the building’s operational needs. The right solution depends on the building’s age, use, height, fire strategy and the condition of the lift equipment.

A clear response protects people first

During a fire or alarm activation, occupants should follow the building’s emergency instructions, use the designated exits and avoid ordinary lifts. Do not hold doors open, force a recalled lift to respond or try to retrieve belongings from another floor. If someone needs assistance to evacuate, notify wardens or emergency services and follow the building’s approved assisted evacuation procedure.

For owners and managers, the safest approach is to treat lift operation, fire systems and emergency planning as one connected responsibility. Skyrise Elevators can help assess lift performance, maintenance needs and modernisation options so your vertical transport equipment remains dependable in normal operation and properly prepared for the situations when safety matters most.