NIST's research on elevators has
primarily focused on the technical aspects of ensuring safe and
reliable evacuation for the occupants of tall buildings. In
addition, the International Code Council and the National Fire
Protection Association provide requirements for the use of
elevators for both occupant evacuation and fire fighter access into
the building. However, there still is little understanding of how
occupants use elevator systems during fire emergencies. The main
focus of this research effort is to gain an understanding of how
elevators are currently used by occupants of existing multi-story
buildings in the United States during fire emergencies. This
research aims to summarize emergency plans and procedures from
buildings that make use of one or multiple elevators from the
existing elevator system (used for normal building traffic) for the
evacuation of building occupants during fire emergencies. Building
managers and designated safety personnel from existing buildings in
the United States, including federal buildings, will be contacted
to fill out a questionnaire asking about how the buildings'
evacuation plans incorporate the use of the existing elevator
system to evacuate occupants during fire emergencies, specifically
individuals with disabilities, if at all.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.