Chart of Revisions to Survey

Usage of Elevators for Occupant Evacuation Questionnaire

OMB Control No. 0693-0061

Table of Changes

Proposed Question Number	Previous Question Number questionnaire	Reason for the change
NA	Previous Question #1: Name of building:___________________	Previous Question #1 has been deleted since it does not allow for appropriate privacy of the building.
NEW Question #1. Location of building: State: ________	Previous Question #2: Location of building: City: ________ State: ________	The previous question asking about the “City” has been deleted since it does not allow for appropriate privacy of the building. Now, the respondent is only asked to name the “State” in which the building is located.
NEW Question #2. What is the occupancy type of the building? Mark all that apply. Ambulatory Health Care Assembly Business Day Care Detention and Correction Educational Health care Industrial Mercantile Residential (e.g., apartment building, hotel, lodging and rooming house, dormitory) Residential Board and Care Storage	Previous Question #3: What is the occupancy type of the building? Mark all that apply. Business Residential Assembly Health care Educational Institutional Detention/correctional Mercantile Industrial Storage High hazard	The actual question has not changed. However, the response options have changed slightly. They are now alphabetized. Also, some options were added for clarity purposes: “Ambulatory health care, day care, and residential board and care” were not necessarily captured in the original questionnaire by the “residential” or “health care” options, so they were added as specific response options. Specific examples were added after the “Residential” option. And the “institutional” option was deleted from the list because it was not necessary. Finally “detention and correction” was reworded for clarification purposes.
New Question #s 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.	Previous Question #s 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9	No changes to these questions. The question was re-numbered in the proposed revised version.
New Question #9.	Previous Question #10 – “Answer Table” – See the text box at the end of this document.	Table has been deleted since it was deemed unnecessary for data collection by the agency sponsor. The question remains the same
New Question #10.	Previous Question #12	No changes to this question. The question was re-numbered in the proposed revised version.
NA	Previous Questions #11, #14, and #15: Previous Question #11: Can at least one elevator car in your building accommodate an ambulance stretcher? Yes No Don’t know If yes, please identify each elevator car that can accommodate an ambulance stretcher (e.g., 1, 2, C, etc.): ____________ Previous Question #14: Is there a fire alarm system, including notification appliances and a control panel, installed in the building? Yes No Don’t know Previous Question #15: Does the building have an occupant evacuation plan (sometimes known as a fire safety plan, as a fire evacuation plan, or by another name)? Yes No Don’t know	Questions have been deleted since they were deemed unnecessary for data collection by the agency sponsor.
New Question #11.	Previous Question #13	No changes to this question. The question was re-numbered in the proposed revised version.
NEW Question #12. Are elevators used to evacuate some or all building occupants during fire emergencies as part of the building’s occupant evacuation plan? Yes No Don’t know	Previous Question #16: Are elevators used to evacuate building occupants during fire emergencies as part of the building’s occupant evacuation plan? Yes No Don’t know	The following text: “some or all”, was added for clarity and to be consistent with the following question in Section 2 (since it asked in the previous questionnaire: “Elevators are used to evacuate some or all occupants during which of the following types of fire evacuation procedures in the building?). Question was re-numbered.
NEW Question #13. Elevators are used to evacuate some or all occupants during which of the following types of fire evacuation procedures in the building? Partial evacuation only Full/complete evacuation only Both partial evacuation and full/complete building evacuation Not sure	Previous Question #17: Elevators are used to evacuate some or all occupants during which of the following types of fire evacuation procedures in the building? Partial evacuation only Full/complete evacuation only Both partial evacuation and full/complete building evacuation	Although this is not a human subjects issue, the IRB suggested a fourth response option to cover all bases – i.e., a “not sure” option.
NEW Question #14. During a fire emergency, elevators can be used by which of the following individuals? Please mark all that apply. Any occupant in the building Any occupant on the fire floor Any occupant in the fire evacuation zone (for example, the fire floor, two floors above, and two floors below) Individuals with disabilities or mobility impairments only	Previous Question #18: During a fire emergency, the occupant evacuation plan permits elevators to be used by the following individuals.? Please mark all that apply Any occupant in the building Any occupant on the fire floor Any occupant in the fire evacuation zone (for example, the fire floor, two floors above, and two floors below) Individuals with disabilities or mobility impairments only Others, please specify:_____________________	The IRB has asked EL to remove the “Others” response option from this question.
NA	Previous Question #19: What information is included in the occupant evacuation plan that determines which occupants are eligible to use the elevators during fire emergencies? This is not necessary, since anyone can use the elevators during fires The building’s fire safety staff designates a person as an elevator user before the fire occurs (during fire safety planning) The building’s fire safety staff designates a person as an elevator user during the fire emergency The floor’s fire safety staff (e.g., floor warden) designates a person as an elevator user before the fire occurs (during fire safety planning) The floor’s fire safety staff (e.g., floor warden) designates a person as an elevator user during the fire emergency The fire department designates a person as an elevator user before a fire occurs (during fire safety planning) The fire department designates a person as an elevator user during the fire emergency The occupant designates him/herself as an elevator user before a fire occurs (during fire safety planning) The occupant designates him/herself as an elevator user during the fire emergency Other, please specify:_____________________________________	Previous Question #19 has been deleted since it was deemed unnecessary for data collection as well as very confusing for the respondents.
See NEW Question #15 below	Previous Question #20 See text box at the end of this document.	First, the response options for Question #20 were altered. The “Other” response option was deleted for IRB purposes. Also, the “Parking elevators” option was deleted because it was deemed unnecessary by the project sponsor. Finally, explanations were provided for each response option for clarity. Second, the original table from Previous Question #20 was altered to increase clarity. The same types of information are asked in the revised table when compared with the original table, just in a different way.
NA	Previous Question #21: During a fire emergency, please describe the entire process that occupants should follow from the moment that the evacuation is initiated until the point when they reach safety. If these procedures vary by floor or by occupant type, please describe how. _________________________	Previous Question has been deleted due to IRB issues with privacy and concerns about participants providing private information about their building, which is unnecessary for this study.
NA	Previous Question 22: Which individual(s) or building system(s) determines the elevators are no longer safe to use for evacuation? Please mark all that apply. Building manager Building engineer Building fire safety director Member of building’s fire safety team (e.g., floor warden) Fire department Activation of smoke detection system Activation of fire sprinkler system Other, please specify: ________________	Previous Question has been deleted since it was deemed unnecessary for data collection by the sponsor.
NEW Question #16. How are elevators used for evacuation in your building? Please mark all that apply. Evacuation elevators operate in normal operating mode (i.e., the same mode used prior to the fire emergency) Building staff or management (or other building official) operates the elevator during evacuation Occupants are evacuated via elevators by fire fighters once the fire department arrives	Previous Questions #23 & #24: #23 Are the elevators used to evacuate individuals during fire emergencies on “normal elevator operating mode” (i.e., the same mode that is used prior to the emergency)? Yes No Don’t know #24 Are the elevators used to evacuate individuals during fire emergencies on Phase II recall? In Phase II recall, the responding fire department uses the elevators under manual control by placing a firefighter in the elevator car or cars (operated with a special fire fighter key). Yes No Don’t know	The new question is meant to replace and simplify the two previous questions for clarity purposes.
NEW Question #17 and Question #18. Elevators are provided with Phase I emergency recall operation? (One way to determine if Phase I emergency recall is present is by identifying a smoke detector within each elevator lobby) Yes No Don’t know Elevators are provided with Phase II emergency in-car operation? (One way to determine if Phase II emergency in-car operation is present is by identifying a 3-position key switch labeled “Fire Operation” located in the operation panel of each elevator car) Yes No Don’t know	NA	Two additional questions were added here to address the needs of the agency sponsor. These still ask similar questions to the original questionnaire regarding elevator features in the building, without providing open-ended response options.
NEW Question #19. and Question #20. Individuals (who are not fire fighters) are assigned to each elevator landing (also known as elevator lobby)? Yes No Don’t know Individuals (who are not fire fighters) are assigned to assist occupants with disabilities or mobility impairments to evacuate using elevators? Yes No Don’t know	Previous Question #25: Do the elevator procedures specified by the building’s occupant evacuation plan include any of the following? Dedicated individuals (who are not fire fighters) operating elevators during evacuation? Yes No Don’t know If yes, who is responsible for this duty (elevator operation)?_______________________ Please describe the specific duties of these individuals? _________________________ (e.g., manually press the buttons or choose where the elevator stops) What are the minimum training requirements for this job? ________________________ (if none, please note that) Dedicated individuals (who are not fire fighters) assigned to each elevator landing (also known as elevator lobby)? Yes No Don’t know If yes, who is responsible for this duty (lobby monitor)?_________________________ Please describe the specific duties of these individuals in the elevator landing or lobby? _________________________ (e.g., make sure the elevators are not full, etc.) What are the minimum training requirements for this job? ________________________ (if none, please note that) Dedicated individuals (who are not firefighters) assigned to assist individuals with disabilities or mobility impairments to evacuate? Yes No Don’t know If yes, who is responsible for this duty (assistance of people with disabilities)? ____________ Please describe the specific duties of these individuals? _________________________ (e.g., guide evacuees to the elevators, etc.) What are the minimum training requirements for this job? ________________________ (if none, please note that)	The proposed questions help to reduce confusion and help with data analysis: Previous Question #25 (a) is already covered in the question that is meant to replace Previous Questions #23 and #24 (described above). Previous Question #25 (b) and (c) is replaced by the new questions, listed above. All open-ended sub-questions were deleted from the questionnaire to alleviate NIST IRB privacy issues.
NEW Question #21 and NEW Question #22. A two-way communication system within each elevator car is provided to communicate to a location staffed by authorized personnel? Yes No Don’t know A two-way communication system within each elevator landing (or lobby area) is provided to communicate to a location staffed by authorized personnel? Yes No Don’t know a) If no, are two-way radios used by the floor wardens to communicate with a manned location? Yes No Don’t know	Previous Questions #26 & #27: Is an emergency two-way communication system provided within each elevator car to communicate between the elevator car and a manned location? Yes No Don’t know Is an emergency two-way communication system provided within each elevator landing (also known as the elevator lobby area) to communicate between the elevator landing and a manned location? Yes No Don’t know a) If no, are two-way radios used by the floor wardens to communicate with a manned location? Yes No Don’t know	The wording for the first two questions has been altered for readability and clarity. The sub-question (a) for the second question has been deleted since it is unnecessary for data collection.
NA.	Previous Questions #28 & #29: Please provide additional comments on your building’s occupant evacuation plan and its relevance to elevator usage. _______________________ If you would like to upload a section of your building’s occupant evacuation plan that describes elevator usage, please provide this information here. The text from the plan will only be used internally for analysis of elevator usage trends and none of the text will be linked to the building or will be quoted in final reports. Would you mind being contacted in the future about your building’s occupant evacuation plan? Yes No	Questions were deleted due to IRB issues with privacy and concerns about participants providing private information about their building, which is unnecessary for this study.
NEW Question #23 and NEW Question #24. Elevator lobbies (used for evacuation) are enclosed? Yes No Don’t know There is a graphical sign posted adjacent to each elevator call station on all floors instructing occupants to use the elevators in case of fire? Yes No Don’t know	NA	Two questions were added to address the needs of the agency sponsor. The questions still ask similar questions to the original questionnaire regarding elevator features in the building, without providing open-ended response options.
NEW Question #25. Please choose the job position that best describes your role in the building. [Drop down menu will include the following list: emergency manager, building manager, fire marshal, safety personnel, fire protection engineer, other engineer, maintenance personnel, building security, none of the above]	Previous Questions #30, #31 & #32: What is your job title? ___________ Please describe your duties in planning for emergencies in your building. _______ Please describe your duties in responding to emergencies in your building. _______	The previous Questions #30 through #32 will be replaced with the question, listed above, due to IRB issues with privacy and concerns about participants providing private information about them (which may increase the ability to identify them). This level of detail is also unnecessary for this study.
NEW Question #26. Does your building conduct full building fire evacuation drills at least once per year? Yes No Don’t know If yes, how do occupants practice fire evacuation drills? Please mark the option that best describes the building’s drill procedures. Evacuation via stairs only Evacuation via elevators only Evacuation via both stairs and elevators – occupants’ choice during drill Evacuation via both stairs and elevators – occupants’ assigned ahead of the drill	Previous Question #33: Does your building conduct full building fire evacuation drills at least once per year? Yes No Don’t know If yes, how do occupants practice fire evacuation drills? Evacuation via stairs only Evacuation via elevators only Evacuation via both, depending upon the needs of the occupants It depends, please specify how. ___________________________	Text was altered in Sub-question A. First, the statement “Please mark the option that best describes the building’s drill procedures” was added. Second, the last two response options were altered to provide clarity for what EL means by “Evacuation via both stairs and elevators” and also to remove the open ended response option to address NIST IRB privacy concerns.

Question 10 Table:

Original Question #10.

Complete Table below for each elevator car located in the building:

Elevator Car Number(s) (e.g., 1, 2, C, etc.)	Use of Elevator Cars (e.g., passenger/public elevators, parking elevators, private elevators, freight elevator, service elevator, passenger/service elevator)	Type of Elevator Cars (e.g., electric, hydraulic)	Capacity of Elevator Car (maximum number of people)

Question 20:

Original Question #20.

What types of elevators are used for evacuation during fire emergencies? Please mark all that apply.

Freight Passenger/public Parking Private Service

Other, please describe: ___________________________________

[If the respondent filled out Question 11’s chart – redisplay the chart with all original information from the respondent with an added column for them to check – as shown here…]

Elevator Car Number(s) (e.g., 1, 2, C, etc.)	Use of Elevator Cars (e.g., passenger/public elevators, parking elevators, private elevators, freight elevator, service elevator, passenger/service elevator)	Type of Elevator Cars (e.g., electric, hydraulic)	Capacity of Elevator Car (maximum number of people)	Please mark which elevator cars are used for evacuation

NEW Question #15.

What types of elevators are used for evacuation during fire emergencies? Please mark all that apply.

Passenger/public

Private (restricted access)

Service (i.e., has pads or hooks installed for pads)

Freight (doors open vertically)

For each elevator type used for evacuation (as indicated above), please select the number of evacuation elevators at each capacity (in pounds) in the building:

	Elevator Type Used for Evacuation
	Passenger/Public Elevators	Private Elevators (restricted access)	Service Elevators (Has pads or hooks installed for pads)	Freight Elevators (Door opens vertically)
Elevator capacity
2000 Pounds or less	Drop down # list in each empty cell displayed here… 0-50 (elevators)
2500 Pounds
3000 Pounds
3500 Pounds
4000 Pounds
4500 Pounds or more
Capacity of each elevator car indicating the rated load in pounds or kilograms can be found inside the elevator car.

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