What Happens During an Elevator Recall Test? Installing Elevator Recall in an Existing Building: What Property Managers Should Expect
Elevator recall is an important part of a building's fire and life-safety system. When a qualifying fire alarm or other designated initiating device activates, the elevator system may be required to automatically return elevators to a designated landing and remove them from normal service.
For property managers, building owners, contractors, and facility operators, elevator recall can be more complicated than simply installing a smoke detector near an elevator.
The fire alarm system, elevator controls, initiating devices, emergency power, and related interfaces must work together as intended.
California regulations define Phase I Emergency Recall Operation as an elevator being automatically or manually recalled to a specific landing and removed from normal service because of activation of firefighters' service. California requirements also describe a three-position key-operated switch at the designated level and requirements for elevator operation when recall is activated.
For an existing building in Los Angeles, installing or modifying elevator recall may therefore require coordination between the fire alarm contractor, elevator contractor, property management, building officials, and the fire authority having jurisdiction.
What Is Elevator Recall?
Elevator recall is the process that places an elevator into a predetermined emergency operating mode when a fire alarm or other designated initiating condition occurs.
During Phase I Emergency Recall, an elevator can be automatically recalled to a designated landing and removed from normal service.
California's elevator safety requirements describe operation in which an elevator returns nonstop to the designated level when the appropriate recall switch is activated. The requirements also address how elevators respond when sensing devices at elevator landings or other associated locations activate.
The exact sequence depends on the building, elevator configuration, fire alarm design, applicable code requirements, and approved sequence of operations.
What Happens During an Elevator Recall Test?
An elevator recall test is intended to verify that the fire alarm and elevator systems communicate and perform their required emergency functions.
The exact test procedure should be performed by appropriately qualified personnel and coordinated with the elevator service provider and other parties responsible for the building's life-safety systems.
A typical functional test may involve several stages.
1. The Test Conditions Are Established
Before testing begins, the responsible technicians identify the elevator group, designated recall level, alternate recall level if applicable, fire alarm devices involved, and the expected sequence of operation.
The building may need to be placed into a controlled testing condition so occupants and building personnel understand that alarm signals are part of a test.
2. An Initiating Device Is Activated
A smoke detector or another approved initiating device associated with the elevator recall sequence may be activated according to the approved testing procedure.
California regulations specifically address sensing devices at elevator landings and associated elevator machine rooms or hoistways in certain configurations.
3. The Fire Alarm System Processes the Signal
The fire alarm control panel receives the initiating signal and determines which programmed outputs should operate.
Depending on the building and approved sequence, this can involve:
Fire alarm annunciation
Elevator recall
Notification appliances
HVAC shutdown
Smoke control
Door release functions
Other fire/life-safety interfaces
The sequence is not identical for every building.
4. The Elevator Recalls
When the appropriate recall condition is activated, the elevator should respond according to its programmed emergency operation.
California requirements describe Phase I operation in which elevators controlled by the designated-level switch return to the designated level, with doors opening and remaining open. The rules also describe how elevators traveling away from the designated level or stopped at another floor respond during recall.
5. Normal Elevator Calls Are Disabled
During the applicable emergency recall sequence, normal elevator operation changes.
California's requirements describe disabling car and corridor call buttons and associated call registration and direction indicators during the applicable Phase I recall operation.
This is one reason elevator recall should be tested as an integrated system rather than testing only the smoke detector or only the elevator.
6. Alternate Recall May Be Tested
Some buildings have an alternate recall level.
For example, an initiating device at the designated level may be configured to send elevators to an approved alternate level under certain conditions.
Whether an alternate recall sequence applies depends on the building's design and approved configuration.
7. The Firefighter's Service Operation Is Checked
The test may also verify the firefighter's service controls and related indicators.
For elevators with applicable emergency service requirements, California regulations provide for a key-operated switch at the designated level and additional emergency service controls for certain elevators.
The elevator contractor is responsible for the elevator-side functions, while the fire alarm contractor may be responsible for the fire alarm initiating devices, control modules, wiring, programming, and related interfaces.
8. The System Is Restored to Normal
After testing, the initiating device and related systems are restored.
Technicians verify that the fire alarm panel, elevator controls, monitoring functions, and other affected systems return to their normal operating condition.
Any trouble signals or abnormal conditions should be investigated rather than simply cleared.
What Should Happen When Elevator Recall Works Correctly?
The exact sequence varies by building, but a properly designed and programmed system should produce the intended emergency response.
For example, the Los Angeles Fire Department's current high-rise fire/life-safety sequence identifies elevator lobby smoke/heat detectors and elevator shaft smoke/heat detectors as inputs that can initiate elevator recall in applicable systems.
For new high-rise buildings and high-rise change-of-use buildings, LAFD states that activation of an elevator lobby recall device on a floor is intended to recall all elevators serving that floor level.
This illustrates why the fire alarm sequence should be designed around the actual building rather than copied from another property.
Common Problems Found During Elevator Recall Testing
A recall test can reveal problems that are not obvious during normal elevator operation.
Smoke Detector Problems
A detector may be:
Dirty
Damaged
Improperly located
Disconnected
Incorrectly programmed
In trouble condition
A detector that does not communicate properly with the fire alarm system can prevent the expected recall sequence from occurring.
Fire Alarm Programming Problems
The hardware may be functional while the programming is incorrect.
Examples include:
Incorrect elevator group assignment
Wrong recall floor
Incorrect input/output relationship
Missing control module programming
Incorrect sequence of operations
Programming that does not match the approved plans
Wiring and Interface Problems
The fire alarm panel and elevator controller must communicate through the appropriate interfaces.
Problems can include:
Damaged wiring
Loose connections
Incorrect terminations
Failed control modules
Improper modifications
Unmonitored circuits where monitoring is required
Elevator Controller Problems
An elevator may receive the correct recall signal but fail to respond properly because of a problem on the elevator side.
That is why elevator recall troubleshooting frequently requires both fire alarm and elevator professionals.
Emergency Power Problems
The building's emergency power arrangement can affect life-safety systems and elevator operation.
If a building's emergency power configuration has changed, the elevator recall sequence should be evaluated to make sure the system still performs as designed.
Installing Elevator Recall in an Existing Building: What Property Managers Should Expect
Installing elevator recall in an existing building is usually a coordination project rather than a simple device installation.
The first step should be determining what the building already has.
Step 1: Review Existing Building Documentation
Property managers should gather available:
Fire alarm plans
Elevator plans
Sequence of operations
Previous inspection reports
Fire alarm inspection records
Elevator inspection records
Equipment documentation
Previous modification records
Existing permits
As-built documentation, if available
These documents help contractors understand how the systems were originally designed.
Step 2: Inspect the Existing Fire Alarm System
A fire alarm professional should evaluate the existing fire alarm control panel and associated devices.
The inspection may include:
Fire alarm control panel
Elevator lobby detectors
Machine-room detectors where applicable
Hoistway detectors where applicable
Control modules
Monitor modules
Wiring
Notification appliances
Power supplies
Batteries
Existing trouble conditions
The objective is to determine whether the existing fire alarm system can support the required elevator recall sequence.
Step 3: Coordinate With the Elevator Contractor
Elevator recall involves equipment controlled by the elevator system.
Therefore, a fire alarm contractor should not assume that the elevator controller can simply be connected to the fire alarm panel without coordination.
The elevator contractor may need to:
Verify elevator controller compatibility
Identify existing emergency recall interfaces
Verify designated and alternate recall levels
Test firefighter's service operation
Modify elevator controls where required
Coordinate final testing
California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health maintains specific elevator requirements and provides forms and resources for elevator owners and certified conveyance professionals.
Step 4: Develop the Sequence of Operations
One of the most important parts of the project is determining what should happen when each relevant initiating device activates.
A sequence may address:
Which elevators recall
Where they recall
What happens if the designated landing is affected
Which devices initiate recall
What happens to normal elevator calls
What happens to elevator doors
Whether other fire/life-safety functions operate simultaneously
How the system resets
The sequence must reflect the applicable requirements and the approved design for the specific building.
Step 5: Determine Whether Plan Review Is Required
For projects in Los Angeles, property managers should determine whether the proposed work requires plan review, permits, or approval by the applicable authority.
LAFD states that its Fire Life Safety Plan Review program reviews new construction, change-of-use, and remodeling projects and evaluates fire/life-safety systems such as fire alarm systems for compliance with applicable national, state, and city codes and standards.
Do not assume that every elevator recall modification follows the same approval process.
The requirements can depend on the building, project scope, occupancy, existing system, and jurisdiction.
Step 6: Install the Required Fire Alarm Interface
Once the design and sequence are established, the fire alarm contractor can install the required equipment.
Depending on the design, this may involve:
Smoke detectors
Heat detectors
Addressable modules
Control modules
Monitor modules
Fire alarm wiring
Power supplies
Interface equipment
Elevator recall connections
Monitoring functions
The equipment required depends on the approved design and existing building configuration.
Step 7: Test the Complete Sequence
The most important part is not simply installing the equipment.
The complete sequence needs to be tested.
A successful project should demonstrate that the initiating device, fire alarm panel, interface equipment, elevator controller, and associated functions work together as intended.
California's elevator inspection resources specifically emphasize that life-safety, emergency signaling devices, and associated testing requirements need to be completed and verified before certain inspection activities.
How Long Does Elevator Recall Installation Take?
There is no single installation time that applies to every building.
The schedule can depend on:
Number of elevators
Number of floors
Existing fire alarm system
Existing elevator controller
Availability of plans
Required engineering
Permit or plan-review requirements
Availability of the elevator contractor
Required equipment
Wiring complexity
Inspection requirements
Whether the project involves a fire alarm replacement
A small modification to an existing compatible system may be very different from installing elevator recall as part of a complete fire alarm upgrade.
Property managers should request a site evaluation before relying on a fixed installation timeline.
Does an Existing Building Need a New Fire Alarm Panel for Elevator Recall?
Not necessarily.
An existing fire alarm panel may be capable of supporting elevator recall if it has the necessary capacity, compatibility, programming capability, and required interfaces.
However, an outdated or unsupported panel may make a replacement more practical.
A qualified fire alarm contractor should evaluate:
Panel age
Manufacturer support
Available zones or addresses
Available control modules
Communication capabilities
Existing wiring
Battery capacity
Existing trouble conditions
Compatibility with required elevator interfaces
Replacing an entire panel should be based on the building's actual requirements rather than assumed automatically.
Can Elevator Recall Be Added During a Fire Alarm Upgrade?
Yes, elevator recall can be incorporated into a larger fire alarm modernization project when appropriate.
This can be particularly useful when a property is already planning:
Fire alarm panel replacement
High-rise fire alarm upgrades
Tenant improvements
Building renovations
Elevator modernization
Change of use
Major electrical work
Combining related work may simplify coordination, although the appropriate project approach depends on the building and applicable requirements.
LAFD's current high-rise sequence guidance specifically addresses fire alarm replacement projects in existing high-rise buildings and states that replacement projects are to be programmed according to the applicable high-rise fire alarm notification requirements.
What Property Managers Should Ask Before Starting an Elevator Recall Project
Before approving work, ask the contractor:
What elevator recall functions are already installed?
What does the existing fire alarm system support?
Which detectors initiate recall?
Where is the designated recall level?
Is an alternate recall level required?
Does the elevator controller need modification?
What fire alarm modules or wiring are required?
Will plan review or permits be required?
Who will perform the integrated testing?
Which elevator contractor will participate in the testing?
What documentation will be provided after completion?
Are there other fire alarm deficiencies that should be corrected at the same time?
These questions can help prevent surprises after the project begins.
Elevator Recall Is a System, Not Just a Smoke Detector
One of the biggest misconceptions about elevator recall is that installing a smoke detector near the elevator is enough.
It is not.
Elevator recall can involve multiple systems working together:
Initiating Device → Fire Alarm Control Panel → Interface/Control Equipment → Elevator Controller → Elevator Emergency Operation
Depending on the building, additional fire/life-safety systems may also be involved.
LAFD's current high-rise sequence documentation demonstrates that elevator recall can be part of a larger sequence involving smoke detection, sprinkler waterflow, HVAC functions, door release, smoke control, stairwell functions, and other fire/life-safety systems.
That is why integrated testing is so important.
Why Choose Cyber Shield Security?
Cyber Shield Security works with property owners, managers, contractors, and businesses that need professional fire alarm and low-voltage solutions in Los Angeles and surrounding communities.
For an elevator recall project, the process can begin with evaluating the existing fire alarm system and identifying what is required to integrate it with the elevator system.
Depending on the project, Cyber Shield Security can assist with:
Fire alarm installation
Fire alarm system upgrades
Fire alarm troubleshooting
Smoke and heat detection
Fire alarm control panels
Fire alarm system modifications
Elevator recall interfaces
Low-voltage wiring
Commercial security systems
System testing and coordination
Elevator recall projects require coordination with the elevator contractor and applicable authorities. Cyber Shield Security can help address the fire alarm side of the project while coordinating the required interfaces with the appropriate parties.
Service areas include Los Angeles, North Hollywood, Studio City, Burbank, Sierra Madre, Arcadia, Pasadena, Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and surrounding areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is an elevator recall test?
An elevator recall test verifies that the fire alarm and elevator systems perform their required emergency sequence. Depending on the building, testing can involve initiating a fire alarm condition, verifying elevator recall, checking firefighter's service functions, and confirming that the system returns to normal afterward.
2. What causes an elevator to recall?
Depending on the building's approved sequence, elevator recall can be initiated by devices such as elevator lobby smoke or heat detectors and certain elevator shaft or associated-location detectors. LAFD's current high-rise sequence specifically identifies elevator lobby and elevator shaft smoke/heat detection as inputs associated with elevator recall.
3. What is Phase I elevator recall?
Phase I Emergency Recall Operation is the emergency mode in which an elevator is automatically or manually recalled to a specific landing and removed from normal service because of firefighters' service activation.
4. Can elevator recall be installed in an existing building?
Yes, depending on the building and existing elevator and fire alarm systems. The project typically requires evaluation of the existing equipment, coordination with the elevator contractor, development of the appropriate sequence of operations, and any required approvals.
5. Does elevator recall require replacing the fire alarm panel?
Not always. An existing panel may be usable if it has the required capacity, compatibility, programming capability, and interfaces. A site evaluation is needed to determine whether the existing panel can support the project.
6. Who installs elevator recall?
Elevator recall is an integrated function involving both fire alarm and elevator equipment. Fire alarm contractors can handle the fire alarm side, while qualified elevator professionals are responsible for applicable elevator equipment and functions. Coordination between the trades is essential.
7. How often should elevator recall be tested?
Testing requirements depend on the applicable elevator regulations, building configuration, and testing program. California maintains specific elevator inspection and testing requirements and resources for certified conveyance professionals. Property managers should have the responsible elevator and fire/life-safety professionals confirm the testing schedule applicable to their building.
8. What happens if an elevator recall test fails?
A failed test can indicate problems with smoke detectors, fire alarm programming, wiring, interface modules, elevator controls, emergency power, or other components. The specific deficiency should be identified and corrected, followed by the appropriate retesting before the system is considered operational.
Contact Cyber Shield Security
If you manage a commercial building, apartment property, office, retail facility, HOA, or other property in Los Angeles and need to install, upgrade, troubleshoot, or evaluate elevator recall, start with a professional assessment of the existing fire alarm and elevator interfaces.
Cyber Shield Security can help evaluate the fire alarm side of your project, identify potential system issues, and coordinate the work needed to support a properly integrated solution.
Need help with elevator recall or a fire alarm project in Los Angeles?
Cyber Shield SecurityPhone: (310) 242-3100Email: info@cybershieldsecurity.us
Serving Los Angeles, North Hollywood, Studio City, Burbank, Sierra Madre, Arcadia, Pasadena, Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and surrounding areas.
Contact Cyber Shield Security today to schedule an evaluation of your existing fire alarm system and discuss your elevator recall project.
