It is a general practice to discourage occupants from using elevators as a means of escape during a fire by warning sign placed adjacent to doors and by automatic elevator recall to the ground floor upon fire signals. If, however, one or more elevators can be made safe from the effects of fire, they can be used to serve a vital function in aiding firefighters and in evacuating handicapped people. Such an elevator must have controls and power supplies that are reliable, and their lobbies and shaft must be protected against fire and smoke.