Fire Evacuation Lifts: A Must for Mumbai’s Skyscrapers

Mumbai’s allure attracts migrants and aspirants seeking to achieve their goals. The city’s real estate market has witnessed significant growth, with a 5.5% increase in property registrations in the first nine months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. This upward trend reflects the city’s appeal and the growing demand for residential properties, particularly high-rise buildings.

While owning a high-rise property can be desirable, ensuring the safety of residents is paramount. The risk of fire emergencies and the need for adequate evacuation systems a critical concerns. Mumbai has experienced several high-rise fires in recent years, resulting in loss of life and property, underscoring the importance of robust safety measures.

Recent High-Rise Fire Incidents in Mumbai
In the past nine months, Mumbai has seen a significant number of fire incidents. On September 7, 2025, a fire broke out in a 24-story residential building in Dahisar, resulting in one death and 18 injuries. The fire started in the electrical meter room in the basement and spread to the upper floors through the electrical ducts. Firefighters rescued 36 people, and eight were hospitalised.

In another incident on August 24, 2025, a fire erupted in a high-rise building in Goregaon, prompting firefighting operations. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. These incidents demonstrate the need for robust fire safety measures, including fire evacuation lifts, in high-rise buildings.

In recent years, several high-rise emergencies have highlighted the need for safe evacuation systems. Notably, a recent Government Resolution (GR) by the Maharashtra Urban Development Department mandates the installation of fire evacuation lifts in high-rise buildings exceeding 70 meters, enhancing safety measures for occupants. While regulations are in place, understanding the key specifications for fire evacuation lifts is crucial to ensure the safety of occupants and the protection of assets.

Key Specifications to look for while choosing the Right Fire Evacuation Lift
To truly serve their purpose, fire evacuation lifts must meet all technical standards. If you’re part of a housing society, builder group or property management team, these are non-negotiables:

Fire-Resistant Materials

• The lift car, lift shaft, and landing doors must be constructed to resist fire and heat.
• The cabin should be made of non-combustible material, and all side panels should be filled with ceramic wool, helping in 2 2-hour fire rating and heat resistance.
• The landing and car door in a fire evacuation lift should have a two-hour fire-rated vision panel, which shall help the firefighter during evacuation to see across while opening the door.

Power Supply – The Main Source of Functioning of the Evacuation Process

• The fire evacuation lift system should have a minimum of four alternative power supply systems – the First is the prime source of power, secondary the main direct source of power, the third is a 15 to 30-minute battery backup, and the fourth is the DG set.
• Highly recommended having a fifth option, which is an external DG supply plug.
• We are also working on generating power through a solar system.

Emergency Communication: 

• Two-way communication systems, such as an intercom, are essential on each floor to allow interaction between the lift car and a master station
• The two-way communication system of the lift makes it easy for a person standing on any floor to communicate with the lift operator during a fire accident.
• In Case of an intensive fire in a building & if it is risky to enter the fire-affected floor, firemen can operate the lift through the external operating panel & communicate with occupants through 2-way communication & evacuate them.

Importance of IoT (Internet of Things)

• The fire evacuation lift has an IoT (Internet of Things)-based control panel that sends automatic notifications to the nearest fire department, society members and the residents.
• The system’s features enable the user and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to access real-time data, including total operating hours, day-by-day operating hours and fault history.

Trap Door, Ladder and Dual Panel

• During fire emergencies, the fire evacuation lift has a trap door on the roof to facilitate
• The portable/rope type ladder shall be provided.
• A dual-panel system for a fire evacuation lift involves two control panels: one inside the lift car for firefighters and one at the main fire service access floor. The dual controls allow fire personnel to override normal operation and manage the lift manually and with priority during an emergency.

Meeting these specifications is essential to select the right fire evacuation lift to ensure the evacuation and safety of occupants and firefighters (including children, infants, differently abled, pregnant women, aged people and pets).

In conclusion, selecting a suitable fire evacuation lift for your building is a critical decision that necessitates careful consideration of safety features, specifications, and regulatory compliance. Prioritising fire safety and evacuation through the installation of the right fire evacuation lift is essential for protecting the lives of occupants and facilitating safe evacuation during fire emergencies.

(By The Safe Reach Elevators)