Scottsdale, AZ Building Safety: Elevator Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger height
- 4+ stories above or below grade
- Stretcher size
- 24 by 84 inches, open horizontal
- Corner radius
- 5-inch minimum radius
- Required marking
- Star of life on both door sides
- Symbol size
- At least 3 inches tall
Summary
Scottsdale's amended Fire Code requires at least one elevator in any building four or more stories above or below grade to be sized for fire department emergency access to every floor, big enough to carry a standard ambulance stretcher in the open, horizontal position, and marked with the emergency medical 'star of life' symbol.
604.2, Emergency operation, is amended by adding the following new subsection to read as follows: 604.2.1 Elevator car to accommodate ambulance stretcher. Where elevators are provided in buildings four or more stories above grade plane or four or more stories below grade plane, at least one elevator shall be provided for fire department emergency access to all floors. Elevators designated as emergency access shall be of such a size and arrangement to accommodate an ambulance stretcher 24 inches by 84 inches (610 mm by 2134 mm) with not less than 5-inch (127 mm) radius corners, in the horizontal, open position and shall be identified by the international symbol for emergency medical services (star of life). The symbol shall not be less than 3 inches (76 mm) high and shall be placed inside on both sides of the hoist way door frame.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).
Full Breakdown
1, Elevator car to accommodate ambulance stretcher. The rule applies once a building reaches four or more stories above grade plane, or four or more stories below grade plane: at least one elevator in that building must be designated for fire department emergency access to all floors. That designated car has to be large enough to hold an ambulance stretcher measuring 24 inches by 84 inches, with corners no tighter than a 5-inch radius, while the stretcher sits open and horizontal inside the cab, so emergency crews are not forced to fold or tilt a patient to move between floors.
Scottsdale also requires the car to be visibly marked: the international emergency medical services symbol, the star of life, must appear on both sides of the hoist way door frame and be at least 3 inches tall. 1, the same board that hears building code appeals under Chapter 31, Article I, Division 2, Section 31-11 of the Scottsdale Revised Code.
Violations & Fines
A building that opens without a stretcher-capable emergency access elevator, or without the required star-of-life markings, is out of compliance with Chapter 36 and subject to the civil sanction in Section 36-19, with a court fine of up to $2,500 under Section 36-19.1. The fire code official can also withhold or condition the certificate of occupancy, and Section 112.4.1 authorizes action to abate the violation or restrain illegal occupancy until the elevator meets the size and marking requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Scottsdale buildings need a stretcher-sized emergency elevator?
How big does the emergency access elevator car have to be?
What marking has to be on the emergency elevator doors?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Scottsdale
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