Section 7.52. Shaftway equipment

(a) Bumpers. Bumpers shall be installed pursuant to the following:

(1) Passenger elevators shall be provided with spring, air, or oil bumpers or other devices which reduce the velocity of the car at the maximum rate of 64.4 feet per second with an equivalent load of one person, descending at full speed. Spring, air or oil bumpers or their equivalent shall be used in connection with a car speed not exceeding 250 feet per minute. Oil bumpers or their equivalent shall be used in connection with a car speed in excess of 250 feet per minute. Gauges shall be provided to indicate the amount of oil in oil bumpers. All bumpers shall be so located as to strike the center sill or girder of the elevator car. Bumpers shall be tested by running the car into them with rated load in the car and with a minimum load of 150 pounds in the car at a car speed of not more than 115% of rated speed.

(2) Adequate pit and buffer protection shall be provided in the bottom of existing passenger elevator shaftways, especially when the car speed exceeds 100 feet per minute and when gradually-applied car safeties are used.

(3) If reduced stroke oil bumpers conforming to ANSI A171.1-1971, are permitted, they shall be tested in accordance with paragraph (4).

(4) If reduced stroke oil bumpers are permitted and where an emergency terminal speed limiting device conforming to the requirements of ANSI A17.1-1971 is installed which will limit the speed at which the car or counterweight can strike its bumper, the bumpers shall be tested by running the car into them with rated load in the car and with a minimum load of 150 pounds in the car at a car speed of not more than 115% of the predetermined reduced speed.

(5) Bumpers shall be provided for counterweights under the same conditions as required for cars.

(b) Openings in pit bottoms. There shall be no openings in the pit bottoms of new shaftways, except those necessary for wires or cables used in the operation of the elevator mechanism or for drainage. Doors may be installed to provide access into elevator pits but they shall be kept locked with the key in the permanent possession of a responsible person. In pits over five feet in depth a permanent metal ladder shall be installed to provide access from the lowest landing entrance, except when an access door to the pit is provided. In existing shaftways, such openings shall be eliminated when, in the judgment of the Department, such action is necessary.

(c) Overhead protecting platforms. A substantial iron working platform capable of sustaining a live load of not less than 50 pounds to the square foot shall be securely fastened underneath the overhead machinery of all passenger elevators, except when a reinforced concrete roof or ceiling is located beneath such machinery. The greatest dimensions of the open spaces in such a platform shall not be more than one inch, except the necessary open spaces for cables. Platforms shall cover the entire area of the shaftway, except when such area exceeds 100 square feet, in which case the platforms may be provided under that portion of the shaftway occupied by machinery, including vibrating, deflecting, and secondary sheaves. The platforms, however, shall be large enough to provide a working space of at least two feet beyond the edge of the machinery. In such cases standard railings and toeboards shall be provided. If doors are placed in platforms, they shall be accessible from the top of the car and hinged so they open upwards and self-close automatically. Underslung elevators constructed so that no elevator overhead sheaves, hitches, governors or other elevator equipment occurs directly over the car may be erected without an overhead working platform, provided the governor is made easily accessible from some point other than through the shaftway. Existing installations shall also be provided with platforms, except that the concessions granted for shaftway areas in excess of 100 square feet will, for existing installations, be granted for shaftway areas in excess of 80 square feet. Existing platforms may remain in position when, in the judgment of the Department, they are sufficiently strong.

(d) Counterweights. Counterweight runways shall be located in the elevator shaftway and the exposed sides of such runways shall be provided with solid metal guards to a height of not less than 7 feet from the bottom of the pit. A shorter guard elevated to the required height of 7 feet may be used, but in such cases the clearance between the bottom of the pit and the lowest point of the guard shall not exceed 12 inches. When winding drum machines are used, there shall be a permanent substantial beam or bar at the top of the counterweight sheaves to prevent the counterweights from being drawn into the sheaves. When compensating chains or cables are used from the car to the counterweights, the guarding at the bottom of the shaftway may be eliminated. When independent car counterweights are used, they shall be so proportioned as not to cause the slackening of any cables during the starting or stopping of the elevator car. In new installations, counterweights shall operate within the shaftway in guides, and their various sections shall be securely fastened together by thru-bolts, be secured in position by nuts, locknuts and cotter pins. In existing installations, counterweights shall operate in guides or in substantial boxing, the interior surfaces of which shall be flush. However, tie rods are not required where evidence is submitted to the Board indicating alternate, adequate means are provided to retain weight sections in place if they become broken.

(e) Guide rails. Guide rails for powerdriven passenger elevator cars and counterweights shall be constructed of iron or steel. The lower ends of guide rails shall have securely anchored footings and be secured to the walls or structural members of the building, and where the intervals between the points of support are in excess of 13 feet, such guide rails shall be suitably reinforced with steel. Car guide rails shall have a uniform weight of not less than seven pounds per lineal foot. For passenger elevators of 1,200 pounds capacity or less, car and counterweight guide rails, constructed of iron or steel having a uniform weight of seven pounds per lineal foot, may be used, if the intervals between the points of support are not in excess of 10 feet. In existing structures, guide rails may remain in position, if they are substantial and of suitable proportions for the car speed, load, and travel, and the proper functioning of the car safeties. Guide rails for cars and counterweights shall be permanently and securely fastened in position. However, guide rails other than conventional shape may be used on hydraulic elevators provided they meet the design criteria of the ANSI A17.1 Code.

(f) Beveled plates. On sides where there are car openings and where no leveling or floor-finding devices are used, substantial beveled plates of metal or of wood with metal facing, except as provided in this section, shall be located under all thresholds, beams, and other fixed construction projecting into the shaftway beyond its flush line. Beveled plates shall extend from the edge of the projection to the wall or to a point at least four inches horizontally from the edge of the car; the beveled surfaces shall have an angle of not less than 60° with the horizontal. An angle of 75° is preferred. In lieu of plates, the beveled surfaces may be of concrete, troweled to a smooth finish. When leveling or floor-finding devices are used, the shaftways shall be made flush, and aprons shall be provided under the car which exceed the length of the leveling range.

The provisions of this § 7.273 amended through September 23, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 2696. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (31539) through (31541).

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 7.71 (relating to conflicts); 34 Pa. Code § 7.146 (relating to counterweights); and 34 Pa. Code § 7.186 (relating to counterweights).