Section 7.273. Shaftway equipment

(a) Bumpers. Power-driven freight elevators, except those of the sidewalk type, shall be constructed with solid, spring, air, or oil bumpers, or equivalent devices. Such bumpers or equivalent devices, except solid bumpers, shall be capable of reducing the velocity of the elevator car at the maximum rate of 64.4 feet per second, with a load of 150 pounds, descending at full speed. Solid bumpers are permissible in connection with a car speed of 50 feet per minute or less. Spring, air, or oil bumpers, or their equivalent, shall be used in connection with a car speed in excess of 50 feet per minute and not exceeding 125 feet per minute. When oil bumpers are used, gauges shall be provided to indicate the amount of oil in them. 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. Where reduced stroke oil bumpers conforming to Rule 201.4a-2, ANSI A17.1-1971, are permitted, they shall be tested in accordance with this subsection. Bumpers are required in existing installations unless, in the judgment of the Department, conditions necessitate their installation. Bumpers shall be provided for counterweights under the same conditions as required for cars. Where reduced stroke oil bumpers are permitted and where an emergency terminal speed limiting device conforming to the requirements of Rule 209.4, ANSI A17.1-1971, is installed which will limit the speed at which the car or counterweight may 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.

(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 in such instances they shall be kept locked, with the key retained in the permanent possession of a responsible person. In pits over 5 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. The Department may, in its discretion, request the elimination of such openings when necessary for the safe operation of existing installations.

(c) Overhead protecting platforms. A substantial iron or wood 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 new freight elevators, except when a reinforced concrete roof or ceiling is located beneath such machinery. The greatest dimensions of the open spaces in such platform shall not be more than 1 inch, except for open spaces necessary for cables. If of wood, the platform shall be at least two inches in thickness and shall be of solid construction, with the exception of the spaces for cables. Platforms shall cover the entire area of the shaftway, except when the area exceeds 100 square feet, in which case platforms may be provided under the portion of the shaftway occupied by machinery and constructed so as to provide a working space of at least two feet beyond the edge of the machinery. In such cases the areas covered by platforms shall be provided with standard railings and toeboards. If doors are placed in platforms they shall be accessible from the top of the car and shall be hinged so that they open upwards. Such doors shall be automatically self-closing. Platforms shall be provided in existing installations as specified, except that the same concessions granted for shaftway areas in excess of 100 square feet will 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. Counterweights shall comply with the following:

(1) All installations. When counterweights operate in elevator shaftways, the exposed sides of the runways shall be provided with solid substantial guards to a height of not less than 7 feet from the bottom of the pit. A shorter guard, elevated to a height of 7 feet, may be used, but in such case the clearance between the bottom of the pit and the lowest point of the guard shall not exceed 12 inches. 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 the counterweights do not operate in elevator shaftways, they shall be entirely enclosed on all sides. 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. When winding drum machines are used, there shall be a permanent substantial beam or bar at the top of counterweight guides and beneath the counterweight sheaves to prevent the counterweights from being drawn into the sheaves.

(2) New installations. Counterweights shall operate within the shaftway in guides, and their various sections shall be securely fastened together by thru-bolts, secured in position by nuts, locknuts and cotterpins.

(3) Existing installations. Counterweights shall operate in guides or in substantial boxing, the interior surfaces of which shall be flush.

(e) Guide rails. Guide rails shall conform to Section 200 of ANSI A17.1-1971 Code, Rules 200.1 through 200.11 inclusive and all subsequent amendments thereto. Guide rails may remain in position if they are of substantial and suitable proportions for the car speed, load, and travel and for the proper functioning of car safety devices. Guide rails for cars and counterweights shall be permanently and securely fastened in position and have securely anchored footings.

(f) Beveled plates. On sides where there are car openings, substantial beveled plates of metal or of wood with metal facing (substantial hardwood bevels are acceptable in lieu of metal facing in existing installations) shall be located under all thresholds, beams, and other fixed construction projecting into the shaftway beyond its flush line. The 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, and the beveled surfaces shall have an angle of at least 60° with the horizontal. An angle of 75° is preferred. In lieu of the plates the beveled surfaces may be of concrete troweled to a smooth finish.

The provisions of this § 7.273 amended through September 17, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 2277. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (8136) and (17302).

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 7.291 (relating to general); and 34 Pa. Code § 7.295 (relating to hydraulic freight elevators).