Section 7.279. Machinery

(a) Overhead machinery for freight elevators in new installations shall be securely fastened or cleated to its supports to prevent movement. Cleats are not required where the ropes lead perpendicularly from both sides of the driving shaft. Overhead bearings, except for hand elevators, shall be placed on the tops of the beams or structural parts to which they may be secured, except that idler sheaves may be placed below the beams, provided the parts of the bearings in tension are of steel or wrought iron. Such supports shall possess a strength as specified in § 7.272 (relating to shaftway construction). When necessary in existing installations, the Department may require that overhead machinery be relocated or so changed as to conform to safe practices.

(b) No new machinery, except hydraulic plunger elevators, may be located directly under an elevator shaftway. Existing machinery may remain in place if there is sufficient pit depth, buffer support, and no other hazards involved, and subject to approval by the Board.

(c) Set screw fastenings shall not be used in lieu of keys in the construction or installation of hoisting and car safety mechanisms in existing installations. Set screws or pins shall not be used in lieu of keys in the construction of new hoisting and car safety mechanisms, except when the device has been approved by the Department.

(d) The operation of any elevator by friction gearing or clutch mechanism is prohibited where such mechanisms form the primary means for the transmission of the power required to operate the elevator at normal speed.

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).