Section 7.298. Gravity elevators

(a) Car travel. New gravity elevators shall not have a car travel in excess of four stories, or 60 feet.

(b) Bumpers. Gravity elevators shall be installed with bumpers which absorb the energy of the elevator car when descending at full speed under full load.

(c) Shaftway clearances. Shaftway clearances shall be in accordance with the requirements of § 7.274 (relating to shaftway clearances).

(d) Counterweights. Counterweights shall be so installed that they will land on a solidly constructed bottom of the counterweight runway when the car platform is not more than 6 inches above the upper terminal landing.

(e) Counterbalancing. When two cars of gravity elevators are so arranged as to counterbalance each other, the hoisting cables shall be properly secured to the car beams. The use of mechanisms on the car beams of such elevators for car adjustment to various floor levels is prohibited.

(f) Latches. Latches shall be provided which function in the manner prescribed by § § 7.275—7.278 (relating to landing doors; latches; locking devices; and landing gates).

(g) Car enclosures. The cars of new gravity elevators shall be solidly enclosed on at least two sides, to a height of 6 feet or to the upper car beam, except when the shaftway enclosures extend to the ceiling on all but the top floor. Protecting tops for cars of gravity elevators shall be provided as required by § 7.281 (relating to elevator cars).

(h) Brakes. Gravity elevators shall be provided with dependable brakes which effectively control the speed of the car during ascent or descent. Such brakes shall also function to automatically hold the car immovable and secure at any landing at which it is standing.

(i) Speed governors. When the car travel of gravity elevators is over two stories, or 30 feet, a centrifugal speed governor shall be provided which will control the speed of the car in its descent.

(j) Car safeties. The cars of gravity elevators shall be fitted with substantial car safeties.

(k) Cable or rope locks. Gravity elevators shall be provided with a cable or rope lock which, when locked, will prevent the car from being operated from any other floor or landing.

(l) Gates. The gates for new gravity elevators shall be of the semi- automatic type, except that at terminal landings they may be of the full automatic type. Existing gates shall be replaced by new equipment if the Department so requires.

(m) Signs required. Gravity elevators shall have signs posted at every landing and in the elevator car prohihiting all persons from riding on such elevator, except when special permission is granted by the Department.

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 7.291 (relating to general).