Section 7.447. Terminals and stations

(a) Power source. Electrical and internal combustion energy may be utilized as a power source, under the requirements set forth in § 7.427(a) (relating to terminals and stations).

(b) Prime movers. Prime movers shall have the capacity to handle the most unfavorable design loading conditions. An auxiliary power unit with an independent power source shall be provided which may readily be used to unload the line in the event of power failure unless an exception is granted by the authority having jurisdiction. Internal combustion engine exhaust shall be discharged in the atmosphere.

(c) Speed reducers and gears. Speed reducers and gears shall comply with accepted standard practices, and have the capacity for starting the tramway under the most unfavorable design load conditions.

(d) Bearings, couplings, and shafting. All bearings, couplings, and shafting shall conform to the provisions of § 7.427(d).

(e) Clutches. Any clutch device used between the prime mover and the drive sheave shall meet the requirements for bearings and couplings specified in subsection (d).

(f) Acceleration and speed control. The primary requirement is to have means of preventing runaway speeds particularly when overhauling loads are being carried. Specific provision other than brakes shall be made for maintaining normal speed under overhauling loads. The power developed by such overhauling load may be dissipated electrically, hydraulically, or pneumatically. Provision shall also be made for slowing and stopping the tramway drive automatically if the line velocity exceeds design values by more than 15%. Drive equipment shall be designed to accelerate the line smoothly and to avoid discomfort to passengers under any loading condition. When carriers are detachable, they shall be accelerated and decelerated to and from the rope speed at such rates as not to cause discomfort to passengers. When carriers are fixed to the rope, there shall be an attendant to assist the passengers mounting and dismounting. The drive shall be capable of rotating the unloaded system at reduced speed for rope inspection. In the case of systems involving detachable carriers, unbalanced loading shall be controlled by automatic car counters or other suitable devices.

(g) Brakes and stops. Every chair lift, gondola lift and skimobile shall be provided with at least the following:

(1) Brakes. Every such lift shall include the following brakes:

(i) An automatic brake to stop and hold the system under maximum load when power is shut off or the lift is stopped for any reason. Such brake shall be electrically released and applied by springs of gravity, except in cases where another type of brake is specifically approved by the authority having jurisdiction. In all cases the brake shall normally be in the applied position. It shall be held open for operation of the tramway by a device which is automatically cut out if power is shut off or the tramway stopped. Such device shall, without exception, be placed in operation before the tramway is started. The brake shall be applied to a drive shaft so that there is no clutch, V-belt or chain drive, or similar device between the brake and the drive wheel. This restriction on the location of the brake is not required in cases where the gear pitch or gear reduction is such that the lift cannot overhaul with a capacity load plus 10% after the interruption of power.

(ii) A manually-operated brake on the main drive sheave with controls located near the operator.

(iii) A backstop to prevent reverse rotation of the tramway, unless the gearing will prevent gravity reversal.

(2) Stops. Electric switches affecting all power shall be installed at all loading and unloading points and be so located as to be immediately available to the attendants. The stop system shall be so arranged that the lift cannot be started until the device that stopped the lift is reset and the operator obtains clearance from the point at which the device is actuated. It is desirable that a wind gage be installed on the most exposed point along the tramway line. In such case, a conspicuous warning device shall function to alert the operator when the wind velocity reaches the established maximum. When wind conditions, as determined by such a device or by observation of an attendant or the operator, make operations dangerous, the tramway shall be unloaded and stopped. The tramway shall be started only by the operator or with his approval, unless the plan of operations set by the management of the tramway permits other attendants to start the lift under certain specified conditions. Reference should be made to subsections (f) and (t) of this section and § 7.448(d) (relating to line structures).

(h) Machine rooms. Machine rooms shall conform to the requirements specified in § 7.427(h), except that a door with a suitable lock is not required for a cabinet type unit. In all cases, all safety devices, such as backstops, brakes, relays, and the like, shall be protected from the weather.

(i) Protection against moving parts. Moving machine parts which may normally be within reach of personnel shall be fitted with safety guards conforming to American Standard B15.1-1953.

(j) Bull wheel. Bull wheel frames shall be so designed that they will retain the wheel in the event of shaft breakage. If this is not feasible, shaft design working stresses shall be not more than 60% of those otherwise allowable. The minimum diameter for bull wheels shall be 72 times the diameter of the rope, if no gripping device passes around the bull wheel. The minimum diameter for bull wheels shall be 96 times the diameter of the rope in cases where the gripping devices travel around the bull wheel. In such instances, the angle formed by the cable as it enters and leaves the grip body when passing around the bull wheel shall not exceed seven degrees. The bull wheel mounting at all terminals shall be supported from the ground by rigid structures. The mounting that travels under the action of the counterweight shall be supported on rigid straight rails by means of wheels. The available travel should be such that the frame does reach either limit of motion during normal operation and until the hauling rope needs to be resocketed or respliced for other reasons, or replaced. On fixed-grip lifts, guides shall be provided to prevent the carriers from excessive swinging while passing around the bull wheel. On skimobiles, provision shall be made in the design of the turntable to prevent the car from leaving the track.

(k) Sheaves and bearings in terminals. All sheaves and bearings in terminals shall conform to the following:

(1) Drive sheaves. Drive sheaves shall be designed to withstand static and dynamic loads. Sheave mountings and bearings shall satisfy the recommendations of the manufacturers of the bearings. When sheaves are mounted on vertical shafts, such shafts shall be equipped with bearings which adequately resist the vertical thrust. Drive sheaves shall be so designed that the hauling rope will not slip in the sheave groove which involves the friction between the bull wheel or its groove liner and the rope, as well as the relative levels of tensions of the rope entering and leaving the bull wheel.

(2) Hauling rope sheaves. Guide sheaves shall be placed to prevent misalignment of the rope entering and leaving the bull wheels. Sheaves shall meet the specifications of § 7.448(d), and carry no figured load from the rope. When necessary to prevent the rope from leaving the sheaves, counter sheaves shall be installed adjacent to them. Provision shall be made for grounding the wire rope to offset the effects of static electricity and electrical storms. When deflecting sheaves are required they shall also satisfy the requirements of § 7.427(k)(2).

(3) Counterweight rope sheaves. Counterweight rope sheaves are subject to the specifications prescribed in paragraph (2) of this subsection, except that if antifriction bearings are considered, they shall be selected to avoid a tendency for flat spots to develop on the rollers or balls since counterweight sheaves are subject to very little motion and often stand without moving for long periods of time.

(4) Track cable deflecting sheaves (bicable lifts only). Track cable deflecting sheaves in the terminals shall be designed to withstand static and dynamic loads. Their tread diameter shall be not less than that recommended by the manufacturer of the track cable for the particular installation and shall also satisfy the allowable bearing load limits of the material with which their grooves are lined. When unlined grooves are used they should be V-shaped with rounded bottoms having a radius equal to 55% of the cable diameter. Sheave mountings and bearings shall satisfy the recommendations of the manufacturers of the bearings. Provision shall be made for grounding the cable. If the cable is used as a conductor in the communication system, lightning protection shall be provided, and the cable shall be grounded when the tramway is not in operation.

(l) Track cable saddles. The requirements for track cable saddles are the same as those set forth in § 7.428(e)(1)—(5) of this Title (relating to line structures), except that if saddles in the terminals are so located that the carrier wheels do not pass over them, subparagraphs (ii) and (iv) of paragraph (1) of that subsection need not apply.

(m) Anchor connections for track cables, counterweight ropes, tower or station anchor cables or guys, and the like. Rope and cable sockets shall be designed so that they will not be stressed beyond the yield point of the material used when the ropes or cables which they anchor are under tensions equal to their catalog breaking strength. Anchor connections shall be above ground. Any part of the anchorage below ground shall be protected against loss of strength due to corrosion.

(n) Counterweight ropes. Counterweight ropes shall conform to the specifications prescribed in § 7.427(n).

(o) Counterweights. Counterweights shall conform to the specifications prescribed in § 7.427(o), except that reference shall be made to subsection (j) in regard to bull wheels.

(p) Structures. The structures of chair lifts, gondola lifts, and skimobiles shall conform to the specifications prescribed in § 7.427(p).

(q) Foundations. The foundations of chair lifts, gondola lifts, and skimobiles shall conform to the specifications prescribed in § 7.427(q).

(r) Loading and unloading areas. All loading and unloading areas shall conform to the following:

(1) Chair and monorail lifts. Loading and unloading areas shall have sufficient level length to load and unload passengers safely and, in the case of unloading, to clear them from the platform. The minimum length shall be 16 feet, which shall be level except for unloading areas for skiers, which may be inclined so that passengers may ski away from the lift. Handrails, safety nets, or ramps shall be provided on all sides of each platform for the protection of passengers. Attention should be given to intermediate and upper unloading areas for double chair lifts. Since there may be a hazard involved in attempting to disembark both passengers from a carrier to the same side of the lift, this should be overcome either in the design or operation of the lift. Towers adjacent to loading points shall be covered with guards to prevent ski tips of starting passengers from becoming entangled in the towers. The outer ends of unloading platforms shall be fitted with inclined guards to prevent the ski tips of unwary passengers from being caught under the edges of such platforms. The distance between hauling rope supports on either side of each loading area shall be such that the distance between chair and ground does not diminish excessively under the impact of loading passengers. The same distance shall be used between hauling rope supports at unloading areas.

(2) Detachable chair and gondola lifts. Sufficient terminal floor space shall be provided so that passengers may board and leave the carriers without being crowded. Carriers shall be secured or controlled to prevent excessive swinging during loading and unloading. Provision shall be made at all stations for the separation of incoming and outgoing passengers. Stations shall be so arranged that the carriers can enter and leave safely even when swinging laterally. Beyond the points of attachment and detachment of the grips, devices shall be installed to avoid damage to equipment or injury to persons in the event of faulty detachment or attachment. Such devices shall support the grip and carrier safely as it travels the distance necessary to stop the lift after the operation of a safety stop, to which 50% should be added as a safety margin. The devices shall include bumpers wherever the carriage or carrier could become freewheeling on an openend or deadend track. Switches in the track system shall be provided with safety devices to prevent malfunction. Reference shall also be made to § 7.449(b)(2)(i) (relating to line equipment).

(3) Skimobiles. Loading and unloading terminal platforms shall have a minimum level length of 30 feet and the surface shall be maintained in a nonslippery condition. There shall be a guardrail between incoming and outgoing tracks. At intermediate stations used for unloading only, the slope of the platform shall be the same grade as the track.

(s) Attendants. Attendants shall be provided as follows:

(1) Chair lifts and skimobiles. There shall be a minimum of one attendant at each station when it is being used for loading and unloading. One attendant shall also be placed in charge of the operating crew. Primary tramway controls and communication systems shall be immediately available to him. He shall have enough time from other duties to discharge this responsibility and keep the operation under observation at all times. At least one attendant shall be available to service each carrier to be loaded or unloaded. At times of peak load on double chair lifts with minimum interval between chairs, it may be necessary for safe operation to have two attendants available for each chair.

(2) Detachable chair and gondola lifts. The requirements for detachable chair and gondola lifts are the same as those prescribed in paragraph (1), except that additional attendants may be required to handle the carriers in the stations. When carriers are not mechanically controlled in the stations, one or more additional attendants may be required, one to handle incoming cars and the other to handle outgoing cars during peak periods of operation.

(3) All installations. All personnel subject to the provisions of this subsection shall be carefully instructed in tramway operation, including the acquisition of a knowledge of possible emergency situations and methods of handling them.

(t) Safety stops. Safety stops shall be provided as follows:

(1) Chair lifts and monorail lifts. When danger to passengers or equipment may result if a passenger remains on the carrier while it travels around a bull wheel, a safety stop shall be provided at each such terminal to stop the lift before exposure to such danger. The distance from such stop to the first obstruction shall not be less than the distance travelled by the unloaded lift operating at maximum speed after application of such a stop, to which should be added a safety margin of 50%.

(2) Detachable chair and gondola lifts. Automatic safety stops shall be provided in each terminal to stop the lift in the event a carrier does not properly disengage from, or reattach to, the hauling rope. The provisions of subsection (r)(2) shall also be complied with.

(3) All installations. Limit switches shall be installed to stop the tramway before any counterweight or bull wheel carriage reaches either end of its travel. Electrical stop circuits shall be closed circuits so that, in case of power failure or of malfunction of the stop switch, the system will fail safe. The circuit shall be all metallic and ungrounded, unless otherwise approved by the authority having jurisdiction. After any actuation of a safety stop, the cause shall be determined and removed, and the safety stop reset. Safety stop circuits shall not be bypassed during passenger operation. In the case of such stops, the tramway shall never be started except by the operator. Reference should also be made to subsections (f) and (g) and § 7.448(d).

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 7.441 (relating to definitions); 34 Pa. Code § 7.442 (relating to applicability); 34 Pa. Code § 7.449 (relating to line equipment); 34 Pa. Code § 7.453 (relating to operation); and 34 Pa. Code § 7.462 (relating to applicability).