Section 7.449. Line equipment

(a) Hauling ropes. Hauling ropes shall conform to the following:

(1) Specifications and tests. Specifications and tests shall comply with the provisions of § 7.429(a)(1) (relating to line equipment).

(2) Tension limitation. The tension of ropes shall comply with the provisions of § 7.429(a)(2).

(3) Splices and other connections. Splicing of the main hauling rope shall be done only by an experienced splicer acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction. If a breakdown occurs during operations and it is impossible to obtain an acceptable splicer without delaying the resumption of operation, the splice shall be made by an experienced splicer following the standard printed instructions of the wire rope manufacturer for the splice. Such splice shall be inspected by an acceptable splicer at the first opportunity. When cable links with swaged end fittings are used, as in monorail lifts, the end fittings shall be so designed and applied that, in a test of a complete link, the rope will break without slippage of the fitting. When good performance has been shown by previous experience, or when permitted by the authority having jurisdiction, if cable links with swaged end fittings are used, as in the case of monorail lifts, the rope shall be all metallic, with an independent wire rope cord or a strand core rather than a fiber core. An adequate safety wire rope shall also be installed to safeguard the carriers, to the satisfication of the authority having jurisdiction, in the event of failure or disengagement of cable links, the parts which connect them, or other parts of the hauling system. When the above requirements are met, in a test of a complete link, there shall be no slippage of the fittings at a tension equal to five times the working tension in the link when that tension is held for 15 minutes, and the rope shall not break at any tension below five times the same working tension.

(b) Carriers. All carriers shall be clearly identified with numbers and also conform to the following:

(1) Safety and seating requirements. Carriers shall comply with the following:

(i) Chairs and hangars. Chairs and hangers shall be designed with a minimum factor of safety of six based on the ultimate load. For this purpose, ultimate load is defined as that load at which the whole assembly, supported at the location of the rope and loaded in the normal manner will be distorted beyond a usable condition, regardless of whether any component parts actually rupture. Each chair may be equipped with an approved safety bar and foot rest, or safety belt if deemed desirable.

(ii) Gondolas. Gondolas are subject to the provisions of § 7.429(b)(1), except that equipment for emergency evacuation is not required for each gondola. The number of passengers in a gondola is limited to a maximum of six persons unless a conductor rides in each gondola.

(iii) Skimobile cars. Skimobile cars shall comply with relevant requirements of subparagraph (i), except that in determining the ultimate load the car shall be considered as being supported at the maximum grade existing on the line, and as being supported by its wheels on the tracks as well as by the hauling rope. There shall be a shield or dashboard on the front of the car, an adequate step, and a handrail to facilitate embarking and disembarking. If operated for skiers, ski racks shall also be provided.

(2) Rope grips. A rope grip, whether detachable or fixed, shall be of a type which has proved to give satisfactory service or has been specifically approved by the authority having jurisdiction. Unless so exempted, a rope grip shall be designed so as to resist a force tending to slide it along the cable, which is at least three times as great as the force required to drag the loaded carrier along the steepest incline of the lift under such unfavorable conditions as ice or excessive lubrication on the cable. A factor of safety of at least six shall exist in the component parts of all grips. By inspection, using methods approved by the authority having jurisdiction, confirmation shall be obtained that the grip and its parts meet these requirements. The following shall also apply:

(i) Detachable rope grips. Detachable grips shall be designed to pass smoothly over and under line sheaves which have flanges of adequate depth to discourage the rope from leaving the sheave, and grip the rope positively without damaging the rope and so that it cannot become accidentally uncoupled, even by rope vibrations. Each terminal shall be equipped with devices designed to prevent the start of grips that are incorrectly coupled to the rope. Reference should also be made to § 7.447(r) and (t) (relating to terminals and stations). The maximum total vertical load on a single detachable grip shall not exceed 1/14 of the least tension in the rope. A single spring arrangement for holding grip jaws closed about the rope is not permissible. If two springs are used, each spring shall be sufficiently strong to hold the grip safely closed against the design loads.

(ii) Fixed rope grips. Fixed grips shall be designed to pass smoothly over and under line sheaves and bull wheels which have flanges of adequate depth to discourage the rope from leaving the sheave. Grips shall be moved at least once in every 24-calendar months. They shall be moved a uniform distance each time, in the same direction. The instructions of the designer or of the authority having jurisdiction shall be followed if they are more restrictive than the provisions of this subparagraph. Reference shall also be made to § § 7.413 and 7.414 (relating to inspections and tests; and maintenance). As each grip is moved, the rope shall be examined for deterioration at or near the grip location, and the rope shall be thoroughly inspected at least once each year.

(3) Carriage wheels. The provisions of § 7.429(b)(3)(i) shall apply to carriage wheels, which ride on trestles or monorails with appropriate modifications where necessary.

(4) Track brakes. Track brakes shall conform to the provisions specified in § 7.447(g).

(c) Track cables. Track cables (bicable lifts only) shall conform to the following:

(1) Specifications and tests. Specifications and tests shall be in compliance with § 7.429(c)(1).

(2) Tension limitations. Tension limitations shall be in compliance with § 7.429(c)(2).

(3) Sockets. Sockets shall be so designed that no part is stressed in excess of the yield strength of the materials used when the cables are stressed to their catalog strength. If types of end attachments are proposed that are other than the current standard types used in this country, their suitability shall be established by tests. The authority having jurisdiction reserves the right to approve or disapprove the use of the proposed connection even when such tests have been made.

(4) Couplings. Track cable couplings shall not be used without the consent of the authority having jurisdiction, nor where track cable brakes are used. Track cable couplings shall not be reused.

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 § 7.447 (relating to terminals and stations); and 34 Pa. Code § 7.462 (relating to applicability).