Pennsylvania Code › Title 34 - LABOR AND INDUSTRY › Part I - Department of Labor and Industry › Chapter 7 - ELEVATORS, LIFTS, ESCALATORS, DUMBWAITERS, HOISTS ANDTRAMWAYS › Subchapter I - FREIGHT ELEVATORS › GENERAL REQUIREMENTS › Section 7.273 - Shaftway equipment

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(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.