Pennsylvania Code › Title 34 - LABOR AND INDUSTRY › Part I - Department of Labor and Industry › Chapter 7 - ELEVATORS, LIFTS, ESCALATORS, DUMBWAITERS, HOISTS ANDTRAMWAYS › Subchapter J - ESCALATORS › Section 7.324 - Safety equipment

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
Brakes.
Each escalator drive shall be provided with an
				  electrically-released, mechanically-applied brake which automatically stops the
				  escalator if the circuit is opened.
(b)
Emergency stops.
There
				  shall be a button or other type of switch located in a conspicuous position at
				  the top and bottom landings of every escalator and accessible to the public.
				  The operation of such buttons or switches shall cause interruption of the power
				  supply, application of the brake, and stoppage of the escalator. Under no
				  circumstances shall the arrangement be such that these buttons or switches may
				  be used to start the escalator. Such buttons or switches shall be plainly
				  marked "Escalator Stop Button," or "Escalator Stop Switch," as the case may
				  be.
(c)
Starting
				  switches.
When starting buttons or switches are located in such a
				  position as to be of possible access to the public, they shall be either of the
				  key operated type or be enclosed in a box provided with a lock and
				  key.
(d)
Protection against
				  reversal of direction.
Each new escalator operated in the ascending
				  direction shall be equipped with a safety mechanism so that in case of
				  accidental reversal of the motion of the escalator, the power is cut off, the
				  brake applied and the escalator stopped. On a reversible escalator, the safety
				  mechanism shall be so arranged as to be made inoperative when the escalator is
				  descending and operative when the escalator is ascending.
(e)
Protection against broken chains.
New escalators shall be provided with a safety device which will open
				  the power circuit, apply the machine brake, and bring the escalator to a
				  gradual stop if the tread chain or chains break.
(f)
Tension weights.
When
				  new escalators are equipped with tightening devices operating by means of
				  tension weights, provision shall be made to retain such weights in the
				  escalator truss in case the weights should fall.
(g)
Machine room.
There
				  shall be a suitable and permanent lighting fixture in every machine room, the
				  lighting of which may be accomplished without passing or reaching over any part
				  of the machinery. The minimum intensity of illumination shall be 1 foot-candle.
				  In installations constructed after January 1, l951, the machine room or
				  platform shall also have a minimum clear cross sectional area of 6 square feet
				  to enable inspection and repair of machine and control device without exposure
				  to electric shock or to operating machinery. This minimum area may include a
				  space made available by providing a removable control cabinet arranged with the
				  trail cables for maintenance or inspection procedures outside the machinery
				  space.
(h)
Access to
				  interior of escalators.
Reasonable access to the interior of all
				  escalators shall be provided for inspection and repair.
This section cited in 34 Pa. Code §
												7.14 (relating to tests); and 34
						Pa. Code §
												7.325 (relating to
						tests).