Subchapter I. FREIGHT ELEVATORS

§ 7.271. Applicability.

 This Subchapter applies to all types of freight elevators.

 (a)  New shaftways—general. Shaftways of freight elevators erected in buildings over two stories in height shall be constructed of fire-resistive material, except when overhead loads are carried on a steel or angle iron tower, or by the structural parts of the building, in which case fire-resistive curtain walls may be provided in lieu of such fire-resistive material. There shall be no opening except for necessary fire-resistive doors, windows or skylights. When basement machines are installed, and the openings in the shaftway walls for cables or sheaves exceed ten square feet, the machine rooms shall be constructed of fire-resistive material. When fire-resistive construction is not required the shaftways of freight elevators shall be enclosed with a solid or substantial grille or latticework on all sides from floor to ceiling, except at landing gates and doors. The open spaces in such grille or latticework shall be such that a ball two inches in diamtere will not pass, and the wire or material used shall not be less than No. 10 standard steel wire gauge (0.135 inch). When bordering on counterweight runways, or when moving parts are within four inches of such enclosures, the open spaces shall be such that a ball 3/8 inch in diameter will not pass. Machine room doors shall be locked at all times, except when repairs are being made or when the machinery is being inspected or serviced. Oil-electric pump units installed in basement areas will not require a machine room provided the controller is enclosed in a fire-resistive cabinet equipped with a lock and the pumping unit is properly guarded.

 (b)  Existing shaftways—general. The shaftways of freight elevators, when not completely enclosed with fire-resistive or other construction, shall be encased with a solid or wire mesh enclosure to a height of at least 6 feet from the floor at all landings. If wire screen is used it shall not be greater than two inch mesh and of not less than No. 10 standard steel wire gauge 0.135 inch in diameter, When moving parts are within 4 inches of the shaftway enclosures, such enclosures shall be covered with wire screen of not more than 3/8 inch mesh, to a height of not less than 6 feet from the floor and to a distance of at least 6 inches to the right and left of such moving parts. When shaftways are equipped with automatic horizontal hatch covers, standard railings and toeboards may be substituted for the enclosure specified in this subsection, if they are located at least 12 inches from the line of the shaftway. When in the judgment of the Department, fire-resistive construction is necessary for the protection of the occupants of buildings or employes, such construction shall be provided.

 (c)  Grillework and enclosing walls. The grillework and enclosing walls of freight elevator shaftways shall be flush with all floor openings at landings, as well as with the line of the elevator shaftway at each side; except that approved landing gates may be operated inside of the shaftway or enclosure.

 (d)  Windows into shaftways. Windows in the outside walls of buildings opening into new freight elevator shaftways shall be constructed of fire-resistive materials. In all cases, windows shall be set in fixed sash. Elevator shaftway windows located within the first seven stories above a street or within four stories of the roof of an adjacent building shall be fitted with approved metal bars or rods at least 5/8 inch in diameter, spaced not more than 10 inches apart except where inside window protection is provided in accordance with subsection (e). Such window guards shall be provided in existing installations when, in the judgment of the Department, they are necessary.

 (e)  Recesses in shaftway walls. Recesses other than for windows or recesses other than necessary for installation of elevator equipment, are not permitted. Beams, floor slabs or other building construction shall not project more than 4 inches inside the general line of the hoistway unless the top surface of the projection is beveled at an angle of not less than 75° with the horizontal. When setbacks occur in the enclosure wall, the top of the setback shall be beveled at an angle of not less than 75° with horizontal. Separator beams between adjacent elevators are not required to have bevels. The following also apply:

   (1)  New installations. Recesses or offsets in shaftways of fireproof construction, except door lintels in the enclosing walk on the open sides of the car, shall be protected by substantial curtain walls, grating or vertical bars set flush with the interior walls of the shaftway, the distance between the vertical members not to exceed two inches. Such grating or bars shall be of metal. No part of the curtain walls, grating or bars shall be more than 7 inches from the car platform on any open side of the car. When the distance between the edge of the car top and rear shaftway wall exceeds 18 inches, a protective railing shall be installed the width of the car.

   (2)  Existing installations. When the distance from car sill to shaftway wall on any open side of car exceeds 7 inches, curtain walls, fascia plates, vertical metal bars spaced not more than 2 inches, or a substantial metal grille of not more than 2 inch mesh, shall be provided, unless the car gate on that side is equipped with an approved interlock. When such clearance exceeds 15 inches, the car door shall be solid and equipped with an approved interlock or the shaftway constructed as specified.

 (f)  Overhead loads. Overhead loads shall conform to the following:

   (1)  All installations. When overhead loads are carried on angle iron towers or on structural parts of a building, such supports, as well as the supporting members, shall possess in strength a factor of safety of not less than six for steel, eight for concrete and ten for cast iron or timber. It is recommended that such factors of safety be applied to a total load assumed to be equal to the weight of all apparatus resting on the supports plus twice the weight of the maximum load to be suspended from the supports. When medium steel, cast iron, ash or yellow pine is used, sections shall be proportioned upon an ultimate tensile strength (in pounds per square inch) of 60,000 for medium steel, 16,000 for cast iron, 9,000 for ash and 9,000 for yellow pine. Cast iron shall not be used in tension.

   (2)  New installations. When overhead loads are carried by bearing walls of brick, concrete or other approved materials, and such walls are erected independently of walls carrying building loads or resisting stresses, or when independent shaftway and building walls jointly carry loads, they shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the values governing safe bearing loads, as set forth in the following table:
Safe Bearing Loads
Brickwork

   (3)  Existing installations. Existing shaftway construction is acceptable when, in the judgment of the Department, such construction is composed of materials of the proper strength and quality, in consideration of the fire hazards and the loads to which such walls or shaftway construction are subjected.

 (g)  Other types of shaftways. Shaftways, in addition to conforming to the requirements of subsection (b), shall comply with the following:

   (1)  Contiguous shaftways. When freight elevator shaftways are contiguous, and are required to be of fire-resistive construction, it is not necessary to erect walls between such shaftways. This applies equally to cases where freight and passenger elevator shaftways are contiguous.

   (2)  Shaftways not extending to entire height of buildings. New freight elevator shaftways required to be of fire-resistive construction which do not extend to the entire height of a building, shall be protected by an unpierced covering, constructed of approved fire-resistive materials.

   (3)  Shaftways used as thoroughfares. No new elevator shaftway shall be used as a thoroughfare when the elevator is above, below, or at the landing, except upon special permission of the Department. Existing shaftways used as thoroughfares may be required to be removed or reerected in new locations or their use as thoroughfares abandoned.

 (h)  Required depth of shaftways. Freight elevator shaftways and counterweight runways shall be constructed with the pit floors and runways covered with concrete or other approved fire-resistive material to a thickness of at least four inches when the pit floor is located in the lowest cellar or basement. When the space below the shaftway is used as a passageway or is occupied by persons, or if unoccupied, is not secured against unauthorized access, the cars and counterweights shall be provided with governor-operated safeties, except that safeties operated as a result of the breaking of the suspension means may be used for dumbwaiters. Car and counterweight-buffer supports shall be of sufficient strength to withstand without failure the impact resulting from buffer engagement at governor-tripping speed or at 125% of rated speed where no governor is provided.

 (i)  Shaftway enclosures. When elevators are operated outside of building walls the shaftway shall be enclosed to a height of at least 12 feet except that when such elevators have two or more car openings the shaftway enclosure shall be extended the full height of the car travel on the sides where such openings occur. Such enclosures may consist of substantial wire mesh.

 (j)  Skylights and ventilators. Skylights and ventilators are permitted in freight elevator shaftways, provided the walls of the shaftways are continued to a point not less than three feet above the level of the roof. Skylights and glass ventilators shall be made of wire glass not less than 1/4 inch in thickness.

 (k)  Penthouses. When penthouses are constructed over fire-resistive freight elevator shaftways, they shall be made of approved fire-resistive materials and a permanent means of entrance other than through the shaftway shall be provided. Penthouse doors shall be locked at all times, except when repairs are being made or when the machinery is being inspected or serviced. Penthouses shall have not less than a clear inside height of 6 feet and shall permit free access to all parts of machinery and apparatus therein. Existing penthouses are not required to be made fire-resistive unless existing conditions necessitate such construction. Access to all penthouses, overhead machinery, and machine rooms shall be provided by means other than through the shaftway.

 (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.

 (e)  Guide rails. Guide rails shall conform to Section 200 of ANSI A17.1-1971 Code, Rules 200.1 through 200.11 inclusive and all subsequent amendments thereto. Guide rails may remain in position if they are of substantial and suitable proportions for the car speed, load, and travel and for the proper functioning of car safety devices. Guide rails for cars and counterweights shall be permanently and securely fastened in position and have securely anchored footings.

 (f)  Beveled plates. On sides where there are car openings, substantial beveled plates of metal or of wood with metal facing (substantial hardwood bevels are acceptable in lieu of metal facing in existing installations) shall be located under all thresholds, beams, and other fixed construction projecting into the shaftway beyond its flush line. The beveled plates shall extend from the edge of the projection to the wall or to a point at least four inches horizontally from the edge of the car, and the beveled surfaces shall have an angle of at least 60° with the horizontal. An angle of 75° is preferred. In lieu of the plates the beveled surfaces may be of concrete troweled to a smooth finish.

   The provisions of this §  7.273 amended through September 17, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 2277. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (8136) and (17302).

 Shaftway clearances shall conform to the following:

   (1)  New freight elevators, except handpower, sidewalk, plunger, hydraulic or plunger hydrosteam types, shall be so constructed that the minimum clearance between the highest point of the elevator car crosshead and the lowest point of any overhead construction when the car platform is flush with the upper terminal landing and the minimum clearance between the lowest point of such elevator car bottom of safety plank and the pit floor or top of any construction contained therein when the elevator car is at the lowest terminal landing shall conform to the following table:

   (2)  When bumpers are used, the clear distances specified in paragraph (4) mean when the bumpers are fully compressed.

   (3)  For speeds in excess of 125 feet per minute, the table set forth for passenger elevators in §  7.53 (relating to shaftway clearances) shall apply.

   (4)  Plunger hydraulic and plunger hydrosteam elevators shall be so constructed that the minimum clearance between the lowest point of any over- head construction and the top of the crosshead is two feet when the car platform has reached its highest possible limit of travel. The installation of plungers longer than necessary for present travel is prohibited unless the plunger is provided with a positive mechanical stop which would be adequate to absorb the maximum impact load. The clearance at the bottom, however, shall be the same as for electric freight elevators with an overrun of not less than six inches.

   (5)  Existing clearances and over travel will be accepted, except where changes are necessary for the safety of repairmen, oilers, and inspectors.

   The provisions of this §  7.274 amended through December 21, 1967.

 Landing doors shall be provided in conformance with the following:

   (1)  All installations. The shaftways of freight elevators, where required to be of fire-resistive construction, shall be equipped at floor landings with approved fire-resistive landings doors. New installation of such doors shall be of approved one-hour fire-resistive construction and shall bear the certification to this effect from a recognized official testing laboratory. The maximum clearance between the doors, sills, lintels, and frames shall not exceed 7/8 inch. The doors shall also comply with the following:

     (i)   Landing doors shall be mounted on the interior walls of the shaftway, except that they may be mounted on the exterior wall of the shaftway if the entrances to such shaftway are further protected by standard gates, as specified in §  7.278 (relating to landing gates). Vertical or horizontal sliding or rolling doors may be opened but shall not be closed by independent power, except when the mechanism employed is approved by the Board. When vertical doors are operated by independent power, they may be opened automatically but shall be closed manually or by constant-pressure pushbuttons. The speed of such doors shall not exceed one foot per second and the drive shall be of a type that permits easy arrest of the progress of the doors in the event of contact with any obstruction. In such cases means shall be provided to permit the manual operation of the landing doors and car doors or gates from within the car in the event of failure of power. Doors of the swinging type shall be so mounted that the inside surface of the door is not more than four inches from the inside surface of the door sill. The width of the shaftway opening when the landing door is in a fully open position, shall not be greater than the width of the car opening.

     (ii)   Substantial stops shall be provided for both sections of a vertical biparting elevator door to prevent either door from dropping below the range of normal travel.

     (iii)   New installations of semiautomatic, counterbalanced, biparting and two-speed types of doors are prohibited. Existing semiautomatic, biparting shaftway doors shall be so changed as to be manually operated and all such doors shall be provided with approved locking devices.

   (2)  Existing installations. Landing doors, except those for automatic control and double-button control elevators, shall be equipped with latches arranged so that they may be unlocked only from the inside, except that the main or lowest landing door may be arranged to also open from outside the shaftway by means of a removable key.

   (3)  New installations. The main or parking floor door of all elevators, except double-button control, automatic control and dual control, shall be provided with a removable service key by which the door may be opened when the car is at that landing. Such service key shall be located where it is available to responsible authorized persons at all times. The landing doors at the lowest level and next floor above all elevators shall be equipped in such a manner that they may be opened, regardless of the location of the car, with a formed emergency key which is located under glass in the entry way or corridor on the lowest floor.

   The provisions of this §  7.275 amended through March 26, 1969.

 Latches shall be provided on the shaftway side of all landing doors for power-driven freight elevators, except automatic conrol elevators, which effectively lock the doors when they are in a closed position. This requirement does not apply when the landing doors are on the outside of the shaftway and the entrance is further protected by a landing gate. Such latches shall operate to prevent the opening of the doors from the landing side, except when the car is at the landing.

 (a)  When the landing doors of power-driven freight elevators, except automatic control elevators, are of the manually operating type, an approved automatic locking device shall be placed on, or attached to, such doors. This requirement does not apply when the landing doors are on the outside of the shaftway and the entrance is further protected by a landing gate. The locking device shall prevent the normal operation of the car while the door on the landing at which the car may be standing is open or unsecured. Such locking device shall not be affected by ordinary deviation from true alignment of either the car or landing doors and shall not project into the shaftway to such an extent as to create a hazard.

 (b)  Each locking device installed shall be stamped or otherwise have irremovably placed on such device a type or model number which corresponds to the type or model number listed with the Department when such device was approved. No change shall be made in the design of approved locking devices unless the Board is notified and has acquiesced in such change. No locking device of any kind other than approved-type interlocks is permitted on any hoistway door.

 (c)  When springs are used in locking devices to create and maintain a condition of safety, they shall be of such strength as to insure against a hazardous condition through breakage or misplacement.

 (d)  The installation of emergency releases on freight elevators is prohibited.

 (a)  Where required. Landing gates shall be provided at the landings of all freight elevator shaftways not required to be constructed of fire-resistive materials. Gates shall also be provided at each landing of freight elevator shaftways constructed of fire-resistive materials when the fire doors are located on the exterior walls of the shaftway.

 (b)  Construction. Landing gates required under subsection (a) shall conform to the following:

   (1)  Gates shall be made of metal or of wood of at least as great a fibre strength as ash, and shall be rigid. When gates are made of slats or strips, the distance between such slats or strips shall not exceed 2 inches. The joints of wood gate frames shall be reinforced with metal.

   (2)  When gates are of wire mesh they shall be of substantial construction and the mesh shall be of such dimensions that a ball 2 inches in diameter will not pass. In all instances they shall be so constructed as to be able to resist 150 pounds of pressure at the middle without permanent deformation.

   (3)  Gates shall not be less than 5 feet, 6 inches in height from the floor to the top of the upper horizontal member, and the clearance between the floor and the lowest horizontal member shall not be greater than 6 inches, provided that when the story heights are such that a gate 5 feet, 6 inches in height with a 6 inch underclearance is not practicable, the gates may be of the telescoping type, made in two or three sections.

   (4)  Gates and counterweights shall be properly balanced.

 (c)  Types of gates permitted. The following are the types of gates permitted:

   (1)  Gates of the manually-operated, vertical-raising balanced type, only when they conform to subsection (h).

   (2)  Gates of the semiautomatic vertical-raising type.

   (3)  Gates of the full automatic vertical-raising type, at terminal landings only.

   (4)  Gates of the manually-operated swinging or horizontal type, only when they conform to subsection (h).

   (5)  Gates of the power-operated horizontal type, if approved.

   (6)  Gates may be of standard railing when enclosures consist of standard railing and toeboard, if placed at least 12 inches from the line of the shaftway. Toeboards are not required in such cases.

   (7)  When local conditions prohibit full compliance with these requirements, other forms of gate construction may be used if satisfactory reasons are given with the application for a permit.

 (d)  Protection of outside entrances. When there are outside entrances to elevator shaftways from streets, alleys, or other thoroughfares, such gates shall not be less than 6 feet in height, and the clearance between the lowest horizontal member and the floor or landing shall not be more than 2 inches. When gates are of wire mesh they shall be of substantial construction and the mesh shall be of such dimensions that a ball 1 1/2 inches in diameter will not pass.

 (e)  Tampering with gates. The gates of shaftway entrances of freight elevators shall not be fastened in an open position or otherwise rendered inoperative.

 (f)  Counterweight guards. Counterweights shall be entirely enclosed with wood or metal or they may operate in open guides when otherwise effectively guarded.

 (g)  Grate latches. New landing gates shall be provided with a latch so arranged that the gate cannot be opened unless the car is at that landing. Existing landing gates shall be provided with a latch so arranged that the gate cannot be opened unless the car is at that landing.

 (h)  Locking devices. When landing gates are of the manually-operated type, which are only permitted when electric brakes are used, an approved automatic locking device shall be placed on, or attached to, such gates. Such locking devices shall prevent the normal operation of the car while the gate on the landing at which the car may be standing is open or unsecured. Such locking devices shall prevent opening of the gates when the car is away from the landing. When gates are of openwork construction a shield of sufficient size to prevent access to the lock from the outside of the shaftway shall be provided.

 (a)  Overhead machinery for freight elevators in new installations shall be securely fastened or cleated to its supports to prevent movement. Cleats are not required where the ropes lead perpendicularly from both sides of the driving shaft. Overhead bearings, except for hand elevators, shall be placed on the tops of the beams or structural parts to which they may be secured, except that idler sheaves may be placed below the beams, provided the parts of the bearings in tension are of steel or wrought iron. Such supports shall possess a strength as specified in §  7.272 (relating to shaftway construction). When necessary in existing installations, the Department may require that overhead machinery be relocated or so changed as to conform to safe practices.

 (b)  No new machinery, except hydraulic plunger elevators, may be located directly under an elevator shaftway. Existing machinery may remain in place if there is sufficient pit depth, buffer support, and no other hazards involved, and subject to approval by the Board.

 (c)  Set screw fastenings shall not be used in lieu of keys in the construction or installation of hoisting and car safety mechanisms in existing installations. Set screws or pins shall not be used in lieu of keys in the construction of new hoisting and car safety mechanisms, except when the device has been approved by the Department.

 (d)  The operation of any elevator by friction gearing or clutch mechanism is prohibited where such mechanisms form the primary means for the transmission of the power required to operate the elevator at normal speed.

 (a)  Number required. At least two hoisting and two counterweight cables shall be provided on all new freight elevators raised and lowered by cables. At least three hoisting cables shall be used on new traction-type freight elevators. The operation of existing elevators having only one hoisting cable is prohibited unless the diameter and material of the cable is adequate to safely carry the maximum load with a factor of safety as designated in subsection (c), and if the elevator car is equipped with approved car safeties.

 (b)  Material and diameter. Hoisting and counterweight cables shall be made of iron or steel of good quality. The minimum diameter permitted for any type of cable is 1/2 inch. When different diameters of cables than those given in subsection (c) are necessary, they shall be computed on the same ratio as shown in that subsection. When the material of existing hoisting and counterweight cables is unknown, such cables shall be assumed to be of iron and the lifting capacity of the installation calculated accordingly.

 (c)  Factors of safety. No hoist or counterweight cable shall be stressed beyond a factor of safety as follows:

 (d)  Cable fastenings. Only approved types of cable fastenings shall be used.

 (e)  Cables located outside of shaftways. When the installation of an elevator requires cables to pass through the floors outside of the elevator shaftways, they shall be boxed on all sides with solid enclosures, or standard metal guards shall be provided to a height of at least 6 feet.

 (f)  Diameters of sheaves and drums. The diameters of drums and sheaves in new installations shall be at least 40 times the diameter of the cable used, except for sidewalk elevators. Drum and sheave diameters in existing installations may be accepted, except where changes are considered necessary by the Department.

 (g)  Number of turns of cables. There shall be at least 1 1/2 wraps of hoisting and counterweight cables on the drums of freight elevators of the winding drum type when either the car or counterweights are at the limits of travel. The ends of the cables shall be clamped on the inside of the drum.

 (h)  Cable equalizers. Cables shall be provided with a means of equalizing. Drum-type elevators shall be provided with eveners. On existing installations the requirements for cable equalizers need not be complied with until the next cable renewal. Such equalizers shall be fastened in position by thrubolts, each bolt to be provided with a nut, locknut and cotterpin. Coil or helical springs, when used, shall be of a design which will not permit full compression under normal load.

 (i)  Reshackling. The car hoist and drum counterweights ropes of power-driven elevators having drum-type driving machines shall be reshackled every two years, except where auxiliary rope fastening devices are installed. Reshackling is required when the auxiliary rope fastener indicates failure of any rope fastening. Crosby clips and heart shackles shall be included. Two-to-one roped underslung drum elevators are exempted. A metal tag shall be placed on the rope to show the reshackling date and the person who performed the work.

 (j)  Metal data tags. A metal data tag shall be securely attached to one of the wire rope fastenings and a new tag shall be installed at each rope renewal. Data tag shall bear the following:

   (1)  The diameter in inches.

   (2)  The rated breaking strength, as rated by the manufacturer.

   (3)  The grade of material used.

   (4)  The month and year the ropes were installed.

   (5)  Whether the ropes were nonpreformed or performed.

   (6)  The construction classification.

   (7)  The name of the person or firm who installed the ropes.

   (8)  The name of the manufacturer of the rope.

   The provisions of this §  7.280 amended through June 28, 1967.

 (a)  The cars of new power-driven freight elevators shall have all sides not used as a means of ingress or egress solidly enclosed. Grille, perforated or solid metal may be used from a point 6 feet above the car floor to the underside of the car top. The tops of freight elevator cars shall be provided with a cover, solid or of grillework, capable of sustaining a concentrated load of 150 pounds at any point. If wire mesh is used it shall not be less than No. 10 standard steel wire gauge, 0.135 inch in diameter, and the mesh shall be such that a ball 1 1/2 inches in diameter will not pass. Such protecting tops or covers shall be set back not more than 6 inches from the landing threshold and be hinged to a depth of not less than 18 inches on the landing sides. Car slings, frames and girdles on all elevators installed after January 1, 1943, shall be constructed of steel. Elevators in existing fire-resistive shaftways are not required to have car tops. Such tops are also not required in connection with elevators when all gates above the bottom story have their underclearances eliminated and shaftway enclosures extend to the ceiling.

 (b)  When there is more than one opening to a car, all openings, except the one nearest the operator, shall be provided with a car gate of the horizontal collapsible type or of the semiautomatic vertical-raising type, except on existing one-story elevators when the clearance between the car and the shaftway is not greater than 2 inches and when the shaftway forms a smooth surface without projections throughout the travel of the car. When the horizontal collapsible type of gate is used, the construction shall be such that a 4 1/2 inch ball will not pass when the gate is fully extended, and the upright channels shall not be more than 18 inches apart.

 (c)  If gates of the horizontal collapsible type are used in installations provided with electric brakes they shall all be equipped with an electrical or mechanical device so constructed and installed that the car is held immovable when the gates are in an open position. If gates of the vertical-raising type are used, they shall be extended to the car floor and an electric contact shall be provided where practicable. This requirement does not apply to existing installations where automatic hatch covers are permitted.

 (d)  Car gates which are not provided with the locking devices required in subsection (c) shall be equipped with latches so arranged that the gates cannot be opened from the outside of the shaftway. Car gates shall have a minimum height of 5 feet, 6 inches.

 Belted and chain-driven freight elevators hereafter installed shall not have a rated speed of more than 75 feet per minute. When the car speed of electric and hydraulic freight elevators is in excess of 125 feet per minute, such installations shall be made to conform to the requirements of this chapter for passenger elevators, except as to lifting capacity and shaftway doors.

 (a)  Slack cable device. A slack cable device shall be used in connection with all power-driven freight elevator machinery of the winding drum type which will automatically shut off the power, apply the brake, and stop the machinery if the car is obstructed in its descent. The device shall be so designed and installed that, after functioning, the mere resetting of the device is not sufficient to move the elevator car unless the operator is in the car and starts it in the normal manner.

 (b)  Shaftway limit switches. Direct connected drum-type elevators shall be equipped with upper and lower final limit switches regardless of car travel or speed. All other electric freight elevators having magnetic brakes shall be provided with upper and lower final limit switches, except traction type with a speed of less than 125 feet per minute. Final limit switches shall automatically cut off the current, apply the brake and stop the machinery, and may be located in the shaftway with a cam on the car or on the car with cams in the shaftway. When necessary because of flood conditions, lower shaftway limit switches may be actuated by the counterweight at the top of the shaftway. All cams actuating limit switches shall be of metal. A stopping switch may also be mounted on the elevator car in addition to limit switches in the shaftway, and so arranged as to be actuated by stationary inclines placed in the shaftway at the upper and lower limits of travel. A sequence relay shall be installed in connection with final limit and direction switches of all electric rope control freight elevators, so connected as to require the centering of the controlling mechanism before the elevator car may be placed in operation. Friction-type governors without cable clamp dogs are not permitted.

 (c)  Automatic terminal stops. Automatic terminal stops shall be provided on the machines of all power-driven freight elevators of the winding drum type. Such devices shall operate independently of the car controlling mechanism.

 (d)  Brakes. Power-driven freight elevators, except hydraulic elevators, shall be equipped with an effective brake which automatically engages when the controlling mechanism of the elevator car is in a ‘‘stop’’ position. Electric brakes are required in all existing elevators where electric interlocks are installed. In such instances the requirements of subsection (b), and § §  7.285(b) and 7.292(d) (relating to control apparatus; and electric freight elevators) shall be met. When a direct current elevator motor or motors derive current from an alternating current power source through a nonrotating rectifying unit, means shall be provided to absorb a sufficient amount of energy regenerated by the motor or motors under overhauling load conditions to prevent any elevator from attaining at any time, or under any conditions of load, more than 120 % of the contract speed of the elevator. When a single rectifier is installed to supply power for a number of elevators, or elevators in conjunction with other electrical equipment in the building, separate means for absorbing the generated power shall be installed for each elevator and other equipment in the building shall not be depended upon for the absorption of this power.

 (e)  Car safeties. Car safeties are required in conformance with the following:

   (1)  New installations. New power-driven freight elevator cars suspended from cables shall be provided with car safeties located under the car floors. Such safeties shall be capable of stopping or holding the elevator car at any point of its travel. Freight elevators having a speed of 100 feet per minute or less shall be provided with car safeties actuated by a centrifugal speed governor, except when the car travel does not exceed 20 feet, in which case car safeties of the spring grip or broken rope type may be used. When the speed exceeds 100 feet per minute, regardless of car travel, the car shall be provided with car safeties of the friction clamp or other approved type, actuated by a centrifugal speed governor in such a manner as to bring the elevator car to a gradual stop within a distance of approximately 8 feet. A rack and pawl are not acceptable as a car safety device. Tiller rope construction shall not be used for governor cables except when used for the portion of the cable wound on the safety drum. Governor cables shall be of iron or steel, monel metal, phosphor bronze or equivalent, and shall not be less than 3/8 inch in diameter. The size, material and construction of the governor rope, and the proper tripping speed of the governor, shall be stamped on the governor stand or on a brass plate attached to it in letters not less than 1/4 inch in height.

   (2)  Existing installations. When no car safeties are provided, they shall be installed in accordance with the requirements for new installations. Existing car safeties may remain in their present position if they are, upon being tested, found to be reliable. Otherwise, they shall be replaced by new car safeties in accordance with the requirements for new installations. A rack and pawl is not acceptable as a car safety device. Whenever necessary to renew governor ropes or cables, such renewals shall conform to the requirements for new construction.

 (f)  Signs—riders. Power-driven freight elevators shall have signs posted at every landing and in the elevator car prohibiting all persons, except the operator and not more than three designated assistants from riding on such car. See also §  7.12(d) (relating to rules of operation).

 (g)  Illumination. The landings of all freight elevators shall be adequately illuminated at all times when the building is in use so that the entrance to the elevator car can be readily observed.

 The motive power of all freight elevators shall be one of the following:

   (1)  Direct-connected electric (drum or traction).

   (2)  Hydraulic plunger.

   (3)  Horizontal or vertical cylinder.

   (4)  Single belted.

   (5)  Silent chain.

   (6)  Hand.

   (7)  Gravity.

 (a)  Types. Permissible types of control for freight elevators are as follows:

   (1)  New installations. The controlling mechanism of all new freight elevators shall be restricted to such types as car switch, automatic, double-button control, wheel or lever (hydraulic).

   (2)  Existing installations. Existing power-driven elevators operated by rope or cables shall have manually-operated landing doors or gates equipped with approved electric interlocks. In such instances, the requirements of subsection (b) of this section and § §  7.283(b) and 7.296(d) (relating to safety requirements; belted and silent chain drive elevators). In hydraulic elevators that are operated by hand-cable control, the gates shall be made manually closeable and equipped with approved type interlocks.

 (b)  Electric control switches. Electric car control switches shall be so designed and installed in new cars that, upon removal of the hand of the operator, the switch will automatically return to the ‘‘off’’ position. Low voltage and no voltage protection shall be provided on all new electric elevators so that the elevator car will not restart upon the restoration of voltage or service until the operator has first moved the controller to the ‘‘off’’ position. Low voltage and no voltage protection shall be provided for existing hand rope control elevators having electric brakes, so that the elevator car will not restart upon the restoration of voltage or service until the operator has first moved the control to the ‘‘off’’ position.

   This section cited in 34 Pa. Code §  7.283 (relating to safety requirements); 34 Pa. Code §  7.291 (relating to general); and 34 Pa. Code §  7.295 (relating to hydraulic freight elevators).

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

§ 7.291. General.

 (a)  All electric freight elevators operated by polyphase alternating current motors shall be provided with relays of the potential type, or other approved devices, which will prevent the starting of the motor if the phase rotation is in the wrong direction, or if there is a failure in any phase.

 (b)  No potential differences in excess of 250 volts shall be used in connection with the car switch or automatic control circuits of new electric freight elevators. When direct current is the only available source of power and it is impracticable to keep within this requirement, application may be made to the Department for special permission to use a higher voltage. Full information shall be given with each application for a special permit. When step-down transformers are used in connection with an alternating current car switch and automatic control circuits, they shall be of the two-winding type.

 (c)  When the operating apparatus of an existing electric freight elevator has a potential difference in excess of 250 volts, the hand control ropes or cables shall be provided with insulating balls, placed to prevent elevator operators from receiving electric shocks.

 (d)  An emergency stop switch shall be installed in every new electric elevator car when the hoisting machine is equipped with an electric brake. Such a switch shall operate to open a main line switch independent of the car-controlling circuit wiring. An emergency switch shall be installed in each existing electric elevator car when the hoisting machine is equipped with an electric brake and shall operate to open a main line switch independent of the car-controlling circuit wiring.

 (e)  In all installations where the power for elevator control switches is dependent upon main line circuit breakers, potential switches or other similar electric apparatus, connections shall be made so that the operation of any fire alarm system connected to such main line circuit breakers, potential switches or other similar electric apparatus, will not cut off the power to the elevator control circuit.

 (f)  The machine controllers of all electric freight elevators shall be equipped with a potential switch of either the manual or power-closing type, so designed that when the current is interrupted from any cause whatever it will automatically apply the brake and stop the elevator car.

 (g)  Switches shall be provided in connection with new electric freight elevators so that the motor control circuit and the brake control circuit are opened before or at the time the governor trips. Switches shall be provided in existing electric freight elevators so that the motor control circuit and the brake control circuit are opened before or at the time the governor trips or when the safety operates.

 (a)  Automatic control freight elevators. Automatic control freight elevators shall not be constructed and installed unless a special permit has been obtained from the Department. Their use shall at all times be subject to special regulations applied to them for the protection of the public and employes. Such elevators are subject to the provisions covering automatic control passenger elevators, as set forth in §  7.73 (relating to automatic control passenger elevators), except as to capacity or side exits. Shaftway gates or doors may be of the same type as permitted for freight elevators of car switch control.

 (b)  Dual control freight elevators. Dual control freight elevators are subject to the provisions covering dual control passenger elevators, as set forth in §  7.74 (relating to dual control passenger elevators), except that capacity is included in the list of exemptions, and shaftway gates or doors may be of the same type as permitted for freight elevators of car switch control.

 (a)  Permit. Double-button control freight elevators shall not be constructed and installed unless a special permit is obtained from the Department. Their use is at all times subject to special regulations applied to them by the Department for the protection of the public employes.

 (b)  Wiring. Means shall be provided to prevent any interference from hall buttons or switches. When an elevator is being operated from within the car, such means shall be automatic, or provision shall be made to enable the person operating the elevator from within the car to prevent interference from landing buttons or switches, and to maintain complete control of the car.

 (c)  Emergency stop switches. In addition to the directional buttons in the cars of double-button control elevators, an emergency stop switch shall be provided in the car to enable the person operating the elevator from within the car to stop the car at any point of its travel.

 (d)  Speed. Double-button control freight elevators shall be limited to a speed not exceeding 100 feet per minute.

 (e)  Landing doors. Landing doors shall be provided as follows:

   (1)  All installations. The shaftways of double-button control freight elevators, when required to be of fire-resistive construction, shall be equipped at floor landings with approved manually-operated, fire-resistive landing doors. Such doors shall be mounted on the interior walls of the shaftway, except that they may be mounted on the exterior walls of the shaftway if entrances to such shaftway are further protected by standard gates, as specified for use with double-button control freight elevators. The width of the shaftway opening, when the landing door is in the fully open position, shall not be greater than the width of the car opening.

   (2)  New installations. When vertical or horizontal-sliding landing doors are located on the inside of the shaftway, shaftway gates may be omitted, and such shaftway landing doors shall be provided with an approved interlock and retiring cam so that the door may not be opened unless the car is at that landing and shall prevent the operation of the car while any door is open.

   (3)  Existing installations. Landing doors on existing installations shall be equipped with approved automatic locking devices.

   (4)  Locking devices. When springs are used in locking devices to create and maintain a condition of safety, they shall be of such strength as to insure against a hazardous condition through breakage or misplacement.

 (f)  Landing gates. Landing gates shall conform to the following:

   (1)  Location. Gates shall be provided at each landing of all freight elevator shaftways where the shaftways are not required to be constructed of fire-resistive materials. Gates shall also be provided at each landing of freight elevator shaftways constructed of fire-resistive materials when the fire doors are located on the exterior walls of the shaftway.

   (2)  Specifications. Gates shall be made of metal or of wood of at least as great a fiber strength as ash, and shall be rigid. When gates are made of slats or strips, the distance between such slats or strips shall not exceed 2 inches and the joints of wood gate frames shall be reinforced with metal. When gates are made of wire mesh construction, the mesh shall be of such dimensions that a ball 2 inches in diameter will not pass. In all instances they shall be so constructed as to be able to resist 150 pounds pressure at the middle without permanent deformation. Gates shall be not less than 5 feet, 6 inches in height from the floor to the top of the upper horizontal member, and the clearance between the floor and the lowest horizontal member shall not be greater than 6 inches. When the story heights are such that a gate 5 feet, 6 inches in height with 6 inches underclearance is not practicable, the gates may be of the telescoping type made in two or three sections. Gates and counterweights shall be properly balanced.

   (3)  Permissible types. The following types of gates are permitted with double-button control freight elevators:

     (i)   Manually-operated, vertical-raising balanced type.

     (ii)   Manually-operated horizontal type.

     (iii)   Manually-operated swing type.

   (4)  Locking devices. All new landing gates shall be provided with an approved interlock and retiring cam, so arranged that the gate cannot be opened unless the car is at the landing. All existing landing gates shall be equipped with an approved automatic locking device.

 (g)  Gates at outside entrances. When there are outside entrances to elevator shaftways from streets, alleys or other thoroughfares, all such gates shall be not less than 6 feet in height, and the clearance between the lowest horizontal member and the floor or landing shall not exceed 2 inches. When such gates are of wood, metal, or other open construction, they shall be covered with a wire mesh such that a ball 1 1/2 inches in diameter will not pass. The gates of shaftway entrances of freight elevators shall not be fastened in an open position, or otherwise rendered inoperative. Counterweights for such gates shall be entirely closed with wood or metal, or they may operate in open guides otherwise effectively guarded.

 (h)  Car gates. Openings on double-button control freight elevators shall be provided with car gates equipped with electric contacts so constructed and installed that the car is held immovable when the gate is in an open position.

 (i)  Pushbuttons—prohibition. Pushbuttons shall not be permitted to control the operation of elevators in school buildings, sanitariums for the weak-minded, and similar classes of building where there is danger of the abuse of the purpose of such buttons, unless the pushbuttons are made inaccessible to the occupants or are key operated. A decision on this point should be made at the time of the approval of the plans for the elevators.

 Plunger and cylinder freight elevators, when possible, shall be constructed, installed, and operated in accordance with the requirements of § §  7.271—7.285 and 7.76, except that the requirement governing capacity does not apply to freight elevators coming under this subchapter.

 (a)  Worm gear. Newly installed single belted or chain drive elevators shall be of the worm gear type and be overbalanced by at least one third.

 (b)  Counterweights. All cars shall be properly counterweighted, except that if existing installations are not counterweighted they may be permitted to operate, provided the absence of such counterweights does not constitute a menace, as determined by the Department.

 (c)  Speed control. Safety mechanisms shall be provided so that in the event of a broken belt or chain the car does not attain a dangerous speed, with or without a load. In lieu of installing cut-out switches, the installation of at least three V-belt drives will be accepted.

 (d)  Electric brakes. Elevators covered by this section shall be equipped with an electric brake. Electric brakes are required in all cases where electric interlocks are installed in existing structures. In such instances, the requirements of § §  7.283(b) and 7.292(d) (relating to safety requirements; and electric freight elevators) shall also be met.

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

 (b)  Conversion to power drive elevators. No hand elevator shall be equipped with any attachments or equipment for applying power, unless the hoisting machinery is permanently and completely converted into power-driven machinery. In such cases, all requirements of this chapter for power-driven freight elevators shall be complied with.

 (c)  Clearances. New hand freight elevators shall be so installed that the minimum clearance between the highest point of the elevator car and the underside of the protecting platform or grating under the overhead machinery shall not be less than 2 feet. There shall be a minimum clearance of two feet between the lowest point of the car, when at the lower limit of travel, and the bottom of the pit. Existing clearances and over travel may be accepted, except when changes are considered necessary by the Department for the safety of repairmen, oilers and inspectors.

 (d)  Counterweights. The counterweights of all hand elevators shall operate in guides, or in substantial boxing, the interior surfaces of which shall be flush and free from all projections. They shall be so arranged 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)  Mounting of overhead machinery. New overhead machinery shall be supported by a substantial frame. When it is necessary to suspend bearings for sheaves or pull wheels, such bearings shall be secured to their supports by steel or wrought iron straps. When considered necessary by the Department, existing overhead machinery shall be relocated or changed to conform to safe practices.

 (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 all hand elevators shall be solidly enclosed on at least two sides to a height of 6 feet or to the upper car beam.

 (h)  Brakes. The cars of each hand elevator shall be equipped with a substantial brake. The weight which balances the brake band shall be secured by an auxiliary chain or rope to prevent the weight from falling down the shaftway.

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

 (j)  Car safeties. The cars of new hand elevators shall be fitted with substantial car safeties. When hand-operated elevators installed prior to December 15, 1924, carry only light loads and travel less than 15 feet, the installation of car safeties may be waived upon application to the Board, provided that all other requirements of this Chapter are complied with.

 (k)  Location of pull ropes. New hand elevators shall be so designed and installed that the pull rope is located on the landing side of the shaftway enclosure.

 (l)  Cable or rope locks. Hand 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.

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

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

 (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.

 (a)  New freight elevators for automobile service shall have a car platform of sufficient strength to support a load equal to 70% of the live load when concentrated equally at any two points, 4 feet, 8 1/2 inches apart on a line parallel with the entrance sill to the car. Existing automobile elevators shall comply with the provisions of this chapter for existing freight elevators.

 (b)  Construction of automobile elevators of the multiple or four point suspension type is prohibited.

 Special requirements for electric or oil-electric platform elevators are the following:

   (1)  The rise shall not exceed 20 feet.

   (2)  The capacity shall not exceed 2,500 pounds.

   (3)  The speed shall not exceed 30 feet per minute.

   (4)  The platform shall not exceed 36 square feet in area.

   (5)  The winding drums and sheaves shall not be less than 14 inches in diameter.

   (6)  The machine, motor and controller shall not be placed in the pit, but drums may be placed in the pit under the elevator car.

   (7)  Guide rails shall extend from the pit to the top of the shaft and be constructed of steel or iron.

   (8)  An elevator shall have at least two cables of not less than 1/2 inch diameter.

   (9)  Platform elevators may be used from the basement to the first floor only.

   (10)  Spring buffers shall be provided and so placed that the car cannot rest on the drums or drum shaft.

   (11)  A pit shall be not less than four feet deep, but is exempt from application of §  7.274 (relating to shaftway clearances).

   (12)  Elevators may be of the two-point suspension type, but not of the four-point suspension type.

   (13)  Cars shall be provided with a safety device of the broken rope or governor type.

   (14)  Machines shall be provided with automatic terminal stops and shall have shaftway limit switches at the top and bottom.

   (15)  Shaftway enclosure gates or doors and locking devices shall comply with the requirements for freight elevators, except that shaftway enclosures shall be flush from top to bottom.

   (16)  Control shall be of the car switch, double-button constant pressure or full automatic pushbutton type. Hand rope control is prohibited.

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