Section 296-96-14045. What construction specifications apply to hoistway cars?

(1) The car must be built to the following specifications:

(a) The car platform must be no greater than 30 inches on either side (6.25 square feet area).

(b) The car frame and platform must be of steel or sound seasoned wood construction and be designed with a safety factor of not less than 4 for metal and 6 for wood, based on a maximum capacity of 250 pounds.

(c) All frame members must be securely bolted, riveted or welded and braced. If bolted, lock washers or lock nuts must be used.

(d) Where wooden frame members are bolted, large washers or metal plates must be used to minimize the possibility of splitting or cracking the wood.

(2) The sides of the car must be enclosed by a minimum of 2 safety guard rails with the top rail not less than 36 inches nor more than 42 inches from the car floor. Rails must sustain a horizontal thrust of 250 pounds. If solid material is used, it must be smooth surfaced and not less than 1/2 inch thickness, if wood; not less than 16 gauge thickness, if steel; and must be constructed from the car floor to a height of not less than 3 feet.

(a) Where the hoistway is not enclosed on the entrance side of the car, a self-locking or drop bar gate must be provided. The car gate may be of the folding type, horizontally swung, provided it swings into the car enclosure. Drop bar gates must be of two bar construction, parallelogram type, and conform to requirements specified for car guard rails.

(b) The car gate must drop into locking slots or be provided with a positive locking type latch capable of withstanding 250 pounds horizontal thrust.

(3) Every car must have a substantial protective top. The front half may be hinged. The protective top may be made from No. 9 U.S. wire gauge screen, No. 11 gauge expanded metal, No. 14 gauge sheet steel, 3/4 inch or heavier plywood. If made of wire screen or metal, the openings must reject a 1/2 inch diameter ball.

(4) Every car must have a proper rack to hold the balance weights. Weights must be contained in the proper rack when the car is in motion.

(5) A sign bearing the following information must be conspicuously posted within the car:

(a) Total load limit in pounds;

(b) "Maximum capacity one person"; and

(c) "For authorized personnel use only."

(6) Every car must be equipped with a spring loaded foot brake which:

(a) Operates independently of the car safeties;

(b) Operates in both directions and will stop and hold the car and its load; and

(c) Locks the car in its position automatically whenever the operator releases the pressure on the foot pedal.

(7) Every car must be equipped with a car safety device which:

(a) Applies to the sides of the main guide rails; and

(b) Stops and holds the car and its load immediately when the hoisting rope breaks.

(8) Every car must have a minimum clearance of 6 feet 6 inches from the top of the car platform to the bottom edge of the crosshead or any other obstruction.

(9) A tool box with minimum dimensions of 4 inches long by 3 inches deep must be provided and firmly attached to the car structure.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.87.020, 70.87.030, 70.87.034, 70.87.120, 70.87.185, 70.87.190, 2002 c 98, 2003 c 143 and 2004 c 66. WSR 04-12-047, § 296-96-14045, filed 5/28/04, effective 6/30/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.87.020, 70.87.030, 70.87.034, 70.87.120, 70.87.185 and chapter 70.87 RCW. WSR 01-02-026, § 296-96-14045, filed 12/22/00, effective 1/22/01.]

RCW 70.87.020, 70.87.030, 70.87.034, 70.87.120, 70.87.185, 70.87.190, 2002 c 98, 2003 c 143 and 2004 c 66. WSR 04-12-047, § 296-96-14045, filed 5/28/04, effective 6/30/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.87.020, 70.87.030, 70.87.034, 70.87.120, 70.87.185 and chapter 70.87 RCW. WSR 01-02-026, § 296-96-14045, filed 12/22/00, effective 1/22/01.