Parts: I - II - III - IV - V - VI - VII - VIII - IX - X - XI - XII - XIII - XIV - XV - XVI - XVII - XVIII - XIX - XX - XXI - XXII - XXIII - XXIV - XXV - XXVI - (XXVII)  

PART XV ELEVATORS

Permits

15.1 No elevator shall be used unless a permit for its use has been issued by the Chief Inspector.

Application in writing

15.2 (1) The manager of a mineral licence area who intends to install, use or modify an elevator shall apply in writing to the Chief Inspector to do so.

(2) The application for the installation and use of an elevator shall be accompanied by :-

(a) dimensioned drawings of the machine room in plan and elevation to the scale of at least 1 in 50;

(b) dimensioned drawings of the installation in plan and elevation;

(c) a diagram of all the electrical circuits of the installation, and

(d) particulars of the ropes as detailed in regulation 17.3.4.(b) and of their connections.


Lost or Defaced Permits


15.3 (1) If any permit is lost, defaced or destroyed, the manager shall apply in writing to the Chief Inspector for the issue of a duplicate permit.

(2) The permit shall be displayed in a suitable glazed and locked sealed frame in a conspicuous place inside the car or at any other place approved by the Chief Inspector.


Record Book


15.4 The manager shall provide for each elevator an Elevator Record Book in which shall be 
entered :-

(a) the name or names of the competent person or persons appointed to carry out the examinations prescribed in regulations 17.5.1 and 17.5.2

(b) the following particulars of every winding rope and balance rope:

Name of manufacturer
Date of manufacture 
Coil number
Length in meters
Diameter in millimeters
Mass per meter in kilograms

Construction of rope :

Type of lay
Number of strands
Class of heart
Construction of strands
Number of wires
Diameters of wires in millimeters
Class of core
Class of steel in wires
Tensile strength of steel in megapascals
Breaking force in kilonewtons
Rope test certificate and place of test
Purpose of use
Date put on
Dates of recapping, shortening or turning end for end
Date taken off
Factor of safety (static); and

(c) a true report of every examination prescribed in regulations 17.5.1 and 17.5.2 and the details of any repairs or alterations made. The report shall be signed by the person who carried out the inspection or effected the repairs or alterations.


Particulars to be marked


15.5 The following particulars shall be marked in a conspicuous place inside the car or in a place the Chief Inspector may direct :-

(a) The name of the maker

(b) The maximum mass of material or mineral permitted to be conveyed in the car.

(c) The maximum number of persons permitted to travel in the car at one time.

Switch gear to be marked

15.6 Where machinery of more than one elevator is installed in the same room, the machinery and switch gear for the elevator shall be distinctly and separately marked.


Driving motor to be marked


15.7 The driving motor of every elevator shall be distinctly marked to indicate the direction of rotation for upward and downward movement of the car.


Diagram to be displayed

15.8 A diagram of the electrical circuits of the installation shall be displayed in a suitable frame in the motor room.



Weekly examination


15.9 (1) The manager shall assign a competent person, to examine at least once in each week the hatchway, guides, ropes and rope attachments, the engine or motor, the drums and sheaves and all safety devices.

(2) A competent person appointed by the mine manager shall examine carefully at least once in each month the elevator and all its fittings and appliances. At this examination the ropes supporting the elevator car and counterpoise, the balance ropes or chains, if fitted, shall be thoroughly cleaned at selected places for the purpose of ascertaining the amount of deterioration thereof.

Examination findings


15.10 If as a result of examination, any weakness or defect is found whereby the safety of any person is or may be endangered, the defects shall be reported in writing without delay to the mine manager, and no person shall be conveyed until the defect has been rectified.

Precautions

15.11 (1) Adequate precautions shall be taken to prevent any person from using the elevator while :-

(a) It is being operated from the motor room, or

(b) examination, servicing or any other work is being done in the hatchway.


(2) When a landing door or other gate is required to be open while an elevator is being examined, serviced or repaired or while any other work is being done in the hatchway, an effective barrier shall be provided and used to prevent inadvertent access to the hatchway. 


Inspection by Inspector

15.12 (1) Whenever an Inspector intends inspecting an elevator he shall notify the manager of the date and time of such inspection.

(2) The manager shall, after notification, cause all ropes and machinery to be thoroughly cleaned and prepared for the inspection.

(3) The manager shall place free charge at the disposal of the Inspector, workmen, tools, and any other equipment, which may be required for the purpose of carrying out the inspections.

(4) Any manager who fails without good reason to have the elevator cleaned and ready for inspection on the date and at the time notified or who fails to provide the necessary facilities for the inspection shall be guilty of an offence. 


Limitations


15.13 (1) The Chief Inspector shall determine the maximum number of persons and the maximum mass of material that may be conveyed in the elevator at any one time. In calculating the total mass of persons for the purpose of these regulations, 70 kilograms shall be allowed for each person.

(2) Except with the written permission of the Chief Inspector, the manager shall not cause or permit any person other than an attendant or any operator to travel, and no person other than the attendant or operator shall travel in a car while material is being conveyed in such car.

(3) No person shall travel in a car while mineral is being conveyed.

(4) No person shall be conveyed in a car while material or mineral is being conveyed in a conveyance attached to the car.


Operation of elevator


15.14 (1) Every elevator shall be under the charge of and operated by a competent person referred to as the operator, not less than 17 years of age and who shall have received training for not less than 6 shifts and who shall have been properly instructed regarding the dangers attaching to the operation of an elevator.

(2) No person other than the operator shall operate the elevator.

(3) The operator shall not absent himself from the elevator during the period he is in charge unless he has ensured that the elevator cannot be operated by any unauthorized person.

(4) The operator shall be responsible for the locking of every door or gate at a landing before the car is moved from the landing. He shall cease to use the elevator should any defect be found whereby the safety of any person is or may be endangered.

(5) The provisions of regulations 15.14 (1) to 15.14 (4) inclusive shall not apply to an automatic elevator arranged to be controlled by push button.


Unenclosed Hatchway


15.15 Where a hatchway is not enclosed by walls, access to the hatchway from any adjacent stairways, platform or floor, which is not a landing shall be prevented by means of an adequate brattice or grill work to a height of at least two meters. The complete space above any hatchway landing door or gate shall be closed by bratticing or grillwork. A space of not more than 40 millimeters shall be permitted between any two members of the bratticing or grillwork, which shall be maintained on good order.


Landing Requirements

15.16 (1) Every landing entrance to the hatchway shall be provided with a substantial door or doors or a shutter-type gate or gates at least 1,8 meters in height, the inner surface of which when closed shall be flush, as nearly as possible, with the inside of the hatchway.

(2) Vertical sliding doors shall not be fitted at any landing except with the written permission of the Chief Inspector.

(3) Except at a landing, no door shall be provided to a hatchway unless permitted or required by the Chief Inspector.

(4) Except at a landing, no door shall be provided to a hatchway unless permitted or required by the Chief Inspector in writing and then only if the provision of regulation 17.16.1 are complied with.

(5) Where a landing door is coupled mechanically to a door or gate for the purpose of opening or closing, a device shall be provided which automatically retracts the door or gate if it is obstructed in any way during closing. The device for closing a door or gate automatically shall be so adjusted that the force with which the door or gate closes will not cause injury to any person.


Devices at every Landing Entrance


15.17 (1) Every landing entrance to the hatchway shall be provided with the following devices, constructed or situated so as to be inaccessible to any unauthorized person :-

(a) A mechanical lock which operates in conjunction with an electrical circuit breaker arranged so that the car can be moved by power only when every landing door is closed and locked and no landing door can be opened unless t he car is at rest at that landing.

(b) An additional circuit breaker arranged so that a car can be moved by power only when every landing door or gate is closed.


(2) The circuit breakers referred to in regulation 17.11.1 shall be in two separate control circuits.

(3) Where any car or door or gate is coupled mechanically with a landing door or gate for the purpose or opening and closing the provisions of regulation 17.11.1(b) shall not apply.

(4) Every landing entrance to the hatchway of an elevator controlled by an operator shall be fitted with :-

(a) a substantial mechanical lock which cannot be opened from outside unless the car is at rest at the landing and,

(b) a circuit breaker arranged so that the car can be moved by power only when every door or gate is closed and constructed so as to be inaccessible to any unauthorized person.

(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of regulations 17.11.1 to 17.11.4 inclusive, any landing door may be caused to open before the car comes to rest at the landing, subject to the conditions prescribed under regulation 17.22.4 


Bevelled Approach

15.18 (1) Where a car is fitted with a lattice-type gate, every projection in the hatchway, including every door-lintel if the landing door is not flush with the inside of the hatchway, shall be rendered safe by a bevelled approach on the hatchway side facing the opening of the car or where possibly by a suitable facia plate.

(2) No bevel shall be less than 70 degrees to the horizontal and the bevelled surface shall be covered with smooth metal.

Car and counterpoise to be guided

15.19 (1) Every car and every counterpoise shall be guided throughout its travel by guides of substantial construction, securely fastened in the hatchway.

(2) The hatchway construction, the guides and means of securing the guides, shall be able to withstand effectively the application of the safety catches as well as any other force resulting from the normal operation of the elevator.

(3) The bottom end of any guide rail shall rest on a secure foundation and shall be fixed firmly in that position.

(4) The top end of any rail shall not be fixed in the ceiling of the hatchway.

(5) No wooden guide shall be in stalled if the speed of the car exceeds 0,5 meters per second.

(6) No cast-iron of hollow-metal guide shall be installed.

(7) The counterpoise guides shall be enclosed by bratticing from a point 300 millimeters above the floor of the hatchway to a point at least two meters above the floor of the hatchway., except where a compensating chain or roe attached to the counterpoise precludes the use of this bratticing. 


Grating under sheave 

15.20 Directly under every sheave at the top of the hatchway, unless the sheave is separated from the hatchway by a floor of adequate strength, there shall be provided and placed a substantial grating or screen of iron or steel having a space of nor more than 40 millimeters between any two members of the grating or screen.


Buffers to be provided

15.21 (1) Every hatchway in which a car operates at a speed of up to and including 1,8 meters per second shall be provided with spring, air or hydraulic buffers. Every hatchway in which the car operates at a speed exceeding 1,8 meters per second shall be provided with hydraulic buffers. The buffers shall be placed at the bottom of the hatchway directly beneath both the car and counterpoise or shall be attached to the bottom of the car and the bottom of the counterpoise.

(2) Every buffer shall be of substantial construction and the buffers shall be capable of absorbing gradually and smoothly the energy of a fully loaded car travelling at the speed at which the governor is set up.

Elevator to be prevented from being operated while door is open 

15.22 (1) Where a door is fitted to give access to the bottom of the hatchway such door shall operate a circuit breaker which will prevent the elevator from working while the door is open.

(2) Where a door is not provided to give access to the bottom of the hatchway and where the floor of the hatchway is more than 1,5 meters below the bottom landing, a permanently fixed metal ladder shall be provided to give such access.

(3) One or more manually operated switches, which shall immobilize the elevator, shall be fitted in the hatchway within easy reach of the bottom landing and the floor of the hatchway.


Where two or more cars operate in a hatchway

15.23 Where two or more cars operate in a hatchway, the bottom of the hatchway for each elevator shall be separated from the adjacent elevator or from any winding plant compartment by a wall or brattice to a height of at least two meters above the floor of the hatchway. 


Clearances


15.24 (1) A clear space of not less than 600 millimeters shall be provided between the bottom of the hatchway and the lowest point or projection on the underside of the car when the car rests on its fully-compressed buffer, but guide shoes or rollers, safety jaw assemblies, aprons and guards need not be taken into account when determining the lowest point of the car : Provided that where the car operates at a speed exceeding three meters per second the clear space shall be at least three meters.

(2) When the car rests on its fully compressed buffer, the car or any equipment attached thereto shall not come into contact with the floor of the hatchway or any part of t he equipment located at the bottom of the hatchway.

(3) When the car is at rest at the lowest landing there shall be a clearance of not less than 300 millimeters between the buffer striking face and the face of the fully extended buffer.

(4) Clearance shall be provided at the top of the hatchway so that the car can travel a distance of at least one meter above the top landing without the car or any attachments thereto coming into contact with any part of the hatchway or any equipment located at the top of the hatchway : Provided that where the car operates at a speed exceeding three meters per second fully-compressed buffer, clearance shall be provided at the top of the hatchway so that the counterpoise or any attachments thereto will not come into contact with any part of the hatchway or any equipment located therein.

(5) The clearance between the elevator car and any portion of the hatchway enclosure shall not be less than 25 millimeters except on the clearance side of the car where the clearance between the car sill and the landing sill shall be not less than 10 millimeters nor more than 30 millimeters.

(6) The clearance between the car and the counterpoise shall not be less than 50 millimeters and the clearance between the counterpoise and any portion of the hatchway enclosure shall not be less than 20 millimeters.

(7) Where a counterpoise screen is fitted, the clearance between the screen and the car shall be not less than 25 millimeters and the clearance between the screen and the counterpoise shall be not less than 20 millimeters.


(8) When the car of an automatic elevator is at rest at a landing, the distances between the leading edge of the car door or gate during closing and the landing door or gate shall not be more than 100 millimeters.


Power supply cut-off devices

15.25 (1) In every hatchway there shall be provided devices arranged so that the power supply to the elevator is automatically cut off when the car is in a position not more than 300 millimeters above the top landing or not more than 300 millimeters below the bottom landing. I the case of an electrically operated elevator these devices shall be so arranged so that all current is cut off, independently of any other operating device, and further movement of the car under power in the direction of over travel is prevented.

(2) Every hoist operating a car by means of a winding drum shall be provided with an automatic stopping device to guard against overwinding.


Counterpoise sections to be secured

15.26 (1) The sections of every counterpoise shall be secured together to prevent them from becoming detached. The counterpoise shall be situated so that it cannot fall upon any part of the elevator or on any part of the elevator or on any machinery and it shall operate in guides so that it will travel freely without danger of becoming detached.

(2) In every building where the hatchway does not exceed to the lowest floor and where the space underneath the hatchway is accessible to any person at any time, the counterpoise shall be provided with safety catches and a circuit breaker arranged so that the power supply to the elevator is automatically cut off when the safety catches come into operation. 


Car construction

15.27 (1) Every car shall be of substantial construction, enclosed on all sides which are not entrances and the top covered with a substantial roof.

(2) In every car provision shall be made for adequate ventilation through the car at all times.


Doors and gates


15.28 (1) Every car shall be provided with a door or doors or a gate or gates each of which shall operate an electrical circuit breaker arranged so that the car cannot be moved by power when any door or gate is open.

(2) No car shall be fitted with a lattice-type gate except with the written permission of the Chief Inspector.

(3) Every door or gate of an automatic elevator shall open and close automatically and, unless it is mechanically coupled to the landing door for the purpose of opening and closing, the door or gate shall not start to close until the landing door or gate is closed : Provided that a lattice-type gate need not open or close automatically.

(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of regulation 17.22.1, any door of a car may be caused to open before the car comes to rest at a landing if the car is fitted with an automatic levelling device which operates in conjunction with the devices causing the doors to open when the car enters the levelling zone, provided that the levelling zone does not exceed more than 400 millimeters above or below any landing, the speed of the car within the levelling zone does not exceed 0,2 meters per second, and apron on not less than 450 millimeters long is fitted to the car and, where there is a bevelled approach in terms of regulation 17.12.1, the bevelling is not less than 450 millimeters long.

More than two landings

15.29 The car of any automatic elevator which serves more than two landings shall be fitted with a retiring cam arranged so that no manually operated landing door or gate can be opened unless the car is at rest at the landing.


Car requirements

15.30 (1) Every car shall be provided with :

(a) a button, marked 'Alarm', inside the car whereby a bell, buzzer or siren may be sounded,

(b) a switch, attached to the suspension beam on top of the car, to enable the car to be stopped during servicing or inspection, and

(c) an electric light inside the car, which shall be kept on when the elevator is available for use and when it is being serviced.

(2) Every electric alarm and light required to be provided in terms of regulation 17.24.1 shall be connected to a circuit other than that of the power supply to the elevator driving machinery.
Car suspended by ropes

15.31 (1) Every car suspended by ropes shall be provided with efficient safety catches, which, on test under statical conditions, shall be capable of holding in any position in the hatchway the car together with twice the maximum authorized load.

(2) The Chief Inspector may conduct a test of the safety catches with the car in motion but shall only do so when there is no load in the car.

(3) Where safety catches are operated through shafting, any lever and every safety catch shall be keyed or welded to the shafting.

(4) A switch, arranged to automatically break the circuit controlling the power supply to the elevator when the safety catches come into operation, shall be fitted on top of the car in an accessible position.

(5) No cam type or other instantaneous grip type safety catch shall be fitted where the speed of the car is greater than one meter per second.


Locking grip for every hand starting rope

15.32 A suitable locking grip shall be provided for every hand starting rope, rod or chain in any car through which a car or counterpoise is suspended shall be of steel wire, of good quality and sound manufacture, free from any visible defects and of adequate strength.


Qualities of ropes

15.33 (1) Every rope from which a car or counterpoise is suspended shall be of steel wire, of good quality and sound manufacture, free from any visible defects and of adequate strength.

(2) The gauge of the wires in the rope shall be suited to the diameter of the sheave or drum over which the rope passes and the diameter of the sheave or drum shall not be less than 40 times the diameter of the rope.

(3) Every car or counterpoise operated by ropes shall be suspended by at least two ropes, which shall be of equal diameter and strength.

(4) The ropes supporting a car or counterpoise shall not be used when the estimated aggregate breaking force of all ropes supporting the car or counterpoise has become reduced to less than 10 times the effective weight load, whichever is the greater of :-

(a) the combined mass of the car, its attachments the maximum authorized load and any cable, balance rope or chain, or

(b) the combined mass of the counterpoise, its attachments and any balance rope or chain

(5) In determining the minimum allowable breaking force of any rope used for supporting a car pr counterpoise the weight in Newtons of any mass carried by the rope shall be obtained by multiplying this mass in kilograms by the factor 9,8.

(6) Before any winding or balance rope is used on a elevator, full particulars thereof as detailed in regulation 17.3.4(b) shall be supplied to the Chief Inspector.

(7) The breaking force of any new winding rope or balance rope put on anew shall be ascertained by actual test.



Rope at end of drum

15.34 Where the end of any winding rope is secured to the drum, there shall be at least three full turns of rope on the drum when the car or counterpoise has reached its limit.


Rope connections

15.35 (1) Every connection between a winding rope and the car, counterpoise, drum or the hatchway structure shall be designed to prevent accidental disconnection and shall have a strength not less than the breaking strength of the rope. The end of the rope shall be attached by means of an independent connection and an appliance shall be provided to distribute equally the load between the ropes.

(2) Every winding rope required to be secured to the hatchway structure shall be anchored to the beams supporting the elevator driving machinery or to suitable rolled-steel sections provided for this purpose.

(3) Every connection in respect of any winding rope shall be renewed at intervals not exceeding 10 years or whenever the ropes are changed, whichever is the shorter period.


Rope not secured

15.36 Where a rope is not secured to the elevator drum or sheave, the construction shall be such that no dangerous slipping of the rope on the drum or sheave shall occur under any possible working conditions. 



Support of overhead driving machinery

15.37 (1) The overhead driving machinery of every elevator shall be supported on beams constructed of rolled-steel sections or of reinforced concrete having sufficient strength to carry the total maximum loading and every end shall rest on a wall or pillar of adequate strength.

(2) The driving machinery shall be secured in position and shall be capable of developing sufficient power to raise at least 115percent of the maximum authorized load in the car.


Requirements of brakes



15.38 (1) Where the driving machinery is operated by a motor or by an engine, there shall be provided an efficient brake designed so as to hold the car at rest in any position in the hatchway when the car is loaded with at least 1,5 times its maximum authorized load.

(2) The brake shall be constructed so that it is automatically applied when the driving machinery is not in operation and when any stopping or electrical protective device comes into operation.

(3) The brake of every electrically operated driving machine shall be arranged so that it cannot be released during normal operation before power has been applied to the driving motor.


Governor to be fitted


15.39 (1) Every car suspended by a rope shall be equipped with a speed governor to operate the safety catches.

(2) Where any counterpoise is fitted with safety catches a separate speed governor to operate such safety catches shall be provided.

(3) Every speed governor shall be set to trip at a speed of not less than 115 percent and not more than 140 percent of the permitted speed of the car. Where a speed governor for a counterpoise is fitted, it shall be set to trip at a speed greater than, but not more than 10 percent greater than, the speed at which the governor for the car is set to trip.

(4) Where the driving machinery is not governed effectively, there shall be provided a reliable speed safety device to control the speed of the machinery within safe limits.


Electrical wiring


15.40 (1) Except for trailing cables, the electrical wiring of every elevator shall be in screwed conduits or ducting unless suitably sheathed cables are used.

(2) Except for the lighting circuit, the electrical installation of every elevator shall be provided with a main switch in the motor room. This switch shall be placed in an easily accessible position as close to the main entrance to the motor room as practicable.

(3) The motor of every elevator supplied with polyphase alternating current shall be provided with a reverse phase relay or other equivalent protection to prevent the reversal of the driving motor through an advertent reversal of the phases.


Motor room requirements


15.41 (1) The motor room of every elevator :-

(a) shall be of ample size with a clear space of not less than 600 millimeters on at least three sides of each machine,

(b) shall be at least two meters high measured from the floor to the underside of the lowest portion of the roof structure,

(c) shall contain only equipment which forms part of the elevator installation,

(d) shall not be used as a store-room for oil, grease, tools and any other material, and

(e) shall be kept locked except when an inspection is made or when work in connection with the operation of the elevator is in progress. A key to lock shall be kept readily available.