Subchapter 6. Elevator Safety Orders
Article 7. Hoistways, Hoistway Enclosures, and Related Construction for Power Cable-Driven Passenger and Freight Elevators

§3017. Bottom and Top Clearances and Runbys for Elevator Cars and Counterweights.

(a) Bottom Car Clearances.

(1) When the car rests on its fully compressed buffer, there shall be a vertical clearance of not less than 2 ft (610mm) between the pit floor and the lowest structural or mechanical part, equipment, or device installed beneath the car platform except guide shoes or rollers, safety jaw assemblies, and platform aprons, guards, or other equipment located within 12 in. (305mm) horizontally from the sides of the car platform.

(2) When the car rests on its fully compressed buffer, no part of the car or any equipment attached thereto shall strike any part of the pit or any part of the equipment located therein.

(b) Bottom Runby for Counterweighted Elevators. The bottom runby of cars and counterweights shall be not less than the following:

(1) Where oil buffers are used, 6 in. (152mm).

EXCEPTIONS to subsection 3017(b)(1):

Where existing difficulties on modernization jobs prevent a sufficient pit depth or top clearance on the counterweights, the runby may be eliminated so that the buffers are compressed by amounts not to exceed 25 percent of their stroke when the car floor is level with the terminal landing.

(2) Where spring buffers are used:

(A) 6 in. (152mm) where generator-field control is used.

(B) Where rheostatic or alternating current control is used, not less than the following:

Rated Speed In                                 Runby in 
Feet Per Minute                                 Inches   
Not over 25....................................... 3 
26 to 50.......................................... 6 
51 to 100......................................... 9 
101 to 200........................................ 12 

GENERAL NOTE:1fpm=5.08 E -03 m/s1in.=25.4mm

(c) Bottom Runby for Uncounterweighted Elevators. The bottom runby for uncounterweighted elevators shall be not less than the following:

(1) 3 in. (76mm) where the rated speed does not exceed 25 fpm (0.127 m/s).

(2) 6 in. (152mm) where the rated speed exceeds 25 fpm (0.127m/s).

(d) Maximum Bottom Runby. In no case shall the maximum bottom runby exceed the following:

(1) 24 in. (610mm) for cars.

(2) 36 in. (924mm) for counterweights.

(e) Top Car Clearance for Counterweighted Elevators. The top car clearance shall be not less than the sum of the following four items:

(1) The bottom counterweight runby.

(2) The stroke of the counterweight buffer used.

(3) 2 ft (610mm) or the distance which any sheave or any other equipment mounted in or on the car crosshead projects above the top of the car crosshead, whichever is greater.

(4) One-half the gravity stopping distance based on:

(A) 115 percent of rated speed where counterweight oil buffers are used. Where provision is made to prevent the jump of the car at counterweight buffer engagement, this figure need not be more than 18 in. (457mm) where the gravity slow down distance is greater than 36 in. (914mm).

(B) Governor tripping speed where counterweight spring buffers are used.

(f) Top Car Clearance for Uncounterweighted Elevators. The top car clearance shall be not less than the greater of the following:

(1) 36 in. (914mm).

(2) 12 in. (305mm) plus the amount which any equipment mounted on the car crosshead, or above the car top when no crosshead is provided, projects vertically more than 2 ft (610mm) above the crosshead or top.

(g) Vertical Clearances With Underslung Car Frames. Where an underslung car frame is used, the clearance between the car rope hitches or car sheaves and any obstruction in the hoistway vertically above them, when the car floor is level with the top terminal landing, shall be not less than the following:

(1) Where no counterweight is used, 9 in. (229mm).

(2) Where a counterweight is used, the sum of the following four items.

(A) The bottom counterweight runby.

(B) The stroke of the counterweight buffer used.

(C) 6 in. (152mm).

(D) One-half the gravity stopping distance based on:

1. 115 percent of rated speed where counterweight oil buffers are used.

2. Governor tripping speed where counterweight spring buffers are used.

(h) Top Counterweight Clearances.

The top counterweight clearances shall be not less than the sum of the following four items.

(1) The bottom car runby.

(2) The stroke of the car buffer used.

(3) 6 in. (152mm).

(4) One-half the gravity stopping distance based on:

(A) 115 percent of rated speed where car oil buffers are used and no provision is made to prevent the jump of the counterweight at car buffer engagement.

(B) Governor tripping speed where spring car buffers are used.

(i) Overhead Clearances Where Overhead Beams Are Not Over Car Crosshead. Where overhead beams or other overhead hoistway construction are located vertically over the car, but not over the crosshead, the following requirements shall be met:

(1) The clearance from the car top to such beams or construction, including sheaves, when the car floor is level with the top terminal landing, shall be not less than the distance specified in Sections 3017(e) and 3017(f).

(2) The clearance above an imaginary plane, drawn even with the top of the car crosshead, to the underside of such beams or construction, except sheaves, shall be not less than 2 ft (610mm) when the car is level with the top terminal landing.

(3) When the clearance above the imaginary plane, drawn even with the top of the car crosshead, is less than the distance specified in Section 3017(e) or Section 3017(f), such beams or construction, except sheaves, shall be located not less than 2 ft (610mm) horizontally from the edge of the car crosshead.

(j) Equipment on Top of Car Not Permitted to Strike Overhead Structure. The clearance above any auxiliary equipment mounted to project above the top of the car shall be not less than the sum of the following three items when the car platform is level with the top landing:

(1) The bottom counterweight runby.

(2) The stroke of the counterweight buffer used.

(3) One-half the gravity stopping distance based on:

(A) 115 percent of rated speed where counterweight oil buffers are used. Where provision is made to prevent the jump of the car at counterweight buffer engagement, this figure need not be more than 6 in. (152mm).

(B) Governor tripping speed where counterweight spring buffers are used.

Exception to subsection 3017(j)(3)(B):

Elevators installed before June 5, 1947.

(k) Minimum Top Clearance.

(1) Elevators installed before June 5, 1947, shall have the ropes adjusted so that the car or counterweight will rest upon the bumpers or buffers fully compressed before the counterweight or the car is vertically within 1 ft (305mm) of any part of the construction over the hoistway and before any equipment mounted on the car or counterweight will strike any structure or equipment in the hoistway.

(2) Elevators installed since June 5, 1947, shall have the ropes adjusted to maintain the top car clearance required by Section 3017(e), the top counterweight clearance required by Section 3017(h), and the bottom runby required by Section 3017(b).

(3) The top car clearance shall be not less than 3 ft (914mm) on any elevator.

(4) The clearance from the raised guardrails required by Section 3034(a)(9) to the overhead structure shall be not less than 18 in. (457mm) when the counterweight is on its fully compressed buffer.

(Title 24, Part 7, Section 7-3017.)

NOTE: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.

HISTORY

1. New subsection (k)(4) filed 10-25-74; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 74, No. 43).

2. Amendment of subsection (e)(4) filed 6-23-77; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 77, No. 26).

3. Amendment of subsection (k)(4) filed 12-22-78; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 79, No. 1).

4. Amendment filed 6-23-87; operative 6-23-87 (Register 87, No. 27).

5. Editorial corrections (Register 95, No. 26).