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This information is provided free of charge by the Department of Industrial Relations from its web site at www.dir.ca.gov. These regulations are for the convenience of the user and no representation or warranty is made that the information is current or accurate. See full disclaimer at https://www.dir.ca.gov/od_pub/disclaimer.html.
 
Subchapter 6. Elevator Safety Orders
Article 8. Machinery and Equipment for Power Cable-Driven Passenger and Freight Elevators

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§3037. Capacity and Loading.


(a) Minimum Rated Load for Passenger Elevators.
(1) The rated load in pounds for passenger elevators shall be based on the inside net platform areas, and shall be not less than that determined by the formulas of Design Section 3100(a).
Exception: The load rating, in pounds, of elevators installed before June 5, 1947, providing the existing load rating is not higher than that which can be lifted at rated speed and can be lowered within the limits of Section 3040(f)(5).
(A) The inside net platform areas shall be determined as shown in Figure 3037 A1. Table No. 3037 A1 and Figure No. 3037 A2 show the maximum inside net platform areas for the various common rated loads and may be used for reference purposes.
(2) Passenger elevators shall conform to the requirements of Design Section 3100(b) in their design to handle overload.
(3) The number of passengers permitted on a passenger elevator shall not exceed the rated load in pounds, divided by 150.
FIGURE 3037 A1
TABLE 3037 A1
(4) Where partitions are installed in the elevator cars for the purpose of restricting the platform net area for passenger use, they shall be permanently bolted, riveted, or welded in place. Gates, doors, or handrails shall not be used for this purpose. Partitions shall be so installed as to provide for approximately symmetrical loading.
(5) When freight is to be carried on a passenger elevator, the following requirements shall be conformed to:
(A) The minimum rated load shall conform to the requirements of Sections 3037(a) and 3037(b), whichever is greater.
(B) The elevator shall be designed for applicable class of freight elevator loading.
(b) Minimum Rated Load for Freight Elevators.
(1) The minimum rated load for freight elevators in pounds shall be based on the weight and class of the load to be handled, but shall in no case be less than the following for each class of loading, based on the inside net platform area.
(A) Class A -General Freight Loading. The rated load shall be based on not less than 50 pounds per square foot of inside net platform area.
(B) Class B -Motor Vehicle Loading. The rated load shall be based on no less than 30 pounds per square foot of inside net platform area.
(C) Class C. The rated load shall be based on not less than 50 pounds per square foot of inside net platform area.
(2) See Design Section 3101(f)(2) for the definitions of the various classes of freight loading.
(c) Capacity and Data Plates.
(1) Every elevator shall be provided with a capacity plate and a data plate.
Exception: Passenger elevators not designed for one-piece loads are not required to have a capacity plate.
Capacity plates shall be securely fastened in a conspicuous place inside the car. Data plates shall be securely attached to the car crosshead.
Exceptions:
1. For underslung elevators having no crosshead, the data plate shall be located inside the car.
2. Data plates of elevators installed before June 5, 1947.
(2) Capacity and data plates shall have the following information:
(A) Capacity plates shall indicate the rated load of the elevator in pounds and, in addition, this plate or a separate plate shall indicate:
1. The one-piece load capacity where the elevator is designed to lift such loads exceeding the rated load. See Section 3037(g).
2. For freight elevators designed for Class C2 loading, the maximum load the elevator is designed to support while being loaded or unloaded.
(B) Data plates shall indicate:
1. The weight of the complete car including the car safety and all auxiliary equipment attached to the car.
2. The rated load and speed.
3. The wire rope data required by Section 3042(b).
4. The manufacturer's name and date of installation.
(C) Data plates shall be of metal and capacity plates shall be of metal or of laminated plastic. Letters and figures shall be stamped or etched in or cast on the surface of the plate in such a manner as to be readily legible.
The height of the letters and figures shall be not less than:
1. One-quarter inch for passenger elevator capacity plates where provided.
2. One inch for freight elevator capacity plates.
3. One-eighth inch for data plates.
(d) Carrying of Passengers on Freight Elevators. Freight elevators shall not be used for passenger service.
(e) Signs Required in Freight Elevator Cars.
(1) The following signs shall be provided inside the car located in a conspicuous position:
(A) In every freight elevator a sign shall specify the type of loading for which the elevator is designed with one of the following markings:
1. “THIS ELEVATOR DESIGNED FOR GENERAL FREIGHT LOADING.”
2. “THIS ELEVATOR DESIGNED FOR MOTOR-VEHICLE LOADING.”
3. “THIS ELEVATOR DESIGNED FOR LOADED INDUSTRIAL TRUCK WEIGHING ____________ LB. MAXIMUM.”
(B) In freight elevators, a sign reading:
“THIS IS NOT A PASSENGER ELEVATOR. NO PERSONS OTHER THAN THE OPERATOR AND FREIGHT HANDLERS ARE PERMITTED TO RIDE ON THIS ELEVATOR.”
(2) The material, marking and fastening of signs shall conform to the requirements for capacity plates except that the letters need not be more than 1/2 inch high.
(f) Overloading of Freight Elevators. Freight elevators shall not be loaded to exceed their rated load as specified on the capacity plate.
Exception:
1. Static loads on elevators loaded and unloaded by industrial trucks as noted on car capacity or separate plate.
2. Elevators designed and installed to carry one-piece loads exceeding their rated load.
(g) Carrying of One-Piece Loads Exceeding the Rated Load. Passenger and freight elevators may be used, where necessary, to carry one-piece loads greater than their rated load provided they are designed, installed, and operated to conform to the following requirements:
(1) A locking device shall be provided which will hold the car at any landing independently of the hoisting ropes while the car is being loaded or unloaded.
(2) The locking device shall be so designed that it cannot be unlocked unless and until the entire weight of the car and load is suspended on the ropes.
(3) A removable wrench or other device shall be provided to operate the locking device.
(4) The locking device shall be so designed that the locking bars will be automatically withdrawn should they come in contact with the landing locks when the car is operated in the up direction.
(5) A special capacity plate shall be provided inside the elevator car, and located in a conspicuous place, which shall bear the words “CAPACITY LIFTING ONE-PIECE LOADS,” in letters followed by figures giving the special capacity in pounds for lifting one-piece loads for which the machine is designed.
(6) The car frame, car platform, sheaves, shafts, ropes, and locking device shall be designed for the specified “Capacity Lifting One-Piece Loads,” provided that:
(A) In the design of the car frame, platform, sheaves, shafts, and ropes, the allowable stresses may be 20 percent higher than those permitted for normal loading.
(B) The factor of safety for the locking device shall be not less than 5.
(7) The car safeties shall be designed to stop and hold the specified “Capacity Lifting One-Piece Loads” with the ropes intact.
(8) Where there is an occupied space, or an unoccupied space not sealed against access under the hoistway, the following requirements shall be conformed to:
(A) The machine shall be designed to operate with the “Capacity Lifting One-Piece Loads” at slow speed.
(B) The car safety shall be designed to stop and hold the car with this load independently of the hoisting ropes.
(C) The counterweight safety shall be designed to stop and hold the entire weight of the counterweight independently of the ropes.
(9) For traction machines, where necessary to secure adequate traction, additional counterweight shall be added during the period of use with one-piece loads so that the total overbalance is at least equal to 45 percent of the “Capacity Lifting One-Piece Loads.”
(10) A special operating device of the car-switch or constant -pressure type shall be provided in the machine room, located near the driving machine, to operate the elevator. When this device is operative, all other operating devices shall be inoperative.
(11) The “Capacity Lifting One-Piece Loads” of any passenger traction elevator shall not exceed 1-1/3 times the rated load of the elevator.
(h) Additional Requirements for Passenger Overload. See Design Section 3100 (b) for additional design requirements for passenger elevators.
HISTORY
1. Amendment of (a)(1) exception filed 6-23-77; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 77, No. 26).
2. Editorial correction of subsection (a)(1) (Register 94, No. 50).
3. Editorial corrections (Register 95, No. 32).
4. Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (a)(3) to provide more legible illustrations in Figure A1 filed 5-1-2009 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2009, No. 18).

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