Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 8, § 1604.10 - Bottom and Top Clearances and Runbys for Cars and Counterweights
When the car rests on its fully compressed buffer, there shall be a vertical clearance of not less than 2 feet between the pit area (ground or foundation) 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 inches horizontally from the sides of the car platform (See Figure 1).
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.
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The bottom runby of cars and counterweights shall be not less than 6 inches.
EXCEPTION: Where spring return-type oil buffers are used, the runby may be eliminated so that the buffers are compressed by not more than 25% of their stroke when the car floor is level with the terminal landings.
Rated Speed (feet per minute) |
Runby (inches) |
51 to 200 |
9 |
201 to 600 |
12 |
The bottom runby of uncounterweighted elevators shall be not less than 6 inches.
The top car clearance shall be not less than the sum of the following:
The top car clearance shall be not less than 2 feet 6 inches.
The top counterweight clearance shall be not less than the sum of the following:
Where car spring buffers are used, add one-half the gravity stopping distance based on governor-tripping speed.
Where overhead beams or other overhead hoistway construction except sheaves are located vertically over the car, but not over the crosshead, the clearance from the car top to such beams or construction, when the car is level with the top landing, shall be not less than the amount specified in Sections 1604.10(e) and 1604.10(f).
When the car crosshead, or car top where no crosshead is provided, is at a distance of 2 feet from the nearest obstruction above it, no equipment on top of the car shall strike any part of the overhead structure or the equipment located in the hoistway.
The following formula gives the value of the stopping distance based on gravity retardation from any initial velocity:
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where
V = initial velocity, in feet per minute
S = free fall, in inches (gravity stopping distance)
Figure 2 shows the gravity stopping distances from various initial velocities.
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Gravity Stopping Distance in Inches
Fig. 2
Gravity Stopping Distance
Notes
State regulations are updated quarterly; we currently have two versions available. Below is a comparison between our most recent version and the prior quarterly release. More comparison features will be added as we have more versions to compare.