(a) Frames.
Counterweight weight sections shall be mounted in structural or formed
metal frames, so designed as to retain the weights securely in place.
EXCEPTION: Existing counterweights secured together by
rods and guided on slots in the guide weights or by separate guide
shoes.
(1) The counterweight frame
shall be constructed so the nominal clearance between the face of the rail and
the frame does not exceed 1/2" on each side at the approximate center of the
frame.
(2) The counterweight frame
and subweights shall be constructed so the subweights occupy not less than
2/3 of the
counterweight frame space.
(b) Tie Rods.
At least two tie rods
shall be provided which shall pass through all weight sections and
through the top and bottom structural members.
Tie rods shall be
provided with lock nuts and cotter pins at each end.
EXCEPTIONS:
1.
Counterweights installed before June 5, 1947, shall be securely retained in
place. See Section
3032(g).
2. Tie rods are not required where other
means are provided to retain weight sections in place if they become
broken.
3. The tie rods need not
pass through the top structural member provided some equally effective method
of retaining the weights in the frame is provided.
(1) Existing rod-type counterweights
installed since June 5, 1947, shall be secured together with not less than four
rods, at least two of which pass through holes in each weight
section.
(2) Where material other
than cast metal or steel subweights secured by tie rods in a structural frame
is used as a counterweight, the plans for the counterweight shall be submitted
to the Division for approval.
(c) Guiding of Counterweights.
All
elevator counterweights shall run in guides.
EXCEPTION: Existing counterweights running in
boxes.
(1) Counterweight frames shall
be guided on each guide rail by upper and lower guiding members attached to the
frame.
The guiding members or auxiliary guiding members and their
attachment to the counterweight frame shall be designed to withstand seismic
forces of not less than 0.5g horizontally. The clearances between the machined
faces of the rail and auxiliary guiding members shall be not more than
3/16." The
engagement of the rail shall be not less than the dimension of the machined
side face of the rail.
EXCEPTIONS:
(1) Elevators where proper certification to
the Division of Industrial Safety has been made by an engineer qualified under
the Civil and Professional Engineers Act that the counterweight guides have
been designed and built to withstand the seismic forces for which the building
was designed.
(2) A period of seven
years from October 6, 1975 will be allowed for counterweights of elevators
existing on this date to comply with the requirements of Section
3032(c)(1).
(d) Design Requirements for Frames and Rods.
The frame members and their connections shall be designed with a factor of
safety of not less than 5 with the elevator at rest and the counterweight at
the top of its travel.
Frames and rods shall be made of steel or other metals
conforming to the requirements for materials in car frames in Section
3033(f).
Connections between frame members shall conform to the
requirements in Section
3033(g).
(e) Sheaves. Where a hoisting sheave or
sheaves is mounted in the frame, the requirements of Design Section
3101(b)(1) shall
apply.
(f) Suspension Rope Hitch
Plates or Shapes. Where counterweights are suspended by ropes attached directly
to the frames by means of rope fastenings, the rope attachments shall conform
to Section
3033(m).
(g) Securing of Weights in Frames.
The weights shall be mounted and secured in the frames to prevent
shifting of the weights by an amount which will reduce the running clearances
to less than those specified in Section
3018(b).
(h) Overhead Stops for Counterweights of Drum
Type Elevators. There shall be secured at the upper limit of travel of
the counterweights of all elevators having winding drum machines, an I-beam or
other obstruction so that the counterweights cannot be drawn up into the
overhead sheaves or drum.
(i) Cars Counterbalancing One Another. An
elevator car shall not be used to counterbalance another elevator
car.
(j) Compensating Chain or Rope
Fastenings. Compensating chains or ropes shall be fastened to the counterweight
frame directly or to a bracket fastened to the frame and shall not be fastened
to the tie rods.
Notes
Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 8, §
3032
1.
Amendment of subsections (a), (b) and (c) filed 9-5-75; effective thirtieth day
thereafter (Register 75, No. 36).
2. Amendment of subsection (b)
filed 6-23-77; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 77, No.
26).
3. Amendment of subsections (a), (b) and (c) which were filed
9-5-75 (Register 75, No. 36), was approved by the Building Standards Commission
3-26-76. History note printed in Register 78, No. 30 for technical
reasons.
4. Amendment of exception within subsection (c)(1) filed
12-22-78; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 79, No.
1).
Note: Authority cited: Section
142.3, Labor
Code.
1. Amendment of
subsections (a), (b) and (c) filed 9-5-75; effective thirtieth day thereafter
(Register 75, No. 36).
2. Amendment of subsection (b) filed
6-23-77; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 77, No. 26).
3. Amendment of subsections (a), (b) and (c) which were filed 9-5-75 (Register
75, No. 36), was approved by the Building Standards Commission 3-26-76. History
note printed in Register 78, No. 30 for technical reasons.
4.
Amendment of exception within subsection (c)(1) filed 12-22-78; effective
thirtieth day thereafter (Register 79, No. 1).
Group II regulations
apply to existing elevators installed prior to October 25, 1998. Italicized
paragraphs, sentences, or phrases apply to all existing elevators while
non-italicized apply to elevators installed after 1970 or after the date the
regulation was adopted.