34 Pa. Code § 7.485 - Terminals and stations

(a) Power source. Fiber rope tows shall conform to the following:

(1) Electrical. Power supply equipment shall be installed in accordance with American Standard National Electrical Safety Code, C2 (R 1947). Wiring shall be done in accordance with American Standard National Electrical Code, C1-1959.

(2) Liquid fuels. Liquid fuels, such as gasoline and diesel fuel, shall be stored and handled in accordance with the standards of the National Board of Fire Underwriters as outlined in Pamphlet No. 30, Flammable Liquids, June 1959.

(3) Liquified petroleum fuels. Liquified petroleum gas installation shall be made in accordance with standards of the National Board of Fire Underwriters as outlined in Pamphlet No. 58, Liquefied Petroleum Gases, 1958, as amended 1959.

(b) Prime movers. All prime movers should have sufficient power output to start the tow fully loaded.

(c) Speed reducers. All speed reducers shall have ample capacity to withstand starting the tow when fully loaded.

(d) Bearings and couplings. All bearings and couplings shall be of a size and type suitable for the function to be performed. If the bearings are inaccessible, the lubricant shall be piped to the bearings if lubricant is required while the equipment is in operation. Couplings shall be guarded in the same manner as speed reducers.

(e) Clutches. Where used, clutches shall be of ample size to carry the load and permit controlled slipping for smooth acceleration during starting without overheating.

(f) Acceleration and speed control. A satisfactory method of obtaining gradual acceleration of the rope shall be provided. Such method shall be effective when starting with any load from one skier to full load. If the prime mover is an internal combustion engine, the speed shall be controlled by a mechanical governor or by the operator.

(g) Brakes and stops. Brakes and stops shall comply with the following:

(1) On installations where coasting, after an emergency stop, renders the operation dangerous, some method of braking shall be provided.

(2) On installations where rollback may occur, a brake or anti-rollback device shall be provided. If the prime mover is an internal combustion engine, the compression of the engine may suffice as a brake but not as an anti-rollback device because the motor is declutched in order to start it again and, at that point, the rollback, if any, will occur.

(3) Tows driven by electric motors shall be equipped with automatic brakes or manually-operated brakes under the control of the operator.

(4) Electrical stop circuits shall be closed circuits so that, in case of power failure or malfunction of a stop switch, the system will fail safe.

(h) Machine rooms. Driving units except stationary self-enclosed units and portable tows shall be housed in a manner which prevents the public from coming in contact with the machinery. If an internal combustion engine is used as a prime mover, the machine room shall be ventilated to prevent any products of combustion or fuel fumes from contaminating the atmosphere in the enclosure. Engine exhaust pipes shall not pass within two inches of any wooden member or other flammable material. The engine room should be sign-posted to the effect that unauthorized persons are not permitted inside. Openings over 10 inches square shall be provided with suitable doors with locks to prevent entrance and operation by unauthorized persons. Adequate lighting shall be provided to permit proper maintenance of the machinery. The position of the engine man in the machine room shall afford an unobstructed view of the tow path, and all operating controls shall be so arranged that he may operate them from this position while viewing the tow path. Approved fire extinguishers shall be installed. An exit should be near enough to the station of the generator to permit him to leave rapidly in case a flash fire occurs.

(i) Protection aginst moving parts. Moving parts shall be so guarded as to prevent the possibility of injury to persons and to prevent clothing from being caught. If such moving parts are located in areas where only authorized maintenance personnel have access, such arrangements of frames or guards are not required if provision is made to stop and lock out the power before work is performed on the tow. Moving parts adjacent to the operating position shall be guarded to prevent accidental contact by the operator. All required guards shall conform to American Standard B15.1-1953.

(j) Sheaves. Sheaves shall conform to the following:

(1) Rope drive and idler sheaves. Sheaves shall be of such design and so arranged as to prevent unnecessary stressing, wear or disfiguration of the hauling rope. They shall be of sufficient strength and be properly balanced to prevent excessive vibration at operating speeds.

(2) Offset sheaves and mountings. Offset sheaves shall be mounted on mountings designed to withstand the load imposed by normal operation.

(3) Loading sheaves. A grooved sheave or sheaves may be installed to hold the uphill rope between 2 feet and 3 feet above the snow at the loading position. When used, they shall be so arranged as to prevent the rope from being pulled out of the groove by the skier.

(4) Intermediate sheaves. There shall be no immediate sheaves on the uphill rope between the loading and unloading area.

(5) Counterweight sheaves. If a counterweight sheave is used, it shall be grooved and shall be so arranged that the rope cannot jump off the sheave.

(6) Head sheaves. The sheaves used on the end opposite the driving mechanism shall be grooved and so arranged that the rope cannot jump off the sheave, and be mounted or installed in such a manner as to prevent their falling to the ground in case the hauling rope breaks, or any area in which they may fall shall be suitably fenced or guarded to prevent public use. They shall be of such design and construction as to withstand the load imposed without undue stress.

(k) Counterweight ropes. The connection between the counterweight sheave and the counterweight shall be made with wire rope with a minimum size and strength equivalent to 1/4 inch, 6 by 19, with a fiber core. Such rope shall be coated with a lubricant or other approved coating to prevent rusting.

(l) Counterweights. Counterweights shall be heavy enough to prevent slipping of the hauling rope on the drive sheaves, but not so heavy as to impose an excessive load on the hauling rope.

(m) Foundations. Foundations or anchors used to restrain the driving mechanism and the head sheave shall be of sufficient size and type to prevent movement under full load.

(n) Loading and unloading areas. Loading areas shall be as nearly level as possible, be free of obstructions, and fenced in such a way as to guide skiers to the loading point. Unloading areas shall be so arranged as to permit the skier to unload from and leave the rope with as little effort as the terrain will permit.

(o) Attendants. Attendants and engine operators shall be trained for duty. The full length of the tow shall be under the continuous visual surveillance of one or more trained attendants who have easy access to a device for stopping the tow. A system of communication between designated points for the use of attendants shall be provided when required. When only the minimum of required attendants are on duty, such attendants shall not have other duties that prevent them from being in a position to view the tow when skiers are in motion on it.

(p) Inspection. The operator or a trained person shall inspect the tow the first thing each day of operation to assure that it is operating properly and that all safety features are functioning.

(q) Safety stops. On the uphill side of the unloading area there shall be a safety gate or other device installed across the tow path so that any skier in contact with and being pulled by the hauling rope will contact and actuate it in such a manner as to stop the tow. Such safety gate shall be so located and so actuated that it will stop the tow before the skier contacting the safety gate has traveled more than 2/3 the distance between the safety gate and the first sheave, or other obstruction. The stopping distance shall not be exceeded even though the skier contacting the safety gate is the only skier on the tow at the time and the tow is operated at maximum speed. Safety gates and other safety stops shall be so arranged that they will fail safe, that is, if they are improperly adjusted or for any reason malfunction, the tow shall stop and remain inoperative.

Notes

34 Pa. Code § 7.485