§ 7.278. Landing gates.
(a) Where required. Landing gates shall be provided at the landings of all freight elevator shaftways not required to be constructed of fire-resistive materials. Gates shall also be provided at each landing of freight elevator shaftways constructed of fire-resistive materials when the fire doors are located on the exterior walls of the shaftway.
(b) Construction. Landing gates required under subsection (a) shall conform to the following:
(1) Gates shall be made of metal or of wood of at least as great a fibre strength as ash, and shall be rigid. When gates are made of slats or strips, the distance between such slats or strips shall not exceed 2 inches. The joints of wood gate frames shall be reinforced with metal.
(2) When gates are of wire mesh they shall be of substantial construction and the mesh shall be of such dimensions that a ball 2 inches in diameter will not pass. In all instances they shall be so constructed as to be able to resist 150 pounds of pressure at the middle without permanent deformation.
(3) Gates shall not be less than 5 feet, 6 inches in height from the floor to the top of the upper horizontal member, and the clearance between the floor and the lowest horizontal member shall not be greater than 6 inches, provided that when the story heights are such that a gate 5 feet, 6 inches in height with a 6 inch underclearance is not practicable, the gates may be of the telescoping type, made in two or three sections.
(4) Gates and counterweights shall be properly balanced.
(c) Types of gates permitted. The following are the types of gates permitted:
(1) Gates of the manually-operated, vertical-raising balanced type, only when they conform to subsection (h).
(2) Gates of the semiautomatic vertical-raising type.
(3) Gates of the full automatic vertical-raising type, at terminal landings only.
(4) Gates of the manually-operated swinging or horizontal type, only when they conform to subsection (h).
(5) Gates of the power-operated horizontal type, if approved.
(6) Gates may be of standard railing when enclosures consist of standard railing and toeboard, if placed at least 12 inches from the line of the shaftway. Toeboards are not required in such cases.
(7) When local conditions prohibit full compliance with these requirements, other forms of gate construction may be used if satisfactory reasons are given with the application for a permit.
(d) Protection of outside entrances. When there are outside entrances to elevator shaftways from streets, alleys, or other thoroughfares, such gates shall not be less than 6 feet in height, and the clearance between the lowest horizontal member and the floor or landing shall not be more than 2 inches. When gates are of wire mesh they shall be of substantial construction and the mesh shall be of such dimensions that a ball 1 1/2 inches in diameter will not pass.
(e) Tampering with gates. The gates of shaftway entrances of freight elevators shall not be fastened in an open position or otherwise rendered inoperative.
(f) Counterweight guards. Counterweights shall be entirely enclosed with wood or metal or they may operate in open guides when otherwise effectively guarded.
(g) Grate latches. New landing gates shall be provided with a latch so arranged that the gate cannot be opened unless the car is at that landing. Existing landing gates shall be provided with a latch so arranged that the gate cannot be opened unless the car is at that landing.
(h) Locking devices. When landing gates are of the manually-operated type, which are only permitted when electric brakes are used, an approved automatic locking device shall be placed on, or attached to, such gates. Such locking devices shall prevent the normal operation of the car while the gate on the landing at which the car may be standing is open or unsecured. Such locking devices shall prevent opening of the gates when the car is away from the landing. When gates are of openwork construction a shield of sufficient size to prevent access to the lock from the outside of the shaftway shall be provided.
Cross References This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 7.111 (relating to shaftway construction); 34 Pa. Code § 7.189 (relating to hoistway doors); 34 Pa. Code § 7.275 (relating to landing doors); 34 Pa. Code § 7.291 (relating to general); 34 Pa. Code § 7.295 (relating to hydraulic freight elevators); 34 Pa. Code § 7.297 (relating to hand elevators); and 34 Pa. Code § 7.298 (relating to gravity elevators).
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