Sec. 8-2.30. Floor openings and enclosures

In factory buildings erected before October 1, 1913; in mercantile establishments in buildings erected before November 1, 1920.

(a) Floor openings for hoistway used for raising or lowering freight by means of a sling or hook shall be enclosed on all sides by a standard railing with toeboard or a vertical enclosure not less than 42 inches high, set not to exceed 12 inches from the hoistway line. (For requirements of standard railing, see § 8-1.54.)

(b) Where trap doors are used, they shall be capable of sustaining a load of not less than 50 pounds per square foot when closed, and arranged to be opened and closed without entering enclosures.

(c) In existing installations where it is necessary to maintain a passageway under a hoist, in a stairway, hallway or exit, there shall be provided over the lowest terminal a substantial floor or bulkhead capable of sustaining a load of not less than 100 pounds per square foot and located so as to provide headroom of not less than 78 inches from the floor of the passageway, or there shall be provided some other protection or guard when approved by the Industrial Commissioner.

(d) In future installations no hoist shall be permitted to descend into a hallway, stairway or exit.

In factory buildings erected after October 1, 1913; in mercantile establishments in buildings erected after November 1, 1920.

(e) Hoistway enclosures.

(1) Hoistways used for raising or lowering freight by means of a sling or hook shall be enclosed throughout their height in fire-proof partitions conforming to the specifications of section 8-1.61.

(2) All hoistway openings shall be protected by fire doors.

(3) The hoistway doors shall be self-closing. All such doors shall be kept closed except while used for loading or unloading.

(4) Such self-closing hoistway doors shall have a fusible link in the counterweight chain or latch used for holding the door open while in use, so located as to readily release from excessive heat through the opening.

(f) Machinery and equipment.

(1) There shall be posted or painted on each hoistway door a capacity sign with letters an figures not less than one-half inch high, thus: “Capacity. . . lbs.”

(2) All hoisting machinery shall be sufficiently strong for the purpose intended and shall be properly installed and maintained.

(3) All hoist cables or ropes shall have a factor of safety of not less than four.

(4) Riding on any material, hoist or sliding down hoisting ropes or chains is prohibited. A notice to this effect shall be posted adjacent to the hoistway on each floor.

(5) No load shall be allowed to descend at an excessive speed.

(6) Slings shall be carefully and symmetrically placed about loads, proper hitches being made so that there will be no opportunity for the load to slip or tip.