No. 36082 (Amendment): Rule R920-50. Ropeway Operation Safety

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 36082
Filed: 04/16/2012 04:23:17 PM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

The purpose of this change is to incorporate the latest version of ANSI B77.1 as the governing standard for aerial ropeways in Utah.

Summary of the rule or change:

ANSI B77.1-2011 will replace ANSI B77.1-2006 as the governing standard for aerial ropeways, except Annex F which will be excluded as to existing installations while the interpretation and impacts of the annex are identified. The accepted practice in the ropeway industry is to adopt the newest version of the ANSI B77 standard approximately one year after its publication. The majority of the changes do not impose additional requirements, but have been made to better define the intention of the regulations. The Department is not aware of any aerial ropeways in Utah that will require modification to comply with the new standard. The major changes better define the duties and chain of command concerning lift operations and the documentation of some maintenance items.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Section 72-11-102
• Sections 72-11-201 through 72-11-216

This rule or change incorporates by reference the following material:

• Updates American National Standard for Passenger Ropeways - Aerial Tramways, Aerial Lifts, Surface Lifts, Tows and Conveyors - Safety Requirements, published by American National Standards Institute, Inc., 10/03/2011

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

There is no anticipated costs or savings to the state budget because the Ropeway Safety Program that implements and enforces the standard will remain the same.

local governments:

There is no anticipated costs or savings to local government because the new standard does not change local government involvement in ropeway safety.

small businesses:

There is not anticipated costs or savings to small businesses because the new standard does not change the current level of involvement for small businesses in ropeway safety.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

There is no anticipated costs or savings to persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local government entities because the new standard does not address any changes that would involve these entities.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There are no significant compliance costs anticipated for ropeway operators to implement this rulemaking proposal. Some ropeway operators may need to revise documentation or training programs to comply with the new standard, but this will vary with each operator. The amount of personnel required to operator a ropeway will remain the same. The carrier inspection already takes place and operators currently keep documentation associated with that. The changes include more specific requirements for the carrier inspection plan and documentation plan.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

There are no anticipated fiscal impacts on businesses. Some ropeway operators may need to revise documentation or training programs to comply with the new standard, but this will vary with each operator. The amount of personnel required to operate a ropeway will remain the same. The carrier inspection already takes place and operators currently keep documentation associated with that. The changes include more specific requirements for the carrier inspection plan and documentation plan.

John Njord, Executive Director

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Transportation
Operations, Traffic and Safety
CALVIN L RAMPTON COMPLEX
4501 S 2700 W
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84119-5998

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Brian Allen at the above address, by phone at 801-965-4766, by FAX at 801-965-3845, or by Internet E-mail at [e-mail]
• Christine Newman at the above address, by phone at 801-965-4026, by FAX at 801-965-4338, or by Internet E-mail at [e-mail]

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

05/31/2012

This rule may become effective on:

06/07/2012

Authorized by:

John Njord, Executive Director

RULE TEXT

R920. Transportation, Operations, Traffic and Safety.

R920-50. Ropeway Operation Safety.

R920-50-2. Authority.

This rule is authorized by Section 72-11-210 to implement Title 72, Chapter 11, Passenger Ropeway [Safety]Systems Act.

 

R920-50-3. Definitions.

In addition to terms defined at Section 72-11-102, the following terms are defined:

(1) "Aerial lift specialist" as used in American National Standards Institute (ANSI) B77.1 sections 3.3.4 .1 and 4.3.4 .1, means a Ropeway Inspector.

(2) "Aerial tramway specialist" as used in ANSI B77.1 section 2.3.4 .1 means a Ropeway Inspector.

(3) "Air Space" means the area bounded by vertical planes commencing at a point thirty-five (35) feet from the intersection of the vertical planes of the ropes or cables and ground surface.

(4) "Annual general inspection" means an inspection of a passenger ropeway made by a Ropeway Inspector to verify preservation of original design integrity and to determine that components and systems of the passenger ropeway are in proper working order and in accordance with this rule.

(5) "Audible warning devices" means an audible warning device that signals an impending start of the aerial lift.

(6) "Conveyor specialist" as used in ANSI B77.1 section 7.3.4 .1 means a Ropeway Inspector.

(7) "Dynamic Testing Logs" means a record of the data collected during the dynamic test.

(8) "Experienced personnel" means an individual who has acquired knowledge and skills through study, training, or experience in ropeway maintenance, operation, or testing.

(9) "Existing ropeway" means any passenger ropeway that shall have been operated for passengers in excess of one calendar year.

(10) "Incident inspection" means an inspection of a passenger ropeway incident made by an approved Ropeway Inspector or a qualified engineer at the request of the Committee.

(11) "Land surveyor" means an individual licensed under Section 58-22-102 as a professional land surveyor.

(12) "Modification" means any change as defined in ANSI B77.1 Section 1.2.4.4, ANSI B77.2 Section 1.2.4.4, and the replacement of a ropeway component by one that alters the certified design or construction provided by the passenger ropeway manufacturer or designer.

(13) "New ropeway" means any passenger ropeway that is registered for the first time for passenger operation during its first calendar year of operation.

(14) "Operational inspection" means an inspection of a passenger ropeway made by a Ropeway Inspector to determine compliance with the operation and maintenance requirements of the Governing Standard and with this rule.

(15) "Operating personnel" means persons employed by the operator for the purpose of supervising the operation, or engaged in servicing, checking, inspecting or maintaining the machinery or structures of a ropeway and when specifically on duty for such purpose on that ropeway.

(16) "Passenger" means any person riding a ropeway, other than "operating personnel."

(17) "Passenger Ropeway Incident" means:

(a) Any structural, mechanical, or electrical malfunction or failure of a passenger ropeway component that results in bodily injury to any person on, or inside the load or unload zone of, a passenger ropeway;

(b) Any deropement regardless of whether or not the passenger ropeway is evacuated;

(c) Any evacuation of the passenger ropeway other than by prime mover or auxiliary power unit, regardless of cause;

(d) Any fire involving a passenger ropeway component or adjacent structure;

(e) Any structural, mechanical, or electrical malfunction or failure of a passenger ropeway component that results in a loss of control of the passenger ropeway as defined in ANSI B77.1 Section X.2.3.1 or ANSI B77.2 Section 2.2.1.7.2;

(f) Any wire rope damage which exceeds the requirement in ANSI B77.1 Section A.4.1.3 or ANSI B77.2 Section 3.4.1.1; and

(g) Any structural, mechanical, or electrical malfunction or failure of a passenger ropeway component or its primary connection that has the apparent potential for causing bodily injury to any person, including but not limited to, the following:

(i) Terminal Structure;

(ii) Bullwheel;

(iii) Brake System;

(iv) Tower Structure;

(v) Sheave, Axle, or Sheave Assembly;

(vi) Carrier; and

(vii) Grip.

(18) "Portable Ropeway" means a ropeway expressly designed to be portable, operated without a permanent foundation, and that has a design range of maximum grade.

(19) "Pre-operational inspection" means an inspection made by a Ropeway Inspector prior to the operation of any new or modified passenger ropeway requiring an Acceptance Inspection and Test.

(20) "Qualified engineer" means any engineer who is licensed to practice engineering in the state of Utah and who has been approved by the Committee.

(21) "Qualified personnel" as used in ANSI B77.1 sections 2.1.1.11, 3.1.1.11, 4.1.1.11, 5.1.1.11, 6.1.1.11, and 7.1.1.11 means a qualified engineer.

(22) "Relocated ropeway" means any passenger ropeway moved to a new location.

(23) "Responsible charge" means effective control and direction of the installation or modification of a passenger ropeway.

(24) "Ropeway Inspector" means an engineer licensed to practice engineering in the state of Utah, independent of the ropeway owner, and approved by the Committee to inspect passenger ropeways.

(25) "Structure" means any edifice, including residential and public buildings, or any other structure or equipment that could reasonably be expected to interfere with the safe operation of a ropeway. Ropeway components required for the operation of the ropeway are not structures.

(26) "Surface lift specialist" as used in ANSI B77.1 section 5.3.4 .1, means a Ropeway Inspector.

(27) "Tow specialist" as used in ANSI B77.1 section 6.3.4 .1 means a Ropeway Inspector.

 

R920-50-9. Governing Standards.

(1) The governing standards in Utah include "ANSI B-77.1, [2006]2011" and "ANSI B77.2, 2004" as modified by rule of the Committee. Use of these standards is authorized by Section 72-11-201.

(2) The Utah Passenger Ropeway Safety Committee reserves the right to modify, add, or delete provisions included in the Governing Standard.

(3) Existing installations need not comply with the new or revised requirements of the Governing Standard and this rule except as set forth in R920-50-11 "Applicable Provisions."

 

R920-50-10. Revised and Additional Provisions.

The revised and additional provisions of this section shall only apply when referenced in R920-50-11 "Applicable Provisions."

(1) "New installations and relocated installations." ANSI B77.1 Section 1.2.4.3 is modified by the following requirement: New ropeways and relocated ropeways shall comply with the new or revised requirements of the Governing Standard and with these rules at the time of the acceptance test.

(2) "Auxiliary drives." Installations shall meet the requirements for auxiliary drives, as set forth in ANSI B77.1-1992, 2.1.2.1.1, 3.1.2.1.1, 4.1.2.1.1.

(3) "Electronic speed-regulated drives." Installations shall meet the requirements for electronic speed-regulated drives as set forth in ANSI B77.1-1992, 2.2.1.8.2, 3.2.1.8.2, 4.2.1.8.2, 5.2.1.8.2, 6.2.1.8.2.

(4) "Rope position monitoring." Installations shall meet the requirements for rope position monitoring, as set forth in ANSI B77.1-1992, 3.1.3.3.2, paragraph 6.

(5) "Friction type brakes." Installations shall meet the requirements for friction type brakes, as set forth in ANSI B77.1-1992, 2.1.2.5, 3.1.2.5, 4.1.2.5, 5.1.2.5, 6.1.2.5.

(6) "Fire detection." All machine rooms that are in an enclosed structure located adjacent to the rope of the tramway (vaulted) shall have a fire detection system installed in accordance with the National Fire Alarm Code. This system shall initiate a visual and audible alarm monitored at the drive terminal operator station.

(7) "Grips, clips, and carrier testing." Testing shall be completed according to section ANSI B77.1 sections 2.3.4.3, 3.3.4.3, 4.3.4.3, and ANSI B77.2 section 2.3.4.4 except as modified by this rule.

(a) Testing personnel shall be qualified in accordance with American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A-1992. Testing agency shall provide certification of qualification of personnel performing testing.

(b) Testing agency inspector shall certify to the owner or area operator that the passenger ropeway components tested were non-destructively tested in accordance with current acceptance criteria established by the designer or manufacturer, or in case the designer or manufacturer is no longer in business, by a Qualified Engineer.

(c) Sampling size and method of obtaining the sample shall comply with the Governing Standard or the manufacturer's requirement, which ever is more stringent.

(d) Rejection rate and retest procedures shall comply with current acceptance criteria established by the designer or manufacturer, or in case the designer or manufacturer is no longer in business, by a Qualified Engineer.

(e) Types of inspections to be performed and the procedures to be used shall comply with current acceptance criteria established by the designer or manufacturer, or in case the designer or manufacturer is no longer in business, by a Qualified Engineer.

(f) Criteria for acceptance/rejection of samples shall comply with current acceptance criteria established by the designer or manufacturer, or in case the designer or manufacturer is no longer in business, by a Qualified Engineer.

(8) "Wire rope inspection." Inspections shall be performed according to ANSI B77.1 Annex A.4.1 and ANSI B77.2 3.4.1 and shall be performed by a competent inspector defined by the Governing Standard and who is approved by the Committee. The wire rope inspector shall certify to the owner or area operator whether the wire rope in its present condition meets requirements for continued operation.

(9) "Operation and maintenance." All installations shall comply with the Operation and Maintenance requirements of the Governing Standard. These requirements are stated in ANSI B77.1, 2.3, 3.3, 4.3, 5.3, 6.3, 7.3, and ANSI B77.2 2.3.

(10) "Audible warning devices." Requirements for audible warning devices.

(a) Installations shall meet the requirements for audible warning devices as specified by ANSI B77.1, 2.2.10, 3.2.10.

(b) ANSI B77.1 Section 4.2.10 is modified by the following requirement: The aerial lift shall incorporate an audible warning device that signals an impending start of the aerial lift. After the start button is pressed, the device shall sound an audible alarm for a minimum of two seconds before the aerial lift begins to move. The audible device shall be heard inside and outside all terminals and machine rooms above the ambient noise level.

(11) "Conveyor Standards."

(a) Loading and unloading area requirements of ANSI B77.1 section 7.1.1.9 shall also accommodate the use of adaptive devices.

(b) Power units referred to in ANSI B77.1 section 7.1.2.1 may not have reverse capability.

(c) "Power supply cords" referred to in ANSI B77.1 section 7.2.1.5.6 shall be protected from snow grooming, skiers, and other equipment and shall be ground fault protected.

(d) The belt transition entry stop device referred to in ANSI B77.1 section 7.2.3.3 shall include redundant (double) sensors. Each sensor shall be part of an independent control circuit that can initiate an emergency shutdown of the conveyor. The device shall be so designed and maintained that no single point of failure can cause the entry stop device to malfunction. The device shall not be remotely resettable and shall require the operator to reset the device prior to restarting the conveyor.

(12) "Dynamic Testing Logs." Maintenance logs shall include documentation of the dynamic testing.

(13) "Air Space Requirements." ANSI B77.1-2006, 2.1.1.3, 3.1.1.3, 4.1.1.3, 5.1.1.3, and 6.1.1.3 and ANSI B77.2 section 2.1.1.2 shall also include the following: No structure (temporary or permanent) shall be permitted to encroach into the air space of the ropeway.

(14) "Portable Ropeways." Portable ropeways shall not be considered new ropeways when moved to different locations but remaining under the jurisdiction of the same operator.

(15) "Tows Requirements."

(a) The requirements of ANSI B77.1 section 6.2.3.2.b) shall also require the stop gate to extend across the incoming and outgoing rope.

(b) Handle Tows shall have stop gates above and below the rope.

(16) "Existing Installations - Annex F" ANSI B77.1-2011 Section 1.2.4.1 Existing installations is modified by the following: Operation and maintenance is not required to comply with normative Annex F Combustion engine(s) and fuel handling.

 

R920-50-11. Applicable Provisions.

Installations shall comply with the "Revised and Additional Provisions" of R920-50-10 in the categories listed below, on or before the date specified. These provisions establish the minimum requirement.

(1) The following apply to all ropeways:

(a) New installations and relocated installations R920-50-10(1);

(b) Fire detection R920-50-10(6); effective November 1, 1995;

(c) Wire rope inspection R920-50-10(8); and

(d) Operation and maintenance R920-50-10(9).

(e) Existing Installations - Annex F R920-50-10(16); effective June 7,2012.

(2) The following provisions apply to an Aerial Tramway:

(a) Auxiliary drives R920-50-10(2); effective November 1, 1994;

(b) Electronic speed-regulated drives R920-50-10(3); effective November 1, 1994;

(c) Friction type brakes R920-50-10(5); effective November 1, 1995;

(d) Grips, clips, and carrier testing R920-50-10(7);

(e) Audible warning devices R920-50-10(10); effective November 1, 2001;

(f) Dynamic testing logs R920-50-10(12); and

(g) Air space requirements R920-50-10(13); effective November 1, 2006.

(3) The following provisions apply to a Detachable Grip Aerial Lift:

(a) Auxiliary drives R920-50-10(2); effective November 1, 1994;

(b) Electronic speed-regulated drives R920-50-10(3); effective November 1, 1994;

(c) Rope position monitoring R920-50-10(4); effective November 1, 1994;

(d) Friction type brakes R920-50-10(5); effective November 1, 1995;

(e) Grips, clips, and carrier testing R920-50-10(7);

(f) Audible warning devices R920-50-10(10);

(g) Dynamic testing logs R920-50-10(12); and

(h) Air space requirements R920-50-10(13); effective November 1, 2006.

(4) The following provisions apply to a Fixed Grip Aerial Lift:

(a) Auxiliary Drives R920-50-10(2); effective November 1, 1994;

(b) Electronic speed-regulated drives R920-50-10(3); effective November 1, 1994;

(c) Friction type brakes R920-50-10(5); effective November 1, 1995;

(d) Grips, clips, and carrier testing R920-50-10(7);

(e) Audible warning devices R920-50-10(10);

(f) Dynamic testing logs R920-50-10(12); and

(g) Air space requirements R920-50-10(13); effective November 1, 2006.

(5) The following provisions apply to a Surface Lift:

(a) Electronic speed-regulated drives R920-50-10(3); effective November 1, 1994;

(b) Friction type brakes R920-50-10(5); effective November 1, 1995; and

(c) Air space requirements R920-50-10(13); effective November 1, 2006.

(6) The following provisions apply to a Rope Tow:

(a) Electronic speed-regulated drives R920-50-10(3); effective November 1, 1994;

(b) Friction type brakes R920-50-10(5); effective November 1, 1995;

(c) Air space requirements R920-50-10(13); effective November 1, 2006;

(d) Tow requirements R920-50-10(15); and

(e) Portable Ropeways R920-50-10(14).

(7) The following provisions apply to a Conveyor:

(a) Conveyor standards R920-50-10(11); and

(b) Portable Ropeways R920-50-10(14).

 

R920-50-14. Incidents.

(1) Reporting of Incidents.

(a) Every passenger ropeway incident, as defined in R920-50-3(18) shall be verbally reported to the Committee, or the Committee's appointed representative, as soon as reasonably possible, but no later than twenty-four (24) hours after the time of the incident. A written report shall be delivered to the Committee within five (5) days of the incident.

(b) The reports required by this section are to be maintained for administrative enforcement, licensing and certification purposes only. The reports are "protected" records under the Government Records Management Act, Section 63G-2-30[4]5 and are also governed by Section 63G-2-207.

(2) Suspension of Operations. When a passenger ropeway incident, as defined in R920-50-3(17) (a) or (g), occurs, the owner or area operator of the ropeway shall suspend operation of the ropeway and shall notify the Committee through the Committee's appointed representative. The owner or area operator of the ropeway, with the Committee or the Committee's appointed representative, shall perform a joint incident inspection of the ropeway. The inspection shall precede any authorization to resume public operation of the passenger ropeway.

 

KEY: transportation safety, tramways, ropeways, tramway permits

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [January 10, 2011]2012

Notice of Continuation: August 13, 2007

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 72-11-201 through 72-11-216

 

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