No. 28905 (Amendment): R920-50. Ropeway Operation Safety Rules

DAR File No.: 28905
Filed: 07/31/2006, 02:01
Received by: NL

 

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

The committee responsible for adopting the rule decided changes in standards were advisable.

 

Summary of the rule or change:

The rule adopts an air space requirement and a standard for funicular ropeways.

 

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

Section 72-1-201

 

This rule or change incorporates by reference the following material:

American National Standards Institute (ANSI) B-77.1 (1999) and ANSI B-77.2 (2004)

 

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

There may be an increased cost from inspections since there will be additional standards to look out for. It is impossible to know what those costs will be.

 

local governments:

This rule does not apply to any local governments because no local governments operate a funicular, so there will be no cost savings or increases.

 

other persons:

It is possible that the ski areas could have some additional expenses due to the air space requirement if they want to get an exception to build within the restricted area. The costs cannot be estimated because they vary from installation to installation. Also, the building codes in most of the areas would require most of these items anyway. If ski areas do not build within the air space, there would be no additional costs. For the funicular standard, it is a new ANSI B77.2 standard first published in 2004. The establishment of a standard could also cause increased cost to manufacture and install a funicular, but those are unknown because we do not know what items would have to be upgraded in order to meet the minimums set by the national standard.

 

Compliance costs for affected persons:

It is possible that the ski area could have some additional expenses due to the air space requirement if they want to get an exception to build within the restricted area. The costs cannot be estimated because they vary from installation to installation. Also, the building codes in most of the areas would require most of these items anyway. If ski areas do not build within the air space, there would be no additional costs. For the funicular standard, it is a new ANSI B77.2 standard first published in 2004. The establishment of a standard could also cause increased cost to manufacture and install a funicular, but those are unknown because we do not know what items would have to be upgraded in order to meet the minimums set by the national standard.

 

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

The fiscal impact is minimal compared to the increase in safety that the standards will provide. John R. 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:

James Beadles at the above address, by phone at 801-965-4168, by FAX at 801-965-4796, 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:

09/14/2006

 

This rule may become effective on:

09/21/2006

 

Authorized by:

John R. Njord, Executive Director

 

 

RULE TEXT

R920. Transportation, Operations, Traffic and Safety.

R920-50. Ropeway Operation Safety Rules.

R920-50-1. Utah Ropeway Rules for Passenger Ropeways.

A. Introduction

These rules are issued pursuant to Utah Code Annotated, Section 72-11-210 to implement the Passenger Ropeway Safety Act, Utah Code Ann., Sections 72-11-201 et seq.

B. Governing Standard

1. The governing standards in Utah [is]are the standards entitled "ANSI B-77.1, 1999" and "ANSI B77.2, 2004" as modified by rule of the Committee.[,] The standards are published by the American National Standards Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, New York 10018.[, and] The ANSI B77.1 was approved by ANSI on March 11, 1999, and the ANSI B77.2 was approved by ANSI on December 31, 2003.[as modified by rule of the Committee.] Use of [this]these standards [is]are 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.

C. Classification of Ropeways and Applicable Standards

1. Section 1.2.4.1 of the Governing Standard is modified by the following requirements:

a. Existing installations need not comply with the new or revised requirements of the Governing Standard and these rules, except as set forth in R920-50-1.D.1.b;

b. Existing ropeways, when removed and reinstalled, shall be classified as new installations (see R920-50-1-C.2);

c. Ropeway modifications shall meet the requirements of R920-50-2.F and R920-50-8.

2. Section 1.2.4.2 of the Governing Standard is modified by the following requirement: New installations and those with design review completed by the Committee after the effective date of the Governing Standard, shall comply with the new or revised requirements of the Governing Standard and with these rules.

D. Inspections of Ropeways

1. The annual general inspection requirements stated in ANSI B77.1, 2.3.4.1, 3.3.4.1, 4.3.4.1, 5.3.4.1 and 6.3.4.1, are replaced by the following requirements:

a. An annual general or pre-operational inspection of each passenger ropeway shall be made by a Ropeway Inspector prior to approval of any application for licensure. An operational inspection of each passenger ropeway may be made by a Ropeway Inspector at least once a year during the high-use season. For each passenger ropeway inspected, items found either deficient or in noncompliance shall be noted. A report signed by the Ropeway Inspector listing items found either deficient or in noncompliance shall be filed with the owner. The owner shall correct all deficiencies and noncompliance items listed in the Ropeway Inspector's report or request an exception from the Governing Standard and applicable Utah Ropeway Operations Safety Rules. In addition to the annual general, pre-operational, and operational inspections, the Committee may order other inspections in accordance with Section 72-11-211;

b. All installations shall comply with the new or revised requirements of the Governing Standard and these rules in the following areas, on or before the effective date of each paragraph, as set forth below:

1. Requirements for auxiliary drives, as set forth in ANSI B77.1, 2.1.2.1.1, 3.1.2.1.1, 4.1.2.1.1. These requirements shall be effective November 1, 1994;

2. Requirement for one device that senses the position of the rope shall be installed on each sheave unit, as set forth in ANSI B77.1, 3.1.3.3.2, paragraph 6. This requirement shall be effective November 1, 1994;

3. Requirements for audible warning devices, as specified by ANSI B77.1, 2.1.1.12, 3.1.1.12. These requirements shall be effective November 1, 2001;

4. Section 4.1.1.12 of the Governing Standard is modified by the following requirement: The aerial lift shall incorporate an audible warning device that signals an impending start of the ropeway. After the start button is pressed, the device shall sound an audible alarm for a minimum of two seconds before the ropeway begins to move. The audible device shall be heard inside and outside all terminals and machine rooms above the ambient noise level. These requirements shall be effective November 1, 2001;

5. "Qualified personnel" as used in X.1.1.11 means a qualified engineer approved by the Committee. A "aerial tramway specialist" as used in 2.3.4, "aerial lift specialist" as used in 3.3.4 and 4.3.4, "surface lift specialist" as used in 5.3.4, and a "tow specialist" as used in 6.3.4 means a ropeway inspector approved by the Committee.

c. Grips, clips, hangars, chairs, carriages and cabins shall be tested according to ANSI B77.1, X.3.4.3, except as modified in this subsection c.

1. Testing personnel shall be qualified in accordance with ASNT Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A-1992. Testing agency shall provide certification of qualification of personnel performing testing.

2. 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;

3. Sampling size and method of obtaining the sample shall comply with X.3.4.3 of the Governing Standard;

4. 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;

5. 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;

6. 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.

d. Wire rope inspection shall be performed according to Section 7.4.1 of the Governing Standard 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.

e. 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, and 7.4.

E. Fire Detection

All machine rooms that are in an enclosed structure located adjacent to the rope of the ropeway (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.

F. Conveyors Standards

1. Section 8 of the ANSI B77.1-1999 is modified by the following requirement:

a. Modifying the maximum conveyor speed requirements stated in 8.1.1.5, that maximum speed is 160 feet/minute.

b. Loading and unloading areas requirements of 8.1.1.9 shall also accommodate the use of adaptive devices.

c. "Qualified personnel" as used in 8.1.1.11 means a qualified engineer approved by the Committee. A "conveyor specialist" as used in 8.3.4 means a ropeway inspector approved by the Committee.

d. Power units referred to in 8.1.2.1 may not have reverse capability.

e. "Power supply cords" referred to in 8.2.1.5.5 shall be protected from snow grooming, skiers, and other equipment and shall be ground fault protected.

f. The belt transition entry stop device referred to in 8.1.2.11.2 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.

g. A single operator, as referred to in 8.3.2.2 may not operate more than one conveyor.

h. No bypass of circuits, as referred to in 8.3.2.5.9 is allowed.

G. Dynamic Testing

1. Section X.3.3.1 is replaced with:

Foundations and structural, mechanical and electrical components shall be inspected regularly and kept in a state of good repair. The maintenance requirements of the designer or a Qualified Engineer (see X.1.6.2) shall be followed. Maintenance and testing logs shall be kept (see X.3.5.3).

2. Section X.3.3.1.2 is replaced with:

A written schedule for systematic dynamic testing shall be developed and followed. The schedule shall establish specific frequencies and conditions for periodic testing. The owner shall provide Experienced personnel to develop and conduct the dynamic test. The testing shall simulate or duplicate inertial loadings. The test load shall be equivalent to the design live load. Dynamic testing shall be performed at intervals not exceeding 7 years. The testing requirements shall include, but not be limited to the following:

a) braking systems;

b) auxiliary power units;

c) tension systems; and

d) electrical systems.

H. Tows.

1. Section 6.1.2.11.2 is replaced with:

Automatic stop device(s) shall be installed at each terminal and beyond each unloading area to stop the tow if actuated by a person's passage. For actuating devices of the suspended type, the suspended portion shall be strong enough to cause release of the actuating devices in use under the most adverse conditions, and each side shall be detachable and shall interrupt the operating circuit when detached. The device shall be in accordance with the following as applicable:

(a) Intermediate unloading areas: Required only when passengers are not permitted beyond the intermediate unloading area;

(b) Terminal areas: Installed on the incoming side so that the distance from the stop gate to the first obstruction is more than 150% of the distance required to stop the empty tow operating at maximum speed. The stop device shall extend across the tow beneath the incoming and outgoing rope;

(c) Fiber rope tows: Additionally, at unloading areas a device shall encirc[u]le the incoming fiber rope.

I. Air Space Requirements

ANSI B77.1 Section 2.1.1.2, 3.1.1.2, 4.1.1.2, 5.1.1.2, and 6.1.1.2 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. These requirements are effective for ropeways or structures built after November 1, 2006.

 

R920-50-2. Definition of Terms.

A. "Aerial lift" means a ropeway on which passengers are transported in cabins or on chairs and that circulate in one direction between terminals without reversing the travel path.

B. "Aerial tramway (reversible)" means a ropeway on which the passengers are transported in cable-supported carriers are not in contact with the ground or snow surface, and in which the carrier(s) reciprocate between terminals.

C. "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.

[C]D. "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 Committee rules.

[D]E. "Committee" means the Passenger Ropeway Safety Committee as outlined in Section 72-11-202.

[E]F. "Conveyor" means a device used to transport skiers uphill while standing on a flexible moving element which consists of multiple tread plates or belting.

[F]G. "Detachable grip lift" means a ropeway system on which carriers circulate around the system alternately attaching to and detaching from a moving haul rope(s). The ropeway system may be monocable or bicable.

[G]H. "Experienced personnel" means an individual who has acquired knowledge and skills through study, training, or experience in ropeway maintenance, operation, or testing.

[H]I. "Funicular" means a ropeway in which carrier(s) are supported and guided by a guideway and are propelled by means of a haul rope system and operates as a single reversible or as a double reversible.

[I]J. "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.

[J]K. "Modification" means any change as defined in the Governing Standard, ANSI B77.1 Standard 1.2.4.3 and the replacement of a ropeway component by one that alters the certified design or construction provided by the passenger ropeway manufacturer or designer.

[K]L. "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 Committee rules.

[L]M. "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.

[M]N. "Operator" means a person, including any political subdivision or instrumentality of the political subdivision, who owns, manages, or directs the operation of a passenger ropeway.

[N]O. "Passenger" means any person riding a ropeway, other than "operating personnel".

[O]P. "Passenger ropeway" means all devices that carry, pull, or push passengers along a level or inclined path(excluding elevators) by means of a haul rope or other flexible element that is driven by a power unit remaining essentially at a single location. Passenger ropeways include the following:

(1) aerial tramway (reversible);

(2) aerial lifts (detachable lifts, chair lifts and similar equipment);

(3) conveyor;

(4) funicular;

(5) rope tow (wire rope and fiber rope tows);and

(6) surface lifts (J-bar, T-bar, or platter pull and similar equipment).

[P]Q. "Passenger Ropeway Incident" means:

1. 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;

2. Any deropement regardless of whether or not the passenger ropeway is evacuated;

3. Any evacuation of the passenger ropeway other than by prime mover or auxiliary power unit, regardless of cause;

4. Any fire involving a passenger ropeway component or adjacent structure;

5. 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 the Governing Standard, ANSI B77.1 Standard X.2.1.7.2;

6. Any wire rope damage which exceeds the requirement in the Governing Standard, ANSI B77.1 Standard 7.4.1.1; or

7. 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;

a. Terminal Structure

b. Bullwheel

c. Brake System

d. Tower Structure

e. Sheave, Axle, or Sheave Assembly

f. Carrier

g. Grip.

[Q]R. "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.

[R]S. "Qualified engineer" means, notwithstanding any different definition in the ANSI B77.1 Standard, any engineer who is licensed to practice engineering in the state of Utah and who has been approved by the Committee.

[S]T. "Responsible charge" means effective control and direction of projects of the type discussed in these rules.

[T]U. "Rope tow" means a ropeway wherein passengers grasp a circulating fiber hauling rope or a towing device attached to a circulating wire rope or fiber rope and are propelled uphill. Passenger riding on recreational devices are also propelled uphill.

[U]V. "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.

W. "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 included.

[V]X. "Surface lift" ("J bar," "T bar," or "platter pull," and similar equipment) means a ropeway wherein passengers or passengers on recreational devices are transported on the surface by means of towing devices propelled by a main overhead traveling wire rope supported by trestles or towers with one or more spans.

 

KEY: transportation safety, tramways, ropeways, tramway permits

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [April 4, ]2006

Notice of Continuation: December 13, 2002

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 72-11-201 through 72-11-216; 63-46b-1 et seq.