Passengers on Freight Elevators

Freight Elevators are installed to move materials from floor to floor. Freight elevators only carry the elevator operator or forklift truck operator since they are not designed with the same safety equipment as a passenger elevator. When a freight elevator is to carry passengers, Peelle offers modifications to the freight elevator doors and related equipment to ensure an increased level of safety.

Reference Rules

Referenced Rules Rule 2.16.1.1 Minimum Rated Load for Passenger Elevators The rated load in pounds for passenger elevators shall be based on the inside net platform area, and shall be not less than shown by Fig. 8.2.1.2 in Section 8. The inside net platform area shall be determined at a point 914mm (36 in.) above the floor and inside of any panels or wall surfaces, but exclusive of any handrails and space for doors as shown in Fig. 2.16.1.1. To allow for variations in car designs, an increase in the maximum inside net area not exceeding 5% shall be permitted for the various rated loads.

2.16.1.2 Use of Partitions for Reducing Inside Net Platform Area. Where partitions are installed in elevator cars for the purpose of restricting the platform net area for passenger use, they shall be permanently bolted, riveted, or welded in place. Gates, doors, or handrails shall not be used for this purpose. Partitions shall be so installed as to provide for approximately symmetrical loading.

2.16.1.3 Carrying of Freight on Passenger Elevators.
When freight is to be carried on a passenger elevator, the following requirements shall be conformed to.

1. The minimum rated load shall conform to the requirements of Rule 2.16.1.1 or 2.16.2, whichever is greater. 2. The elevator shall be designed for applicable class of freight elevator loading. 3. Nonpermanent freight-handling equipment (Rule 2.14.1.9) shall be removed when the elevator is used for passenger service.

Rule 2.24 Additional Requirements for Passenger Overload Passenger elevators and freight elevators permitted by Rule 2.16.4 to carry passengers shall be designed and installed to safely lower, stop, and hold the car with an additional load up to 25% in excess of the rated load. The elevator is not required to attain rated load performance under the passenger overload conditions specified but shall conform to the requirements of the following rules:

a. Rule 2.17.2 except that 125% of rated load shall be used in place of rated load;
b. Rule 2.17.3 except that 125% of rated load shall be used in first paragraph in place of rated load. Second paragraph of Rule 2.17.3, except that 125% of rated load shall be used in place of rated load and except that rated load performance including safety sliding distance is not required.
c. Rule 2.24.8.3 except that 125% of rated load shall be used in place of rated load;
d. Rule 2.25.2.1 except that 125% of rated load shall be used in place of rated load;
e. Rule 2.26.9 except that 125% of rated load shall be used in place of rated load;
f. Rule 2.26.10 except that 125% of rated load shall be used in place of rated load..

Rule 2.11.2.1 For Passenger Elevators and Freight Elevators Authorized to Carry Passengers.

Entrances shall be one of the following types:

1. at landing openings used by passengers or for freight:
a. horizontal slide;
b. swing, single-section;
c. combination horizontal slide and swing;
d. power-operated, vertical slide biparting counterbalanced, or vertical slide counterweighted which slide down to open, where located at entrances used by passengers (see Rule 2.16.4);
e. hand or power-operated vertical slide which slide up to open. 2. at landing openings used exclusively for freight, any type of entrance permitted by Rule 2.11.2.2..

Rule 204.6b(2) Vertically Sliding Doors and Gates
Where used on freight elevators authorized to carry passengers (see Rule 2.16.4), car doors and gates shall conform to the requirements of Rule 2.14.5.

Rule 2.14.5 Passenger Car Doors and Gates

2.14.5.1 Number of Entrances Permitted.
In new buildings, there shall be not more than two entrances to the car. In existing buildings, where structural conditions make additional entrances necessary, they may be provided subject to the approval of the authority having jurisdiction.

2.14.5.2 Type Required.
Horizontally sliding doors, or vertically sliding doors or gates subject to the restrictions of

Rule 2.14.5.3, shall be provided at each car entrance.

2.14.5.3 Vertically Sliding Doors.
Vertically sliding doors shall conform to the following requirements.

1. At entrances used by passengers, they shall be:
a. of the balanced counterweighted type which slide in the up direction to open;
b. power operated where facing a power operated vertical slide counterbalanced or a vertical slide-downto- open hoistway door.

2.14.5.4 Dimensions of Doors.
Doors, when in the fully closed position, shall protect the full width and height of the car-entrance opening.

2.14.5.5 Openings in Doors.
There shall be no openings in doors, except where vision panels are used.

2.14.5.6 Door Panels.

1. Door panels shall have a flush surface on the side exposed to the car interior. The panels shall have no area or molding depressed or raised more than 6mm (1/4 in.) from the exposed surface. Areas depressed or raised more than 3mm (1/8 in.) from the adjacent area and not parallel to the direction of panel motion shall be beveled at not more than 30 deg to the panel surface.

2. Panels shall overlap the top and sides of the car entrance opening by not less than 13mm (1/2 in.) when in the closed position.

3. The vertical clearance between a panel and the sill, or in the case of a vertically sliding door the vertical clearance between the leading edge and the sill, shall not exceed 13mm (1/2 in.) when in the closed position.

4. The horizontal clearance shall not exceed 13mm (1/2 in.) for horizontally sliding panels and 25mm 1 in.) for vertically sliding panels between: a. The car side of a panel and the related car head jamb; b. The related panels of multispeed entrances; c. The car side of the panel and the related car head jamb.

5. The leading edges of doors shall be free of sharp objects.

6. The meeting panel edges of center-opening entrances shall be protected with not less than one resilient male member extending the full height of the panel, The meeting edges shall be permitted to interlock by not more than 10mm (3/8 in.). When in the close position, the distance between the metal parts of the meeting panels shall not exceed 13 mm (1/2 in.).

7. The clearance between the leading edge of the trailing panel of multiple speed panels and the jamb shall not exceed: a. for horizontal slide, 13mm (1/2 in.); b. for vertical slide, 25 mm (1 in.).

2.14.5.7 Manual Opening of Car Doors.
Car doors shall be so arranged that when the car is stopped within the unlocking zone (see Rule 2.12.5) and power to the door operator is cut off, they and the mechanically related hoistway door, if any, shall be movable by hand from inside the car. The force required at the edge of sliding doors to move them shall not exceed 330N (75 lbf).

2.14.5.8 Glass in Car Doors
Vision panels, where provided, shall conform to the requirements of Rule 2.14.2.5.

Rule 2.14.2.2 Openings Prohibited.
Openings or hinged or removable panels in an enclosure are prohibited, other than as required for the following:

1. signal, operating, and communication equipment;
2. entrances;
3. vision panels;
4. emergency exits;
5. ventilation; and
6. access panels for maintenance of equipment when approved by the authority having jurisdiction. Such panels, where provided, shall conform to Rules 2.14.1.10, except that they are not required to be operable from the outside.

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