§ 14-16-82. Hoistway door or gate interlocks.

A.

Recognized systems. This chapter recognizes two systems of hoistway door or gate interlocks:

1.

The door unit system in which the interlock is arranged to prevent the operation of the elevator machine by the operating device, in a direction to move the car away from the landing, unless the hoistway door or gate at that landing at which the car is stopping or is at rest, is locked in closed position;

2.

The hoistway unit system, in which the interlocks are arranged to prevent the operation of the elevator machine by the operating device unless all doors or gates are locked in closed position.

With either of the above systems, the interlocks shall prevent the opening of the hoistway doors from the landing side, except as permitted by section 14-16-89, unless the car is at rest within the landing zone or coasting through the landing zone with its operating device in the stop position.

Exception: the interlock shall not prevent the operation of the car by the operating device with the hoistway door or gate open when the emergency release is in temporary use, nor when the car is being moved within the leveling zone by a car leveling device.

Note: no electrically released, gravity or spring applied rope gripper or lock to prevent the movement of the operating rope or rod shall be recognized as a component device in any interlock system, except where the elevator may be operated only from the car and when the operating devices are inaccessible from the landing side of the hoistway doors or gates when the same are in the closed position.

B.

Door system. The door unit system may be used only where there is a regular operator on the car and where the car can be operated only from inside the car.

C.

Manual hoistway doors. Power operated elevators where the hoistway doors are not equipped with a door closer and/or no operator is required on the car shall have hoistway doors considered in the closed position only when the door is within three-eighths inch of the lock jamb (or the edge of the opposite door in cases where bi-parting doors are used).

D.

Power closed hoistway door. For power elevators which are operated only from the car: hoistway doors equipped with door closers shall be considered closed (and the car may be started) when the door is within four inches of the lock jamb (or the face of the opposite door in cases where bi-parting doors are used), if from this position and any other up to the fully closed position, as defined in subsection C of this section, the door (or doors, if bi-parting) cannot be opened from the landing side to create a door opening more than four inches wide, provided that the door closer will eventually close the door (or doors, if bi-parting) as defined in subsection C of this section.

E.

Functioning of interlocks. The interlocks for the hoistway doors shall function so that the doors shall be in the closed position as defined in subsection C or D of this section, before the car may be operated by the operating device to move the car away from the landing except as provided in subsection H of this section.

F.

Contacts. Interlock contacts shall be positively opened and the functioning of the interlock to prevent the movement of the car by the operating devices shall not be solely dependent on the action of a spring or springs, nor gravity, nor upon the closing of an electric circuit. If an electric circuit is used its interruption shall prevent the movement of the car by the operating devices.

G.

Interlocks inaccessible. Interlocks shall be so located as to be normally inaccessible from the landing side of the closed hoistway doors or gates.

H.

Hoistway interlocks minimum of 100 feet per minute. Hoistway doors or gates for power elevators with a contact speed not in excess of 100 feet per minute may have the interlock service arranged to permit the car to be operated away from the landing a distance of not over 12 inches before the locking operation takes place, provided the following requirements are met:

1.

If the locking operation fails to take place as specified, further movement of the car will open the operating circuit;

2.

The car cannot be started by the operating devices until the hoistway door is closed;

3.

The car platform is equipped with a substantial vertical face flush with its outer edge and extending at least 12 inches below the car platform.

I.

Existing power hoistway doors. On existing power opened and/or closed hoistway doors equipped with door closers and interlocks which do not meet the requirements of subsection D of this section, hoistway doors shall be considered in the closed position and the car may be started only when the door is within three-quarters inch of the lock jamb (or the edge of the opposite door, if bi-parting doors), provided that the closer will eventually close the door (or doors, if bi-parting) as defined in subsection C of this section.

Note: no new application which conforms with subsection I of this section will be allowed.

(Code 1967, § 49-132; Code 1985, § 46-152)