Outline of ANSI B-77 Aerial Tramway Standards

[Admin]

ANSI B-77 Aerial Tramway Standards
The following is an outline of the ANSI B77.1-1999 American National Standard for Passenger Ropeways -- Aerial Tramways, Aerial Lifts, Surface Lifts, Tows and Conveyors -- Safety Requirements

ANSI B77.1-1999

Provides construction, operation and maintenance guidelines on how to meet the intent of the ADA to provide access to persons with disabilities

ADA and ADAAG

Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines

Sections

General requirements
Aerial tramways
Detachable grip aerial lifts
Fixed grip aerial lifts
Surface lifts
Tows
Wire rope, strand, and chain requirements
Conveyors
Sub-Sections

For sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8

x.1 Design and installation

x.2 Electrical design and installation

x.3 Operation and maintenance

Chair Height Definition

1.4 Definitions

Distance between the top surface, including padding of the chair seat, to the loading or unloading point surface

Chair Height

1.4 Definitions

Account for the longitudinal swing of the chair which lowers the height

Implied operational commitment to swing the chair back to the desired angle

Mazes and Corrals

x.1.1.9.1.1 Loading areas for chairlifts
Shall be approximately level
Should be as straight as possible with gradual turns

Control Points

x.1.1.9.1.1 Loading areas for chairlifts
At least one point shall have a minimum clearance of 36 in.

Alternative access is acceptable for existing construction

Approach Path

x.1.1.9.1.1 Loading areas for chairlifts

Approximately level or slightly downsloped

Loading Areas

x.1.1.9.1.1 Loading areas for chairlifts

Load gates, artificial surfaces and other loading aids shall be designed and installed with regards to all passengers, including adaptive

Lift Load Point

x.1.1.9.1.1 Loading areas for chairlifts

Loading areas shall be approximately level

"Load here" point shall be marked

Chairlift Exit Ramp

x.1.1.9.2 Unloading areas

Shall be sloped no more than 30%

Seat height shall not exceed 22 in.

Evacuation

x.1.1.10 Provisions for evacuation

Provisions shall be made for emergency evacuation of common passenger types

Cabins -- New Construction

x.1.4.4.2 Cabin

Minimum 32 in. width

Maximum gap 1 in.

Maximum step height 0.5 in.

Minimum clear floor space 48 x 30 in.

Existing Aerial Passenger Tram -- Recommendations

Special carriers can be provided

Maximum 10 min. wait for carrier

Cabins -- Existing Construction

x.1.4.4.2 Cabin

Where it is not operationally or structurally practical to meet these requirements, platform devices, vehicle devices, system devices, or bridge plates shall be provided for independent loading

Chairlift Seat Thickness

x.1.4.4.4 Chairs

Thickness of chair seat front including padding, shall not exceed 5 in. from the top of the seating surface to the bottom of the curl

Chairlift Seat Angle

x.1.4.4.4 Chairs

Tilt back angle of the seat bottom should be a minimum of 7 deg. when loaded

Chairlift -- Ski Entanglement

x.1.4.4.4 Chairs

Provisions shall be made to keep tails of skis from passing through and being trapped in open spaces between framework safety restraints and chair seat underside

Chairlift Height

x.3.1.1.2 Additional signs for detachable chairlifts

A sign shall be posted stating the nominal loading chair height +/- 2 in.

The sign shall be posted with the riding instructions

Training of Personnel

x.3.2.1 Personnel

Procedures for loading and unloading of passengers including passengers with common adaptive equipment shall be included in the training

Plan for Evacuation

x.3.2.5.7 Evacuation

Shall include methods of evacuation to be used for the typical passenger, incapacitated passenger, common adaptive equipment, and non-ambulatory passenger

Operational Log

x.3.5.1 Operational Log

Daily inspection including loading and unloading platforms, seat height, ramps, and signs

All Passenger Types

x.3.6.1 Dexterity and ability

Shall be presumed to have sufficient skiing ability, physical dexterity, or personal assistance to negotiate and be evacuated from the aerial tramway safely

Conveyors -- Belt Width

8.1.1.3.1 Conveyor belt length/width

Minimum conveyor belt width 22 in.

Conveyors -- Path Width

8.1.1.3.2 Path width

A minimum clear walking surface that should be snow for skiers along both sides of the conveyor shall be 18 in. wide as a minimum measured from the exposed edge of the belt

Acknowledgments

National Ski Areas Association

Sid Roslund
ANSI B77 Committee Administrator

Peter Axelson
ANSI B77 ADA Ad Hoc Chair
Beneficial Designs, Inc.

The information in this thread was found on the Beneficial Designs website.