ISSUE: ASME / B44 Requirements 2.19.1.2 (a) (4) and 2.19.2.2 (a) (4), require that if the Rope Gripper is triggered because of a fault, it must be manually reset. Hollister Whitney assumes that these requirements are in place so that a qualified technician assesses and corrects the fault before the car is placed back into service.

POTENTIAL PROBLEM: If a technician does not correct the fault before the car is returned to service (Rope Gripper is reset), it is possible that the car can begin to move. If the fault was caused by a brake failure, it is possible that the car could reach high speeds, and/or fall into the pit or overhead before it is stopped.

RECOMMENDATION: Elevator control manufacturers should understand this situation and make sure that in their Rope Gripper reset procedure there is a provision to give the technician control over the potential for a car to fall up or down when the Rope Gripper is manually released (reset).

One solution might be to have a maintained pressure button for Rope Gripper reset. Release of this button prior to some short preset period of time would then reapply the Rope Gripper

If you have any questions about this bulletin, please call Hollister Whitney at 217-222-0466