Shafts. Par. 1. - Elevators and hoists for freight which do not run above the first story may be constructed without fireproof enclosures. Freight and passenger elevators may be placed in areas or hallways where the same are continuous and unbroken, such elevators to be protected by metal grille. Except as above provided, all shafts for elevators, hoists, dumb-waiters, lifts and shafts used for lighting and ventilating or other air ducts shall be constructed of incombustible materials; provided that in second and third class buildings not over four stories high, the shafts may be constructed of wood, terra cotta or gypsum blocks laid in mortar and plastered on both sides with at least three coats of cement plaster on metal lath. The bottom of all shafts shall be fire protected. All windows, or ceiling lights opening into such shafts shall have metal or metal covered fireproof frames and sash glazed with wire glass and arranged to close automatically in case of fire. Such shafts shall be carried at least three feet above the adjoining roof and there covered with a skylight, providing opening of a total area equal to the area of the shaft and glazed with hammered or ribbed glass, protected by wire screens on metal supports.

[1921, c. 289, sect. 4.1]

Gates, Rails, Trap Doors

Par. 2. - Every opening into a shaft or hoistway shall be protected by self-closing gates, rails, trap-doors, or other equivalent devices.

Safety Device

Par. 3. - Every elevator shall be provided with a safety attachment to prevent the falling of the car. The machinery over the elevator shall have underneath it a grille sufficient to protect the car from falling material.

Par. 4. - Every opening into an elevator shaft or hoistway and every opening through a floor, other than a stairway, shall be closed when not in use.

Outside Windows on Shafts

Par. 5. - All elevator shaft openings, other than openings into passenger elevator shafts, shall be furnished with metal covered or incombustible doors, hung in a manner satisfactory to the commissioner, and shall be provided with iron, thresholds. Wire glass panels may be used in such doors. Outside windows or openings of every elevator shaft shall have three vertical iron rods, painted red, equally spaced off in such window or opening.

Danger Signal

Par. 6. - Freight elevators shall be equipped with a suitable danger signal to warn people of the approach of the elevator.

Par. 7. - The space between the car and door of each landing shall be not more than two inches.

Par. 8. - No elevator shall be used in any building until the same is approved in writing by the commissioner.

Prohibition of Use

Par. 9. - In case any freight or passenger elevator is not constructed or furnished in compliance with this act, or has become unsafe, the commissioner shall post a conspicuous warning and prohibition at each entrance to such elevator. It shall thereafter, until a new written permit is given by the commissioner, be a penal offence hereunder to operate the said elevator, or to remove or deface the said notice.

Recess in Wall Prohibited - Platforms - Outside Openings

Par. 10. - Freight elevator wells hereafter built on the line of the external wall of a building shall be so constructed that there shall be no recess in the outer wall along the whole line of the same, and that no more than four inches space shall be allowed between the platform of the car and the outer wall. The side of the platform and the line of the door-way shall be flush with the well-way, and the door openings from the said elevator well into the building shall be placed at least six inches back from the face of the well, so as to allow space enough for self-closing gates to operate between the door and the well opening. Outside openings to freight elevators shall be protected by self-closing slatted gates, "vertical," with spaces not wider than two inches between the slats.

Speed Limit

Par. 11. - All elevators running at a speed of more than one hundred feet a minute, shall be operated by competent persons not less than eighteen years of age, and no other person shall operate or have the care or charge of such an elevator.

Age of Operator

Par. 12. - No elevator shall be operated by or placed in charge of any person under sixteen years of age.

Plans and Permit Required

Par. 13. - No elevator shall hereafter be installed in any building without a permit having been granted therefor, and the applicant shall submit a plan showing the proposed location of the shaftway, the area and situation of the machine room, and the said plan shall be filed as part of the records of the department. All elevators hereafter installed shall be located so as to give easy and safe access to all the principal parts of the machinery for inspection and repairs.

Over speed Governor

Par. 14. - All passenger elevators hereafter built, operated by drum and cables, shall have an overspeed governor to prevent the car from descending at overspeed, and all passenger and freight elevators shall have a slack cable device to stop the machinery in case the car is held up or the cables part.

Accident to be Re-ported

Par. 15. - If any accident shall occur to any elevator affecting life or limb or damaging any part of the machinery or running parts of the elevator, it shall be the duty of the engineer or superintendent in charge immediately, before any repairs are made, or any broken pieces are removed, to notify the commissioner of the accident, before the elevator is operated again, so that the cause of the accident may be determined, any faulty construction remedied, and satisfactory repairs made.

Par. 16. - All elevator cables hereafter installed that pass through bevelled sockets, the ends returning and refitting into the same, shall have in addition lead or babbitt metal poured into the ends of the socket, to prevent the possibility of the cable's slipping.

Manufacturers to Test Safety Devices

Par. 17. - All manufacturers of elevators shall be required to test, in the presence of an inspector, the safety devices of every elevator installed before the same is turned over to the owners for use, and the commissioner shall be notified by the manufacturer at least twenty-four hours before such test is made. An inspector may require a test of the safety device of any elevator if in his judgment the same is required.

Additional Safeguards

Par. 18. - The commissioner may require additional safeguards on elevators, if in his judgment the condition, use or surroundings of the elevator demand them.

P . 19. - The commissioner may, with the approval of the mayor, appoint competent elevator inspectors in addition to those already detailed, one for every one thousand elevators and hoistways in the city of Boston.

[See 1914, c. 782, sect. 6.]