Compliance Standards for Above-Surface Passenger Ropeways
IMPORTANT: These Compliance Standards will go into effect in 2023.
Read more: New Launch Date for TSSA's Elevating Devices Safety Program Compliance Standards
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Compliance standards are lists of high-risk non-compliances associated with various devices. On periodic inspections, TSSA will only follow-up on these high-risk non-compliances; however, regulated parties should recognize these high-risk non-compliances as items that need to be immediately addressed at any time. Other non-compliances do not pose the same level of risk but should be addressed in accordance with the timeline outlined in the compliance standard and indicated by the inspector. For more information, visit Compliance Standards - What, Why and Benefits.
Owners and operators are responsible for verifying that proper operating and maintenance procedures are being followed to ensure public safety, and have specific responsibilities for conveyor device safety under Ontario Regulation 209/01: Elevating Devices.
Important Reminders
Certified Mechanics
- No person shall undertake any work on a ski lift unless the person is employed by a contractor and is either a mechanic or a mechanic-in-training working under the supervision of a mechanic
- A person may be involved in a task that is ancillary or incidental to the installation or maintenance of a ski lift provided he or she is supervised by a mechanic
Preseason Inspection
- Licence holders shall perform and document their preseason inspection to confirm compliance with Part 5 of the Elevating Devices Code Adoption Document.
TSSA Periodic and Operational Inspections
- TSSA periodic inspections are scheduled on a risk informed basis. Contact your local inspector to confirm if your lift is scheduled for inspection. Arrangements for inspections should be made with TSSA, preferably prior to the start of the season, to minimize any potential disruptions to your operation.
- An operational inspection may be required for your lift and it will be conducted during the ski season. Please have a copy of your preseason inspection at the ski area so it is available for the TSSA Inspector. The Inspector will check:
- The device is only operated and attended by trained and competent personnel
- The operator/attendant is located where they can observe the ropeway/conveyor operation and can immediately access stopping and communication devices
- That a second attendant is located at the unloading area where a single operator is not able to maintain surveillance of the entire pathway
- That provisions are made to readily load or unload or assist passengers who fail to load or unload
Aging Ski Lift Engineering Review and Assessments
- Aging Ski Lift Assessments are required for lifts once they reach 15 years of age. To determine if your device is due for an assessment, view the Aging Ski Lift Periodic Engineering Review and Assessment Schedule.
Compliance Standards / High-Risk Items for Above-Surface Passenger Ropeways
During the periodic inspection, TSSA will be checking the following items and orders will be issued for non-compliance.
Note: In some circumstances, orders may be issued where high-risk safety hazards are discovered which are not identified in this standard.
- SHUT DOWN- means if the item is deficient and will result in an order for immediate compliance (0 days for the compliance time):
- Remove the device from service and
- Repair before putting it back into service
- A repair can be done immediately during the maintenance unless it is a reportable incident according to the Incident Reporting Guidelines. Even if it is a reportable incident, a TSSA Supervisor, Incident Management Specialist or Investigator can authorize an immediate repair
- REPAIR / REPLACE - means if the item is deficient and will result in an order with a 14-day time period for compliance:
- Fix as needed
General
- REPAIR / REPLACE - If the licence has expired.
Machine/Control Room
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If the Machine/Control Room access, ladders, walkways and handrails have not been cleared of snow and ice.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the Machine/Control Room lighting is not adequate or is not working.
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If the Machine/Control Room emergency lighting is not adequate or is not working.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the Machine/Control Room door is not lockable.
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If the Machine Room flooring is not in place as designed.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the Machine/Control Room stop switches are not operative.
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If the Machine/Control room smoke detectors are not operative.
Controller
- SHUT-DOWN – If lift does not stop when a ground fault has been detected (all relevant devices).
- SHUT-DOWN – If any electrical protective devices are not operative (jumpers including fuses).
- SHUT-DOWN – If any bypass switch does not require continued physical effort to operate. (Allowed in Evacuation Mode).
- SHUT-DOWN – If overspeed device is not operative.
- SHUT-DOWN – If any required switches and emergency stopping devices are not operative when the evacuation drive is in use.
- SHUT-DOWN – If flow-limiting devices are not operative.
- SHUT-DOWN – If service / emergency stop buttons are not operative.
- SHUT-DOWN – If synchronization means for the conveyor loading is not operative (when both conveyor and lift are being operative).
Emergency or Service Brake
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If emergency or service brake stopping distance and time is not in accordance with the table in Annex J of CSA-Z98 standard.
Minimum and Maximum Stopping Times and DistancesTable J.1 (See Clause J.1) |
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| Speed, m/s | Time, s | Distance, m | ||
| Maximum | Minimum | Maximum | Minimum | |
| 5.5 | 18.33 | 3.67 | 50.4 | 10.1 |
| 5.4 | 18 | 3.6 | 48.6 | 9.7 |
| 5.3 | 17.66 | 3.54 | 46.8 | 9.4 |
| 5.2 | 17.33 | 3.47 | 45.1 | 9 |
| 5.1 | 17 | 3.4 | 43.4 | 8.7 |
| 5.0 | 16.66 | 3.34 | 41.7 | 8.4 |
| 4.9 | 16.33 | 3.27 | 40 | 8 |
| 4.8 | 16 | 3.2 | 38.4 | 7.7 |
| 4.7 | 15.66 | 3.14 | 36.8 | 7.4 |
| 4.6 | 15.33 | 3.07 | 35.3 | 7.1 |
| 4.5 | 15 | 3 | 33.8 | 6.8 |
| 4.4 | 14.66 | 2.94 | 32.3 | 6.5.2 |
| 4.3 | 14.33 | 2.87 | 30.8 | 6 |
| 4.2 | 14 | 2.8 | 29.4 | 5.9 |
| 4.1 | 13.66 | 2.74 | 28 | 5.6 |
| 4.0 | 13.33 | 2.67 | 26.7 | 5.3 |
| 3.9 | 13 | 2.61 | 25.4 | 5.1 |
| 3.8 | 12.66 | 2.54 | 24.1 | 4.8 |
| 3.7 | 12.33 | 2.47 | 22.8 | 4.6 |
| 3.6 | 12 | 2.41 | 21.6 | 4.3 |
| 3.5 | 11.66 | 2.34 | 20.4 | 4.1 |
| 3.4 | 11.33 | 2.27 | 19.3 | 3.9 |
| 3.3 | 11 | 2.21 | 18.2 | 3.6 |
| 3.2 | 10.66 | 2.14 | 17.1 | 3.4 |
| 3.1 | 10.33 | 2.07 | 16 | 3.2 |
| 3.0 | 10 | 2.01 | 15 | 3 |
| 2.9 | 9.66 | 1.94 | 14 | 2.8 |
| 2.8 | 9.33 | 1.87 | 13.1 | 2.6 |
| 2.7 | 9 | 1.81 | 12.2 | 2.4 |
| 2.6 | 8.66 | 1.74 | 11.3 | 2.3 |
| 2.5 | 8.33 | 1.67 | 10.4 | 2.1 |
| 2.4 | 8 | 1.61 | 9.6 | 1.9 |
| 2.3 | 7.66 | 1.54 | 8.8 | 1.8 |
| 2.2 | 7.33 | 1.47 | 8.1 | 1.6 |
| 2.1 | 7 | 1.41 | 7.4 | 1.5 |
| 2.0 | 6.66 | 1.34 | 6.7 | 1.3 |
| 1.9 | 6.33 | 1.27 | 6 | 1.2 |
| 1.8 | 6 | 1.21 | 5.4 | 1.1 |
| 1.7 | 5.66 | 1.14 | 4.8 | 1 |
| 1.6 | 5.33 | 1.07 | 4.3 | 0.9 |
| 1.5 | 5 | 1.01 | 3.8 | 0.8 |
| 1.4 | 4.66 | 0.94 | 3.3 | 0.7 |
| 1.3 | 4.33 | 0.87 | 2.8 | 0.6 |
| 1.2 | 4 | 0.81 | 2.4 | 0.5 |
- SHUT-DOWN – If emergency or service brake surface is contaminated (oil/dirt).
- SHUT-DOWN – If emergency brake is not activated when a 15% overspeed has been detected (for devices installed under the Z98S2-04 and later additions)
- SHUT-DOWN – If emergency or service brake is not providing the correct braking force as specified by the manufacturer.
Anti-Rollback Device
- SHUT-DOWN – If the anti-rollback device is not free moving or is not operative.
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If the anti-rollback device is not actuated by unintended reversal of the drive sheave (not more than 200 millimetres for devices installed before the 2014 code and not more than 500 millimetres for devices installed under the 2014 code - measured at the circumference).
Evacuation Drive
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If the evacuation drive fuel tank does not have the correct capacity to unload the full length of the ropeway without re-fueling.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the evacuation drive is not operative (includes connections).
Drive and Return Sheaves - Bull Wheels
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If there is no means to retain drive and return sheaves in their approximate operating positions in the event of bearing, shaft, or hub failure.
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If sheaves are found to have structural defects.
Tensioning Systems
- SHUT-DOWN – If carriage limit switch is not operative.
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If carriage limit switch is not adjusted properly (to stop within 150 millimetres of the physical limits of the carriage).
Hydraulic Tensioning
- SHUT-DOWN – If the relief valve is not operational once the pressure is 10% above that at which the valve opens or the rating noted in the acceptance test procedure/maintenance manual.
- SHUT-DOWN – If high or low pressure limiting devices are not operative.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the velocity fuse is not operative.
Counterweight
- SHUT-DOWN – If the counterweight is not in full suspension at all times during operation.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the counterweight travel switch is not operative.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the counterweight tensioning ropes are not adjusted to provide at least 150 millimetres of remaining carriage travel when the counterweight reaches its upper or lower limits.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the counterweight wire rope is damaged.
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If the annual visual non-destructive testing (NDT) of the whole length of the counterweight rope and its connections was not completed.
- REPAIR / REPLACE – The three year or exceeding 4,000 hours non-destructive testing (NDT) (MRT) of the counterweight rope has not been completed.
For devices that fall under Bulletin LPC 2003-004
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If annual non-destructive testing (NDT) was not completed as per the bulletin.
Communication Systems
- SHUT-DOWN – If communication systems are not operative at the unloading and loading area.
Tower Clearance
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If hanging tree limbs are encroaching or contacting the carriers.
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If any ski tip deflectors are missing.
Towers and Equipment
- SHUT-DOWN – If the tower or station de-ropement switch is not operative.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the tower de-ropement switches are not of sufficient length in order to stop the ropeway if the rope leaves its normal running position.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the rope position switch is not adjusted to ensure the ropeway will stop when the rope is out of position.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the tower has structural defects.
Sheaves
- SHUT-DOWN – If any electrical protective device on the tower sheave assembly is not operative.
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If the tower sheave assembly is damaged, worn or bent.
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If the tower sheave assembly is not aligned correctly.
Grips
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If the non-destructive testing (NDT) of a minimum 20% or ten grips, whichever is greater, is not completed (including grips or inserts, hangers, and critical carrier location).
- SHUT-DOWN – If the slip test of the grip is not within specification.
- SHUT-DOWN – If grips have structural damage.
Chairs
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If the correct number of carriers are not installed on the line as per the design submission.
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If clearance of four metres is not being maintained from the bottom of the carrier to the snow profile, ground or any obstructions where persons are permitted.
- SHUT-DOWN – If chairs have structural defects including welds, seats, safety bars or missing/damaged fasteners.
Detachable Chairs
- SHUT-DOWN – If the anti-collision system is not operative.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the ropeway does not stop when:
- There is a failure of the speed synchronization between the carrier and rope speed
- There is a failure in the system that ensures correct carrier spacing
- The grip force monitor detects the grip is below the specified value
- SHUT-DOWN – If rail switches are not operative when the rails are in the open position.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the lanyard emergency stop cord is not operative.
Haul Rope
- SHUT-DOWN – If the haul rope has:
- A damaged section
- An area where the diameter is below the acceptable loss
- More than the allowable number of broken wires found at the tucks
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If the haul rope splice has significant distortion of the rope at the tuck or splice location or it has signs of slipping.
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If the three year or exceeding 4,000 hours non-destructive testing (magnetic rope testing (MRT)) of the haul rope has not been completed.
Safety Gate
- SHUT-DOWN – If the safety gate does not have a means to detect a footrest in the down position before it reaches the load point.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the safety gate is not located as close to the unload point as practicable.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the safety gate is not at least 1.5 times the maximum stopping distance from the bull wheel.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the safety gate is not operative.
Operation
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If the line equipment or carriers are not cleared of ice and snow.
Contact(s)