Water Intrusion Safety Order for All Ropeways

For all operators of reversible passenger ropeways, circulating above surface passenger ropeways with either fixed or detachable grips and all surface passenger ropeways (T-Bars, Platter Lifts etc.). Specifically, any passenger ropeway identified above not affected by Safety Order SO-P4 091002 issued October 2, 2009.

This safety order is being issued pursuant to section 31 of the Safety Standards Act. A person affected by this safety order may appeal this order, in writing, to the Safety Standards Appeal Board in accordance with Section 51 of the Safety Standards Act. It is an offence under section 72 not to comply with a safety order.

Part 1: Details of regulated work or regulated product

This safety order applies to all operators of reversible passenger ropeways, circulating above surface passenger ropeways with either fixed or detachable grips and all surface passenger ropeways (T-Bars, Platter Lifts etc.). Specifically, any passenger ropeway identified above not affected by Safety Order SO-P4 091002 issued October 2, 2009.

Over the last 18 months the BC Safety Authority has been investigating an incident where a tower failed on an 8 passenger detachable gondola due to water intrusion and the subsequent expansion of ice within the tower structure. The manufacturer of the 8 passenger gondola, Doppelmayr CTEC, issued a bulletin entitled “Tower Failure Due to Water Intrusion” in December of 2008. The BC Safety Authority issued Safety Order No. SO-P4 091002 1 DOPPELMAYR CTEC SAFETY ALERT BULLETIN SA-08-021 WOLFURT KD08003E on October 2, 2009 which references the above bulletin. Doppelmayr CTEC instructed all of its affected customers worldwide to provide drain holes in all tower tubes or other hollow structures with a sealed base. This included installations that Doppelmayr CTEC has taken over service responsibility for through business acquisitions such as Hall, Von Roll, Thiokol, CTEC and Garaventa CTEC. This strategy has been deemed the most effective means to ensure that no water accumulates within these structures to prevent the possibility of ice forming.

Based on data collected from the above actions required by the manufacturer of these installations it has been determined that prescribed “resonance” or “dead-blow hammer tests” are too subjective and are not always effective at detecting water intrusion in tower structures.

Part 2: Requirement(s) of this safety order

All passenger ropeway contractors operating the types of passenger ropeways above that were not affected by Safety Order No. SO-P4 091002 1 DOPPELMAYR CTEC SAFETY ALERT BULLETIN SA-08-021 WOLFURT KD08003E, issued October 2, 2009, that do not already have provisions for the evacuation of water from within tower tubes or other hollow steel station structures with a sealed base must complete the following by November 15, 2010.

1. Provide a method for the evacuation of water from within tower tubes or other hollow steel station structures with a sealed base. The manufacturer of the installation must be contacted to provide instruction on the method to be used to ensure the evacuation of potential accumulations of water from within these structures.
2. In the absence of the manufacturer a professional engineer licensed in BC shall be consulted to determine the method to be used to ensure the evacuation of potential accumulations of water within tower tubes or other hollow steel station structures with a sealed base.
3. Towers constructed of two or more enclosed tube sections must have a method for the evacuation of water installed in each section unless drawing details show that upper sections are open on the bottom end to allow for drainage into the lowest tube section.
4. Any tower tubes or other steel hollow station structures with a sealed base that contain concrete shall have the drainage method installed just above the top of concrete.
5. An inspection program must be implemented to ensure that these drainage systems are functioning correctly and that no water has accumulated prior to each winter season. These inspections must be recorded in maintenance logs.
6. Submit to the BC Safety Authority documentation from the manufacturer or a professional engineer licensed in BC that identifies the method for the evacuation of water. An example of this would be a drawing or instruction that identifies the method to be used and where on the tower or other steel structure that the drainage method would be installed. Any documents submitted by a professional engineer licensed in BC must include their engineering seal.
7. Submit the attached Safety Order Response form and identify all passenger ropeway installations affected by this Safety Order with their registration number.
8. Identify any passenger ropeways, with their registration number, that were found to have experienced water intrusion when implementing the actions required by this safety order. Submit findings to the BCSA.
9. If a method for the evacuation of water is already in place on your passenger ropeway tower and station structures then please indicate this on your response form and identify each passenger ropeway by registration number.

If you have any questions with regard to the interpretation of this Safety Order please contact you local Passenger Ropeway Safety Officer or the Provincial Safety Manager.

Part 3: Details of issue

This safety order is being issued to the following: All Passenger Ropeway Contractors operating above surface and surface passenger ropeways.

Part 4: Details of ordering Safety Manager or Safety Officer – please read following page

I certify that I am authorized to issue this safety order in accordance with section 15 (d) of the Safety Standards Act or that I have been delegated this power under section 15 (g) of the Safety Standards Act.

Jason Gill Date: July 8, 2010

Provincial Safety Manager, Passenger Ropeways and Amusement Devices

References:

Safety Standards Act