4.2.1 All hoisting equipment is to be equipped with a suitable primary braking
device, mechanically operable under all operational load conditions. Proposals to make
use of hydraulic locking of the drive motor as brake will be specially considered;
however either the primary or the secondary brake is to be of the mechanical type.
4.2.2 Primary automatic type mechanical brakes are to be fitted to both the
hoisting and (where fitted) luffing winches.
4.2.3 The hoisting and (where fitted) luffing winches are to be equipped with mechanically and
operationally independent secondary braking systems. The secondary brake system is to
operate directly on the winch drum or drum shaft. Other proposals (e.g. a fully
independent load path) will be specially considered.
4.2.4 The secondary brake system is to arrest all motions when the lifting appliance operator
places the controls into the neutral position or in the event of an emergency (i.e.
power or control system failure, emergency stop activated) during handling of personnel
operations. The control system for these secondary brakes is to be independent of the
primary brake. Both primary and secondary brakes are to be automatically activated in
case of the emergency stop being activated or in the event of a power or control system
failure. For winches driven by two motors both fitted with integral brakes, a separate
secondary braking system is not required, provided that either motor/brake unit can
provide the full personnel braking torque required by this Code and provided that the
load path of both motors are independent of each other. Proposals which engage more than
two motors will be specially considered.
4.2.5 The winch brakes are to be fitted with a manual override and means are to be provided to
enable the recovery (hoisting or lowering) of the lifted personnel to a safe location
from any position in the event of a power failure.
4.2.6 The primary and secondary braking devices are to be tested independently.
Each brake is to be statically tested to at least 1,5 times the un-factored load for
personnel handling and dynamically tested to at least 1,1 times the un-factored load for
personnel handling. The speeds at which the brakes are to be tested are as follows:
- For the static test, the brakes shall be applied with the
winch at standstill; and
- for the dynamic test, the brakes shall be applied with the
winch running at nominal speed until the winch reaches standstill.
4.2.9 Any speed-change gearbox fitted is to be of the constant mesh type such that
it is not possible to change the gear ratio while there is any load on the lifting
system.
4.2.10 Clutches or other means of disengaging the drive train are not to be fitted
for this type of operation.
4.2.11 Vertical accelerations, i.e. due to hoisting, lowering and emergency stop, which will
harm personnel being handled by the lifting appliance, shall be avoided. The vertical
acceleration shall not be in excess of the below given limits:
- Normal operation (hoisting or lowering): ±1,5
m/s2;
- Emergency stop: 1,0g.
The lifting appliance system needs to be designed to withstand these maximum
accelerations. The maximum hoisting or lowering speed shall be limited to 1,0 m/s. The
basket or carrier being used for the handling of personnel is to be designed to a
recognised National or International Standard and is to be certified for this purpose,
see
Ch 4, 6.2 General requirements 6.2.3.