scope:

FOREWORD

This is the second edition of a Standard for elevator suspension and compensation systems as well as ropes for governor applications. This Standard has been developed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) to provide guidance to the elevator industry for the appropriate use of means for suspension, compensation, and governors. The second edition includes standards for three technologies for elevators, namely: steel wire ropes, aramid fiber ropes, and noncircular elastomeric-coated steel suspension members. Uniform standards for these important items are necessary to ensure consistent levels of safety and to provide guidance for the manufacturers of these items as well as the designers, manufacturers, installers, maintainers, and inspectors of elevator equipment.

As other technologies emerge and are deemed to be suitable for similar applications, this Standard will be expanded to include criteria for their usage.

In developing this Standard, experts were assembled from the steel wire rope, aramid fiber rope, and noncircular elastomeric-coated steel suspension members engineering and manufacturing fields. Relevant existing standards were studied during the development of this Standard and are referenced where appropriate. The scope of this Standard covers North American and international requirements in a comprehensive manner and does not conflict with existing American or international standards. This Standard is intended to be used in conjunction with the ASME A17.1/CSA B44, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, and related Codes and standards.

Steel Wire Rope for Elevators.

Steel wire rope has been used for many years in the elevator industry, for suspension, compensation, and governor applications.

Due to the large range of applications in this diverse market, many variations of steel wire ropes are in current use. Examples include rope of regular and lang lay, left and right lay, preformed and nonpreformed. Such ropes may be of a variety of wire materials, from iron to high tensile steel and may be of corrosion resistant construction. Various core materials including natural and synthetic fiber and steel may also be used. Nominal Imperial dimensions as well as SI dimensional ropes are used.

In recognition of the importance of this vital elevator component and the unique practices of the North American industry, this Standard was developed. This Standard covers the current applications and provides strength and material criteria as well as testing, compliance, inspection, replacement, and ordering information. Imperial and SI dimensions are addressed in the Standard. The purpose of this Standard is to enhance public safety and to provide guidance to manufacturers and users of steel wire rope.

Aramid Fiber Ropes and Elastomeric-Coated Steel Belts.

With the appearance in the market place of new suspension and compensation means technologies, such as aramid fiber ropes and noncircular elastomeric-coated steel suspension members for elevators, the need for standards that will ensure the safe application of these items became evident. This Standard addresses these important technologies.

In developing the standards, extensive test results were studied and the properties and durability of the new suspension and compensation means were examined. The work included visits to major laboratories at which all aspects of the noncircular elastomeric-coated steel suspension members were tested.

The work included a visit to the factory of a major manufacturer of aramid fiber and technical presentations by experts in this technology. The test work of a major laboratory and field results from the application of aramid fiber rope on elevators were also studied.

Test facilities where the noncircular elastomeric-coated steel suspension members were extensively tested on elevators were also visited. In addition, technical presentations on the noncircular elastomeric-coated steel suspension members regarding their construction and testing took place.

Tests on both aramid fiber ropes and noncircular elastomeric-coated steel suspension members included life, durability, resistance to damage, traction, replacement criteria, effects of the environment, and many other criteria. This work was extremely helpful in developing the standards and building confidence in the validity of the requirements. ASME A17.6-2017 was approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) on September 29, 2017. ASME A17.6-2022 was approved by the ANSI on October 10, 2022.