Information Bulletin: Adoption of the CSA Z98–14 Passenger Ropeway and Passenger Conveyor Safety Standard

The Elevating Devices Safety Regulation has been amended as of November 18, 2015 to adopt the CSA Z98 – 14 Passenger Ropeway & Passenger Conveyor Safety Standard for use in British Columbia. The regulation also adopts the inclusion of Annexes A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I and K as mandatory. Passenger ropeways or passenger conveyors which are new or relocated and installed after December 31, 2015 shall meet the requirements of all sections of the new CSA Z98 – 14 Passenger Ropeway & Passenger Conveyor Safety Standard. Existing installations are expected to meet the operation, maintenance, and testing requirements of the new CSA Z98 – 14 standard as per the requirements of clause 1.4 of the aforementioned standard.

If you are altering an existing passenger ropeway or passenger conveyor after December 31, 2015, please contact British Columbia Safety Authority (BCSA) to determine which sections of the adopted CSA Z98 – 14 standard would apply to the alteration, in addition to those referenced above.

A summary of some notable changes from the previous edition are listed in the preface of the new standard on page 15. Please ensure that your operation and maintenance personnel are aware of the changes to the operation, maintenance and testing requirements and that these changes are reflected in your company’s standard operating procedures.

For companies operating above-surface circulating passenger ropeways, the requirements of clause 6.6, braking system deceleration rates, shall apply to new or relocated ropeways. Existing above-surface passenger ropeways must continue to meet the deceleration rates of the standard that was enforced when the passenger ropeway was installed, unless a variance has been issued relating to deceleration rates. In order to change deceleration to meet the Z98-14 standard on your existing passenger ropeway, an alteration installation permit must be obtained and the manufacturer or a BC-licensed professional engineer must provide a technical submission to support the alteration. Please contact a BCSA  safety officer for more guidance on changing rates of deceleration.

Operators of above-surface ropeways shall be required to meet the requirements of clause 13.16.2.4(l), automatic belay devices, before the start of the 2016 – 2017 winter operating season.

Please contact a BCSA safety officer or the undersigned for any questions or clarifications you may require.

Jason Gill
Provincial Safety Manager – Elevating, Ropeways, & Amusement