34 Pa. Code § 7.94 – Opening of doors.

(a) The cars of new sidewalk power-driven elevators shall be provided with a substantial guard or bow to open and close the sidewalk doors. Constant-pressure key switches on street landings of sidewalk elevators shall be used for the entire control of the elevator within the distance of travel from the sidewalk level necessary to open or completely close the sidewalk doors. Control from the car, lower, or intermediate landings is permitted only within the car travel which does not cause the sidewalk doors to open or close.
(b) The cars of existing power-driven sidewalk elevators shall be provided with a substantial guard or bow to open the sidewalk doors, or the sidewalk doors shall be arranged to open by hand. When a guard or bow is used, substantial removable railings at least 42 inches in height shall be placed at the sidewalk level, constructed, and installed so that the car-controlling mechanism is locked and the elevator car held immovable until the railing is placed in position. A constant-pressure key switch on the street landings of sidewalk elevators may also be used in lieu of guardrails. When doors are to be opened by hand, the controlling mechanism shall be arranged to hold the car immovable while the doors are being opened, and the removable railing may be dispensed with, if other conditions meet the requirements of subsection (c).
(c) Sidewalk protection shall be achieved in accordance with the following:
1. (1) New installations. The doors at the sidewalk level of all sidewalk elevators shall not be permitted to be in an open position when the car is not at the street or sidewalk level.
2. (2) All installations. The doors of all sidewalk elevators shall not be in an open position when the car is not at the street or sidewalk level unless the following are present:
  1. (i) There is a distance of at least 42 inches from the sidewalk to the top of the doors, when open, and the loading side of the shaftway is protected by a railing, bar, chain, or equivalent, at least 42 inches in height with a wire screen fastened below, the wire of which is at least No. 10 standard steel wire gauge.
  2. (ii) When doors are not sufficiently large to maintain a height of 42 inches and it is desired to leave them open when the car is away from the sidewalk, additional railings 42 inches in height with wire screen, shall be provided alongside the doors.