ASME RULES & GUIDELINES
Brugg Wire Rope, LLC
The American Society of Mechanical
Engineers is one of the most highly respected
organizations of engineers in the world. Focused on
keeping mechanical engineers current in the latest
technical, educational and research issues in various
fields of engineering (including the elevator industry),
the ASME sets internationally recognized industrial
and manufacturing codes and standards to enhance
public safety.
As part of Brugg Wire Rope’s continuing efforts
towards increasing the industry’s level of knowledge
and awareness in proper technique and procedure,
we offer a summation of relevant guidelines and
changes to previous ASME materials (ASME A17.1-
2004 and CSA B44-04) detailing areas we deem
vital. This is offered as a courtesy to all professionals
but should not be construed as a substitute for
consulting a full edition of ASME A17.1-2007/CSA
B44-07, which contains full requirements for :
elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, moving walks,
material lifts and dumbwaiters with automatic transfer
devices. (The materials quoted herein will remain
current, with occasional addenda, until 2010.)
As most are aware, ASME guidelines are
typically packed with minute detail making them at
times tedious to read and hard for even the most
experienced professional to follow readily. In order to
make it easier for users to locate relevant topics each
section offers brief summations of ASME materials
providing a useful overview of each section. It is our
hope that the information provided will be of interest
and prove useful to you in your efforts.
ONLY ROPES CLASSIFIED
AS ELEVATOR ROPES SHALL
BE USED IN INSTALLATIONS
AND UPON THEIR REPLACEMENT
SHOULD NEVER BE REUSED.
ASME A17.1-2007/CSA B44-07
Part 2: Electric Elevators
Section 2.20 Suspension Ropes and their
Connections.
2.20.1 Suspension Means
Elevator cars shall be suspended by
steel wire ropes attached to the car frame or passing
around sheaves attached to the car frame specified
in 2.15.1. Ropes that have been previously installed
and used on another installation shall not be reused.
Only iron (low-carbon steel) or steel wire ropes,
having the commercial classification “Elevator Wire
Rope,” or wire rope specifically constructed for eleva-
tor use, shall be used for the suspension of elevator
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cars and for the suspension of counterweights. The wire
material for ropes shall be manufactured by open-hearth
or electric furnace process or their equivalent.
ALL RELEVANT ROPE
DETAILS SHOULD BE
RECORDED ON A ROPE
DATA TAG UPON INITIAL
INSTALLATION AND
WITH EACH ROPE
REPLACEMENT THEREAFTER.
2.20.2 Wire Rope Data
2.20.2.2 On Rope Data Tag.
A metal data tag shall be securely attached
to one of the wire rope fastenings. This data tag
shall bear the following wire rope data:
(a) the diameter in millimeters (mm) or inches (in.)
(b) the manufacturer’s rated breaking strength
(c) the grade of material used
(d) the month and year the ropes were installed
(e) the month and year the ropes were first shortened
(f) whether the ropes were nonpreformed or preformed
(g) construction classification
(h) name of the person or organization who
installed the ropes
(i) name or trademark of the manufacturer of the ropes
(j) lubrication information
A new tag shall be installed at each rope renewal.
The material and marking of the rope data tag
shall conform to 2.16.3.3, except that the height
of the letters and figures shall be not less than 1.5
mm (0.06 in.).
CAREFUL ATTENTION MUST
BE PAID DURING SOCKETING
TO AVOID TWISTING, UNTWISTING
OR KINKING WIRE ROPES.
Section 2.20.9.7.1 Handling
The Rope to be socketed shall be carefully
handled to prevent twisting, untwisting or kinking.
PRIOR TO SOCKETING,
NONPREFORMED ROPES
MUST BE SEIZED THREE
TIMES ON EACH SIDE OF
THE CUT WHILE PREFORMED
ROPES SHALL BE SEIZED
A MINIMUM OF AT LEAST ONCE
ON EITHER SIDE OF THE CUT.
2.20.9.7.2 Seizing of Rope Ends
The rope ends to be socketed shall be seized
before cutting with seizing in accordance with the
following:
(a) The seizing shall be done with annealed iron
wire, provided that other methods of seizing be
permitted, that give the same protection from loss
of rope lay. Where iron wire is used for seizing, the
length of each seizing shall not be less than the
diameter of the rope.
(b) For nonpreformed rope, the seizings shall be
made at each side of the cut end of the rope,
and the second seizing shall be placed back from
the first the length of the end to be turned in.
The third seizing shall be at a distance from the
second equal to the length of the tapered portion
of the socket.
(c) For preformed rope one seizing shall be made
at each side of the cut in the rope. The seizing
shall be at a distance from the end of the rope
equal to the length of the tapered portion of the
socket plus the length of the portion of the rope to
be turned in.
A WRITTEN MAINTENANCE
CONTROL PROGRAM MUST
BE ESTABLISHED AND RIGIDLY
FOLLOWED TO INSURE THAT
ALL INSTALLATION EQUIPMENT
REMAINS IN COMPLIANCE.
Section 8.6 Maintenance,
Repair, and Replacement
8.6.1.2 General Maintenance Requirements
Brugg Lifting_Brugg Wire Rope 0311
8.6.1.2.1
A written Maintenance Control Program shall be
in place to maintain the equipment in compliance
with the requirements of 8.6.
(a) The Maintenance Control Program shall
consist of but not be limited to
 ASME RULES & GUIDELINES

(1) examinations, maintenance, and tests of equip- be taken out of service until the defective part has DATA TAGS FOR REPLACEMENT
ment at scheduled intervals in order to ensure that been adjusted, repaired or replaced. ROPES SHALL BE AFFIXED TO
the installation conforms to the requirements of 8.6. THOSE REPLACEMENT ROPES
The maintenance procedures and intervals shall be SPLICING IS NEVER AN
based on ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATIVE FOR 8.6.3.2.2
(a) equipment age, condition, and accumulated wear LENGTHENING OR REPAIRING
SUSPENSION, GOVERNOR AND The replacement rope shall be provided with a
(b) design and inherent quality of the equipment COMPENSATION ROPES. wire rope data tag conforming to 2.20.2.2.

(c) usage 8.6.2.5 Repair of Ropes. IT IS NEVER ACCEPTABLE

TO REPLACE A SINGLE
(d) environmental conditions Suspension, governor, and compensating ropes DAMAGED ROPE WITH A
shall not be lengthened or repaired by splicing (see NEW ONE IF THAT SET OF
(e) improved technology 8.7.2.21). ROPES HAS ALREADY BEEN
SHORTENED SINCE ITS
(f) the manufacturer’s recommendations for any IF A PART FEATURES REDUCED ORIGINAL INSTALLATION.
SIL rated devices or circuits STRENGTH, OR OFFERS DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS NOT EQUAL TO 8.6.3.2.3
(2) cleaning, lubricating and adjusting applicable THE ORIGINAL TO BE REPLACED,
components at regular intervals and repairing or IT IS NOT TO BE USED. The suspension ropes, including the damaged
replacing all worn or defective components where rope, shall not have been shortened since their
necessary to maintain the installation in compliance 8.6.3 Replacements original installation.
with the requirements of 8.6. 8.6.3.1 Replacement Parts.

(b) The instructions for locating the Maintenance Replacements shall be made with parts of at YOU MAY NOT REPLACE A SINGLE
Control Program shall be provided in or on the least equivalent material strength and design. DAMAGED ROPE WITH A NEW ONE
controller along with instructions on how to report
IF ANY OF THE REMAINING ROPES
EXCEPT IN AN INSTANCE MEASURE LESS THAN THE NOMINAL
any corrective action that might be necessary to WHERE A ROPE REVEALS DIAMETER MINUS 0.4 MM (0.014 IN.).
the responsible party. DAMAGE PRIOR TO FINAL ACCEP-
TANCE TESTING— 8.6.3.2.4
(c) The maintenance records shall be required IF ONE ROPE FROM A SET EXHIB-
by 8.6.1.4 shall be kept at a central location. ITS SIGNS OF WEAR The diameter of any of the remaining ropes
OR DAMAGE, THE ENTIRE shall not be less than the nominal diameter minus
(d) The Maintenance Control Program shall be SET MUST BE REPLACED. 0.4 mm (0.015 in.).
accessible to the elevator personnel and shall
document compliance with 8.6. 8.6.3.2 TENSIONING MUST BE
CHECKED ROUTINELY, IF PROPER
(e) Procedures for tests, periodic inspections, Replacement of a Single Suspension Rope. EQUALIZATION CANNOT BE
maintenance, replacements, adjustments, and MAINTAINED SIX MONTHS AFTER
repairs for all SIL rated E/E/PES electrical protective If one rope of a set is worn or damaged and THE INSTALLATION OF A SET
devices and circuits shall be incorporated into and requires replacement, the entire set of ropes shall OF ROPES, THAT SET MUST
made part of the Maintenance Control Program. be replaced, except, where one rope is damaged BE REPLACED.
See 2.26.4.3.2, 2.26.9.4 (b), 2.26.9.5.1 (b), and during installation or acceptance testing prior to
2.26.9.6.1 (b). be subjected to elevator service, it shall be 8.6.3.2.5
permissible to replace a single damaged rope
(f) Where unique or product-specific procedures or The tension of the new replacement rope shall be
with a new one, provided that the requirements of
methods are required to inspect or test equipment, checked and adjusted as necessary at semi-monthly
8.6.3.2.1 through 8.6.3.2.6 are met.
such procedures or methods shall be included in the intervals over a period of not less than two months after
Maintenance Control Program. installation. If proper equalization of rope tension cannot
be maintained after 6 months, the entire set of hoist
WHENEVER A DEFECTIVE PART WHEN YOU REPLACE A ropes shall be replaced.
AFFECTING AN OPERATION’S HOIST ROPE RECORD ALL
SAFETY IS IDENTIFIED, SUCH VITAL DATA UPON THE DATA TAG. REPLACEMENT ROPES MUST
EQUIPMENT MUST BE TAKEN OUT UTILIZE THE SAME FASTENING
8.6.3.2.1 AS OTHER ROPES IN THE SET.
OF SERVICE UNTIL ALL REPAIRS
HAVE BEEN COMPLETED. The wire rope data for the replacement rope 8.6.3.2.6
8.6.1.2.2 must correspond to the wire rope data specified
in 2.20.2.2 (a), (b), (c), (f), and (g) for the other The replacement rope shall be provided with the
Where a defective part directly affecting the safety ropes. same type of suspension-rope fastening used with
of the operation is identified, the equipment shall the other ropes.

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 ASME RULES & GUIDELINES

Brugg Wire Rope, LLC

WHEN REPLACING ROPES NEVER REPLACE ONLY ONE BELT ANY LUBRICANT FOUND ON A
OTHER THAN GOVERNOR ROPES, OR CHAIN FROM A SET SHOWING GOVERNOR ROPE SHOULD BE
ALL ROPES MUST BE NEW, SIGNS OF DAMAGE. REMOVED COMPLETED OR THE
FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURER, GOVERNOR ROPE ITSELF MUST
SAME MATERIAL, GRADE 8.6.3.5 Belts and Chains BE REPLACED.
CONSTRUCTION AND DIAMETER
AS THE ORIGINAL SET— If one belt or chain is stretched beyond that 8.6.4.2 Governor Wire Ropes
DATA TAGS MUST BE CREATED. specified by manufacturer’s recommendation, or
is damaged so as to require replacement, the 8.6.4.2.2
8.6.3.3 Replacement of Ropes entire set shall be replaced. Sprockets and toothed
Other Than Governor Ropes sheaves shall also be replaced if worn beyond that Governor ropes shall not be lubricated after
specified in the manufacturer’s recommendations. installation. If lubricants have been applied to
8.6.3.3.1 governor ropes, they shall be replaced, or the
lubricant removed, and the governor and safety
Replacement of all ropes, except governor shall be tested as specified in 8.11.2.3.2 (b) and
ropes (see 8.6.3.4) shall conform to the following: SUSPENSION AND COMPENSATION 8.11.2.2.2.
ROPES SHALL BE KEPT CLEAN,
(a) Replacement ropes shall be as specified by WELL LUBRICATED AND PROPERLY WHEN EXISTING SHEAVES ARE TO
the original equipment manufacturer or be at least TENSIONED. BE USED WITH ROPES DIFFERENT
equivalent in strength, weight, and design. FROM THOSE ORIGINALLY
8.6.4.1 Suspension and SPECIFIED, EITHER THE ORIGINAL
(b) Ropes that been previously used in another Compensation Wire ropes ELEVATOR MANUFACTURER
installation shall not be reused. OR A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL
8.6.4.1.1 ENGINEER MUST CERTIFY THAT
(c) When replacing suspension, compensating, THOSE SHEAVES WILL BE ABLE TO
and card or drum counterweight ropes, all ropes Suspension and compensating ropes shall be MEET NEW CONDITIONS.
in a set shall be replaced, except as permitted by kept lubricated and clean so they can be visually
inspected. 8.7.2.21 Suspension Ropes
8.6.3.2.
and Their Connections
(d) The ropes in a set shall be new, all from the
8.6.4.1.2 8.7.2.21.1
same manufacturer, and of the same material,
grade construction, and diameter. Change in Ropes.
Precautions shall be taken in lubricating
(e) Data tags conforming to 2.20.2.2 shall be suspension wire ropes to prevent the loss of traction.
Lubrication shall be in accordance with instructions on Where the material grade, number or diameter
applied of ropes is changed, the new ropes and their
the rope data tag (see 2.20.2.2 (j)), if provided.
fastenings shall conform to 2.20. When existing
(f) Suspension, car, and drum counterweight rope
8.6.4.1.3 sheaves are retained using ropes different from
fastenings shall conform to 2.20.9.
those originally specified, the original elevator
Equal tension shall be maintained between manufacturer or a licensed professional engineer
individual ropes in each set. When suspension rope shall certify the sheave material to be satisfactory
THE SAME QUALITY GUIDELINES tension is checked or adjusted, an anti-rotation for the revised application.
FOLLOWED WHILE REPLACING device conforming to the requirements of 2.20.9.8
OTHER ELEVATOR ROPES SHALL shall be permitted. IF WIRE BREAKS ARE FOUND IN
BE USED WHEN REPLACING SUSPENSION AND COMPENSATION
GOVERNOR OR SAFETY ROPES. ROPES, OR IF ANY OF THE
FOLLOWING ROPE REMOVAL
8.6.3.4 Replacement GOVERNOR ROPES CRITERIA DETAILED BELOW ARE
of Governor or Safety Rope MUST BE KEPT CLEAN . ATTAINED, THEY SHOULD BE
REPLACED.
Brugg Lifting_Brugg Wire Rope 0311

8.6.3.4.1 8.6.4.2 Governor Wire Ropes

Governor shall be of the same size, material,
and construction as the rope specified by the
governor manufacturer, except that a rope of the
same size but of different material or construction
shall be permitted to be installed in conformance
with 8.7.2.19.
(cc) Wire Suspension and
8.6.4.2.1 Compensating Ropes (Item 3.23).
The ropes shall be kept clean (1) Wire suspension and compensating
ropes shall be replaced
(a) if the broken wires are equally distributed
among the strands, when the number of broken
wires per rope lay in the worst section of the rope

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 ASME RULES & GUIDELINES

Table 8.11.2.1.3(cc)(1) Wire Suspension and Compensation Ropes Table 8.11.2.1.3(cc)(3)

Types of A B C
Wire Rope [Note (1)] [Note (1)] [Note (1)]
Nominal Maximum Reduced
Size in inches (mm) Diameter in inches (mm)
6 x 19 class 24-30 8-12 12-20
8 x 19 class 32-40 10-16 16 -24 



 






   



GENERAL NOTE: 6 x 19 class rope has 6 strands with 


  



16 to 26 wires per strand. 8 x 19 class rope has 8 strands with
16 to 26 wires per strand. 



   

 

NOTE: 


 





(1) The upper limits may be used when inspections are 

 






made monthly by a competent person. 







 





 

 


exceeds the values shown in column A of Table

8.11.2.1.3 (cc) (1); or REPLACE COMPENSATION OR
GOVERNOR ROPES IF DIAMETERS
(b) if the distribution of broken wires is unequal, REGISTER LESS THAN THE
and broken wires predominated in one or two NOMINAL VALUES DETAILED IN
strands, when the number of broken wires per rope TABLE 8.12.2.1.3 (CC) 3
lay in the worst section of the rope exceeds the
(3) On any type of elevator, the suspension
values shown in column B of Table 8.11.2.1.3
compensation and governor ropes shall be replaced
(cc)(1) or
when their actual diameter is reduced below the
(c) if four or five wires, side by side, are broken value shown in Table 8.11.2.1.3(cc) 3.
across the crown of any strand, when the number
See Table 8.11.2.1.3 (cc) (3)
of broken wires per rope lay in the worst section of
rope exceeds values shown in column C of Table
8.11.2.1.3 (cc)(1); or
COATED HOIST ROPES ARE
(d) if in the judgment of the inspector, any unfavorable REQUIRED TO BE CHECKED VIA
condition, such as fretting corrosion (red dust or rouge), MAGNETIC FLUX TESTING AND
excessive wear of individual wires in the strands, THROUGH VISUAL EXAMINATION TO
unequal tension, poor sheave grooves, etc. exists, the VERIFY THEY ARE FREE FROM THE
criteria for broken wires will be reduced by 50% of PRESENCE OF BROKEN WIRES.
the values indicated in Table 8.11.2.1.3 (cc)(1) for
8.11.3.4 Periodic Test Requirements: Category 5
any of the three conditions described above; or
8.11.3.4.2
(e) if there is more than one valley break per rope
lay. Coated ropes shall be required to have a magnetic
flux test capable of detecting broken wires in addition
ROPES ON WINDING DRUM to a visual examination.
MACHINES SHOULD BE
REPLACED IF BROKEN WIRES
ARE DETECTED OR IF THERE IS
MORE THAN ONE VALLEY
BREAK PER ROPE LAY
(2) On winding drum machines, the rope
shall be replaced

(a) if the broken wires are equally distributed

among the strands, when the number of broken
wires per rope lay in the worst section of rope
exceeds 12 to 18; or

(b) if wire breaks predominate in one or two strands,

when the number of broken wires per rope lay in the
worst section of rope exceeds 6 to 12; or

(c) if there is more than one valley break per rope lay.

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