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FOREST SERVICE MANUAL
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS (WO)
WASHINGTON, DC
FSM 7300 – BUILDINGS AND OTHER STRUCTURES
CHAPTER 7320 – TRAMWAYS, SKI LIFTS, AND TOWS
Supplement No.: 7300-91-2
Effective Date: May 29, 1991
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: DAVID F. JOLLY
Regional Forester
Date Approved: 05/29/1991
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by title and calendar year.
Post by document; remove the entire document and replace it with this supplement. Retain this
transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last supplement to this title was
Supplement 7300-91-1 to FSM 7300.
New Document
Superseded Document(s)
(Supplement Number and
Effective Date)
7320
5 Pages
- Pages
Digest:
7320 – Provides Regional direction and guidance in design and construction of ski lifts and
tramways.
xxxx -
WO SUPPLEMENT 7300-91-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 05/29/1991
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
7320
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FSM 7300 – BUILDINGS AND OTHER STURCTURES
CHAPTER 7320
7320.2 - Objective.
To provide technical requirements in support of FSM 2340 and FSM 2720.
7320.3 - Policy.
4. The general inspection report will be used to monitor the permittee's lift facilities,
operations and maintenance, and records and reporting requirements specified in ANSI B77.1.
5. The permittee will notify the Authorized Officer of any accidents/incidents and
malfunctions or modifications related to aerial tramways for public operations. (See 7320.5
Definition) The holder shall submit the modifications designed by a Qualified Engineer to the
Authorized Officer for review and approval prior to resuming public operation.
7320.42 - Regional Forester.
1. The Director of Engineering will approve or disapprove designs for construction or
modification of aerial tramways.
2. The Regional Tramway Engineer will monitor the design submittals for completeness
and conformance with the ANSI B77.1 and FSM 7321.
7320.5 - Definitions.
4. Major Modification. Any structural failure and/or damage and/or replacement of
worn parts that meet the definition of a Lift Modification shall also meet the submittal
requirements.
7. Structural Failures and/or Damage. Any restoration, repair, or reconstruction required
because of structural failure and/or damage to the structure is considered a Lift Modification
under FSM 7320.5.
8. General Inspection. An inspection of the aerial tramway performed once a year or
every 2000 hours of operation as covered in ANSI B77.1.
9. Incident. Any occurrence which does not result in injury and is reported by way of
documentation in the daily operating log. For example, failure of deropement switch,
replacement of counter weight limit switch, and so forth unless it qualifies under any of the other
definitions.
WO SUPPLEMENT 7300-91-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 05/29/1991
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
7320
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FSM 7300 – BUILDINGS AND OTHER STURCTURES
CHAPTER 7320
10. Accident. Injury resulting from an aerial tramway malfunction and/or mechanical
failure.
11. Lift Malfunction. Mechanical or electrical problems that cause injury or have the
potential to cause injury; or which result in people being stranded on the lift for one-half hour or
more before they can be evacuated through a restart or with the use of auxiliary power; or which
requires lift evacuation with the use of ropes. Certain malfunctions may be considered structural
failures and/or damage.
7321.2 - Procedures.
7. The permit holder shall submit the modification approved by a Qualified Design
Engineer to the Authorized Officer for monitoring review and approval prior to resuming public
operation.
8. Design Submittals. The permit holder shall submit to the Authorized Officer three
complete sets of plans, specifications, and design calculations certified by a qualified design
engineer.
The items listed below shall be the minimum submittals of drawings, plans and specifications.
a. Lift Data. Type, design capacity and loading limitation, speed, gauge, number
and spacing of carriers, loading intervals and vertical rise.
b. Wire Rope Data. Size, grade, construction, ultimate strength, and factor of safety
for the main hauling rope, and if used, track rope and counterweight rope.
c. Profile and Tabulation of Wire Rope Loadings. Location of safety gates, towers,
terminals, ramps, housing structures, loaded cable position, line sheave assemblies.
Tabulated rope tension, magnitude and direction of reaction on both sides of each
tower, and midspan deflection of loaded cable under maximum and minimum
loading conditions.
e. Structures Drawings. Machinery arrangement, drive terminals, return terminals,
typical tower and tower design calculations, foundation drawings and calculations
for terminals and towers, foundation soils reports and test data, counter weight
details (if applicable), details of track cable saddles and supports, tower and terminal
carrier guides, line sheaves, carriers details and design requirements, drive and idler
sheave with shafts and bearings, prime movers, auxilary engine, speed reducer, open
gears, V-belts or drive system, couplings, clutch or torque converters, hydraulic
systems, service and emergency breaks, back stop, overspeed control, and speed
control arrangement and design.
WO SUPPLEMENT 7300-91-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 05/29/1991
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 7300 – BUILDINGS AND OTHER STURCTURES
CHAPTER 7320
f. Electrical and Communications. Schematic wiring diagram and a listing of
manufacturer's model, and size of all electrical components used in the supply,
control and communications circuit.
g. Automatic Safety Stops. Tower derailment switches, counter weight and/or
hydraulic tensoning devices, limit switches, passenger or carrier controls, safety
devices, safety gates, weather protection devices for mechanical and electrical
components, and provisions for grounding or lightning protection of towers and
bullwheels.
9. Construction and Construction Certification.
a. Preconstruction. Prior to start of construction, the permittee will designate in
writing the Construction Engineer and provide evidence of the Construction
Engineer's qualification for approval by the Regional Engineer.
b. Construction Work. The Construction Engineer is required to supervise and
direct the construction program. All inspection work shall be performed under the
direction of a qualified Construction Engineer. If the Construction Engineer will not
be in residence during construction, he may appoint a qualified inspector provided
that the inspector is Approved by Regional Engineer.
As a minimum, the Construction Engineer or his designated inspector should be on
the project to inspect the following construction elements:
(1) Inspection of tower and terminal excavation for differing soil conditions.
(2) Inspection of forms and reinforcing steel placement for tower and terminal
foundations.
(3) Inspection of concrete placement for all foundations.
(4) Inspection of the installation and splicing of wire rope.
(5) Monitoring of load test and post construction inspection.
c. Design Modification during Construction. Any modifications affecting the design
submittals shall be resubmitted for evaluation and approval by the Regional
Tramway Engineer prior to investigating the construction of the modification.
d. Post Construction. The Construction Engineer after performance of the postconstruction inspection shall provide a copy of the written report to the Authorized
Officer as a prerequisite for operational approval.
e. Load Test. The permit holder will notify the Authorized Officer 7 days before the
load test is to take place and provide the steps and procedures identifying the load
WO SUPPLEMENT 7300-91-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 05/29/1991
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 7300 – BUILDINGS AND OTHER STURCTURES
CHAPTER 7320
test requirements. Prior to the load test at least 2 days notice will be provided to the
Regional Tramway Engineer for monitoring.
At the time of the load test, the permittee will provide the following:
(1) Certification of wire rope and splicing for installation of wire rope.
(2) Manufacturer's certification of wire rope.
(3) Certification of wire rope test.
(4) Certification of construction in conformance with plans and specifications.
7322 - MONITORING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS.
3. If the Forest Service evaluation of the General Inspection Report identifies items not
in compliance with the requirements of the special use permit, the Authorized Officer will
require the permittee to provide additional information regarding lift facilities.
The permittee will furnish the Authorized Officer a copy of the general inspection report within
2 weeks of completion of the inspection and a statement that the lift is or is not suitable for
public operation.
The permittee will confirm in writing that the individual is qualified to perform the General
Inspections.
6. In addition to requirements in parent text:
a. Report malfunctions to the Authorized Officer within 24 hours or next working
day.
b. Report accidents to the Authorized Officer within 24 hours or next working day.
c. Report injuries resulting from loading or unloading or falling off a chair in
conformance with the ski area standard reporting system.
d. Make accident reports available to the Authorized Officer.