875—73.10 (89A) Pits.
	 73.10(1) All pits shall be kept clean and free of equipment or material not relating to the operation of the elevator. Exception: sump pumps.
	 73.10(2) Buffers under cars and counterweights shall be permanently fastened to the floor or their supporting beams.
	 73.10(3) All elevators shall have counterweight guards. Guards shall be of unperforated metal of at least the strength of or braced to the equivalent strength of number 14-gauge sheet steel. Guards shall extend from a point not more than 12 inches above the pit floor to a point not less than 7 feet above the pit floor. Where guards are not feasible, warning chains shall be installed on the bottom of the counterweights and shall extend no less than 5 feet below the counterweight. Chains shall be of a number 10 U.S. gauge wire or of equal size. Exception: When compensating chains or ropes are used, a counterweight guard is not required.
	 73.10(4) Buffers shall be installed where elevator pits are not provided with buffers and where the pit depth will permit. Buffers shall comply with ANSI A17.1, 1971, section 201, or later editions of the ASME A17.1 code.
	 73.10(5) Where the depth of any pit is in excess of 4 feet it shall have a ladder permanently installed. The ladder shall extend not less than 30 inches above the sill of the access door, or hand grips shall be provided to the same height. Ladder shall be of noncombustible material.