(1) Hoisting ropes shall be of good grade traction elevator wire rope and shall:

(a) Be not less than 9.525 mm (0.375 in.) in diameter.

(b) Provide a safety factor of 5 based on the maximum weight supported.

(c) Be of sufficient length to prevent the counterweight from striking the overhead structure when the car is at the bottom, and prevent the car from striking the overhead before the counterweight is at its lower limit of travel.

(2) Cable fastenings shall be by babbitted tapered elevator sockets or other acceptable methods approved by the department. If cable clamps are used, a minimum of 3 cable clamps shall be provided. U-shaped clamps shall not be acceptable.

Where passed around a metal or other object less than 3 times the diameter of the cable, a thimble of the correct size shall be inserted in the eye.

(3) Approved sockets or fittings with the wire properly turned back and babbitted shall be used in place of clamps noted in subsection (2) of this section.