Lifting standards

In 2014 EN1570 Safety requirements for lifting tables Part 2: covering lifting tables, serving more than 2 fixed landings of a building, for lifting goods with a vertical travel speed not exceeding 0,15 m/s, was subject to a detailed review.

At this point, Tim Rose of Loading Bay Lifts was asked to become the voice of ALEM (The Association of Loading and Elevating Equipment Manufacturers) and be the UK's representative on the working group. 

Tim said: “As a business we felt it was important we had a direct input into the content to ensure products we manufacture are, or technical assistance we give is, compliant with legislation."

The UK was the driving force highlighting safety concerns, and while not all points were won it created areas for serious debate with European partners.

The new standard for Part 2 has been created and is expected to be ratified in September.

The following are highlights that could affect ALEM members and the client:

    •    The lift designer is to have a clear understanding of the anticipated use, load to be carried & method of loading before design can commence. Similarly, it must be made clear to the final user of the restrictions of use to ensure that, for example, any ‘catalogue type’ lift is fit for purpose.
    •    The lift platform must be locked at floor level, or within a 150mm zone, when stationary at floor levels. This can be achieved by, but not restricted to, shootbolts or some kind of pawl device. Anticipated loadings for each landing is to be supplied to the client or their representative to ensure the building will support the given loads.
    •    More onus is placed on the designer to ensure compliance with other referenced standards with regard clearances & protection. This standard no longer provides the information, other than the cross reference.
    •    Greater clarification is given in the standard with regard travel zone protection and platform and landing entrance locking performance levels.
    •    Vertical barriers are being permitted at landings. However, this went against the UK's recommendations so should be used with careful selection & after intensive risk assessments before use.
    •    Powered landing doors can automatically open when the lift arrives at floor if the load is retained on the platform, but they have to be under local pushbutton control to close due to the risk of entrapment.
    •    From a designers perspective, greater clarification is given to the operation of the hydraulic pipe break / rupture valves.
    •    If approved by the CEN consultants, there will be an allowance of greater than the 10% maximum overloading capacity as  mandated in the Machinery Directive. This gives designers more flexibility but the machine must be structurally capable of the increased loading & tested to prove.
    •    As a draft of this new standard was submitted for approval before a working group was called to review it, there was a time constraint to complete. Therefore, if there are any minor issues with the standard they will be considered during the next 5 year review. Any major problems will have to be addressed as an amendment.