Full Description
The ASME A18.1 Safety Standard for Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts presents certain guides for the design, construction, installation, operation, inspection, testing, maintenance, and repair of inclined stairway chairlifts, and inclined and vertical platform lifts. It covers devices intended for transportation of a mobility-impaired person onlytypically within household applications. The ultimate goal of this Standard is to help protect public safety, while reflecting best-practices of industry.
Key changes to this Edition include:
Engineering TestsFree fall overspeed testing Independent lab certificationTesting at max (45 degrees) and min angle of product capability Full load and no load
Re-Locatable LiftsNew definition for class of platform liftLevel surface detection more than 5% or 1:20 slope lift cannot runManufacturer to test for stability at top of travel when on a 5% slopeSignage regarding top landing alignmentElectrical connection means meeting NFPA 70 (can be on lift) Retractable or removable wheels to be monitored and lift only operable when retracted or removed
Maintenance New definitions for Authorized personnel and Lift personnelUpdates to current code sections where new definitions applyNew section 11 for Maintenance
Platform-mounted sidewalls Allowance for the installation of only one platform wallAny non access side of the platform with no wall shall be equipped with an edge protection device. A grab rail shall extend not less than 10mm (0.375 in.) nor more than 75 mm (.75in.) If equipped with protection on the top edge of the enclosure wall side wall running clearance to enclosure wall may be not less than 10mm (0.375 in.) nor more than 75 mm (.75in.)
Emergency Signals Audible signaling device to be located outside platform and outside the runwayAudible signaling device sound rating not less than 70dBA and not more then 80dBA 120" from liftLifts installed in areas not normally occupied when lift is in use shall be provided with a means of two-way conversation to building or emergency personnel
Audio AlarmsMove from inside to outside the platform and runwayInstall alarm adjacent to the lift Reduce dBA level from 80 down to 70 at 120"
Safeties and GovernorsRemoval of the use of self-locking drive on residential inclines and stair chair liftsResidential inclines and stair chair lifts now require speed governor Alternate to speed governor can be substituted by systems designed so no overspeed can occur in the event of a single failure of a drive component