4 Choices for Mezzanine Access
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4 Choices for Mezzanine Access
Most mezzanine applications require moving pallet sized loads up to mezzanines where loads are separated and then smaller loads are moved down to lower levels. These lifts provide a variety of ways to accomplish this in a safe and efficient manner.
1. Rider Scissors Lifts:
a) Advantages: This solution allows material handling personnel to ride with materials between the various levels. As long as the lift is constructed to comply with ANSI: MH29.1:2012, it will comply with the 2015 International Building Code, it is exempt from local elevator codes and does not require elevator installers. The lift must be controlled by the operator on the platform.
b) Disadvantages: Travels are restricted to no more than 18 feet. Lowered heights are relatively high and require pits.
These lifts are fully assembled at the factory and relatively heavy, therefore installation sites with tight or limited
access may be problematic.
2. Non Rider Scissors Lifts:
a) Advantages: These units have the same advantages as the rider units except the controls are fixed externally at each elevation and may be of the call/send variety. Platform sizes may be smaller than the rider units.
b) Disadvantages: The minimum platform sizes are dictated by the size of the leg assembly beneath them and may be larger than desired. Speed is generally limited to 8 to 12 fpm for most scissors lifts.
3. Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors (VRC’s):
a) Advantages: These devices offer a wider variety of platform sizes, with standard speeds of 16 to 30 fpm and vertical travels up to 100 feet. These units are more easily configured to custom configurations. The units are assembled on site, so access to tight locations are less of a limiting factor.
b) Disadvantages: In some jurisdictions the units must be installed by elevator installers and must be inspected by elevator inspectors. In all cases, on site assembly is more time consuming and expensive than scissors lift installations. Riders are never allowed on these units.
4. Package Lifts:
a) Advantages: These are smaller preassembled VRC’s designed for movement of packages smaller than pallet size. They may be single piece tip up or two or three piece stackable units which means faster simpler installation. Standard vertical speeds are 30 fpm.
b) Disadvantages: Standard vertical travel is limited to 24 feet. Standard platform sizes are for 2 foot cubes and 3 foot cubes although some custom sizes are available. Standard capacities are 200 lbs. and 500 lbs
Advance Lifts is a leading lift manufacturer providing a complete line of dock lifts, lift tables, scissor lifts, turntables, dumpers and stretchers.
Advance Lifts was founded in 1974 and quickly became the leading scissor lift, industrial turntables, and dock lift manufacturer in the country. We have maintained this position through innovative design, quick deliveries and superior service. Over the years our product lines expanded to include production lift tables, tilters, turntables, dumpers, mezzanine lifts, work access platform lifts and stretch wrappers.
Our modern 120,000 sq. ft. facility in St. Charles, Illinois houses state of the art equipment and a well trained group of engineers and production personnel, who are dedicated to providing our customers outstanding products.
We have an in house UL listed panel shop and are ISO 9001 certified. Our goal is to make the entire process of buying, installing, using and servicing of our products as easy and trouble free as possible for each and every one of our customers.
