INSPECTION & MAINTENANCE
The importance of lift certification and safety signage
To ensure safe lift operation, confi rm the equipment has these important items
Shops considering the purchase of
a new vehicle lift are encouraged to
confirm the lifting equipment, and
any additional accessories used with
the equipment, meets certain certification
standards, advise lift manufacturers.
Signage on and around the
lift, with regard to lift instructions and
labeling, is also required.
BUY CERTIFIED
There is only one nationally
recognized safety standard for
vehicle lifts: ANSI/ALI ALCTV.
These acronyms stand for the
American National Standards
Institute, Automotive Lift Institute
and Automotive Lift Construction,
Testing and Validation, respectively.
This standard is administered by the
ALI (www.autolift.org), a trade association
of vehicle lift manufacturers
which works with nationally recognized
independent testing laboratories
to verify that lift manufacturers
meet and comply with accepted
industry safety and performance
standards. The testing includes
verification of the structural integrity
of a lift’s systems and components,
proper function of its controls and
appropriate lowering speeds and
overload protection.
To verify a lift’s status, look for the
gold ALI Certified/Validated label
on the lift. This label indicates that
the lift has been tested and certified
to meet the current ANSI/ALI
ALCTV standards.
BE SELECTIVE WITH LIFT OPTIONS
A commonly overlooked mistake is
using an uncertified option or
accessory on a certified lift. Doing
so will void the lift’s certification
and could put safety and lift
performance at risk.
ALI/ETL, ANSI and IBC (International
Building Code) standards require
that all accessories – such as rolling
jacks, truck adapters, lighting for runway
lifts and special lifting pads – be
certified. The lift’s rated load capacity
16 | Vehicle Lift Guide | SEPTEMBER 2017
and use of an accessory should
also be taken into account.
Although product certification
typically remains valid for the life
of the lift, when relocated, older
models may not meet the most
current safety standards or
building code requirements.
ADDITIONAL SAFETY
SIGNAGE AND DEVICES
Every ALI certified lift should have
an ALI Safety Tips Card visible for all
technicians to access and view while
operating the lifting equipment.
There is also other safety signage
and devices shops may consider
implementing in their facilities to
aid in safer lift operation.
For signage, shops can affix additional
signage to the lift itself which
indicates proper usage and warning
labels. To request free safety and
usage labels, go to www.mohawklifts.
com/brochure.
Another item to consider is a weight
gauge. Essentially, this is a pressure
gauge that converts psi to pounds.
This provides technicians a simple
visual indicator to confirm the load
weight of the vehicle on the lift.
PROPER LIFT USAGE
Lift manufacturers recommend that
technicians always lower the lift onto
the locks. A weight gauge allows
technicians to quickly and accurately
confirm that the load has been
transferred to the mechanical locks
to ensure proper usage of the lift.
This can also be used as a recordkeeping
tool to ensure proper lift
usage by each technician.
REVENUE GENERATOR
A weight gauge can provide a
visual indicator for customers,
along with a discussion on previous
services, to determine if parts and
components wore prematurely
based on an overloaded vehicle.
For instance, it can help a shop’s
technicians justify selling heavier
shocks and heavy duty brakes to
generate additional revenue.
TAKEAWAY
There are a number of factors
to consider before and after the
purchase of a lift to ensure the
safest and most efficient use of that
equipment. Key among them is lift
standards, certification and labeling.
As was noted previously, the only
nationally recognized safety standard
for vehicle lifts is ANSI/ALI ALCTV,
administered by the ALI.
Contributing to this article was Steve
Perlstein, president, Mohawk Lifts
(www.mohawklifts.com).
By Erica Schueller, Editor, PTEN and Professional Distributor magazines
A weight gauge can provide a
visual indicator for customers,
along with a discussion on
previous services, to determine
if parts and components wore
prematurely based on an
overloaded vehicle.
Photo courtesy of Mohawk Lifts