CERTIFICATION & INSTALLATION
How to maximize service bay
safety and productivity
There are fi ve fundamental steps to consider
when selecting and installing a vehicle lift.
By R.W. “Bob” O’Gorman, President, Automotive Lift Institute (ALI)
A s a shop owner or manager, you’re
There is no one-size-fits-all lift.
responsible for maximizing service
bay productivity and safety.
Th e Automotive Lift Institute
(ALI) recommends taking these
fi ve steps to help your team operate vehicle
lift s safely and productively.
1. Choose the right lift
Your team needs the proper tools and
equipment to get the job done right. Th ere
are several factors to consider when choosing
a new lift :
• Th e lift should have suffi cient capacity
to raise the vehicles you service.
• Th e lift should be equipped to reach the
vehicle manufacturer’s recommended
lift ing points.
• Pay attention to clearances around and
above the lift .
• Remember that there is no one-size-fi tsall
lift , so most general service shops will
need more than one lift type.
8 | Vehicle Lift Guide | SEPTEMBER 2017
Lift Certification
When installing any vehicle lift in a location
where building code or health and
safety offi cials have jurisdiction, always
choose a lift that bears ALI’s gold certifi -
cation label. Lift s that wear the gold ALI
certifi cation label have been third-party
tested and proven to meet all the requirements
of North America’s applicable electrical
and mechanical safety standards.
Th e ANSI (American National Standards
Institute)/ALI ALCTV (current edition),
Standard for Automotive Lift s Safety
Requirements for Construction, Testing
and Validation, is the primary standard
that applies to all vehicle lift s. Lift testing
to this standard includes verifi cation of the
structural integrity of all the lift ’s systems
and components, proper function of its
controls and load-holding devices, proper
lowering speeds and overload protection.
For a lift to be certifi ed, the manufacturer’s
production facility is also audited to confi
Carefully consider lifting capacity,
clearances, ability to reach
vehicle lifting points, options and
accessories. Also check your local
building code requirements.
Photo courtesy of ALI
rm it meets quality control requirements.
Lift s of any size or capacity can be tested
and certifi ed regardless of where they
are manufactured. Membership in ALI is
not a requirement.
For a list of certifi ed lift s, visit the
ALI Directory of Certifi ed Lift s at
www.autolift.org/ali-directory-ofcertifi
ed-lift s. If a new lift does not carry
the ALI gold label, it is not certifi ed and
should not be purchased or installed.
When installing a used lift , it is important
to check building codes, as lift s
certifi ed to previous standards may not
meet current safety requirements. Not all
lift s for sale in today’s market are certifi ed,