Shopper's Guide To Freight Elevators
Freight elevators are among the most powerful--and necessary--elevators in a modern world. Here's the information you need to know if you're shopping for one for your business or organization. An elevator, of course, is a transportation device designed to get people and goods from one floor to another in a building with more than one level. The freight elevator, unlike residential elevators, finds many applications in industries, multiplexes, health-care centers, shopping malls, and others.
As is the case with a passenger elevator, a freight elevator might be either traction driven or hydraulic. The building's height and the speed you desire are usually what guides whether you install the hydraulic or traction model. The lifting capacities for commercial freight elevators typically range from about 1,000 lb to 6,000 lb. The speed varies: A hydraulic unit traveling no more than 8 floors can go as high as 200 feet a minute; an electric elevator can more than double it, reaching 500 feet per minute. A freight elevator traveling more than 10 floors might reach a speed anywhere from 500 to 2000 feet per minute. If your business building has between 2 to 8 floors, probably hydraulic is the way to go.
As you decide which elevator to install, you need to consider the kind of loading you expect to be doing. Typical applications for a freight elevator include chemical plants, refineries, plants, breweries, coal-handling facilities, dairies, feed mills, extremely hot or cold areas, electric power plants, soybean plants, glass plants, sewage stations, paper mills, off-shore drilling rigs, explosive areas, high-elevation locations, and mining operations. The schematic on each elevator will vary somewhat depending on your application.
There are three classes of freight elevators. Class A is for general freight loading. For this elevator, the weight of any piece should not exceed a quarter of the elevator's capacity. Also, the load is moved on and off by means of hand trucks.
Class B is motor vehicle loading. In this case, the elevator is used only for carrying cars and trucks, up to the elevator's rated capacity.
Class C is specifically for industrial truck loading.
Because of the nature of commercial elevators, scissor lift tables and towable lifts, most units have a variety of safety and security features. For instance, an alarm button is generally provided for signalling outsiders in case the elevator is in trouble or gets trapped. There are typically switches for controlling the ventilation light and fan. Some elevators offer a telephone for passenger use in the event of an emergency. And the better units can be controlled with an up and down button on the outside of each floor so that someone could help trapped passengers inside.
So who are the trusted manufacturers that you should consult when you're ready to install a freight elevator? There are several, actually. Some of the better-known names include ThyssenKrupp Access, Savaria Concord and Federal Elevator. Each of these has nationwide dealers,allowing you to deal with someone locally. There are also reputable dealers online for each of these and other manufacturers. The purchase and installation of freight elevators is not a minor event; but if you should decide you need one, just make sure you know what's available and what your needs are.
