Author: Richard Meunier

There has been a new code update released in relation to Vertical Platform Lifts in Canada. A summary of the changes that impact RAM product offerings are:

1. Historically the code for residential was B613 and commercial was B355. B355 has now supersede3d B613 and includes residential comments.
2. 4.2.1 – Travel. It is a little vague on whether unenclosed lifts above 98in for residential are allowed or not. It simply says that it may be exceeded where alternative options are not practical. We will continue to offer residential lifts that are unenclosed up to 14ft until we know otherwise.
3. 8.3.5 was added and asks for any enclosed lift to have a two-way comms device installed. This would impact our pricing and equipment requirements. These communication devices are optional on residential lifts from our review.
4. Inclusion of 8.5.11 via 8.5.1 in the requirement for electrically protective devices description means that for commercial lifts we will need to have a different style of top cover switch or manual crank switch to prevent power being applied during manual crank operations. This will only affect Canadian commercial units.
5. Section 7.7.3 – any platform that is sized or intended for wheelchair + attendant will require a carriage gate.
6. In terms of competitive situation, the use of B355 for private residences now requires an enclosure on any lift that penetrates a floor. Previously this was not the case in B613 ….in essence this would seem to make Telecabs from Savaria non-code compliant. Section 4.4.4 in B613 seems to have allowed them in the past.

These changes would only be in effect for a jurisdiction that has adopted the 2015 code. Ontario is the only region that has adopted so far but this will change over time.

RAM would encourage you to review the code yourself and discuss with your local authorities to ensure you understand their interpretation and whether/ when they are adopting this edition of the code.

If you have questions or concerns please contact RAM to discuss.

The primary code that governs vertical platform lifts in the USA is ASME A18.1. This code had an update enacted in 2014. Many regions/ jurisdictions have not adopted this code update yet but RAM has undergone a review of the code to assess any impacts to the products we offering to our dealers and their end user clients.

Although there are a number of changes and RAM would encourage you to review them with your local authorities the primary impact to our product offering is:

Section “2.10.10: Means shall be provided to permit authorized personnel to raise or lower the platform manually in the event of power failure, unless standby (emergency) power complying with requirement 2.12 is provided. The means to raise of lower the platform shall be capable of moving the platform to a landing and of being access and operated without working directly above the platform.”

This section relates to the commercial section of the code (section 2) and the impact is essentially that the standard method of accessing the manual crank on Trus-T-Lift™ would be a code violation on any lift that is enclosed or having travel larger than 60in.

RAM already has a solution for this in the 90 Deg Manual Crank option we have developed. This is a patent pending design and is a very economical option for meeting the code.

This requirement is only applicable in regions where the local authority has adopted and is enforcing the 2014 version of the code but we feel that this is a good option for any enclosed lift, even if it is residential and we would highly recommend you add this to your equipment order after discussing the benefits with your clients.