INSPECTIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Should My Lift Be Inspected?
An automotive lift should be inspected at least annually, more frequently when so specified by the manufacturer or the authority having jurisdiction. The National Standard addressing automotive lift inspection is ANSI/ALI ALOIM (current edition) "Safety Requirements for the Operation, Inspection, and Maintenance of Automotive Lifts”. This National Consensus Standard provides guidance to the owner, employer, and lift service and inspection provider(s) with regard to the required qualifications, training, reporting, and documentation for operators, inspectors, and maintenance personnel. This Standard also provides sample forms and checklists for use by all parties attempting to comply with this Standard.
The Automotive Lift Institute does not formally endorse any lift inspection or service organization and does not maintain a list of inspection or service providers. Contact the original equipment manufacturer identified on the nameplate of your automotive lift to obtain assistance with your inspection or service needs. Should you be unable to contact the original equipment manufacturer, search your local Yellow Pages or the internet for inspection or service providers in your area.
What About Replacement Parts - Will My Lift Lose Its Certified Status?
If my certified lift is fitted with replacement parts sourced from someone other than the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) will my lift lose its certified status?
The American National Standards covering Operation, Inspection and Maintenance (ANSI/AL-ALOIM) and Installation and Service (ANSI/ALI ALIS) both state: "Replace worn, damaged or broken parts with parts approved by the original equipment manufacturer or with parts meeting the original manufacturer specifications." Whereas there is no practical way for a manufacturer or the certification body (ALI) to supervise part substitutions and/or the withdrawal of certification in the field, if there is a product failure due to the use of non OEM parts then the burden will fall to the person or persons who substituted the non OEM parts on the certified lift to prove that the parts meet or met the specifications required by these standards.
Reference points within the stated lift safety standards:
The standard, ANSI/ALI ALOIM clearly states:
8. Replacement Parts---Replace worn, damaged or broken parts with parts approved by the original equipment manufacturer or with parts meeting original manufacturer specifications.
The standard ANSI/ALI ALIS clearly states:
6.2.6 Repair Service Parts. Replace worn, damaged or broken parts with parts approved by the original equipment manufacturer or with parts meeting original manufacturer specifications.
- Annual inspections are recommended by The American Lift Institute “ALI”, OSHA, DOT and All Lift Manafacturers.* Those customers with public transport vehicles know all to well their lifts and vehicles require inspections mandatory for the DOT. Inspectors will not inspect under non-certified lifts!
- Non OEM parts voids the lift’s ALI/ANSI certification.**
- NY and CT building code requires that all vehicle lifts be ALI/ANSI certified.***
- Only Mohawk authorized service technicians are trained to inspect Mohawk lifts.
- Only Mohawk Dealers can acquire OEM parts for repairs
- If you have had your Mohawk lift repaired by a non authorized company, your lift may no longer be certified, qualify for warranty (limited lifetime on most cylinders) and most concerning, may endanger your staff’s life.
To learn more about lift certification, inspections and lift safety please visit: http://www.autolift.org/ |
