Introduction and Safety Requirements for Freight Elevators

A freight elevator is  a large-scale electromechanical system that integrates mechanical and electrical components. It is primarily designed for transporting goods and is widely used to meet the cargo transport demands in industrial production and warehousing logistics.

Introduction to Freight Elevators

Types of Freight Elevators

Based on usage environments and functional requirements, freight elevators are generally categorized into two types: standard freight elevators and special-purpose freight elevators.

• Standard freight elevators are used for general cargo transport.

• Special-purpose freight elevators are designed for specific environments or applications, such as explosion-proof freight elevators, cleanroom freight elevators, cold-chain freight elevators, livestock elevators , non-commercial vehicle elevators, and oversized among others types of freight elevators.

Application Fields

Freight elevators are mainly used in industrial manufacturing, warehousing and logistics, commercial buildings , and agriculture. They are suitable for transporting heavy or bulky materials, as well as components or finished products on production lines.

Structure of Freight Elevators

A freight elevator typically comprises the following components:

• Traction system

• Guiding system

• Car system

• Door system

• Counterweight system

• Drive system

• Electrical control system

• Safety protection system

Main Technical Parameters

Key specifications of a freight elevator include:

• Rated load capacity

• Rated speed

• Number of stops and doors

• Car dimensions

• Door type and opening dimensions

• Traction type

• Control mode

Key Safety Devices:

To ensure operational safety, freight elevators are equipped with:

• Overspeed governor

• Safety gear

• Buffer

• Car upward overspeed protection device

• Door interlocks devices

• Unintended car movement protection device

• Final limit switches

• Overload protection

Safety Requirements for Freight Elevator Operation

Follow Proper Usage Guidelines

Freight elevators are typically labeled with their load and occupancy limits. These regulations must be strictly followed—do not overload or exceed the maximum number of persons. If cargo is excessively large or heavy, it should be divided into smaller loads to prevent overloading.

Exercise Cautious with Elevator Doors

Always check the door status before entering or exiting the elevator. Ensure the doors are  fully open before passing through to avoid injury from closing doors.

Cargo Placement Precautions

Cargo should be evenly distributed and well-balanced. Avoid overstacking or placing items in an unstable manner. During elevator operation, cargo must remain stable to prevent tipping or shifting.

Emergency Equipment Awareness

Freight elevators must be equipped with essential emergency features, such as emergency lighting and alarm systems. For freight elevators with car dimensions exceeding standard specifications, signage indicating the rated load capacity must be clearly visible from the loading/unloading area at each floor. These elevators must be dedicated to transporting specific lightweight goods, and even when fully loaded by volume, the total weight must not exceed the rated capacity. Only trained and authorized personnel are permitted to operate these elevators, and access for passengers must be strictly prohibited.

Additionally, non-commercial vehicle elevators are strictly limited to transporting small passenger vehicles. They are to be used exclusively by trained personnel approved by the user organization, and must not be used for carrying passengers, general cargo, or for any other unauthorized purposes.

Maintenance of Freight Elevators

Regular maintenance is essential to ensure the safe and reliable operation of freight elevators. Maintenance tasks include cleaning, lubrication, inspection and adjustment, and replacement of worn parts. Maintenance and servicing must be carried out by the elevator manufacturer or a licensed for elevator installation, modification, or repair company as stipulated by law.

All maintenance procedures must strictly comply with relevant technical safety standards and regulations. The responsible party shall implement proper on-site safety protection measures to ensure the safety of personnel during maintenance operations.