A Mezzanine Lift Can Move People, A Material Lift Cannot
Do you know the difference between a mezzanine lift and a material lift for mezzanines? If you don’t, you’re not alone.
Why does it matter? Because different types of lifts are meant for different tasks. And because of that, they have different safety requirements. That’s why it’s important to understand what each type of lift is meant to be used for.
To help clear the confusion, we’ve created this comparison guide. Keep reading to learn more about the difference between mezzanine lifts and material lifts.
What Is a Mezzanine Lift?
A mezzanine lift is highly useful when it comes to moving materials. These lifts are used to transport materials from one level to another. The big deal about mezzanine lifts? They can also transport people. That’s why they also can be called mezzanine elevators.
Thanks to mezzanine lifts, moving materials between levels is simple. With one of these lifts, a worker wheeling materials can simply board the lift, operate the controls, then enter the new level with the materials he or she is transporting.
Without a mezzanine lift, you’d either need extra workers positioned on the other level or the worker would need to find other transportation up to the next level.
What Is a Material Lift?
Material lifts also carry materials up to another level, but they have one important difference from mezzanine lifts: They don’t transport people.
Material lifts are also referred to as vertical reciprocating conveyors or simply vertical conveyors.
The confusion between mezzanine lifts and material lifts stems from the fact that material lifts still transport goods and they may transport them to mezzanine levels.
Material lifts come in all shapes and sizes. Small lifts may carry minuscule loads, while larger lifts may move loads weighing up to 200,000 pounds! Because these lifts don’t lift people along with materials, they aren’t held to the same safety standards that people-moving lifts are required to follow, and thus they can be built and installed for much less cost than a mezzanine lift.
There are proper safety measures to be considered, though, so you should know them before operating any kind of lift.
Read More: 5 Benefits of Using a Vertical Material Lift
Safety Measures for Mezzanine Lifts, Mezzanine Elevators
To keep riders safe, many safety measures are included in the design of a mezzanine lift. In particular:
- Guardrails are included to safely keep the rider in the lift.
- Foot protection is added around the bottom of the lift to prevent feet from getting caught when the lift is in motion.
- Enclosed sides add complete protection. These protect the rider and goods from falling out. They completely cover the sides that aren’t facing the exit area of the lift.
- All lifts should be properly marked so people know if the lift safe to ride or not. Never board a lift that isn’t meant for lifting people.
The Simple Difference between Mezzanine Lifts and Material Lifts
The difference between mezzanine lifts and material lifts isn’t complicated. Simply put, one can transport people while the other cannot. Just remember that material lifts for mezzanines are what the name implies: material lifts.
Always make sure you know which lift type you’re dealing with to make sure safety measures are properly followed.
Are you looking to add lifts to a warehouse or other facility with a mezzanine level? Or do your existing lifts need maintenance? Contact us today to see how a PFlow material lift can help.