A goods lift in accordance with DIN EN 81-31:2024 Type A is a walk-in lift designed exclusively for the transport of goods. This means that authorised persons may enter the car or load carrier to load and unload goods; however, no person may be present in the car whilst it is in motion.
Type A goods lifts provide the perfect bridge between smaller goods lifts and full-scale passenger/goods lifts (in accordance with EN 81-20).
Typical features of Type A goods lifts
- Accessibility for loading and unloading: The car is dimensioned and constructed in such a way that it can be accessed with pallet trucks, roll containers or by hand to place goods inside or remove them.
- No transport of persons whilst the lift is in motion: The control system and safety devices are designed in such a way that the lift cannot be started until there are no longer any persons in the car and all access points are closed.
- External control (deadman’s switch or self-holding): The system is operated exclusively via control units located outside the shaft (e.g. at the shaft doors or landing points). There are no control elements inside the car for normal operation.
- Enhanced safety features:
- Standard safety catch on the car: As the car is entered during loading and unloading, it must be fitted with a mechanical safety catch to prevent falls.
- Shaft door interlock: Electromechanical interlocks ensure that shaft doors can only be opened when the car is level with the landing.
Typical areas of application
Type A goods lifts are primarily used in commercial and industrial settings – such as warehouses, logistics centres, workshops or retail premises – to efficiently transport heavy or bulky goods across several storeys.