News
IBC and VRC's
With the recent adoption of the International Building Code (IBC) by most municipalities and states throughout the country, badly needed uniformity of code requirements from one region of the country to the next is finally being introduced and applied. Of particular interest to the Vertical Reciprocating Conveyor (VRC) Industry is the clear and necessary distinction made in IBC Chapter 30 – Elevators and Conveying Systems between elevators which are governed by referenced code ASME A17.1 and VRC’s which are governed by referenced code ASME B20.1.
Unfortunately, there are some municipalities and states already drafting their own amendments to IBC Chapter 30 in an effort to blur or remove this distinction, or to apply alternative design requirements to those stated in these referenced safety standards. But the majority of Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ’s) over the approval and/or inspection of vertical lifts installed in commercial buildings are recognizing the distinction between elevators and VRC’s as intended by the International Code Council (ICC) – and applying the appropriate equipment safety code requirements.
The confusion experienced by AHJ’s over which equipment safety code to apply to a “material lift” or “elevating platform” is not new or uncommon. Strictly adhered to, Chapter 30 of the IBC serves to alleviate this confusion.
For further clarification on the distinction between material lifts governed by ASME A17.1 and VRC’s governed by ASME B20.1, download
An Industry Position on the Regulation of VRCs for free.