Vertical Reciprocating Conveyor Safety Features

A Vertical Reciprocating Conveyor (VRC) moves materials between levels — to and from a mezzanine, for example — without moving human workers. It’s functionally similar to a freight elevator, but because the VRC never moves personnel, it’s less expensive to install, operate, and maintain.

But even though people cannot ride VRCs, conveyor safety is still an important consideration. After all, you might be moving 6,000 pounds of materials with your VRC; any time you’re dealing with loads of that size, safety and ergonomics are crucial.

At BHS, we prioritize safety when engineering all of our material handling products. Our Mechanical Straddle Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors (VRC-MS) and Hydraulic Cantilever Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors (VRC-HC) are designed to keep operators safe — while still providing fast travel, high load cycles, and durable performance.

Below, we’ll explore some of the safety features of BHS VRCs and provide tips for outfitting your facility.

VRC Safety Features: Finding Safe, Ergonomic Material Handling Equipment

Vertical reciprocating conveyors (VRCs) are governed by the ASME B20.1 conveyor safety standard, which differentiates these material lifts from passenger elevators by requiring specific guarding and fail-safe systems. Passenger elevators must meet ASME A17.1 elevator code, which is much more strict.

Both the Mechanical Straddle VRC and the Hydraulic Cantilever VRC meet and exceed ASME standards by utilizing redundant safety features to protect operators and prevent equipment damage.

Emergency Drop Protection

VRC systems move between floors, so they need to have systems that can arrest the carriage if a mechanical or hydraulic failure occurs. Physical fail-safes prevent an uncontrolled descent (and a major workplace hazard).

Our designs include:  

• Emergency Cam Catch: A weighted cam mechanism immediately grips the guide rails if it detects a loss of tension in the lifting chains due to breakage. The carriage is locked in place preventing uncontrolled descent.
• Chain Tension Sensors: Available on the both models, these sensors monitor the tension of the lifting chains in real-time to alert the system of potential issues before a component break occurs.

Access Control and Position Monitoring

To ensure safe loading and unloading, VRCs use an array of sensors that communicate with the motor control system. Access control features prevent the lift from operating in unsafe conditions, such as when a gate is open or the carriage is misaligned.

• Mechanical Interlocks: Integrated locks ensure that the carriage cannot move unless all safety gates at every level are fully closed and secured.
• Position Sensors: Position sensors keep the VRC aligned with the landing floor before the interlocks allow the gates to be opened for loading.

Access controls comply with ASME standards and can improve compliance with OSHA standards such as 1910.147 (lockout/tagout), 1910.176 (handling materials), and 1910.212  (general requirements for machines).

Operational Guarding and Environmental Awareness

BHS offers several optional features to help facilities customize their conveyor safety protocols based on traffic patterns and floor layouts. The unit’s design can help to protect personnel who are working in the vicinity of the VRC.

• Interlocked Slide Gates: Optional horizontal or vertical gates create a physical barrier around the lift shaft and include sensors that integrate directly into the VRC’s control logic.
• Visual Alerts: Flashing strobe lights can be installed at each floor level to provide a high-visibility warning to workers whenever the carriage is in motion.
• Audible Alarms: High-decibel sirens are available to notify bystanders in noisy industrial environments that the equipment is active.

Vertical Conveyor Systems Proudly Made in the USA

Safety systems for vertical conveyors protect both your inventory and your personnel. By integrating advanced sensors and physical fail-safes into your facility, you ensure compliance with ASME B20.1 and OSHA standards while maintaining a high-throughput workflow. 
BHS provides the engineering expertise to help you select the right configuration — and the right safety features — for your unique workspace.

Reach out to our sales team at 1.800.BHS.9500 or request a quote online to find a Vertical Reciprocating Conveyor solution for your operation.