liftkooi

Liftkooi, literally a lift cage, is a vertical transport device used to move people or goods between different levels in a building or industrial setting. It operates inside a hoistway or shaft and travels along fixed guides. The term is commonly used in Dutch contexts, especially for construction hoists and industrial freight lifts.

Construction and mechanism

A liftkooi is typically a steel cage with a defined floor, walls, and a door or gate. It is equipped with interlocks, guardrails, and safety features to prevent falls and entrapment. The cage is attached to a lifting mechanism, which can be a drum-and-wire-rope system with a counterweight in traction hoists or a hydraulic cylinder in hydraulic systems. Movement and stopping are governed by control systems located at the loading platforms and sometimes inside the cage itself.

Use and operation

Liftkooi devices are used on construction sites for transporting workers and materials (construction hoists) and in some industrial facilities for freight handling. They are designed for controlled starts and stops, with load limits clearly specified. Operations are usually performed by trained personnel, and access is restricted to prevent unauthorized entry during travel. In case of power loss, emergency lowering or manual release mechanisms are provided.

Safety and standards

Operations and equipment must comply with applicable lifting and safety regulations, inspections, and maintenance schedules. Safety features typically include overspeed governors, mechanical vertical stops, interlocked doors, emergency communications, and clear load indicators. In many regions, liftkooi systems are subject to national and international standards relating to hoists, lifts, and construction safety.

See also

Construction hoist, freight lift, elevator, cage (transport).