Avanti Wind Systems USA says it has achieved Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certification for its Shark Work Cage/Elevator for use in wind turbine towers.
The company received an Accredited Elevator/Escalator Certifying Organization (AECO) certification for North America, which represents the completion of a complete review by a third-party certification body whose authority stems from ISO Guide 65.
UL is one of three recognized third-party test labs for AECO. UL has tested the Shark Work Cage and sub-components, and reviewed the assessment for the product and the installation.
The certification allows the jurisdictions where A17.7 is adopted an easier route for the permitting of work cages in wind turbine towers. They do not have to develop their own state-specific code requirements.
Avanti Wind Systems will still have to go through the state (U.S.) or province (Canada) permitting process for each wind power project where an Avanti Shark Work Cage/Elevator is to be installed in a wind turbine, but with the AECO certificate, it is easier and faster to get the permit from the state/province authorities, the company notes.
"The next step is to get the new ASME A17.1/CSA B44, requirement 5.11 implemented so that each state can adopt them as soon as possible when new wind turbine projects are constructed in their jurisdiction," says Kent Pedersen, Avanti's general manager.
