Crane inspection protocols that are clear, systematic, and precise ensure not just the quality of the equipment, but worker safety as well. It is also essential that only highly qualified inspectors should carry out the inspection processes to maintain integrity and accuracy of the results.
InTouch thoroughly considers every detail of your requirement in drawing up the right protocols. It uses the most updated international standards and practices in all of its inspection checklists. Here are some of the crane inspection protocols that InTouch uses:
Materials Inspection
- Hook Materials – Verify that metals used for the manufacture of hooks have the required ductility. This test shall ensure that crane hook does not break midair that could lead to fatalities or damage of property.
- Electrical Materials – Verify that crane electrical parts are made from pre-approved grades of materials so that operational down-time caused by faulty wiring and parts are prevented.
- Coating Materials - Verify that the types and grades of coating materials such as paints, fiberglass, and carbon fibers are the same with those on contract. This ensures that the equipment is properly protected from corrosion.
Visual Inspection
- Load Rating Chart – Verify that crane has a load rating chart with legible prints, letters, and figures located in an area highly visible from the operator’s point of view.
- Controls Inspection – Verify that controls for load hoist, boom hoist, swing, telescoping boom, and brakes follow standard designs.
Performance Inspection
- Crane Load Rating – Verify that load rating does not exceed the percentage of load likely to cause tipping or imbalance to its least stable side as provided for by ASME B30.
- Backward Stability – Check that crane minimum backward stability is within required rating to prevent crane from tipping backwards when unloading.
Functional Inspection
- Boom Hoist Mechanism – Verify that boom hoist mechanism is capable of lowering and lifting the boom with attached rated load, as well as hold it in a stationary position with the rated load suspended midair.
- Load Hoist Mechanism – Check that load hoist drum is capable of lowering and lifting the cranes rated load in normal operating environment.
- Telescoping Boom – Verify that telescoping boom is capable of lifting, lowering, and supporting, in a stationary position, the boom carrying the maximum rated capacity.
- Swing Mechanism – Verify that swing movement is achieved through controlled acceleration and deceleration. The rotating superstructure should have a braking and locking system which restricts rotation to be used for crane service or transport.
Individual Parts
- Rope Check – Verify that ropes used for boom hoist and load hoist are constructed and installed according to standard practices.
- Reeving Accessories – Check that wire rope clips, eye splices, and socket fittings are constructed and installed in accordance with standard practices or contract specifications.
- Hooks Inspection – Verify the rated load and weight of hooks are the same with agreed specifications, and check that they are labeled accurately.
- Sheaves Inspection – Check that sheaves are free from any form of damage that in turn may cause damage to ropes, and verify that sheave bearings are properly lubricated to negate the damaging effects of friction. Verify that sheave sizes do not fall below standard specifications in relation to the nominal sizes of ropes used.
These are just some of the crane inspection protocols applicable to limited types of cranes. To know more about the protocols suitable to your crane equipment, send InTouch the details of your inspection needs.
