Overhead crane clearances: Why and how to avoid problems

By Marc-André Martineau

Many parties are involved in a new building project. But there are 2 who, without realizing it, could harm each other:

• Overhead crane installers
• Installers of the building’s technical equipment (see box "What is technical equipment  in the context of this article?").
  
  

Managing all these stakeholders is a lot of work! But here's an unfortunately common scenario: during overhead crane installation, a garage door or air duct obstructs the movement of the equipment. The result? Costly modifications, extra delays and lost productivity spoil the whole project! 

At Premium Industrial Group, we regularly support companies faced with these situations, because they often don't know what to check. And unfortunately, we've seen the concrete consequences : lost lifting height, blown budgets,  production delays, etc.

In this article, you'll find out why clearances are so often a problem when installing an overhead crane, and how to avoid these situations and their consequences.  Specifically, we'll answer the following questions:

• What are the consequences of an obstruction when installing an overhead crane?
• How can clearance and obstruction problems be prevented?
• What are the clearance requirements?
• How can obstruction control optimize your overhead crane, particularly in relation to lifting height?
  

The goal? Prevent avoidable errors and optimize the value of your installations. But why talk about clearances? Is it really that important?

What are the consequences of an obstruction when installing an overhead crane?

When installing an overhead crane, it goes without saying that there is a distance to be maintained between the lifting equipment and the building (walls and ceiling). But what's less obvious is to consider the building's technical equipment: those objects installed at the end of your project that can interfere with its operation. What are the consequences if one of these elements prevents your lifting equipment from operating freely?

When one of these technical equipment is found to be obstructing the overhead crane, there are 3 possible consequences:

1. The equipment obstructing the crane will have to be modified.

2. The crane will have to be modified to accommodate the technical equipment.

3. Neither of the above options is possible: we'll just have to deal with it!

For the 2 first points, this will imply:

• Additional costs - certainly
• Additional delays - probably
  

In the case of the 3rd possibility, this will imply:

• An overhead crane that doesn't fully meet your needs
• A loss of productivity
• A loss of profitability

What a shame it would be to have worked so hard to configure the crane best suited to your needs, to have invested so much money, only to end up with a machine that doesn't perform as expected!

So how can you avoid such a failure? With good planning.

How can you prevent obstruction problems with your overhead crane?

The main reason for these issues is that the structural drawings, which are available at the start of the project, do not indicate in detail the location of the building's various technical equipment. As a result, it is generally not possible to ensure that there will be no obstructions at the start of the overhead crane’s production. Often, it's only when the equipment is installed that you realize it's interfering with the lifting equipment. So how can this situation be prevented? 

To avoid clearance problems, this element must be planned well in advance of the installation of the overhead crane and the building's technical equipment. It should be part of the process from the moment the purchase contract is signed, but before the crane's production phase is completed. 

An important step after the contract has been signed is the approval of the overhead crane drawings. This process enables the manufacturer to indicate to the customer the final layout of the lifting equipment. By approving the drawings, the customer indicates that the layout is suitable and complies with the building's constraints. But this plan can also be a valuable tool for the customer himself! 

An excellent practice is to forward the final overhead crane drawings to the various people who will be installing the technical equipment in the building, informing them that they must adapt to this plan. If this is not possible, the communication should also advise them to contact you for any problems this plan may cause in the installation of their equipment. This way, the problem can be addressed during crane production rather than afterwards. This has far fewer negative impacts on the project.

SUGGESTION: As a purchaser of lifting equipment, provide overhead crane layout drawings to the companies who will be installing the technical equipment in your building. Ask them to confirm that these will not interfere with the clearances required for overhead cranes.

But obstructions aren't the only problem. You also have to comply with clearance standards. What does this mean?

What clearances are required around an overhead crane?

CSA B167-16 article 5.1.10 requires "a minimum clearance of 50 mm horizontally and 75 mm vertically from any obstruction" when installing an overhead crane. And it makes sense! It's wise to maintain a space between the end carriage and the wall, as well as between the overhead crane and the ceiling. But of course, when technical equipment is added, such as sprinklers or lighting, the clearance applies to this obstacle. Naturally, a professional lifting solutions supplier will take this crucial element into account, if informed.

This is where the importance of clearances comes into play, in order to optimize your future lifting equipment.

How can obstruction control optimize your overhead crane?

Good clearance planning is not just about avoiding obstructions or complying with current standards. It also allows you to optimize your overhead crane. How?

By planning well thought-out technical equipment according to your needs, you can increase the hook approach or even the lifting height. Let's take an example.

Optimize your lifting height by choosing the right technical equipment.

Various types of technical equipment are available on the market. For example, less bulky lights can be used to adjust the overhead crane installation in order to gain height and thus obtain a higher lifting height. In some industries, gaining even a few centimeters in lifting height can make all the difference.

To find out more about additional ways to increase lifting height, see our article "The 5 solutions to increase the lifting height".

A barrier-free overhead crane installation is possible!

Clearances and obstructions are often blind spots in crane projects, but they have a direct impact on...

• performance
• compliance
• costs

However, it is entirely possible to avoid the hazards associated with clearances and avoid these consequences!

As soon as the contract is signed, use the documentation provided by your overhead crane manufacturer to ensure that your other suppliers know where they can and cannot install the technical equipment. In the worst-case scenario, you can pass on to your crane manufacturer any changes that need to be made before the installation.

💡 Next step : 

Consult your technical representative to help you prevent overhead crane clearance problems, or to provide you with the documents and drawings you need to start the prevention process.

• You can contact him directly or fill in the form below.

If you'd like to find out more about the installation problems that can arise during an installation, please read the article

Overhead crane installation: 8 problems to avoid

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