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Lifting equipment certification: What does it really entail?

December 19, 2024

6:07

The lifting industry is protected by strict standards to which all equipment owners must comply. But there’s a term that’s a little more ambiguous: overhead crane certification. This word can be confusing. We sometimes receive requests from customers who want to “certify” their equipment. Perhaps it’s because of an accident or a visit from a CNESST inspector. Or perhaps a document is missing from the logbook.

Many lifting equipment owners feel overwhelmed when confronted with terms like “certification”, especially after inspections or incidents. It’s often unclear what is really required. But don’t worry! Thanks to the experience we’ve accumulated over the years and our involvement in the continuous improvement of industry standards, Premium Industrial Group is well placed to clarify the subject for you.

After reading this article, you’ll be able to distinguish what the 4 main certifications are and understand which ones you need. You’ll then know exactly what to ask your lifting specialist to meet the certification requirements of the standard.

What does certification entail?

It’s important to understand that “certification” is a generic term which, in itself, doesn’t correspond to any clearly defined requirements. In fact, no standard specifies what global certification means for a lifting device such as an overhead crane. What you really need depends on your context and objectives.

On the other hand, there’s a clearer term that’s closely linked to current standards. It’s the compliance of lifting equipment. But here again, it’s not a one-off certificate issued to the owner to guarantee that his equipment is compliant. Rather, it’s a set of information accumulated throughout the equipment’s service life in a file we call the logbook. These documents will inform anyone authorized to consult them that your equipment complies with current standards. Let’s look at a few concrete examples.

A few examples of documents related to certification you might be looking for.

1. Periodic inspection: complying with standards and assessing equipment condition

A periodic inspection is a minimum standard requirement, to be carried out at least once a year. A qualified inspector will check the condition of your equipment and make sure it complies with current standards. To find out more about this process, read our detailed article on inspections.

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2. The engineering plan: a certification of structural mechanics

This step is crucial when it comes to equipment design or overhaul. A qualified engineer can assess whether your equipment meets the capabilities for which it was designed. This includes things such as :

Analyzing equipment load capacity
Calculate the strength of welds and members
Checking the strength of the supporting structure

Most engineering plans focus on the main girder, as components such as hoists or motorizations are usually already certified by their manufacturers. Engineers can also provide certification based on internationally recognized standards, such as ISO or CMAA.

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3. Electrical certification (CSA): complying with the electrical standard

Once your overhead crane has been assembled, an in-shop evaluation according to the CSA SPE-1000 standard must be carried out by a third party, as required by the RBQ (see the page Approval of electrical equipment: bodies, seals, and labels on the RBQ website). This process verifies that assembly, connections and electrical compatibility comply with current standards, such as the CSA C22.2 no. 33. This certification is required in Canada, even if each individual component is CSA-certified.

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4. The load test: before starting up a piece of equipment

This test is carried out after the equipment has been commissioned, or after major work has been carried out. Although it verifies that the equipment can withstand the anticipated load, it does not guarantee conformity or overall certification. To find out more, read our article on load tests.

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What is the link between load testing and compliance?

A load test, also known as a load trial, is intended to "identify major mechanical defects in materials or manufacturing, design weaknesses or other unforeseen conditions" (CSA B167-16, Appendix I.1.1.). This type of test should be reserved for specific circumstances and carried out with care. In general, an inspection provides the necessary information on the condition of a piece of equipment. What's more, load testing is not part of, nor does it replace, a regular inspection, so it should not be carried out as a matter of course, unless there is a particular need.

So what does load testing have to do with lifting equipment compliance? As a general rule, a load test is carried out when a piece of lifting equipment is installed, after a major modification or following a major repair. These operations must be recorded in the equipment logbook, like all other operations, in order to document its conformity.

Certification: a step towards compliance

In short, there is no “one-size-fits-all certification” for an overhead crane or other lifting equipment. However, by accumulating inspections, engineering plans, electrical certifications and load tests, you document your logbook to ensure safety and compliance. These documents join the certifications provided by manufacturers and the equipment maintenance manual. The sum of all these documents is what will demonstrate the compliance of your lifting equipment when the time comes.

Need to clarify your approach? It’s true that certification may seem out of reach, but with professional support, it can be much simpler than it seems. Contact us by filling in the form at the bottom of the page! Whether you’re looking for an inspection, an engineering plan or a load test, we can help. And if it’s a certification outside our field of expertise, we can refer you to qualified partners to meet your needs.

If you’d like to find out more about compliance, we suggest you read our article Compliance of Handling and Lifting equipment which will answer all your questions on the subject.