11.8.2 Pre-use Inspection/Thorough Examination

The installation of runways calls for a thorough examination to be made by a Competent Person before they can be taken into service. Although the lifting appliance and electrical equipment will have been tested at the manufacturer’s works, it will usually be necessary for the Competent Person to conduct load tests as a part of the thorough examination of the complete installation. The purpose of this testing is to determine whether the runway is in accordance with standard and specification requirements, correctly installed and to ensure it is safe to operate.

In addition to the runway, supporting structures, fixings and fittings, the thorough examination will extend to the lifting appliance and power feed system. Deflection, dynamic and proof load tests will be carried out in accordance with the applicable national standards. The proof load should be at least 1.25 times the SWL.

The manufacturer is required to specify the maximum permissible deflection to be used and compared with measured deflections obtained in the test. A deviation greater than +/-10% indicates an issue with the installation that needs to be resolved. However, it should be noted that deflections in most cases are not the only criteria for the design and safe operation of runways. Further, it should be noted that the permissible deflections of the building structure may be greater than those of the runway. The cumulative effect of all allowable deflections must be such that:

  1. The trolley or any moving part of the runway will not run out of control under load.

  2. The slope at any point is not too great so that there is difficulty travelling the trolley up the gradient.

It should be noted that in the case of proprietary runway systems, the deflection criteria may differ from those of standard constructional sections. The manufacturer’s recommendations should be adhered to and duly recorded.

On satisfactory completion of the thorough examination and the supplementary tests, the Competent Person will issue the necessary report of thorough examination, which will include details of the tests he has made. In many cases the lifting appliance will be detachable from the runway and may have differing proof testing requirements. If so, a separate report or individually itemised report should be issued for the runway, trolley and lifting appliance. This should be retained with the qualified engineer’s written approval and cross referenced to the equipment’s historical records.