In-House & On-Site Load Testing

The team of engineers at Lifting Gear Direct are able to carry out various testing procedures on many types of lifting equipment. This may be carried out in-house in our own workshops or on-site at the customer’s workplace. Demand for these services has greatly increased over the years due to health and safety requirements and the need for traceability of all types of testing and inspections.

Proof load testing is one of the commonest tests asked for with regards to lifting equipment as this demonstrates the equipment’s fitness and capability of withstanding the safe working load marked on the equipment.

We also offer non-destructive testing services which can pick up surface faults of materials such as steel. Cracks and porosity of the materials can be checked for as well as material identification. We can offer testing procedures including Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI); Dye Penetration Inspection (DPI); Positive Material Identification (PMI); Ultrasonic Testing and EQUOTIP hardness testing.

More about Proof Load Testing

Proof load testing is essential at frequent intervals on most types of lifting equipment; a proof load test will demonstrate the equipment’s ability to bear the necessary loads and the fitness of the structure. These load tests are often carried out in conjunction with a thorough inspection, when a competent person will determine whether a proof load test is necessary in order to comply with LOLER regulations.

A proof test is carried out by applying a load to the lifting equipment; this is usually above the stated SWL of the structure to determine that it is capable of handling the stated working load limit without compromise. A proof load test is typically expressed as a % of the WLL that the device is intended to endure. Load cells or similar devices are typically used to determine the actual load and force calculations. We have our own loose test weights as well as a 30 tonne in-house test bed which we use to load test lifting equipment. So you can be assured of a competent service by our team and all the necessary documentation is supplied.

Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI)

Magnetic particle inspection is a procedure used for detecting surface and slight sub-surface defects on ferro-magnetic materials. Fluorescent or black inks are used depending on where the test is carried out. Electro-magnetic yokes are used to test a wide range of ferro materials including raw bar and plate or highly machined products like bolting and pipe fittings. This technique is often used on steel structures and moving parts.

Dye Penetrate Inspection (DPI)

Dye penetrant inspections are commonly used in the Lifting industry to check for surface defects such as hairline cracks, surface porosity and fatigue cracks in non-porous and non-ferrous materials.

This is usually a relatively quick and lower cost testing procedure which uses a penetrating liquid and special developer to detect any irregularities. Both visible and fluorescent dyes can be used according to where the test is carried out. The fluorescent method is usually used on larger items in our workshop.

Ultrasonic Testing (UST)

Ultrasonic Testing is carried out to detect internal flaws that cannot be detected by the other means. Ultrasonic, short pulse waves are transmitted into the material to be tested; this is usually steel or other metals and alloys. Material thickness can also be determined by this method and is often used to monitor pipe work corrosion.

This non-destructive testing uses highly penetrating sound waves to detect deep flaws within the material. Even very small flaws can be detected thanks to the high sensitivity of ultrasonic testing. The size, shape and nature of the defects can be measured with the portable testing unit.

Positive Material Identification (PMI)

Positive material identification or PMI is used to ascertain the exact composition of metallic alloys. OES – Optical Emission Spectrometry is used  to determine the composition by reading quantities by percentage of its component elements; it can also measure non-metallic and light alloy elements like carbon and aluminium, these element measurements are essential to  carbon critical stainless steel or aluminium based alloys.

There are 21 periodic table elements that can be measured through this method; they are:- C, Si, Mn, P, S, Cr, Mo, Ni, Al, Co, Cu, Nb, Ti, V, W, Pb, Sn, Mg, As, Zr, Bi, Ca, Ce, B, Zn, La, Fe.

EQUOTIP Hardness

This testing procedure can be used on-site with a portable device which can determine the hardness range of metallic materials such as steel structures, or other large, immobile or difficult to access materials. Carried out by trained technicians the hardness is recorded in LD initially though may be converted to Brinell, Rockwell B & C and Vickers hardness scales.

Booking a Test with Lifting Gear Direct

If you would like more information or would like to book one of the testing procedures above then simply call our office on 01384 76961 where your details can be taken down and booked into our schedule. You can also drop us an email here.