Veltkamp

 

INSPECTIONS AND EXAMINATIONS


In accordance with international regulations should lifting equipment be checked before use for possible defects. Inspection to this is performed by the user.
In addition, periodic inspections and tests required to be performed by a trained person.

 

The frequency of testing of lifting equipment may vary by country, both onshore and offshore.

Onshore, the minimum inspection time limits vary by country and can vary from 3-monthly to once every 4 years.
 

The actual period depend also on the intensity of use. By company, organization, project or situation, this should be assessed and recorded in a risk assessment.

Offshore are worldwide the IMO regulations applicable. It is a stated minimum testing period of one year. Here the material is painted or marked in the IMO-year color of the relevant assessment period.

 

Also in this case that the actual to handle term depends on the intensity of use and the circumstances.

For example, for the transport of offshore wind mills the lashing chains be used only once, because of the strong attack by the sea water, causing the tensioners get stuck.

 

 

Operating Procedure

All equipment, including operating equipment as stairs, hand tools, etc., is identified with a sticker or tag to the customer's wishes with RFID (radio frequency identification) and entered in the Equipment Data Management - System via the website Veltkamp.

Here, also all documents, notices, statements, reports and drawings are included.

The customer has direct access to this system, allowing for immediate and always have access to all available information.

Based on the risk assessment, intensity of use, projects, etc. is a schedule drawn up in consultation with the customer for inspections and examinations.

The user checks the equipment before use on possible defects.

Lifting equipment must be inspected and maintained annually by an expert further lifting equipment periodically (may vary by country) are inspected by a trained and certified person depending on the situation and expertise, can also be carried out inspections by trained users.

In specific situations by the customer designated employees can also be trained by our inspectors to perform independent inspections. In those cases Veltkamp can arrange the periodic examinations.

Standard procedure is that the inspections and investigations will be done on location.

 

Offshore

In case of permanent offshore (rigs) is the equipment picked up in the relevant port and then maintain, the year colour adjusted and approved on a Veltkamp-location. One and other in accordance with planning.

Here is all the necessary residence time onshore is as short as possible in order to optimize availability.

In the case of sea transport are agreed on the basis of arrival and departure of a ship.
This allows Veltkamp also that the clearance, and delivery of the equipment is running again within the agreed time window.

 

Industry

Often it is a combination of assets, storage racks, lifting equipment under the hook, hand and electric hoists.

Per part can the verification requirements and time limits vary by country. In some cases, Veltkamp along with selected local inspection companies and inspectors.

 

 

Military

In a military organization are often specific circumstances. On the one hand equipment used intensively and also equipment can be stored for long time.

In the first case, equipment managers can be educated and trained in accordance with military guidelines. The aim is that there is always staff available that can inspect in the case of exercises or missions, the ability to load securing and carry out maintenance.

Then be combined in the schedule as much as possible units and bases in order to reduce the costs for the inspection. Nevertheless, can also adopt interim can be discussed are after large-scale exercises or active deployment.

In the second case, is an annual or bi-annual inspection sufficient, depending on the quality of storage.
The minimum frequency of inspection, however, must comply with the respective national regulations.

 

Intention

To ensure the continuity and safety at companies and operations within the framework of international and local regulations at minimal cost and minimal disruption of processes and availability.

 

Quality of Examinations

The safety factor of polyester webbing slings and round slings is 7:1. That is to say that the breaking load 7 x higher than the allowable working load (WLL = Working Load Limit). By the influence of sunlight (UV), the tensile strength initially decrease and stabilizes at a safety factor between 5:1 and 4:1 in accordance with chain and steel cable.

The lifetime of as well polyester and steel lifting equipment is determined in particular by overload, power surges, too high/low temperatures, sea water, chemicals, poor storage and lack of maintenance.

Often examination of lifting and cargo securing equipment has a disadvantaged position, despite the safety aspect and the extension of the lifetime.

Examinations on a test bench leads to overloading equipment of 1.5 to 2 times the WLL. This leads to rapidly ageing and does not guarantee any quality.
If a chain is overloaded of became too hot, in many cases on a test bench 1.5 to 2 time the WLL is still workable although in fact this chain should be rejected.
Due to costs this is often not done and/or are inspectors insufficient trained for Non Destructive Examinations.