Identification of Critical

Components &
Recommended Inspection
Criteria
Joseph Angeron, P.E.
Oil States Skagit SMATCO, LLC.
What is a Critical Component?
„ API Specification 2C, 6th Edition definition:

“Any component of the crane assembly devoid of

redundancy and/or auxiliary restraining devices whose
failure would result in an uncontrolled descent of the
load or uncontrolled rotation of the upper-structure.”
What is a Critical Component?
Recommended Inspection
Criteria
„ Examples Reviewing Today
{ Slew-ring fasteners
{ Boom chords and lacing
{ Hook block / Overhaul ball assemblies
 Recommended Inspection
Criteria – Slew-ring Fasteners
„ Verify that all bolts are
torqued to the proper
value as indicated by
the OEM.
„ This should be done
annually.
Recommended Inspection
Criteria – Boom Chords &
Lacing
„ Lattice booms are built light to maximize the capacity of the
crane. Although the damage of a small area of the boom
chord may seem slight compared to the overall boom, its
effect can be quite large. This is because the mode of failure
of latticed compression members is typically local buckling
between lacing points. Unlike beams or tension type
structural members which ordinarily experience significant
changes in shape before failure, booms are usually slender
compression members which may become unstable. (i.e.
when loaded, they undergo rather small deflections until they
suddenly become sharply curved or buckled). Therefore
seemingly small deficiencies in repair alignment may not
become evident until the worst possible time such as swinging
large loads when the boom is pressed to its limit.
Recommended Inspection
Criteria – Boom Chords &
Lacing
„ It is strongly recommended that the specific crane
manufacturer’s guidelines and recommendations be
sought and followed when identifying and correcting
lattice boom defects. The guidelines presented in this
“Service Criteria” are in lieu of such specific
manufacturer’s guidelines, are general in nature and
should be consequently used with extreme care. The
crane owner should recognize no such general guidelines
are applicable to all cranes. Again, these guidelines are
not intended to replace the judgment of a qualified
inspector.
Recommended Inspection
Criteria – Boom Chords &
Lacing
„ The boom shall be free of injurious indications of distortions,
discontinuities, deformities and surface defects. Such
indications include but are not limited to:
{ Bends
{ Twists
{ Rack
{ Missing Members
{ Excessive Corrosion
{ Weld Cracks and Deformities
{ Bent, Twisted, Out of Square or Dented Chords
{ Bent, Twisted, Out of Square or Dented Lacings
{ Misaligned or eccentric splices
{ Sharp Kinks or Bends in Members
Recommended Inspection
Criteria – Boom Chords &
Lacing
„ Our inspection procedures dictate that no more than five lacing at
random or three lacing in a row may be bent in any one section of the
crane boom (comply with Section E2 Lacing Straightness). If 6 or
more lacings have been affected, then the crane must be taken out of
service until repairs can be made. Operability is also contingent on
the condition of the boom chords. If the bend of the lacing is severe,
it may have pulled the chords out of alignment. In such a case the
boom section should be replaced.

„ Someone must determine the overall straightness of the chords in

the damaged section. The overall straightness may not deviate more
than 1/32” per linear foot of individual free span length. When the
damaged lacings are removed the chord may return to normal. The
lacing may then be replaced and the repaired boom returned to
service. If the chords do not return to within tolerance, then the boom
section must be scrapped and replaced.
Recommended Inspection
Criteria – Boom Chords &
Lacing
„ More than two dents between nodes are cause for rejection. Dents
closer than 6” apart are cause for rejection.

„ Dents are not considered injurious if all of the following cases are
true…
Recommended Inspection
Criteria – Boom Chords &
Lacing
„ When the corrosion factor on any boom component reaches 25% of
the component’s wall thickness in a concentrated area, the crane will
be de-rated for temporary use only or take out of service.
„ If corrosion penetrates a square or round tubing chord, the crane will
be taken out of service or de-rated for temporary use only.
„ If corrosion penetrates a mechanical tube or pipe-type lacing, the
lacing will be removed; the chord member shall be inspected closely.
If the chord member is deemed fit for use, the lacing may be replaced
using the appropriate grade of metal, appropriate weld procedures
and a welder that is certified to the required welding procedure. The
new weld area will be inspected with the appropriate weld test
procedure.
„ At no point will a chord member be spliced or field replaced.
Recommended Inspection
Criteria – Block/Ball Assembly
„ Are safety latches in
place and in good
operating condition?
„ If this block is
personnel rated, the
safety latch must be
capable of being
positive locked.
„ Check sheave
groove(s) with sheave
gauge marked
“minimum for worn
grooves”.
Recommended Inspection
Criteria – Block/Ball Assembly
„ Do the sheaves accept
lubrication and rotate
freely?
„ Does the hook thrust
bearing rotate freely
with a load attached to
the hook?
„ Are all fasteners and
retaining rings secure,
in place, and in good
condition?
Questions?

Joseph Angeron, P.E.

Oil States Skagit SMATCO, LLC.

Phone: 985-868-0630
Email: joseph.angeron@oilstates.com