ICEAGE Parts and Cranes specialises in Major Inspections and Overhauls.

From DWP assessments through to complete disassembly, component inspection & NDT testing, re-assembly and commissioning. We can advise the most cost-effective process to complete this requirement.

We have a fully equipped workshop, and we work with some of Western Australia’s most notable engineering companies to provide all the necessary elements of this service.

The key objective of the Major Inspection is to assess the viability of upgrading the crane to the requirements of the Australian Standards.  Certification for continued safe use will therefore be subject to the crane conforming to the current Australian Standards.

Consideration needs to be taken when assessing a crane’s suitability for continued safe use, the analysing of the past, present and future utilisation of the crane, needs to be considered and compared to the original design capabilities of the crane. The actual life of the crane (Years in operation after commissioning + Future years) may differ greatly from its theoretical life or original Design Life of the crane. Therefore, a major overhaul may not be necessary if the utilisation shows that the crane, based on its original design capabilities has not been fully utilised. This according to AS 2550.1 section 7.3.5, is 25 years for the structure and 10 years for the mechanical components.

A comprehensive Major Inspection must be carried out:

• When a crane has reached the end of its Design Working Period, or where this is unknown, after 10 years for mechanical components and 25 years for structural components.
• When an old crane is to be re-commissioned, and Cranes, that are to be upgraded or modified.

Understanding Design Working Period (DWP) according to AS2550.1-11

• Periodic inspections are to be conducted by an independent third party at least once a year (i.e. not the organisations either operating or maintaining the crane). AS 2550.1.7.3.4
• These inspections should include an estimation of remaining design working period (DWP) according to processes and calculations summarised in a new section (9) of AS2550.1. DWP is then used to determine when a major inspection (and subsequent general overhaul) is due.
• If DWP is not estimated according to this process, then the major inspection interval is to be reduced to two-thirds of design life or, if this is unknown, to a maximum of 7 years. AS 2550.1.7.3.5
• Periodic Third Party inspections are to include verification of the past state of loading and utilisation (as well as intended future state) as compared to the crane classifications.
• “The purpose of the assessment of DWP is to estimate accumulated duty of the crane and assess its remaining life.” (AS 2550.1.9.3.1) “Failure to keep records of use will dictate the necessity for more frequent major inspections.”1 (AS 2550.1.9.2.1)
• This is implemented by using a safety factor when estimating DWP that compensates for the unreliability in the duty recording and estimation. The safety factor ranges between 1.1 and 1.5 depending on duty estimation method, as shown in Table 9.6.2 below.
• The only method of duty estimation that does not require DWP to be reduced by a factor of safety is by using an automatic Data Recording system.

We can help you with all aspects of meeting your compliance requirements.