Tower Crane Foundation Inspection Requirements

Overview

Requirements for documented records of tower crane foundation inspections are described in section 14.2 (6) of the BC Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR). It states that “A tower, hammerhead crane or self-erecting tower crane must meet the requirements of CSA Standard Z248-2004, Code for Tower Cranes.”

Section 5.3.1 of CSA Z248-04 states the following:

5.3.1 Foundation inspection report

The crane foundation assembly shall be inspected by a professional engineer or by a qualified person designated by a professional engineer prior to the concrete pour to ensure that it is constructed in accordance with the approved design drawings.

The inspection shall be documented in writing. That documentation shall be kept on site and made available upon request. The documentation shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. location of the foundation;
2. dimension of the foundation, including placement of reinforcing steel, configuration, and spacing;
3. grade and material of anchor bolts;
4. dimension of anchor bolts;
5. placement of anchor bolts;
6. levelling tolerance of the base plate;
7. any other support used, such as anchor for guyed tower or ballast for rail;
8. grounding arrangement; and
9. soil-bearing capacity of the foundation.

Tower crane foundation inspections and associated documentation must address the minimum criteria identified by the standard.

Please share this update notice with your colleagues in the tower crane industry. If you have any questions or concerns, contact BC Crane Safety at [email protected] or call 604-336-4699.