Before the crane operator climbs into the cab, the crane has gone through a circuit that the ITC sets in article 5. Knowing it is part of the exam, and it tells you which papers must exist on site.
1. Installation project (article 5.1 and annex II)
- Installing a tower crane requires submitting to the autonomous community a project signed by a competent qualified technician, according to standard UNE 58-101-92, part 2.
- The project includes, at the very least: details of the user, owner, installer, maintenance company and site; make, model and serial number; jib length and reach, counterweight, erection height and free-standing height, tying-in, speeds, ropes, load and reach chart, safety devices, electrical installation and earthing, location of the control position (push-button panel, remote control or cab); the foundation calculation and the tying-in calculation; and plans of location, siting with the obstacles within reach, foundation and tying-in.
- The site management provides the siting plan and the characteristics of the ground.
- A new project is not needed if the same crane moves within the same site without changing erection conditions or ground (the commissioning documents are, though).
- For monobloc self-erecting cranes of 15 to 170 kN·m, the project can be replaced by an installation certificate from the technician of the installing company (annex V).
2. Erection (article 5.3)
It is done by an authorised installing company or the manufacturer itself. The erectors answer to the competent technician of the company, who plans the work, is responsible for it and signs the installation certificate. Installing companies must have a university-qualified technician as technical manager and civil liability insurance of at least 600,000 euros per claim (article 6.8).
3. Anemometer (article 5.4)
It is required where the limit service wind speeds may be reached. It must give an intermittent warning at 50 km/h and a continuous one at 70 km/h, and the signal stops when the crane is left out of service, in weathervane mode.
4. Commissioning (article 5.5)
The following are submitted to the autonomous community:
- a) A document signed by the installer and the user: the installation conditions are met, the crane has been handed over after checking, in the presence of the user and the crane operator, that the safety devices work, and the operating instruction manual has been handed over.
- b) The inspection report of an authorised inspection body: an inspection of all the elements before erection and another once erected (criteria of annex III). For monobloc cranes of 15 to 170 kN·m, inspections are only every two years, however many times they are erected.
- c) The installation certificate from the installer's technician (annex V).
- d) The «CE» declaration of conformity (or the certification of the additional provisions for old cranes).
- e) The maintenance contract with a maintenance company.
- f) Where applicable, the certification of any mechanical or structural elements incorporated.
Royal Decree 1215/1997 adds the underlying rule: dismountable or mobile lifting equipment is used in a way that guarantees its stability under foreseeable conditions, taking into account the nature of the ground (annex II, point 3.1.a).
Source: Real Decreto 836/2003, ITC MIE-AEM-2 del Reglamento de aparatos de elevación y manutención, grúas torre (tower cranes, consolidated text, in Spanish), articles 5 and 6 and annexes II and V · Real Decreto 1215/1997, disposiciones mínimas de seguridad y salud para la utilización de los equipos de trabajo (work equipment, consolidated text, in Spanish), annex II, point 3.1