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GENERAL SPECIFICATION Rev. A

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LIFTING OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT

COVER PAGE

Rev Date Prepared by Approved by Revision

A 25-July-03 G. NOLLET S. ROUSSE Supersedes and replaces former 393.10.GS

DISCLAIMER
The information contained in this document has been prepared by L’Air Liquide S.A. and/or its controlled subsidiaries (“Air
Liquide”), exclusively for their use, and is Air Liquide property. Air Liquide believes the information is current and accurate,
but circumstances may warrant additional requirements or procedures. This document is subject to periodic review and
users are cautioned to obtain the latest edition.
Air Liquide makes no representations or warranties to third parties as to the quality, accuracy or completeness of
information contained in this document and EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, THE WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY AND THE WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE.
No part of this document may be copied or otherwise shown or disclosed to third parties without the prior consent of Air
Liquide.
Unauthorized use of this document by any third Party, including Air Liquide contractors and subcontractors, shall be at
such Party’s own risk, and Air Liquide assumes no liability in connection with information contained herein. Air Liquide
disclaims any liability for any damage suffered by any company or person as a result of or in connection with the use,
application or implementation of the information contained herein or any part thereof. The benefit of this disclaimer shall
inure to Air Liquide and its affiliates.
This document should not be confused with federal, state, provincial, or municipal specifications or regulations, insurance
requirements or national safety codes.

This document is issued and administered by the Air Liquide Engineering Standards Department.
Paper copies of this document are considered to be “uncontrolled” and users should always
check for the most recent revision.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION 3
1.1 Scope 3
1.2 Definitions 3
1.3 Applicable Codes, Standards, and Air Liquide Reference Documents 3
1.4 Conflicts, Omissions and Alternatives 3
2 LIFTING RULES 5
2.1 Transport sketches 5
2.2 Cranes capacity 5
2.3 Maximum load transmission to the ground 5
2.4 Lifting gear 5
2.5 Tail crane 6
2.6 Manoeuvring rules 6
3 SCHEDULE & PRELIMINARY STUDY 7
4 LIFTING OPERATIONS REALIZATION 8
4.1 Lifting operations preparation 8
4.2 Lifting authorization 8
4.3 Lifting sequence 9
5 ENTITY SPECIFIC AMENDMENTS 10
ANNEX 1 – SKETCHES TAGS 11
ANNEX 2 - SCHEMATIC DIAGRAMS - LIFTING PROCEDURE 12
ANNEX 2 - PACKAGE LIFTING 13
ANNEX 3 - DISTILLATION COLUMN LIFTING 14
ANNEX 4 – VESSEL LIFTING 15
ANNEX 5 – TAIL CRANE SPREADER BAR STRESS CALCULATION 16

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1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Scope

1.1.1 Purpose
This standard defines the procedure and rules applicable to the heavy lifting operations.
1.1.2 Scope of Application
This standard is applicable to
• lifting of equipment and/or pieces of any kind with a weight equal or more than 10 t
• lifting, rigging, handling operations with specific difficulties

1.2 Definitions
ALE Air Liquide Engineering
Contractor Company and/or Persons carrying out the works
subcontractor Company to which the Contractor subcontracts works or services
TPAI Third Party Authorized Inspection company

1.3 Applicable Codes, Standards, and Air Liquide Reference Documents

1.3.1 Industry Codes and Standards

Applicable Jurisdictional Codes
In case of conflicting requirements, the more stringent requirements shall apply.

1.3.2 Associated Air Liquide Documents

393.01.FI Lifting authorization

1.4 Conflicts, Omissions and Alternatives

In case of conflicting requirements, the following items govern in descending order of precedence:
a. Agreements outlined in mutually approved minutes of review meetings subsequent to the issuance of the
Purchase Order
b. Purchase Order and subsequent related correspondence
c. Agreements outlined in mutually approved minutes of pre-selection and/or pre-award meetings that are
referenced in the Purchase Order

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d. Project specific addenda

e. This specification and accompanying data sheets
Any conflict with, omission or deviation from, or alternative to the requirements shall be referred to Air Liquide’s
project manager for resolution prior to fabrication. Written exceptions shall be submitted for Purchaser’s approval
prior to award of Purchase Order.

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2 LIFTING RULES

2.1 Transport sketches

If transport sketches are available for the equipment to be lifted, the Contractor performs the lifting operations
according to the transport sketch requirements (lifting gear…).
No deviation from the transport sketch is granted by ALE on site, unless discussed and agreed during the
preliminary study stage.

2.2 Cranes capacity

Cranes lifting capacity is determined with the 75% safety factor capacity table. Use of capacity table with lower
safety factor (i.e. 85%) is not allowed.
Cranes capacity is calculated taking under account the most stringent case (heaviest load with the longest radius)
encountered during the lifting operation.
Tail crane capacity is calculated with a load corresponding to half of the weight of the equipment to be lifted.

2.3 Maximum load transmission to the ground

Load transmission to the ground is limited to a maximum of 2 kg/cm2.
Contractor provides and installs bearing plates or mats under the crane outriggers in order no to exceed the above
load transmission to the ground.

2.4 Lifting gear

Lifting gear is supplied by the Contractor.
Lifting gear is periodically tested (all elements) and approved by a TPAI.
Damaged lifting gear is immediately removed from site.
Unless specific arrangement made to compensate unbalanced gravity center, lifting gear arrangement is always
strictly symmetrical – components (slings, shackles…) have exactly the same characteristics (load, length…) on
each side of the symmetry.
See annex 1 to 5 for lifting gear arrangement.

2.4.1 Spreader bars

Unless otherwise specified on the equipment transport sketch, or unless the position of lifting lugs does not makes it
necessary, use of spreader bars is mandatory with the main crane and with the tail crane to lift ALE equipment
(vessels, skids, packages…).

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Spreader bars are acceptable only if :

• their capacity is appropriate for the load to be lifted
• their width corresponds exactly to the width of the equipment to be lifted : slings between the spreader bar
and the equipment are exactly vertical
Sling length (E1 in the annex) between the main crane spreader bar and the equipment upper lifting trunions/lugs is
sufficient to avoid interferences between the equipment and the spreader bar during the tilting operations -
accessories installed on the equipment at ground level are taken under account.
Position of the lugs/trunions are designed on most of the equipment in order to avoid to apply stress on the
equipment with the tail crane spreader bar. If it is not the case, sling length between the tail crane spreader bar and
the equipment lower lifting trunions/lugs is sufficient to avoid stress from the spreader bar to the equipment. See
annex 5 for stress calculation and slings minimum length.
2.4.2 Slings
Slings are appropriate for the equipment to be lifted and for the operations to be performed :
• capacity (load)
• length (lifting gear arrangement, position of the gravity center)
• diameter (matching with the lifting lugs or trunions)
Angle at the hook between two slings (X in the annex) is never more than 60°.
Slings capacity is is indicated on the sling (cold punching or tag).
Use of slings with loops closed bolted clamps is not allowed. Slings with loops closed by crimped sleeves only are
accepted.

2.5 Tail crane

Unless otherwise specified on the equipment transport sketch, use of a tail crane is mandatory to lift ALE
equipment (vessels, skids, packages…).
See annex 1 to 5.

2.6 Manoeuvring rules

It is not allowed to have the equipment resting on its lower extremity during the tilting operations to bring it in vertical
position.

Vertical loads only are allowed during lifting operations : slant loads (pulling the equipment with the crane) are not
allowed.

The Contractor assigns for the complete duration of each lifting operation one lifting leader who is designated to
each crane operator and to the rigging team as the only operation chief. During the operations, remarks and
warnings are adressed to the lifting leader only (and not directly to the crane operators). During the operations,
instructions to crane operators and to rigging team are given by the lifting leader only - nobody (Client, ALE,
Contractor…) is authorized to by-pass the lifting leader.

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3 SCHEDULE & PRELIMINARY STUDY

ALE provides the Contractor with necessary information to perform the preliminary study :
• layouts and plot plan
• works general schedule and equipment delivery schedule
• equipment list with sizes and weights
• transport sketches
One month after having received from ALE the precise schedule for equipment deliveries and no later than two
weeks before the start of lifting operations, the Contractor submits to ALE a heavy lifting preliminary study including :
• a detailed schedule of the heavy lifting operations (time scale unit : day) – including the cranes
mobilization and demobilization steps and taking under account the time required for operations other than
lifting (distillation columns site assembly for example)
• the subcontractors list with names, address and telephone numbers and which subcontractor is affected to
which operation
• the quality assurance plan of the lifting companies
• a coordination procedure if cranes from two different companies are used to lift the same equipment
• the list of the cranes to be used and documentation related to these cranes (capacity tables, overall
dimensions, …)
• for each crane, the hook block references and reeving arrangement for each operation
• the list of the lifting gear to be used with the characteristics and owner
• the calculation of the loads transmitted to the ground in the most stringent case of the lifting operations and
sizing of the bearing plates (see section 2.3)
• a plot plan showing the locations of the main crane and the tail crane and showing the positions of the
equipment corresponding to the different step of the lifting
• a plot plan showing the locations of the main crane and the tail crane boom assembly and the crane
accessories storage area
• side views of the main crane
a) with the equipment in vertical position at the maximum height and at the minimum radius
b) at the maximum load condition (biggest radius)
These sketches :
- list and represent at the sketch scale the lifting gear, hook block and reeving arrangement
- indicate the maximum capacity of the crane in the shown position
- indicate the radius and the boom height
- indicate (sketch a only), the minimum distance between the crane boom and the equipment or the
spreader bar
• the list , if any, of the necessary preparation operations (dismantling of interfering equipment…)
The preliminary study is subject to ALE approval. ALE keeps the right to request more information and/or to request
the Contractor to modify the preliminary study.
Any change from the approved preliminary study (schedule, subcontractors, cranes, lifting gear, cranes locations…)
is subject to ALE approval. Once and if ALE approuval is granted, the Contractor updates the preliminary study
before the lifting operations.
The Contractor is considered as having visited the site and as being aware of the site conditions and regulations. No
claim from the Contractor is accepted due to interferences of any kind or due to site conditions and/or regulations.

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4 LIFTING OPERATIONS REALIZATION

4.1 Lifting operations preparation

4.1.1 Site preparation and re-instatement

Necessary site preparation works are determined during the preliminary study :
• Access preparation to the lifting location for heavy lift equipment and cranes
• Soil preparation (reinforcement & compaction) at specific locations for crane loads
• Interfering items dismantling or dealing with
Unless otherwise specified in the Contract, preparation and re-instatement works are assigned either to the
Contractor or to ALE during the preliminary lifting study stage :
• Civil works
• Supply and installation of mats, spreading plates…..
• Interfering items
• Coordination with other Contractors
Re-instatement of the site is performed as soon as the heavy lift operations are completed.

4.1.2 Organization

Success and safety of heavy and/or difficult lifting operations is based on the rigor and precision of the preliminary
organization.
Heavy and/or difficult lifting operations are started early in the morning in order to save time to adjust the equipment
and to cope with unforeseen events.
In order to ensure the early start of the operations, no later than the day the before the lifting,
• cranes are installed and tested (cranes ready to operate) and inspected by the lifting leader
• foundation / supporting structure preparation (shims installed, axis traced…) is completed, inspected and
accepted by ALE
• equipment to be lifted preparation (ground works completed, no loose item, anchor holes/ base plates
matching with the foundations embedded plates/anchor bolts…) is completed and inspected by ALE
• lifting gear and equipment lifting trunions/lugs preparation (slings, shackles, spreader bars hanging from
the crane hook, lifting trunions/lugs greased if necessary) is completed and inspected by the lifting leader
• Lifting leader is assigned, has visited the site, has been introduced to ALE and has prepared and check
personally the operations to be performed
• coordination procedure (sign language…) is agreed between the crane operators, the lifting leader and the
rigging team and necessary tools (radios…) are available on site and tested
• preliminary study is up-to-date and approved by ALE
• Authorization file as described in section 4.2.2 is submitted to ALE

4.2 Lifting authorization

4.2.1 Lifting conditions

Lifting authorization is granted by ALE only under following conditions
• External ambient temperature above –12°C
• Wind speed below 7 m/s

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• Preparation of the operations is as per 4.1

• Authorization granting is possible before 10.00 am
Wind speed : ALE keeps the right to require from the Contractor a wind speed limit calculation for exceptional cases
(windy area & equipment with important flat surface as packages).

Wind speed : Deviations from the limit of 7 m/s are granted by ALE only if
• the Contractor submits a wind speed limit calculation for the concerned operation
• the wind speed is acceptable in regards with the submitted wind speed limit calculation
Time for authorization granting : ALE keeps the right to grant lifting authorization after 10.00 am, on exceptional
basis. If the lifting authorization is granted after 10.00 am, the Contractor commits to carry on the works as late as
necessary to ensure the completion of the lifting operation at no extra cost for ALE.

4.2.2 Authorization signature

Lifting authorization is formalized with ALE form n° 393.01.FI. No heavy lifting is allowed as long as this form is
not signed by the Contractor, the lifting company and ALE.
Following documents are attached to the form submitted to ALE for signature :
• Up-to-date lifting study
• Weather forecast for the day of the lifting
• Copy of up-to-date crane operators licences
• Copy of up-to-date crane certificates
• Copy of up-to-date lifting gear certificates
The lifting authorization is signed by ALE only after a joint site inspection by ALE and the lifting leader, site
inspection during which conformity of the lifting preparation with the lifting study is verified.

4.3 Lifting sequence

Sequence to be followed during the operations :
• Budging of the equipment : care is taken of uncontrolled moves due to unbalanced gravity centers
• Pause (equipment being lifted of 100 mm), stabilization and inspection of lifting gear, crane bearing
plates/mats
• If required, tilting operation to bring the equipment in vertical position – lower part of the equipment is
never higher than 500 mm above the ground
• Once the equipment is in vertical position, releasing of tail crane
• Shifting of the equipment to its final location – whenever possible the lower part of the equipment is not
higher than 500 mm above the ground
• Placing of the equipment with the right orientation at its final location – anchor bolts nuts are installed right
after the installation
4.3.1 After the lifting operation
Contractor
• clears and re-instates the Construction site
• removes the grease from the lifting trunions & lugs

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5 ENTITY SPECIFIC AMENDMENTS

The following is a list of specific engineering entity requirements that differ from those given in this standard.
These requirements are only applicable to the engineering entity(ies) for which they are listed.
Entity Specific Amendments
Entity Section Description

Table of Revisions
Section Description

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ANNEX 1 – SKETCHES TAGS

Tag Definition
A Main Crane
B Tail Crane
C Spreader bar
E1 Slings length between spreader bar and trunions/lugs
E2 Longest radiud between the trunions/lugs and the equipment extremity
F Length of the boom
H, H1 Boom height (and not height under hook)
P, P1 Lifting radius
X, X1, X2 Slings hook angle

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ANNEX 2 - SCHEMATIC DIAGRAMS - LIFTING PROCEDURE

View according to A View according to B

X1
B
C C X2
C
E2 F
E1
B
A

C A

P
B

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ANNEX 2 - PACKAGE LIFTING

View according to A
X° < to 60°
E1 > E2

A X°
C

C E1
A

H E2

C
H1

P P1

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ANNEX 3 - DISTILLATION COLUMN LIFTING

View according to A
X° < to 60°
E1 > E2

A X°
C

E1

H
A

E2
B

C
H1

P P1

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ANNEX 4 – VESSEL LIFTING

1-Lifting lug to be used

up to vertical position

2-Lifting lug to be used for

vertical positioning and
A horizontal transportation

3-Lifting lug to be used

during horizontal transportation

X° < to 60°

H X°

1 3 B

H1

P P1

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ANNEX 5 – TAIL CRANE SPREADER BAR STRESS CALCULATION

Abbreviations
E Slings Length between Ll and the tail crane spreader bar
D Equipment diameter or width
G Gravity Center
Lu Upper Lifting Lug/Trunion
Ll Lower Lifting Lug/Trunion
S Stress by the speader bar to the equipment
W Equipment Weight

Minimum length of E :
DUE

Smax calculation :
Smax is calculated according to the following formula :

W × LuG × D
Smax =
4E(LuLl + E)
In case of doubt, check with ALE head office if the calculated maximum stress is acceptable.

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