TSG Q0002 Lifting Appliances Safety: License, Type Test & Inspection
Key Point TSG Q0002, the Safety Technical Supervision Regulation for Lifting Appliances—Bridge Cranes, is a mandatory technical specification in the special equipment sector. It governs the full lifecycle of cranes, including design, manufacturing, installation, retrofitting, repair, use, and inspection. Four core systems: ① Manufacturing License (Levels A/B/C, valid for 4 years); ② Type Test (required for new products, valid up to 5 years); ③ Supervision Inspection (manufacturing/installation processes monitored by the Special Equipment Inspection Institute); ④ Periodic Inspection (annual, with cranes ceasing use if inspection lapses). Key inspection criteria: camber of main girder ≥ L/2000, brake safety factor ≥ 1.5, insulation resistance ≥ 1MΩ, grounding ≤ 4Ω. Kelude Heavy Industry holds a Level A manufacturing license and Type Test Certificates for its entire product range.
Scope and Applicability of the Regulation
TSG Q0002 is a safety technical specification within the TSG series—a mandatory regulatory document governing the design, manufacturing, installation, retrofitting, repair, use, and inspection of overhead cranes, gantry cranes, and light and small lifting equipment (electric hoists). Unlike ISO 4301 Crane Design Standard, TSG Q0002 focuses on safety supervision and administrative compliance, defining manufacturer qualifications, product inspection procedures, and user management requirements. Non-compliance with TSG Q0002 constitutes a legal violation, subject to penalties including production suspension, fines, and license revocation.
Manufacturing License Requirements and Type Test Conditions
TSG Q0002 mandates that crane manufacturers obtain a special equipment manufacturing license. Licensing conditions cover three areas: ① Technical Expertise—at least 5 certified engineers, 10 certified welders, and 2 certified NDT personnel on staff; ② Production Equipment—lifting capacity of at least 1.25 times the maximum product weight, welding equipment meeting product process requirements, and machining capability for major components; ③ Inspection Equipment—facilities and qualifications for mechanical property testing of materials, non-destructive testing of welds (UT/MT/RT), and precision dimensional measurement. Type Tests are conducted every 4 years, covering all product models and specifications. Kelude Heavy Industry holds a Level A manufacturing license (TS2510A60-2028), with Type Test coverage for its full range of overhead and gantry cranes up to 320t.
User Unit Precautions: ① Obtain a use registration certificate before putting the crane into operation; ② Maintain a safety technical file (including factory documents, installation acceptance documentation, inspection reports, and daily records); ③ Apply for periodic inspection within 1 month before the current inspection validity period expires; ④ Cranes out of service for more than 1 year must undergo re-inspection before being put back into operation; ⑤ Major repairs or retrofits must be performed by a qualified organization, followed by re-inspection.
The Four Core Systems
1. Manufacturing License System
Any organization engaged in crane manufacturing must obtain a special equipment manufacturing license, classified by level: Level A (no tonnage limit), Level B (overhead and gantry cranes ≤ 80t), and Level C (overhead and gantry cranes ≤ 20t, electric hoists ≤ 10t). The license is valid for 4 years, with renewal applications required 6 months before expiration. Manufacturers without a valid license are prohibited from producing lifting appliances. Kelude Heavy Industry holds a Level A manufacturing license covering its full product line.
2. Type Test System
New crane models must pass a Type Test conducted by a qualified inspection institution before entering production. The Type Test covers design review, prototype evaluation, and safety performance verification. Upon successful completion, a Type Test Certificate is issued (valid for up to 5 years). Models within the same series that share the same design principles may be covered under a single certificate. All Kelude product lines hold valid Type Test Certificates.
3. Supervision Inspection System
The manufacturing, installation, and retrofitting processes of cranes must undergo supervision inspection by a special equipment inspection institution. Manufacturing supervision inspection is conducted at the manufacturer's facility, while installation supervision inspection takes place at the installation site. Upon passing, a Special Equipment Supervision Inspection Certificate is issued, allowing the crane to be put into operation.
4. Periodic Inspection System
In-service cranes must undergo periodic inspections: ① Comprehensive inspection annually (including load test); ② Routine inspection every 2 years (excluding load test). Inspections are carried out by the Special Equipment Inspection Institute, which issues a Periodic Inspection Report upon successful completion. Cranes that have exceeded their inspection deadline must cease use. The first inspection after overhead crane installation & commissioning is particularly critical.
Core Inspection Items and Standards for Periodic Inspection
| inspection items | inspection items | Acceptance Criteria | Nonconformance Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|
| camber of main girder | Measurement Main Girdermid-span Camber | ≥L/2000 | cease use/Reinforcement |
| Brake | Braking Performance/Clearance/Wear | Safety factor≥1.5 | Immediate Repair |
| Wire Rope | Number of broken wires/Wear/Corrosion | Onelay lengthwire break≤10% | scrap and replacement |
| Hook | throat opening/Crack/Wear | throat opening Increase≤15% | replacement |
| Overload Limiter | functional test/accuracy calibration | combined error≤±5% | Calibration/replacement |
| Insulation Resistance | 500VMegohmmeter (Insulation Tester)Measurement | ≥1MΩ | Cause Investigation/Repair |
| Load test | 1.25Timesstatic load/1.1Timesdynamic load | None Deformation/None Load slipping | rectification Re-inspection After Repair |
User Unit Responsibilities
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between TSG Q0002 and ISO 4301?
A: TSG Q0002 is a mandatory safety technical regulation for special equipment, focusing on administrative oversight — licensing, inspection procedures, and usage management. ISO 4301 is a recommended technical standard covering design calculations — loads, strength, and mechanism parameters. The two complement each other: TSG Q0002 references ISO 4301 as its technical basis.
Q: What happens if my crane fails the annual inspection?
A: When non-conformity items are found during the annual inspection, the inspection institute issues a Rectification Notice requiring corrective action within a specified timeframe (typically 15–30 days). After rectification, a re-inspection must be scheduled, and the crane may only resume operation once it passes. In cases of serious non-conformities — such as cracks in the main girder or brake failure — the crane must immediately cease use. Kelude offers pre-inspection services to identify and resolve issues before the official inspection.
Q: Do electric hoists require annual inspection?
A: An electric hoist itself is classified as light and small lifting equipment. However, when installed on an Electric Single-Girder Crane (LD Type) or an electric hoist bridge crane (LH Type), the complete crane unit is subject to annual inspection. A standalone electric hoist (e.g., fixed-mount type) generally does not require annual inspection, but regular maintenance is still required.
Q: Can Kelude assist with the annual inspection process?
A: Yes. Kelude provides a one-stop service for crane annual inspections: 30-day advance reminders, pre-inspection, repairs and rectification, filing assistance, coordination with the inspection institute, and delivery of the final inspection report. Any maintenance work identified during the inspection — such as wire rope replacement, brake adjustment, or electrical repairs — can be completed at the same time.
The above covers the key provisions of TSG Q0002 — the Safety Technical Supervision Regulation for Lifting Appliances: Bridge Cranes. Kelude Heavy Industry holds a Class A manufacturing license and Type Test Certificates for all product lines, and offers pre-inspection, maintenance, and agency services for annual inspections. For inspection inquiries or maintenance services, please contact the Kelude after-sales technical team.
