H-Lift Industries Co.,Ltd.
Lifting, Lashing and Rigging
By H-Lift | 13 March 2023 | 0 Comments

Beam Clamps

Beam clamps provide a ready means of attaching lifting appliances to suitable structural steelwork. There are currently a number of standards worldwide dealing with non-fixed load lifting attachments, which include clamps of all kinds. Previous to these, there were no standards dealing specifically with beam clamps and they were normally proprietary items which vary widely in design. It is not therefore possible in a general purpose code to cover every variation and for certain designs special precautions or instructions may apply. The manufacturer’s or supplier’s instructions should always be sought and followed. Beam clamps can be used either as lifting accessories or as load suspension points and many are supplied for dual purpose applications.

A beam clamp is a device designed to attach to a suitable steel beam section to provide a means of suspension for a lifting appliance.

A beam is any structural section provided it is suitable for the purpose of lifting

Adjustable type Beam Clamps
An adjustable type beam clamp, as the name implies, is adjustable to fit beams of various size. Some, such as the type illustrated in figure 9.1 are self-adjusting whilst others, such as the type shown in figure 9.2, require the operative to make the adjustment. In addition, there are some designs which, while not adjustable, will nevertheless accommodate beams of various size and may therefore be conveniently placed in this class, e.g. figure 9.3.

Depending on the design, adjustable clamps are only capable to adjustment within specific limits and are therefore manufactured in a series of size ranges.
Adjustable Beam ClampAdjustable Beam Clamp

Non-adjustable Type Beam Clamps

A non-adjustable type beam clamp is suitable for one size of beam only. Within this class will be found many of the ‘one off’ clamps purpose made for a particular beam. A typical example is shown in figure 9.4.
Non-adjustable type beam clamp

The SWL of the clamp selected should allow for the weight of the lifting appliance and any other tackle which will be suspended from it. Under normal conditions of use, i.e. where there are no hazardous conditions the SWL will be the same as the working load limit. When used in conjunction with sheave blocks, due allowance should be made for the downward pull on the effort rope in establishing the SWL.

Many designs of clamp are intended for ‘in line’ use only – i.e. the line of force must be at right angles to the flange of the beam to which it is attached (See figure 9.5) It is therefore important to ensure that for ‘angled’ applications (See figure 9.6) a clamp of suitable design is selected.
Beam Clamps
INFORMATION WHICH SHOULD BE EXCHANGED BETWEEN THE USER AND THE DESIGNER OR
SUPPLIER
The following is the minimum amount of information which should be exchanged between the user and the designer or supplier.
(1) Details of the beam to which the clamp is to be attached. These details must be sufficient to fully identify the particular constructional section or, in the case of a fabricated section, the various elements from which it is manufactured. This information is required to ensure that the clamp fits correctly onto the beam. Figure 9.7 indicates the information required.
beam clamp
(2) The maximum weight of the load to be lifted including the weight of the hoist and any other tackle used, together with any other forces which may be superimposed on the load.
(3) The intended application, including information on the angle and plane in which the load is to be applied, and whether the installation is to be temporary or permanent.
(4) Environmental considerations, such as extremes of temperature or corrosive atmospheres.
(5) The type of attachment point required (e.g. shackle, link, etc) or dimensions of the equipment which is to be attached to the beam clamp


SAFE USE OF BEAM CLAMPS
In addition to any specific instructions relating to the safe use of the clamp issued by the manufacturer, the following points should be observed:
(1) It is essential to note that most beam clamps are only suitable for in line use. Therefore, unless the manufacturer’s instructions indicate that loading at other angles is permitted, care should be taken to ensure that only in line loading occurs.
(2) Where two or more clamps are used for one lift, it may be necessary to use them in conjunction with suitable ancillary equipment, e.g. a spreader beam in order to comply with (1) above.
(3) When two or more clamps are used for one lift, care should be taken to ensure that no one clamp will be subjected to a load greater than its own SWL.

Beam Clamp

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