Structures that support an overhead crane can be designed, manufactured, and installed in accordance with the standards below. Failure to meet tolerances can cause premature wear of wheels, rails and other mechanical components. In some cases, emergency fixes will have to be made, even for a new installation.

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• 1) CSA B167-16 – Overhead cranes, gantry cranes, monorails, hoists and jib cranes
• 2) CMAA 74 & 70 – Crane Manufactures Association of America
• 3) CSA S16-09 – Limit States Design of Steel Structures
• 4) CISC – Crane Supporting steel Structures Design Guide
• 5) Code de Construction du Québec – Chapitre 1, Bâtiment et Code National du Bâtiment Canada

The mill tolerances for structural wide-flange beam are essentially 1/8 inch by 10 feet in length, although this oversimplifies the ASTM A6 / A6M profile standard. A summary of the basic tolerances can be found on pages 6-15 to 6-21 in the Handbook of Steel Construction, 11th Edition. Tables are provided for hot-rolled, welded and hollow structural sections.

For example, if a runway has 30-foot beam in section, a beam may have a camber (horizontal bow) of 3/8 inches. The first steel piece exceeds the runway tolerance of CMAA and CISC. Aggravating the problem, the beam on the opposite side have the same camber, doubling the problem.

In order to avoid problems, particular attention should be paid to the runway that is not supplied and installed by the overhead crane manufacturer.