Load Testing Services for Lifting & Engineered Equipment
High-capacity load testing services for lifting equipment, fabricated structures and engineered components, including proof load, tensile, compression, destructive and bespoke testing at Britannia Test House and, where suitable, on site.
Britannia Test House gives complex testing projects room to be engineered properly.
Durham Lifting provides load testing services for lifting equipment, structures, offshore components, wire rope assemblies and bespoke engineered products from Britannia Test House in Middlesbrough.
The facility supports proof load, tensile, compression, destructive, bending and shear testing, with high-capacity horizontal and vertical test arrangements and specialist wire rope serving, brooming and socketing capability.
For unusual geometry, heavy components or non-standard load paths, our engineers can develop bespoke fixtures, support structures and controlled load application arrangements around the item being tested.
Choose the right testing route for the item, load and evidence you need.
From routine proof load verification to high-capacity structural testing, Durham Lifting supports projects where the test method must be matched to the item, load path and required outcome.
Use the service routes below for proof load, tensile, compression, destructive or specialist testing. If the requirement is not straightforward, send us the drawings and test load and our engineers can advise the most suitable approach.
Proof Load Testing
Controlled proof load verification for lifting equipment, cranes, beams, frames, rigging systems and engineered fabrications.
Tensile Testing
High-capacity tensile testing for wire rope, lifting assemblies, fabricated structures, offshore equipment and bespoke components.
Compression Testing
Controlled compression testing for fabricated structures, structural assemblies and heavy engineered components.
Destructive Testing
Controlled load-to-failure testing used to determine ultimate strength, break load and structural performance.
Specialist Testing
Project-specific testing for oversized, repaired, modified, prototype and customer-designed equipment.
Need a test quoted or reviewed?
Send drawings, dimensions, required test load, connection details and any certification or witness requirements. Our engineers will review the most practical testing route.
A clear testing process from initial review to documented results.
For complex or high-value equipment, the test setup matters as much as the target load. We review the item, geometry, connection points, load path, required evidence and site constraints before the test is agreed.
Review
Send drawings, dimensions, photographs, connection details, required test load and any certification or witness requirements.
Define
We identify the appropriate testing route, facility, load application method and information needed before testing.
Engineer
Where required, bespoke fixtures, supports, jacking systems or load application arrangements are developed for the item.
Test
The agreed load is applied using the appropriate controlled test arrangement, with monitoring throughout the test.
Document
Following successful completion, certification, recorded data and supporting documentation are supplied in line with the agreed scope.
Load testing for lifting equipment, structures and heavy engineered assemblies.
Britannia Test House supports routine and specialist testing for items ranging from lifting accessories and wire rope assemblies to large fabricated structures, offshore equipment and customer-designed components.
Lifting Beams & Frames
Proof load and structural testing for lifting beams, spreader beams, H-frames, lifting frames and below-the-hook equipment.
Wire Rope & Rigging
Testing for wire rope slings, socketed assemblies, grommets, shackles, lifting accessories and engineered rigging systems.
Fabricated Structures
Controlled load testing for structural fabrications, support frames, engineered steelwork and heavy components.
Offshore, Marine & Ports
Testing support for offshore lifting systems, marine assemblies, mooring equipment, quayside bollards and related infrastructure.
Cranes & Installed Equipment
Proof load testing for cranes and lifting equipment, with selected projects supported on site where the test arrangement is suitable.
Bespoke & Prototype Equipment
Project-specific testing for new designs, prototypes, modified or repaired equipment and items that need a non-standard test setup.
Vertical tension capability at Britannia Test House, alongside high-capacity horizontal, compression and bespoke engineered testing arrangements.
High-capacity load testing, engineered around the job.
Durham Lifting combines major vertical and horizontal test-bed capability with the engineering support needed for complex load paths, unusual geometry and non-standard components. Where an off-the-shelf setup is not suitable, our engineers can develop the fixtures, reactions and support arrangements around the test requirement.
High-capacity facilities
Principal vertical and horizontal test beds support controlled tensile, compression and destructive testing.
Bespoke test arrangements
Project-specific fixtures, reaction systems and support structures can be engineered for non-standard requirements.
Witnessing & certification
Testing can be supported by agreed witnessing, certification and recorded load data where required.

When a standard test setup is not enough.
Some equipment cannot be verified using a conventional test-bed arrangement. Durham Lifting can develop controlled testing methods around unusual geometry, load paths, structural interfaces and project-specific evidence requirements.
Shear & Bending Tests
Controlled structural testing for engineered components and fabricated assemblies.
Quayside Bollard Testing
Load verification for harbour bollards, mooring systems and marine infrastructure.
Pre & Post Test MPI
Magnetic Particle Inspection before and after testing where additional verification is required.
Third-Party Witness Testing
Testing attended by clients, surveyors, insurers or verification bodies where required by the project.
Wire Rope Services
Serving, brooming and socketing using in-house dummy sockets alongside wire rope testing support.
Bespoke Test Arrangements
Engineered fixtures, reaction structures, jacking systems and controlled load application for non-standard projects.
Have an unusual item or test method? Send the drawings, dimensions and target load. We can review whether Britannia Test House or a project-specific on-site arrangement is the best route.
Request a Testing QuoteQuestions About Load Testing Services
What load testing services does Durham Lifting provide?
What types of equipment and structures can you test?
Can Durham Lifting carry out load testing on site?
What information do you need to quote a test?
Can you design a bespoke test arrangement?
Can testing be witnessed by a third party?
Do you provide certification and recorded test data?
Where is load testing carried out?
Tell us what needs testing.
Send drawings, dimensions, photographs, required test load, connection details and any certification or witness requirements. Our engineers will review the requirement and advise the most suitable testing route.