Load Testing Servicesfor 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.
Five testing routes. One engineering-led approach.
The right method depends on what needs to be verified and the evidence required. Choose a service below, or send us the drawings and target load if the route is not obvious.
Proof Load Testing
Controlled proof load verification for lifting equipment, beams, frames, rigging systems, cranes and engineered fabrications.
Tensile Testing
High-capacity tensile testing for wire rope, lifting assemblies, offshore equipment, fabricated structures and bespoke components.
Compression Testing
Controlled compression testing for structural assemblies, fabricated components and heavy engineered equipment.
Destructive Testing
Controlled load-to-failure testing used to establish ultimate strength, break load and structural performance.
Specialist Testing
Project-specific testing for oversized, repaired, modified, prototype and customer-designed equipment where a standard setup is not enough.
Not sure which test you need? Send drawings, dimensions, required load, connection details and any certification or witness requirements. We can review the most practical route.
Discuss Your TestA clear testing process from review to documented results.
For complex or high-value equipment, the test setup matters as much as the target load. We review the geometry, connections, load path, evidence requirements and site constraints before testing begins.
Send the requirement
Drawings, dimensions, photographs, connection details, target load and witness or certification requirements.
Select the test route
We identify the appropriate method, facility, load application approach and information required before testing.
Develop the setup
Where required, bespoke fixtures, supports, jacking systems or reaction arrangements are developed around the item.
Apply the load
The agreed load is applied using the appropriate controlled test arrangement, with monitoring throughout the test.
Record the outcome
Following successful completion, agreed certification, recorded data and supporting documentation are supplied.
From lifting accessories to major engineered assemblies.
Britannia Test House supports routine and specialist testing across lifting, offshore, marine, fabrication and heavy engineering applications.
Lifting beams & frames
Spreader beams, H-frames, lifting frames and fabricated lifting structures.
Wire rope & assemblies
Wire rope slings, socketed assemblies, grommets, shackles and engineered rigging systems.
Fabricated components
Structural fabrications, support frames, engineered steelwork and heavy components.
Ports & offshore equipment
Offshore lifting systems, marine assemblies, mooring equipment and quayside infrastructure.
Cranes & lifting systems
Proof load testing for cranes and installed lifting equipment, including selected on-site projects.
Bespoke & prototype items
New designs, repaired or modified equipment and components needing non-standard test arrangements.
High-capacity testing backed by real engineering capability.
Durham Lifting combines major vertical and horizontal test-bed capacity with the engineering support needed to create controlled test arrangements around complex items and unusual load paths.
Explore the full testing capability at Britannia Test House
View the principal vertical and horizontal test beds, additional testing rigs and engineered arrangements available for complex load testing requirements.
Explore Test Facilities
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, 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 related 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.
Serving, brooming & socketing
In-house support for wire rope preparation and testing arrangements.
Bespoke test arrangements
Engineered fixtures, reaction structures, jacking systems and controlled load application.
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 QuoteGo deeper into the test requirement.
Use these resources when you need the technical context behind a testing route, a real project example or more detail on the facilities available.
When is proof load testing required in the UK?
Clear guidance on proof testing, LOLER thorough examination and common situations where a proof test may be specified.
Read the guide →
300-tonne spreader beam proof load test
A real high-capacity testing project showing Durham Lifting's engineered test capability in practice.
View the project →Test beds & load testing facilities
Explore the vertical, horizontal and engineered testing arrangements available at Britannia Test House.
View the facilities →Questions about load testing services.
Common questions about test routes, equipment, on-site testing, bespoke arrangements, witnessing and documentation.
What load testing services does Durham Lifting provide?
Durham Lifting provides proof load testing, tensile testing, compression testing, destructive testing and specialist or bespoke testing, supported by Britannia Test House and selected on-site arrangements where suitable.
What types of equipment and structures can you test?
Testing can support lifting beams, spreader beams, lifting frames, rigging assemblies, wire rope systems, fabricated structures, offshore and marine equipment, cranes, structural components and bespoke engineered items.
Can Durham Lifting carry out load testing on site?
Yes. Selected proof load and specialist testing projects can be supported on site where access, reaction points and controlled load application methods make an on-site arrangement appropriate.
What information do you need to quote a test?
Useful information includes drawings, dimensions, photographs, connection details, required test load, working load information, item location and any certification or witness requirements.
Can you design a bespoke test arrangement?
Yes. Where standard test equipment is not suitable, Durham Lifting can develop project-specific fixtures, supports, hydraulic or jacking arrangements and controlled load application methods.
Can testing be witnessed by a third party?
Yes. Testing can be witnessed by clients, surveyors, insurers or verification bodies where required by the project specification.
Do you provide certification and recorded test data?
Following successful completion, Durham Lifting can provide agreed certification, recorded load data and supporting documentation in line with the testing scope.
Where is load testing carried out?
Many projects are completed at Britannia Test House in Middlesbrough using its horizontal and vertical testing capability. Selected projects can also be supported on site where appropriate.
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.