ANSI standards published for monorail cranes

The USA's Monorail Manufacturers Association has published two standards, approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

"Specifications for enclosed track underhung cranes and monorail systems" is a wholly new standard. "Specifications for patented track underhung cranes and monorail systems" is a revised version of an existing standard.

Although now classed as ANSI standards, such standards do not carry the force of law and are entirely voluntary. However, they are intended to bring benefit to industry by standardising specifications such as design criteria, clearances, tracks, track loading, switches, brakes and electrification The Monorail Manufacturers Association, an affiliate group within the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) trade association, says that it sponsored the development of the standards "in the interest of improved uniformity".

It added: "Since the intention of these standards is to encourage better communications between the manufacturer and the user, they should be regarded as guides rather than rigid specifications."