This specification applies to the welding of all principal structural weldments and all primary welds used in the manufacture of cranes for industrial, mill, power house, and nuclear facilities. Furthermore, the specification applies to other overhead material handling machinery and equipment that support and transport loads within the design rating, vertically or horizontally, during normal operations, and, when agreed upon between the Owner and Manufacturer, to loading caused by abnormal operations or environmental events, such as seismic loading.

Secondary welds that will be subjected to tensile stresses of less than 5000 psi [34.5 MPa] need only meet the requirements of Section 7, Workmanship, and Section 10, Weld Quality and Inspection. The engineering drawings shall specify the joint detail, type, and size of weld. This specification is not intended for application to construction- or crawler-type cranes. For the welding of rails, refer to AWS D15.2, Recommended Practice for the Welding of Rails and Related Rail Components for Use by Rail Vehicles.

All provisions of this specification are equally applicable to the strengthening and repairing of existing overhead cranes and material handling equipment as described above.

This specification makes use of both U.S. Customary Units and the International System of Units (SI). The measurements may not be exact equivalents; therefore each system shall be used independently of the other without combining in any way. The specification with the designation D14.1 uses U.S. Customary Units. The specification D14.1M uses SI Units. The latter are shown in appropriate columns in tables and figures or within brackets [ ]. Detailed dimensions on figures are in inches. A separate tabular form that relates the U.S. Customary Units with SI Units may be used in tables and figures.

Safety and health issues and concerns are beyond the scope of this standard, and therefore are not fully addressed herein. Safety and health information is available from other sources, including, but not limited to, ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes and applicable federal and state regulations. Some other sources of safety and health information can be found in Annex D.