Why Load Testing Alone Cannot Certify Façade Access Anchors and Equipment

A Technical Position Statement from OLYMPIQUE Façade Access Consulting

Building owners increasingly request load testing of façade access anchors, davits, and related exterior building maintenance (EBM) equipment as a means of “certifying” their systems. While load testing is an essential component of compliance, a load test by itself does not prove that an installation is properly designed or meets the legally required factor of safety. Codes and standards in the United States, particularly in California, strictly limit how much load may be applied during a field test, which means the test cannot confirm the original design capacity without supporting documentation.

1. Code-Imposed Load Test Limits (50% of Ultimate Strength)

Under the ASME A120.1 National Consensus Safety Standard and Cal/OSHA ,  field load testing is limited to no more than 50% of the equipment’s ultimate capacity.

• Façade access anchors and davits are typically designed with a 4:1 factor of safety.
• For example, a davit rated for 1,000 lb is designed to handle 4,000 lb ultimate load.
• However, testing cannot exceed 2,000 lb, which is only 50% of the ultimate.

As a result, no legal test can validate the full 4:1 design strength.

2. Why Load Testing Alone Cannot Verify Compliance

A field load test can confirm that the device holds at 50% of its ultimate capacity and that no visible damage or distress is present. However, a load test alone cannot:

• Prove the original engineering
• Verify embedment depth, reinforcement, or structural connections
• Confirm compliance with the required 4:1 factor of safety
• Certify installations where PE-stamped drawings or calculations are missing

3. When Original Design Documents Are Missing

If the original design documents are not available, compliance requires:

• As-built structural verification
• Exploratory demolition (when needed)
• Review of original building structural drawings
• Engineering calculations re-establishing original design intent
• PE-stamped certification in accordance with OSHA, ANSI/IWCA I-14, and ASME A120.1

4. Legal, Safety, and Liability Considerations

Certifying façade access equipment without proper engineering verification may expose the building owner to:

• Cal/OSHA violations
• Insurance complications
• Severe liability in the event of an incident
• Potential life-safety hazards to workers

5. How OLYMPIQUE Helps You Achieve Compliance

OLYMPIQUE Façade Access Consulting provides:

• Code-compliant load testing
• Engineering analysis and structural verification
• Reverse engineering of undocumented installations
• PE-stamped recertification and compliance documentation

Conclusion

A load test alone cannot certify façade access equipment or confirm compliance with required safety factors. A combination of engineering analysis, structural verification, and code-compliant load testing is required to produce a legally defensible certification. OLYMPIQUE can assist with both the engineering and testing to bring your building into full compliance.