Proof Load Testing vs Ultimate Pull Testing focuses on one defined technical question. A proof test confirms performance at a specified load without intentional failure, whereas an ultimate test continues to the maximum load or defined failure.
Pull testing should begin with an agreed load, hold time, reaction arrangement and acceptance rule. The report must distinguish a proof test from a test to failure and identify the exact anchor or location tested.
Pull testing confirms that anchors, fixings, padeyes and lifting points can safely carry the loads they are designed for. Rather than trusting a specification on paper, pull testing applies a controlled proof load and measures the result. Kheeran Offshore provides on-site pull testing across Guyana using calibrated equipment and fully traceable reporting.
What is pull testing?
Pull testing, also called proof load or tension testing, applies a known force to an installed anchor or fixing to verify it holds without failure or excessive movement. The test proves in-service capacity and reveals installation problems that visual inspection alone cannot detect, such as poor embedment or a weak substrate.
Where pull testing is required
In addition, pull testing is widely used wherever safety depends on a secure connection:
- Anchor bolts and post-installed fixings in concrete or steel.
- Lifting points, padeyes and rigging attachments.
- Scaffold ties, handrails and safety barriers.
- Fall-arrest and life-safety anchor points.
- Facade, cladding and mechanical support fixings.
How we carry out pull testing
In practice, our technicians use calibrated hydraulic equipment and load cells to apply the specified proof load in a controlled way. We record applied load, displacement and pass or fail criteria against the project requirement. Pull testing complements our tension measurement and lifting equipment inspection services for complete load-integrity assurance.
Why proof load testing matters
Typically, a fixing that has never faced a load test is an unknown risk. Proof load testing gives documented evidence that a connection is fit for service, supporting compliance and protecting personnel. Guidance from bodies such as the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) underlines the importance of verifying lifting and anchoring points before use.
Traceable results you can trust
Notably, each pull test report shows equipment calibration, applied loads and results. Where a fixing fails, our engineering and material testing team can help investigate the cause and recommend corrective action.
Importantly, with calibrated equipment and experienced technicians based in Guyana, Kheeran Offshore delivers reliable pull testing on your site and on your schedule.
Proof load versus ultimate load testing
Overall, not every test is the same, and choosing the right one matters. A proof load test applies a load above the working load but below the design failure point, confirming the fixing performs without being destroyed, so it can remain in service. An ultimate (or sacrificial) test loads a sample fixing all the way to failure to establish its true capacity. We help you select the correct approach for your application and acceptance criteria.
- Proof load testing — non-destructive verification of installed fixings.
- Ultimate load testing — destructive test to establish maximum capacity.
- Sample-rate testing — a representative percentage of fixings on a job.
What our pull test reports show
As a result, after testing, you receive a report that documents each fixing tested, the applied load, the measured displacement and a clear pass or fail against the specified criteria. We also record the calibration status of our equipment, so the results are fully traceable and audit-ready.
Moreover, these records give you documented proof that safety-critical connections are fit for service, which is exactly what auditors, clients and safety regulators expect to see.
Pull testing: frequently asked questions
How much load should a pull test apply?
In addition, the design and the relevant standard set the proof load, normally as a defined multiple of the working load. We confirm the correct target load with you before testing so the result is meaningful and defensible.
Does pull testing damage the fixing?
In practice, a proof load test verifies capacity without damaging the fixing, so it can stay in service. We take only ultimate load tests, carried out on sample fixings, through to failure.
How often should anchors be pull tested?
Typically, this depends on the application and any regulatory requirements, but we commonly test safety-critical and lifting anchors at installation and re-verify them periodically. We can help you plan a suitable schedule.
What equipment do you use for pull testing?
Notably, we use calibrated hydraulic rams and load cells matched to the required test load, and we keep current calibration certificates for each. Recording the equipment used and its calibration status keeps every pull test result fully traceable and audit-ready.
Request a quote today. Contact Kheeran Offshore Guyana on +592-602-5664 (call or WhatsApp), email admin@kheeran.gy, or get a free quote online. Our lab at 319 Eccles Industrial Estate, Georgetown operates 24/7.