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| KITEMARKS & STANDARDS FOR LADDERS AND STEPS | |||
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The
UK
has
three
categories
of
ladder & stepladder strength
- Trade Duty (previously Class 2, but now EN131) ladders are designed for a Maximum Static Vertical Load 150kg ( 23.5 stones) Domestic Duty (Class 3) ladders are designed for a Maximum Static Vertical Load 125kg (19.5 stones) Confusion frequently arises from the use of the term "Duty Rating" on some ladders, where Class 1 ladders are designated a Duty Rating 130kg and Class 3 ladders are designated a Duty Rating 95kg. These figures were arrived at years ago by British Standards from a consideration of the frequency and general conditions of use. They are not an accurate guide to the Safe Working Load. The "Maximum Static Vertical Load" is a more useful measure and gives a more accurate guide to relative strengths. |
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| NOTE: Any standard or kitemark is only a MINIMUM standard. In the UK there are many approved and kitemarked ladders and steps which just about scrape through the tests. There are many others which are built to a considerably stronger specification than the tests require. Our Trade Duty alloy ladders (code: ELT...) are a good example. They are amongst the strongest BS EN131 approved ladders in the UK and many sizes would pass the Class 1 tests. There are some other makes of Trade Duty ladders which are still approved to BS EN131 but are considerable lighter duty and are built to JUST pass the tests. In addition, note that there are several types of ladders and steps which are not covered by any standard - Roof Ladders and Alloy Warehouse Steps for example. These are normally (but not always) made of Trade or Industrial duty materials, but cannot be kitemarked because no kitemark applies to them. |
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| METAL LADDERS & STEPS | |||
| BS2037 CLASS 1 |
INDUSTRIAL DUTY |
Max
safe
working
load - 175kg (27.5 stones) [ Duty Rating - |
The strongest UK category. These ladders and steps are built for the most rugged and frequent use. |
| BS2037 CLASS 2 (now BS EN131 ) |
TRADE DUTY |
Max
safe
working
load
150kg (23.5 stones) [OLD Class 2 Duty Rating |
Our old Class 2 is now replaced by the European-wide EN131standard. In the UK it is known as BS EN131. Ladders and steps manufactured on the continent which are approved to EN131 will often show the French and/or German "kitemark"
It
is
important
to
note
that
because
there
is
no
Class
1
and
Class
3
on
the
continent,
almost
all
continental
ladders
and
steps
are
made
to
EN131.
Manufacturers
often
subdivide
this
standard
into
several
unofficial
strength
categories
from
light
duty
to
heavy
duty
and
produce
ranges
of
ladders
and
steps
of
the
same
general
design
in
each
category.
All,
however,
will
be
"EN131"
standard. |
| BS2037 CLASS 3 |
DOMESTIC DUTY |
Max
safe
working
load
125kg (19.5 stones) [ Duty Rating - |
The lightest duty UK category. These ladders and steps are built for occasional use around the home. They are NOT designed for Trade and Industrial use. Using them in these circumstances may contravene the Health & Safety regulations and will probably upset Health & Safety inspectors - especially if there has been an accident with them! Insurance companies often state that using Domestic Duty ladders and steps for commercial work will invalidate claims for personal injury. |
| TIMBER LADDERS & STEPS | |||
| BS1129 CLASS 1 |
INDUSTRIAL DUTY |
Max
safe
working
load
175kg (27.5 stones) [ Duty Rating - |
The strongest UK category. These ladders and steps are built for the most rugged and frequent use. |
| BS1129 CLASS 2 (now BS EN131 ) |
TRADE DUTY |
Max
safe
working
load
150kg (23.5 stones) [OLD Class 2 Duty Rating |
Old Class 2 is now withdrawn. Very few British makes of timber ladders and steps are approved to BS EN131. The dwindling sales of these timber products means that gaining a kitemark is too costly. Many ladders and steps are still "made to" the old standard but are no longer tested, approved and kitemarked. |
| LOFT LADDERS | |||
| BS7553 CLASS H |
HEAVY USE | Max
safe
working
load
150kg (23.5 stones) |
The strongest UK category but it is worth noting that many loft ladders in the UK are considerably stronger than this requires but are often not approved to any standard. Most are imported from the continent. |
| BS7553 CLASS G |
GENERAL USE |
Max
safe
working
load
100kg (15.75 stones) |
The requirements of BS7553 Class G are not too demanding and most light Domestic Duty loft ladders will meet this standard. |
|
The
British
Standards
for
UK
ladders
are
- |
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| KITEMARKS FOR SCAFFOLD TOWERS | |||
| The
British
Standard for
scaffold
towers
is
BS EN1004. This standard replaces the old BS1139:
Part
3:
1994 (
also
known
as
HD1004
). The rest of Europe uses he same standard and they call it EN1004. This
standard applies
to TRADE & INDUSTRIAL
duty
towers.
Lightweight
Domestic
Duty
steel
scaffold
towers
will
not
be
made
to
this
standard
despite
what
a
few
less
scrupulous
suppliers
may
claim! Of course, BS EN1004 is a "standard", not a legal requirement and customers are not obliged by law to use towers which are approved, although it is the policy of many companies to do so at all times. However, "The Work at Height Regulations 2005" (WAHR) are a legal requirement on employers and anyone using equipment in the workplace, and most of the requirements of these regulations are the same as BS EN1004. Both BS EN1004 and the Work at Height Regs require towers to have - - some form of ladder access to the platform ( either vertical ladders or inclined ) - a trapdoor platform for safe access from the ladder - toeboards fitted around all working platforms - stabilisers or outriggers fitted where necessary to guard against overturning. One of the differences though, is that the Health & Safety Executive in the UK have used the WAHR to require all users to add extra equipment to BS EN1004 specification alloy towers so that no-one has to stand on a platform without guardrails around them, especially when erecting and dismantling. This requirement is preferred by the HSE, is considered to be "Best Practice" by all in the industry and is known as the "Through-The-Trap" (or 3T for short ) assembly method and specification. Consequently an EN1004 specification tower will not automatically include sufficient trapdoor platforms and guardrails (horizontal braces) to satisfy the HSE. Customers should check this before ordering. Another difference is that BS EN1004 applies only to towers with a platform height from 2.5m to 12.0m (indoor use), and from 2.5m to 8.0m (outdoor use). The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to all towers and all other locations from where someone could fall and injure themselves. |
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|
More
detailed
information
is
available
from
BSI
-
British
Standards
Institution Many
Health
&
Safety
publications
are
available
from
HSE
Books A list of many FREE printable HSE Information Sheets |
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13/03/09
|
Tel: 01452 520144 Fax: 01452 505580 e-mail: sales@ladders999.co.uk Lansford
Access
Ltd
Units 2 & 10 Chancel Close
Tr.
Estate Eastern Ave GLOUCESTER GL4 3SN U.K.
|
B.S.
KITEMARKS
