Ladders are auxiliary equipment we have in our homes to help us carry out the most common home DIY tasks in our daily lives, such as changing a light bulb, hanging a picture or fixing the highest shelves in cupboards. The market floods us with a huge number of portable ladder models and, on very few occasions, do we pay attention to the information provided by their labelling. In addition to choosing the domestic ladder that best suits our needs, it is very important to check that it complies with Standard EN 131. Otherwise, the ladder would fail to meet the minimum safety and quality requirements, putting our safety at risk.
However, what does European Standard EN 131 consist of? This standard, created by the European Committee for Standardization CEN-TC 93 Ladders and applicable to both non-professional and professional ladders, is a European standard that establishes the technical requirements that portable ladders must meet, following criteria related to functional dimensions, materials and maximum load so as not to put the health of users at risk.
Standard EN 131 covers the design characteristics, testing requirements and labelling of ladders with the aim of ensuring they can be used and transported with maximum confidence and safety.
The EN 131 marking may appear on your domestic ladder provided it meets all the criteria applicable to the standard. Otherwise, its use would have to be rejected as it would put our safety and health at risk.
Requirements of Standard EN 131
When a user purchases a domestic ladder, manufacturers are required to provide a series of recommendations to inform them about the dangers of incorrect use of ladders. This means that ladders must include a safety marking along with instructions for use, the assembly manual — if necessary —, inspection points, recommendations to follow before and after use, and advice on correct storage and transport.
Standard EN 131 for ladders, which includes specifications for manufacturing, testing, marking and instructions for use, is made up of the following sections:
– EN 131-1: Terminology, types and functional dimensions. This section covers the general design characteristics of ladders. Some of the mandatory criteria are:
- The maximum total load must not exceed 150 kg including tools. In addition, use by only one person at a time is permitted.
- Leaning ladders and combination ladders that, in leaning position, exceed three metres in height, must have a component to increase the base width and improve stability.
- The distance between rungs or steps must be constant.
- The distance between the base of the ladder and the lowest rung or step must be at least equal to half the distance between rungs/steps, and must never exceed the distance between them by more than 15 mm.
– EN 131-2: Requirements, testing and marking. This standard details the general design characteristics, requirements and test methods for portable ladders, such as torsion, durability and slip resistance tests. It also establishes a classification of ladders according to their use: professional use ladders and non-professional use ladders.
– EN 131-3: Marking and information for the user: This standard provides guidance on safety in the use of ladders. For this reason, it establishes the standardisation of basic safety signs, supplementary safety information symbols and user instructions, among others.
– EN 131-4: Articulated ladders with single or multiple hinges. This part of the standard specifies the requirements, testing and marking of articulated ladders combined with one or more hinges. It also introduces the “professional” and “non-professional” use classification. Standard EN 131-4, which must be used in conjunction with the previous ones, introduces resistance tests in use position and resistance and slip tests for the platform component. Some of its provisions are:
- For multipurpose ladders that can be used as a work platform, the platform component must be supplied by the manufacturer.
- If used in platform position, the location for placing the platform component must not exceed one metre in height.
– EN 131-6: Telescopic ladders. This standard applies to telescopic leaning and self-supporting ladders. This part of the standard incorporates resistance tests in use position, torsion and durability tests, as well as specific requirements aligned with the EN 131 series. It also includes the “professional” and “non-professional” use classification. Regarding this type of ladder:
- All sections must be locked in the use position. Each section must have a locking mechanism for each stile and it must be possible to see whether, in the working position, they are locked or not.
- In the use position, sections that are not extended must be grouped at the upper section of the ladder.
– EN 131-7: Mobile platform ladders. This standard specifies the general design characteristics of mobile platform ladders, with a maximum area of 1 m², and a maximum platform height of 5 m, for use by only one person at a time.
All the ladders we make available to our users in the Altipesa catalogue are manufactured in accordance with the European Standards of the EN 131 series. This way, in addition to offering a wide range of ladders and stools adapted to today’s home use, we provide safety, quality and confidence to reach the highest.
