Ladder Classes

BRITISH LADDER STANDARDS ARE CHANGING

All ladders manufactured and supplied within the United Kingdom and the European Union should be manufactured to specified standards and correctly classified.These requirements apply to all portable ladder types and include step ladders, platform steps and extension ladders.

The Old British Standards BS1129 and BS2037 which relate to ladders and stepladders have been withdrawn and replaced with one European Standard - EN131

THE NEW BRITISH STANDARD IS BSEN131 (2018)

The new standard is a European Certification for portable ladders and stepladders. The updated standard has two categories

EN131 Professional - ladders to be used in a commercial environment, for business ,trade or industrial use

EN131-Non-Professional - ladders to be used for home use by yourself - not a tradesman

Both professional and Non - Professional will carry 150KG maximum load

The difference is the testing procedures - Non professional ladders pass a durability test of 10,000 cycles

Professional ladders pass a durability test of 50,000 cycles

This is because professional ladders are subject to tougher durability requirements and probably going to be used daily where as non professional (diy) ladders will be used less often for lighter work.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN CHANGES TO THE STANDARD ?

Extension ladders over 3.0M when closed will have a stabilisers or a wider base

Extension ladders over 3.0M when closed will no longer split in to separate sections

New Slip tests

Cycle Durability Tests

Strength of ladder in position of use

DO YOU NEED TO REPLACE/ SCRAP YOUR EXISTING LADDERS ?

If your existing ladder is in good condition and inspected on a regular basis then you can continue to use them - If you need to purchase a new ladder check that it complies with the new EN131 2018 standard. Standards are not law but you may find the construction sites and workplaces will start asking you to comply with the new standard so this may mean changing your ladder in the future. We recommend procurement policies are updated to ensure new purchase of ladders comply with the revised standard.

TRESTLES AND STAGINGS

The specification for trestles and stagings in BS1129 and BS2037 remain current until BSI revise this part of the standards

Interested in this class?

If you have any questions, please contact us and we can help.

    or Call 0121 440 6636