EN 13155:2020 Lifting Spreader Technical Requirements Explained
EN 13155:2020 Crane Safety Standard — Requirements for Lifting Attachments is a key component of the European crane design standard series, developed and published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). As the core technical specification for crane lifting attachments, it systematically defines design calculations, safety factors, test methods, and discard criteria for hooks, lifting eyes, lifting beams, fixtures, vacuum lifters, and other attachment types. The standard applies to all lifting attachments and load-handling devices used with cranes.
Implementation of this standard is essential for improving the international competitiveness of Chinese lifting equipment and represents a mandatory technical requirement for exporting to European markets. Kelude's technical team has conducted in-depth research on this standard system and fully integrates its requirements into product design to ensure intrinsic safety at the equipment level.
Scope and Application of the Standard
EN 13155:2020 specifies technical requirements and safety indicators for crane lifting attachments, covering all lifting appliances with a rated lifting capacity of 0.5 t or above. The standard governs not only the design and manufacturing of new equipment but also provides clear technical guidance for the inspection, maintenance, and modification of attachments already in service. As an integral part of the EN standard framework, it aligns with other parts of the EN 13001 series to form a complete crane safety design specification. The clearly defined technical parameters and safety factor requirements give design personnel a solid design basis, while also providing quantifiable acceptance criteria for type tests and factory inspections conducted by third-party inspection bodies.
Core Technical Parameters
Under EN 13155:2020, the design and manufacturing of crane lifting attachments must satisfy a stringent set of technical parameter requirements. These parameters are established on the basis of extensive test data and safety engineering principles, covering the entire process from material selection to structural design. The safety factor ranges specified in the standard account for fatigue life and limit load conditions under severe operating environments. In practical engineering applications, design personnel must select appropriate parameter combinations based on factors such as work duty classification, load spectrum, and operating environment. The parameter cards below highlight the most critical technical indicators defined in the standard:
Comparative Analysis of Key Technical Parameters
To help design and inspection personnel better understand the technical requirements of EN 13155:2020, the comparison table below systematically maps the core parameters specified in the standard against general engineering practice. All values listed are either mandatory or recommended provisions of the standard and should be strictly implemented during design and selection as well as factory acceptance testing. Items marked as "negotiable" may be agreed upon separately between manufacturer and customer in the contract, but must not fall below the minimum safety requirements set by the standard.
| Technical Parameters | Standard Requirement | Recommended Value/Description |
|---|---|---|
| Hook Overall Safety factor | ≥4.0(Relative tobreaking load) | Forged Hook, Strictly Prohibited Castingandweld repair |
| Hookmaterial requirements | 20Steel Grade/20CrMo | Mechanical Properties R≥355MPa, A≥20%, KV≥34J(-20℃) |
| Lifting Beam Safety factor | ≥3.0(Relative toyield point) | Welding Lifting Beam100%UTDetection, Post-Weld Stress Annealing |
| Fixture Clamping Safety Factor | clamping force≥2.5Times the Load Dead Weight | Automatic Locking Mechanism, Hold on Loss of Pressure≥1.5times |
| Vacuum Lifter Vacuum Degree | Maintain≥80%Rated Vacuum Degree | Each Suction cup Independent Control, vacuum pump+Accumulator Dual Power Supply |
| hook opening Scrap | Increase≥Original Dimension15% | Distortion Deformation>10°orcritical section Wear>5%Scrap |
Inspection Requirements and Intervals
EN 13155:2020 sets out clear requirements for the Factory Acceptance Test, Type Test, and periodic inspection of crane lifting spreaders. The Factory Acceptance Test must be carried out on every unit by the quality inspection department at the manufacturer's facility, and each approved unit must be accompanied by a detailed inspection report and a certificate of conformity. The Type Test is required when a new product enters initial production, when manufacturing is transferred to a different facility, or when significant structural changes are introduced. For equipment already in service, the periodic inspection interval is determined by the work duty/classification and the operating environment, and must not exceed 12 months. The table below summarizes the specific requirements for each inspection and maintenance activity:
| Inspection/maintenance item | Inspection Method/Standard | Period/Acceptance Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Hook Comprehensive Inspection | Magnetic Particle Testing (MT)+throat opening Measurement+Wear Comprehensive Inspection | Monthly, throat opening Measurement Records Archived |
| Lifting Beam Weld Seam Comprehensive Inspection | Visual+Magnetic Particle+Ultrasonic(Main Weld Seam) | Quarterly Visual, Annual UT/MT |
| Fixturefunctional test | clamping force Verification+Automatic Locking Mechanism Testing | Monthly, clamping force≥2.5Times the Load Dead Weight |
| Vacuum System Testing | Vacuum Degree Retention Test+Leakage Rate Testing | Before Daily Use Testing, Leakage Rate≤5%/min |
Safe Operation and Management Requirements
Under EN 13155:2020, safe operation and routine management are just as critical as design and manufacturing compliance. The standard places strong emphasis on operator qualification and training, requiring that all operators complete specialized training and obtain the necessary certifications before handling lifting equipment. User units must establish a comprehensive equipment file management system that documents the full lifecycle of each unit—from installation and use through maintenance and inspection. Any safety hazard identified must be addressed through the rectification procedure specified in the standard, keeping equipment safe and controllable at all times. The standard also imposes operational restrictions under extreme weather conditions—for example, lifting operations are prohibited when wind speeds exceed the specified limits.
FAQ: Lifting Equipment Safety and Compliance
Q: What safety factor and material requirements does EN 13155:2020 set for hooks?
A: The standard requires a minimum overall safety factor of 4.0 for hooks relative to breaking load—meaning a hook rated at 10t must have a minimum breaking load of at least 40t. Hooks must be manufactured by forging; cast hooks are strictly prohibited, and weld repair of hooks is not permitted. Common materials include 20# steel or 20CrMo alloy steel, with a minimum yield strength of 355 MPa, minimum elongation after fracture of 20%, and minimum impact toughness of 34 J at -20°C. Critical sections of the hook subjected to stress must undergo Magnetic Particle Testing (MT) at least once a year, and the surface must be free from cracks, folds, or overheating defects. All Kelude hooks are forged from high-quality alloy steel and come with material certificates and mechanical property reports.
Q: What discard criteria apply to lifting spreaders?
A: The standard defines several quantitative discard criteria for lifting spreaders: a hook must be discarded when throat opening increases by more than 15% of its original dimension, when torsional deformation exceeds 10°, or when wear at critical sections (hook neck and bend areas) exceeds 5% of the original dimension. For lifting beams, discard criteria include cracks in main weld seams, overall deformation exceeding L/500, or service life exceeding the design life. Fixtures must be discarded when clamping surface wear exceeds 20% of original thickness or when the threaded pair is damaged. Rubber seals on vacuum lifters should be replaced promptly when aging, hardening, or cracking is observed. Kelude recommends that users maintain a lifting spreader ledger, assigning each unit a unique identification number and recording manufacturing details along with all inspection results throughout its service life.
Q: What safety design requirements apply to fixture-type lifting attachments?
A: The standard imposes strict design safety requirements on fixture-type lifting attachments: clamping force must be at least 2.5 times the dead weight of the load, ensuring the load cannot slip during hoisting and transport. Fixtures must incorporate a self-locking mechanism that automatically increases clamping force as the load increases during lifting. In an emergency situation where the power source (such as the hydraulic system) loses pressure, the fixture must retain a residual clamping force of at least 1.5 times the load's dead weight. Clamping surfaces should be designed with anti-slip patterns or pads to prevent relative movement between the fixture and the load. Each fixture must clearly display its rated load and applicable plate thickness range, and use beyond these limits is strictly prohibited.
Q: What are the routine inspection and maintenance requirements for lifting attachments?
A: A visual inspection must be performed before each daily use, focusing on hook deformation, wear, and cracks; the condition of fixture clamping surfaces; and the sealing performance of vacuum suction cups. A comprehensive hook inspection is required monthly, including Magnetic Particle Testing (MT), throat opening measurement, and wear recording at critical sections. Main weld seams on lifting beams require visual inspection quarterly and Ultrasonic Testing (UT) annually. Clamping force verification for fixtures is performed monthly to confirm it remains at or above 2.5 times the load's dead weight. Vacuum systems must undergo a vacuum retention test before each use, with leakage rates not exceeding 5% per minute. All inspection records should be kept in archival storage and serve as a key basis for full-lifecycle management of lifting attachments.
Kelude Heavy Industry is a professional crane design and manufacturing company whose products fully comply with the EN 13155:2020 standard system, offering full-cycle services from solution design to after-sales maintenance. To learn more about how this standard is applied in our products, contact our technical team for detailed technical documentation.
