As we mentioned in previous posts, the testing of our products is essential to guarantee their safety. They must have certain qualities and strengths to comply with current standards. But above all, we aim to meet our main objective: preventing accidents.
In the following post, we will explain the processes to follow when testing collective protection guardrails, in our case, ANANKE.
Standards Applicable to Guardrail Testing
All product testing is done under specific standards. ANANKE, in particular, is tested under the applicable criteria of the following standards:
- UNE-EN ISO 14122-3:2016 Safety of machinery. Permanent means of access to machinery. Part 3: Stairs, stepladders and guard-rails.
- UNE-EN 13374:2013 + A1:2019 Temporary edge protection systems. Product specification. Test methods.
- ISO 15534-1:2000 Ergonomic design for the safety of machinery — Part 1: Principles for determining the dimensions required for openings for whole-body access into machinery.
- ISO 15534-2:2000 Ergonomic design for the safety of machinery — Part 2: Principles for determining the dimensions required for access openings.
- ISO 15534-3:2000 Ergonomic design for the safety of machinery — Part 3: Anthropometric data.
Each of them contains various sections specifying all the technical data we must consider in our processes, from the choice of suitable materials to manufacturing processes.
What Points Will Be Verified in Our Test and for What Purpose?
We already mentioned in the post on calculations and test methods for edge protection guardrails that if in any case the loads cannot be verified by calculation, they must be verified by testing. In this case, there are many aspects that cannot be verified by calculation alone, which is why, for greater product safety, we carry out these tests in laboratories.
In the laboratories, technical strength is verified by always subjecting the products to the most unfavorable situations, to check their behavior and wear. Not only in cases of impact, but also where constant pressure is applied to these safety systems.
That is why the main points checked in the tests are:
- Strength.
- Durability of materials in adverse weather conditions and in different temperature zones.
- Influence of wind on these systems.
- Flexibility of the materials to find the breaking point.
- Corrosion.
- Material fatigue.
- Thermal breakage of all elements.
Another very important aspect is ergonomics, since the dimensions of the tubes that make up the structures of these safety systems must meet the criteria of ISO 15534, parts 1, 2, and 3.
The assembly formed by our ANANKE guardrails is subjected to a series of laboratory tests, some of impact and strength, and others exposing them to certain temperatures in special chambers built for this purpose. This verifies what was said earlier about the different temperatures we will encounter depending on the installation area and the climate of each season of the year.
All of this is done with the corresponding measuring equipment.
Where Is Guardrail Testing Carried Out?
Not all laboratories are valid for carrying out this type of test. At Ypsos Safety we certify our products at European Accredited Bodies that meet the requirements of the ISO standards applicable to these laboratories.
This ensures that the quality of our products is adequate for marketing them safely, both nationally and internationally.
In addition, we carry out these tests in both our own and external laboratories.