Fixed ladder systems for construction works
DIN 18799
- DIN 18799 consists of three parts
- These regulate the safety requirements and testing of fixed ladder systems on buildings
- Part 1 applies to fixed ladders with uprights
- Part 2 applies to fixed ladders with one upright
- Part 3 applies to accessories
Overview of additions and amendments
- Amended standard published in June 2019
- The following significant changes were made compared to the standard issue dated 2009:
- Scope of application extended by additional requirements for vertical ladder systems on chimneys and antenna support structures, including the stipulation that back protection is not allowed to be used as a safety railing on chimneys
- Vertical ladders on buildings must be equipped with safety railings (back protection or fall protection) for total fall heights of over 3.0 m (previously over 5.0 m)
- Round rungs are no longer permitted on vertical ladders in accordance with this standard
- New additional functional dimensions for vertical ladders, e.g. determination of the maximum distance of the fall protection rail above the access level and minimum clearance for access openings when using fall protection
- Requirements for swivelling rest platforms extended
- Inclusion of new requirements for exit points from vertical ladders with back protection and fall protection, e.g. only the top rung of the vertical ladder must be on the same level as the exit point when exiting the ladder facing forwards
- The appendix 'Selection and design of a vertical ladder system' has been fundamentally revised
- The previous stipulations for the groups of persons entitled to use the system (inexperienced person/person with little experience/experienced person) have been removed. The specification that vertical ladder systems with fall protection are allowed to be used only by specially instructed users has been included
- In future, the manufacturer's documentation must also include information on possible attachment means for rescue equipment and personal protective equipment against falls from a height. Examples of suitable anchorage points and types on vertical ladders have therefore been added
- The changes to the new DIN 18799-1 standard parts have already been taken into account for the respective products in the range
- Amended standard published in June 2019
- The following significant changes were made compared to the standard issue dated 2009:
- Scope of application extended by additional requirements for vertical ladder systems on chimneys and antenna support structures, including the stipulation that back protection is not allowed to be used as a safety railing on chimneys
- Vertical ladders on buildings must be equipped with safety railings (fall protection) for total fall heights of over 3.0 m (previously over 5.0 m)
- Requirements for fall protection with wire rope as fixed guide added
- Round rungs are no longer permitted on vertical ladders in accordance with this standard
- New additional functional dimensions for vertical ladders, e.g. determination of the maximum distance of the fall protection rail above the access level and minimum clearance for access openings when using fall protection
- Requirements for swivelling rest platforms extended
- New requirements for exit points from vertical ladders with fall protection added, e.g. only the top rung of the vertical ladder must be on the same level as the exit point when exiting the ladder facing forwards
- The appendix 'Selection and design of a vertical ladder system' has been fundamentally revised
- The previous stipulations for the groups of persons entitled to use the system (inexperienced person/person with little experience/experienced person) have been removed. The specification that vertical ladder systems with fall protection are allowed to be used only by specially instructed users has been included
- In future, the manufacturer's documentation must also include information on possible attachment means for rescue equipment and personal protective equipment against falls from a height. Examples of suitable anchorage points and types on vertical ladders have therefore been added
- The changes to the new DIN 18799-2 standard have already been taken into account for the respective products in the range
- New standard part for fixed ladders on construction works
- Publication of the standard: February 2021
- The standard contains specifications for platforms, walkways, floor surfaces, railings, barriers and access protection devices
- The standard does not apply to:
- Fixed ladders on machinery (DIN EN ISO 14122-4)
- Fixed ladders for shafts (DIN EN 14396)
- Fixed emergency ladders (DIN 14094-1)
- Stationary accesses to process apparatus (DIN 28017)
- Walkways: Surface load: min. 2.0 kN/m2; total load: min. 1.5 kN; width: min. 500 mm
- Platforms: Surface load: min. 2.0 kN/m2; total load: min. 2.0 kN; width and length: min. 800 mm each
- Floor surfaces of walkways and platforms must be non-slip rating R 10 at minimum (in accordance with DIN 51130)
- For distances > 180 mm between the building and the platform or walkway, a railing (handrail, knee board and toe board) with railing height of at least 1,100 mm is required
- Access barrier (automatically closing safety door) required at railing openings. For roof parapet height ≥ 1,100 mm no barrier is required
- At the front exit points, railings are required on both sides of the vertical ladder (each at least 1,500 mm in length from the ladder centre line) or railings extending into the exit area (at least 2,000 mm in length from the exit edge); this also applies to roof parapet heights < 1,100 mm
- The railings at exit points do not require a toe board for roof parapet heights over 100 mm, and no toe board and knee board for roof parapet heights over 600 mm
- Vertical ladders that end on platforms or walkways at distances ≤ 1,500 mm from the railing must be equipped with additional fall protection equipment (e.g. braces between the back protection and the railing)
- Depending on the risk assessment, measures (access protection) must be provided to prevent unauthorised persons from climbing the vertical ladder
- If access protection devices are required, the back protection must start from a height no lower than 2,700 mm (otherwise 2,200 mm)
- The changes due to the new DIN 18799-3 have already been taken into account for the respective products in the range
