EN 818-4:1996+A1:2008

Short link chain for lifting purposes - Safety - Part 4: Chain slings - Grade 8

This European Standard specifies the requirements related to safety, methods of rating and testing of single-, two-, three-, four-leg and endless chain slings assembled by:
a)   mechanical joining devices;
b)   welding
using short link grade 8 medium tolerance lifting chain conforming to EN 818-2 together with the appropriate range of components of the same grade.
The hazards covered by this European Standard are identified in clause 4.
Bases for the calculation of working load limits are given in annex B.
Annex C gives an example of a designation system for chain slings.

Kurzgliedrige Rundstahlketten für Hebezwecke - Sicherheit - Teil 4: Anschlagketten - Güteklasse 8

Chaînes de levage à maillons courts - Sécurité - Partie 4: Elingues en chaînes - Classe 8

Cette partie de l’EN 818 définit les prescriptions relatives à la sécurité, les méthodes de détermination de la charge d’utilisation et d’essai des élingues en chaînes à un, deux, trois et quatre brins ainsi que les élingues sans fin assemblées par :
a)   dispositifs d’assemblage mécanique,
b)   soudage,
utilisant une chaîne de levage à maillons courts de classe 8, de tolérance moyenne, conforme à l’EN 818 2, associée à une gamme d’accessoires, adaptée de même classe.
!texte supprimé"
Les phénomènes dangereux couverts par cette partie de norme sont énumérés à l’article 4.
Les bases pour le calcul des charges maximales d’utilisation sont données en annexe B.
L’annexe C donne un exemple de système de désignation pour les élingues en chaînes.

Kratkočlene okrogle verige za dvigovalne namene - Varnost - 4. del: Obešalne verige - Kakovostni razred 8

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 01-Apr-2008
• ICS: 53.020.30 - Accessories for lifting equipment
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 168 - Chains, ropes, webbing, slings and accessories - safaty
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 168 - Chains, ropes, webbing, slings and accessories - safaty
• Current Stage: 9060 - Closure of 2 Year Review Enquiry - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 02-Sep-2024
• Completion Date: 02-Sep-2024
• Directive: 2006/42/EC - Directive 2006/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2006 on machinery, and amending Directive 95/16/EC (recast)
• Directive: 98/37/EC - Machinery
• Mandate: M/079 - Mandate to CEN and CENELEC for standardization in the field of machines
• Mandate: M/396 - Mandate to CEN and Cenelec for standardisation in the field of machinery
• Ref Project: SIST EN 818-4:1999+A1:2008 - Short link chain for lifting purposes - Safety - Part 4: Chain slings - Grade 8

Relations

• Merged From: EN 818-4:1996 - Short link chain for lifting purposes - Safety - Part 4: Chain slings - Grade 8
• Effective Date: 18-Jan-2023
• Merged From: EN 818-4:1996/prA1 - Short link chain for lifting purposes - Safety - Part 4: Chain slings - Grade 8
• Effective Date: 22-Dec-2008

Overview

EN 818-4:1996+A1:2008 - Short link chain for lifting purposes - Safety - Part 4: Chain slings - Grade 8 is a CEN harmonized European Standard that specifies safety, rating and testing requirements for chain slings made from short link grade 8 medium tolerance chain (per EN 818-2). It covers single-, two-, three-, four-leg and endless chain slings assembled by mechanical joining devices or welding, and supports conformity with applicable EU Machinery Directives (see Annex ZA/ZB).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and components: Defines permitted components (chain, forged steel components, links, hooks) and acceptable assembly methods (mechanical joining devices or welded joining links).
• Design and construction: Requirements for construction of single-, multi-leg and endless chain slings, plus tolerance on leg length.
• Working load limits (WLL): Methods for rating sling WLL are specified; bases for calculation are provided in Annex B (informative).
• Testing and verification: Includes manufacturing proof force (MPF) tests, post-test examinations, final inspection, and personnel qualification for testing/assembly.
• Marking and documentation: Mandatory marking rules for single- and multi-leg slings, manufacturer’s certificate requirements, and information for safe use (instructions to users).
• Annexes of practical value:
  • Annex A: alternative rating/marking method for specific applications
  • Annex B: calculation bases for WLL
  • Annex C: example designation system for chain slings (grade 8)
  • Annex D: identification tag examples
• Hazards: Clause 4 identifies hazards such as accidental load release; standard addresses design, material selection and testing to mitigate these risks. Fatigue failure is not identified as a hazard when slings meet the specified performance levels.

Applications and who uses this standard

EN 818-4 is used by:

• Manufacturers of chain slings and components to design, assemble, test and mark Grade 8 slings.
• Quality and inspection bodies for product certification and final examination.
• Safety engineers, lifting planners and procurement teams selecting compliant lifting accessories for construction, shipping, offshore, heavy industry and material handling.
• Maintenance personnel and end users following prescribed marking, certificates and instructions for safe operation.

Practical uses include establishing WLLs for slings, specifying manufacturing proof tests, creating identification tags and ensuring conformity with EU Machinery Directive requirements.

Related standards

• EN 818-1 (General conditions of acceptance)
• EN 818-2 (Short link chain - Grade 8 chain)
• EN 1677 series (forged steel components, hooks, links - Grade 8)
• EN ISO 12100 (Safety of machinery - design principles)

Keywords: EN 818-4:1996+A1:2008, chain slings, Grade 8, short link chain, working load limit, manufacturing proof force, welding, mechanical joining devices, lifting equipment safety.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-julij-2008
.UDWNRþOHQHRNURJOHYHULJH]DGYLJRYDOQHQDPHQH9DUQRVWGHO2EHãDOQH
YHULJH.DNRYRVWQLUD]UHG
Short link chain for lifting purposes - Safety - Part 4: Chain slings - Grade 8
Kurzgliedrige Rundstahlketten für Hebezwecke - Sicherheit - Teil 4: Anschlagketten -
Güteklasse 8
Chaînes de levage à maillons courts - Sécurité - Partie 4: Elingues en chaînes - Classe 8
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 818-4:1996+A1:2008
ICS:
53.020.30 Pribor za dvigalno opremo Accessories for lifting
equipment
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 818-4:1996+A1
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
April 2008
ICS 53.020.30 Supersedes EN 818-4:1996
English Version
Short link chain for lifting purposes - Safety - Part 4: Chain slings
- Grade 8
Chaînes de levage à maillons courts - Sécurité - Partie 4: Kurzgliedrige Rundstahlketten für Hebezwecke - Sicherheit
Elingues en chaînes - Classe 8 - Teil 4: Anschlagketten - Güteklasse 8
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 7 March 1996 and includes Amendment 1 approved by CEN on 10 February 2008.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the CEN Management Centre or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN Management Centre has the same status as the
official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36  B-1050 Brussels
© 2008 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 818-4:1996+A1:2008: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
Foreword.4
Introduction .5
1 Scope .6
2 Normative references .6
3 !Terms and definitions".7
4 Hazards .8
5 Safety requirements .9
5.1 Components of a chain sling.9
5.1.1 Chain .9
5.1.2 Forged steel components .9
5.1.3 Links.9
5.1.4 Hooks .9
5.2 Design and construction.10
5.2.1 !Chain slings" assembled with mechanical joining devices.10
5.2.2 !Chain" slings assembled by welding .10
5.2.3 Endless !chain" slings.10
5.2.4 Tolerance on length.10
5.3 Working load rating .11
5.3.1 Single-leg !chain" slings .11
5.3.2 Multi-leg !chain" slings.11
5.3.3 Endless !chain" slings.11
6 Verification of safety requirements.12
6.1 !Qualification of personnel.12
6.2 Manufacturing proof force .13
6.2.1 General.13
6.2.2 Manufacturing proof force factors.13
6.2.3 Post-test examination .13
6.3 Final examination.13
6.3.1 !Chain" slings joined by mechanical devices.13
6.3.2 !Chain" slings of welded construction .13
7 Marking .14
7.1 General.14
7.2 Single-leg !chain" slings .14
7.3 Multi-leg !chain" slings rated for a range of angles from 0° to 45° to the vertical .14
8 Manufacturer's certificate .15
8.1 General.15
8.2 !Chain" slings of welded construction .15
8.3 !Chain" slings joined by mechanical devices.15
9 !Information" for use .16
Annex A (normative) Alternative method of rating and marking a chain sling for a specific lifting
application .21
A.1 General.21
A.2 Alternative method of rating.21
A.3 Manufacturing proof force .21
A.4 Marking of !chain" slings rated by the alternative method of rating.22
Annex B (informative) !Bases for calculation of values for the working load limits" .23
B.1 Calculated values of working load limits (WLL) for single-leg !chain" slings .23
B.2 Calculated values of working load limits (WLL) for multi-leg !chain" slings .23
Annex C (informative) Designation system for chain slings - Grade 8 .24
Annex D (!normative") Identification tags for chain slings .25
D.1 General .25
D.2 Tags for chain slings.25
Annex ZA (informative) !Relationship between this European Standard and the Essential
Requirements of EU Directive 98/37/EC.27
Annex ZB (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the Essential
Requirements of EU Directive 2006/42/EC.28
!Bibliography .29

Foreword
This document (EN 818-4:1996+A1:2008) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 168 “Chains,
ropes, webbing, slings and accessories - Safety”, the secretariat of which is held by BSI.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical
text or by endorsement, at the latest by October 2008 and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at
the latest by October 2008.
This document includes Amendment 1, approved by CEN on 2008-02-10.
This document supersedes EN 814-4:1996.
The start and finish of text introduced or altered by amendment is indicated in the text by tags ! ".
!This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the
European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of EU Directive(s).
For relationship with EU Directive(s), see informative Annexes ZA and ZB, which are integral parts of this
document."
The other parts of EN 818 are:
Part 1 : General conditions of acceptance

Part 2 : Medium tolerance chain for chain slings - Grade 8

Part 3 : Medium tolerance chain for chain slings - Grade 4

Part 5 : Chain slings - Grade 4

!Part 6 : Chain slings – Specification for information for use and maintenance to be provided by the
manufacturer"
!Part 7 : Fine tolerance hoist chain, Grade T (Types T, DAT and DT)"
!deleted text"
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

Introduction
This European Standard has been prepared to be a harmonized standard to provide one means of conforming
with the essential safety requirements of the Machinery Directive.
The Directive stipulates that where chain with welded links is used for lifting accessories it is to be of short line
type and for the purposes of this standard this is chain having a ratio of nominal pitch to nominal size of 3:1.
The extent to which hazards are covered is indicated in the scope of this Part of EN 818. In addition, lifting
equipment shall comply as appropriate with !EN ISO 12100" for hazards which are not covered by this
standard.
Annex C gives a designation system for recording the identifying features of grade 8 chain slings. Since this
system is not widely used it has been included in this first edition of this standard as an informative annex,
however should its use become more generally accepted then the status of the information would need to be
reviewed.
!This standard is a Type C standard as stated in EN ISO 12100.
When provisions of this type C standard are different from those which are stated in type A or B standards, the
provisions of this type C standard take precedence over the provisions of the other standards, for equipment
that have been designed and built according to the provisions of this type C standard."

1 Scope
This European Standard specifies the requirements related to safety, methods of rating and testing of single-,
two-, three-, four-leg and endless chain slings assembled by:
a) mechanical joining devices;
b) welding
using short link grade 8 medium tolerance lifting chain conforming to EN 818-2 together with the appropriate
range of components of the same grade.
!deleted text"
The hazards covered by this European Standard are identified in clause 4.
Bases for the calculation of working load limits are given in annex B.
Annex C gives an example of a designation system for chain slings.
2 Normative references
This European Standard incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications.
These normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the publications are listed
hereafter. For dated, references, subsequent amendments to, or revisions of any of these publications apply
to this European Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated references, the
latest edition of the publication referred to applies.
!deleted text"
EN 818-1, Short link chain for lifting purposes - Safety – Part 1: General conditions of acceptance
EN 818-2, Short link chain for lifting purposes - Safety – Part 2: Medium tolerance chain for chain slings -
Grade 8
!EN 818-6:2000+A1", Short link chain for lifting purposes - Safety – Part 6: Chain slings - Instructions for
use and maintenance
!EN 1050", Safety of machinery – Risk assessment
!EN 1677-1:2000+A1", Components for slings - Safety – Part 1: Forged steel components - Grade 8
!EN 1677-2:2000+A1", Components for slings - Safety – Part 2: Forged steel lifting hooks with latch -
Grade 8
!EN 1677-4:2000+A1", Components for slings - Safety – Part 4: Links - Grade 8
!deleted text"
!EN ISO 12100-1, Safety of machinery - Basic concepts, general principles for design - Part 1: Basic
terminology, methodology (ISO 12100-1:2003)
EN ISO 12100-2, Safety of machinery - Basic concepts, general principles for design - Part 2: Technical
principles (ISO 12100-2:2003)"
3 !Terms and definitions"
!For the purposes of this document, the terms, definitions and symbols given in EN 818-1:1996+A1 and the
following apply."
!3.1
chain sling
assembly consisting of a chain leg or chain legs joined to upper and lower terminals for attaching loads to the
hook of a crane or other lifting machine
NOTE See Figures 1 to 4."
3.2
nominal size of !chain" sling
The nominal size of short link chain, in millimetres, used in the manufacture of the !chain" sling.
3.3
nominal grade of !chain" sling
For the purpose of designation in accordance with annex C, is the same as the grade of the short link chain
used in the manufacture of the !chain" sling i.e. 8.
3.4
master link
A link forming the upper terminal of a chain by means of which the !chain" sling is attached to the hook of
a crane or other lifting machine. !deleted text"
!NOTE See Figures 1 to 4."
3.5
length of a leg
For a finished !chain" sling, is the length from the lower bearing point of the lower terminal to the upper
bearing point of the upper terminal !deleted text".
!NOTE See Figures 1 to 4."
3.6
intermediate master link
A link used to connect one or two legs of a sling to a master link.
3.7
lower terminal
A link, hook or other device fitted at the end of a leg of a sling, remote from the master link or upper terminal.
3.8
mechanical joining device
A means of connection which does not depend on welding. It may be integral with a component or be a
separate component !deleted text".
!NOTE See Figure 5."
3.9
joining link
A welded link fitted to the end of a chain to connect it either directly or through an intermediate link to an upper
or lower terminal or intermediate master link or in the case of an endless !chain" sling to the other end of
the chain !deleted text".
!NOTE See Figures 1 to 4."
3.10
intermediate link
A welded link used to form a connection between the terminal and the joining link fitted to the chain !deleted
text".
!NOTE See Figures 1 to 4."
3.11
manufacturing proof force (MPF) of a chain sling
A force applied during manufacture as a test to the whole !chain" sling or a force applied as a test to a
section of !chain" sling.
3.12
working load limit (WLL) of a chain sling:
The maximum mass which a sling is authorized to sustain in general lifting service.
!3.13
master link assembly
assembly consisting of a master link together with two intermediate master links"
4 Hazards
!Accidental release of a load, or release of a load due to" failure of lifting accessories such as slings or
their component parts puts at risk either directly or indirectly the !safety or health" or health of those
persons within the danger zone of lifting equipment.
In order to provide the necessary strength and durability of lifting accessories this Part of EN 818 lays down
requirements for the design, selection of materials of construction and testing to ensure that specified levels of
performance are met.
Fatigue failure has not been identified as a hazard when chain slings having the specified levels of
performance given in this Part of EN 818 are used in general lifting service.
Since failure can be caused by the incorrect choice of grade and specification of lifting accessory this Part of
EN 818 also gives the requirements for marking and the manufacturer's certificate.
Errors in fitting together of !slings" can also lead to premature failure and this Part of EN 818 contains
dimensional requirements to allow correct fit.
Those aspects of safe use associated with good practice are given in !EN 818-6:2000+A1".
Table 1 contains !those hazards", which require action to reduce risk identified by risk assessment as
being specific and significant for chain slings grade 8.
Table 1 — Hazards and associated requirements
Relevant
Hazards identified in annex A of
clause/sub-clause
!EN 1050"
of this Part of EN
!1 e)" Mechanical hazard
due to inadequacy 5
of strength
!deleted text"
15 Errors of fitting 5.2
hazard
5 Safety requirements
5.1 Components of a chain sling
5.1.1 Chain
The chain shall comply with EN 818-2.
5.1.2 Forged steel components
Forged steel components, including mechanical joining devices, for use with grade 8 chain in the manufacture
of chain slings shall comply with !EN 1677-1:2000+A1".
5.1.3 Links
Master links and intermediate master links shall comply with !EN 1677-4:2000+A1".
Lower terminal links shall comply with !EN 1677-4:2000+A1" except for those clauses relating to link
dimensions.
Joining links and intermediate links shall comply with !EN 1677-4:2000+A1" except for those clauses
related to link dimensions.
Lower terminal links, joining links and intermediate links shall satisfy the appropriate requirements of 5.2.
5.1.4 Hooks
Forged steel lifting hooks with latch shall comply with !EN 1677-2:2000+A1".
Hooks not covered by these standards shall comply with the requirements of 5.1.2.
NOTE The details of forged steel self-locking hooks are contained in !EN 1677-3:2001+A1", which is in the
course of preparation.
5.2
...