EN 818-1:1996+A1:2008

Short link chain for lifting purposes - Safety - Part 1: General conditions of acceptance

This part of EN 818 specifies the general conditions of acceptance related to safety for electrically welded round steel short link chain for lifting purposes. It includes:
a)   medium tolerance chain for use in chain slings and for general lifting service and;
b)   fine tolerance chain for use with hoists and other similar lifting appliances.
The hazards covered by this Part of EN 818 are identified in clause 4.
Annex C gives proposals for clauses covering inspection, inspection marking and steel makers cast analysis which may be included in a form of contract.

Kurzgliedrige Rundstahlketten für Hebezwecke - Sicherheit - Teil 1: Allgemeine Abnahmebedingungen

Chaînes de levage à maillons courts - Sécurité - Partie 1: Conditions générales de réception

La présente partie de l'EN 818 définit les conditions générales de réception concernant la sécurité des chaînes à maillons courts en acier rond soudés électriquement, utilisées pour le levage. Elle concerne :
a)   les chaînes de tolérance moyenne utilisées dans les élingues en chaînes et pour des applications générales de levage ;
b)   les chaînes de tolérance serrée utilisées pour les palans et autres appareils de levage similaires.
Les phénomènes dangereux couverts par cette partie de l'EN 818 sont identifiés à l'article 4.
L'annexe C propose des clauses couvrant l'inspection, le marquage d'inspection et l'analyse de coulée des fabricants d'acier, pouvant être ajoutées sous forme contractuelle.

Kratkočlene okrogle verige za dvigovalne namene - Varnost - 1. del: Splošni prevzemni pogoji

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 818-1:1999+A1:2008 - Short link chain for lifting purposes - Safety - Part 1: General conditions of acceptance

Relations

• Merged From: EN 818-1:1996/AC:1996 - Short link chain for lifting purposes - Safety - Part 1: General conditions of acceptance
• Effective Date: 19-Jan-2023
• Merged From: EN 818-1:1996/prA1 - Short link chain for lifting purposes - Safety - Part 1: General conditions of acceptance
• Effective Date: 19-Jan-2023
• Merged From: EN 818-1:1996 - Short link chain for lifting purposes - Safety - Part 1: General conditions of acceptance
• Effective Date: 18-Jan-2023

Overview

EN 818-1:1996+A1:2008 - "Short link chain for lifting purposes - Safety - Part 1: General conditions of acceptance" (CEN) sets the general safety acceptance conditions for electrically welded round steel short-link chains used in lifting. It covers both medium tolerance chain (for chain slings and general lifting service) and fine tolerance chain (for hoists and similar lifting appliances). This harmonized CEN standard supports conformity with EU machinery directives and identifies the principal hazards associated with welded short-link lifting chain.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and hazards: Clause 1 defines scope; Clause 4 identifies hazards such as accidental load release, sharp edges/surfaces and improper grade selection. Fatigue is discussed and addressed in context.
• Chain geometry and tolerances: Defines nominal size, material/weld diameters, pitch, and the short-link ratio (nominal pitch to nominal size 3:1).
• Materials, manufacture and heat treatment: Requirements for base material, welding, trimming, heat treatment and surface finish to ensure safe performance.
• Mechanical properties:
  • Manufacturing proof force (MPF) - force applied during manufacture.
  • Breaking force (BF) and total ultimate elongation (A) - static tensile requirements and elongation at fracture.
  • Grades are correlated with mean stress values (examples: M/4 ≈ 400 N/mm², P/5 ≈ 500 N/mm², S/6 ≈ 630 N/mm², T/8 ≈ 800 N/mm², V/10 ≈ 1000 N/mm²).
• Verification and testing: Sampling, static tensile tests (Annex A specifies tensile machine requirements), bend tests (Annex B), acceptance criteria, and re-test procedures.
• Marking and documentation: Grade marking, manufacturer’s marking, additional markings and the manufacturer’s certificate requirements.
• Informative annexes: Annex C offers model contractual clauses for inspection, inspection marking and steel maker’s cast analysis. Annexes ZA/ZB relate the standard to EU Directives.

Applications and users

• Used by: chain manufacturers, lifting-equipment designers, rigging and sling manufacturers, quality/inspection personnel, procurement specialists, safety managers, and certification bodies.
• Practical applications: specifying and certifying chain slings, hoist chains, lifting accessories, and procurement/specification of welded short-link chain for construction, offshore, manufacturing and logistics. Helps ensure compliant selection, testing, marking and documentation for safe lifting operations.

Related standards

• EN 818 series (Parts 2–7): grade-specific chain and sling standards (e.g., Grade 4, 8, hoist chain).
• EN ISO 12100 (machine safety principles) - referenced for hazards not fully covered by EN 818-1.
• EN 10002-2 and related test-machine verification standards are referenced for tensile testing.

Keywords: EN 818-1:1996+A1:2008, short link chain, lifting chain standard, chain slings, hoist chain, lifting safety, breaking force, manufacturing proof force, inspection, marking, CEN.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-julij-2008
.UDWNRþOHQHRNURJOHYHULJH]DGYLJRYDOQHQDPHQH9DUQRVWGHO6SORãQL
SUHY]HPQLSRJRML
Short link chain for lifting purposes - Safety - Part 1: General conditions of acceptance
Kurzgliedrige Rundstahlketten für Hebezwecke - Sicherheit - Teil 1: Allgemeine
Abnahmebedingungen
Chaînes de levage à maillons courts - Sécurité - Partie 1: Conditions générales de
réception
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 818-1:1996+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 818-1:1996+A1
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
April 2008
ICS 53.020.30 Supersedes EN 818-1:1996
English Version
Short link chain for lifting purposes - Safety - Part 1: General
conditions of acceptance
Chaînes de levage à maillons courts - Sécurité - Partie 1: Kurzgliedrige Rundstahlketten für Hebezwecke - Sicherheit
Conditions générales de réception - Teil 1: Allgemeine Abnahmebedingungen
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 7 March 1996 and includes Corrigendum 1 issued by CEN on 20 November 1996 and
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 818-1:1996+A1:2008: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
Foreword.4
Introduction .5
1 Scope.7
2 Normative references.7
3 !Terms and definitions".7
4 Hazards.9
5 Safety requirements.10
5.1 Dimensions.10
5.2 Material, manufacture and heat treatment .10
5.2.1 Material.10
5.2.2 Welding and trimming .10
5.2.3 Heat treatment.10
5.2.4 Surface finish.10
5.2.5 Links inserted in the course of manufacture.10
5.3 Mechanical properties.11
5.3.1 Manufacturing proof force (MPF).11
5.3.2 Breaking force (BF) and total ultimate elongation (A) .11
5.3.3 Bend deflection.11
6 Verification of safety requirements.13
6.1 ! !Qualification of personnel.13
!!
6.2 Material diameter.13
6.3 Condition of chain tested.13
6.4 Selection of samples .13
6.5 Static tensile test .14
6.5.1 Testing machine.14
6.5.2 Tensile test samples.14
6.5.3 Procedure.14
6.5.4 Total ultimate elongation (A) .14
6.6 Bend test.14
6.6.1 Test equipment.14
6.6.2 Procedure.15
6.7 Acceptance criteria.15
6.8 Re-tests.15
7 Marking.15
7.1 Grade marking.15
7.2 Manufacturer's marking.15
7.3 Additional marking.15
8 Manufacturer's certificate.16
9 !Information" for use .16
Annex A (normative) Requirements for the static tensile test machine.17
Annex B (normative) Requirements for the bend test equipment .19
Annex C (informative) Proposed contractual clauses.20
C.1 General.20
C.2 Inspection.20
C.3 Inspection marking.20
C.4 Steel makers cast analysis.20
Annex ZA (informative) !Relationship between this European Standard and the Essential
Requirements of EU Directive 98/37/EC.21
Annex ZB (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the Essential
Requirements of EU Directive 2006/42/EC.22
!Bibliography .23

Foreword
This document (EN 818-1:1996+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 818-1:1996.
The start and finish of text introduced or altered by amendment is indicated in the text by tags ! ".
The modifications of the related CEN Corrigendum have been implemented at the appropriate places in the
text and are indicated by the 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 2: Medium tolerance chain for chain slings – Grade 8
Part 3: Medium tolerance chain for chain slings – Grade 4
Part 4: Chain slings – Grade 8
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)"
A further part or parts will cover fine tolerance chains for chain hoists and other lifting appliances.
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 and associated EFTA regulations.
This Directive stipulates that where chain with welded links is used for lifting accessories it is to be of short link
type and for the purposes of this standard this is chain having a ratio of nominal pitch to nominal size of 3:1.
Chains covered by this European Standard are divided into grades which relate to the mechanical properties
of the finished product and not simply to the strength of the material. Each grade is identified by a letter for
fine tolerance chain or number for medium tolerance chain in the series: M,4; P,5; S,6: T,8; V,10 (see note 1
to table 0). The letter or number indicates the mean stress at the minimum breaking force as shown in table 0.
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.
!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 build according to the provisions of this type C standard."

Table 0 — Basis of grade symbols

Grade
Mean Stress at the
specified minimum
Fine tolerance Medium tolerance breaking force, N/mm
M 4 400
P 5 500
S 6 630
T 8 800
V 10 1000
NOTE: Chains in all of these grades may not be the subjects of European
Standards.
This grading system has also been applied to hooks, links, shackles and
other accessories, indicating their strength compatibility with the
appropriate grade of chain.
The stresses in a chain link are not uniform and at the extrados at the
crown particularly, the maximum fibre stress is considerably greater than
the mean stress obtained by dividing the force by the total cross-sectional
area of both legs of the link.

1 Scope
This part of EN 818 specifies the general conditions of acceptance related to safety for electrically welded
round steel short link chain for lifting purposes. It includes:
a) medium tolerance chain for use in chain slings and for general lifting service and;
b) fine tolerance chain for use with hoists and other similar lifting appliances.
The hazards covered by this Part of EN 818 are identified in clause 4.
Annex C gives proposals for clauses covering inspection, inspection marking and steel makers cast analysis
which may be included in a form of contract.
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 818-6:2000+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 10002-2, Metallic materials - Tensile testing - Part 2: Verification of the force measuring system of the
tensile testing machines
!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 following terms, definitions and symbols apply."
3.1
nominal size (d )
n
nominal diameter of the round section steel wire or bar from which the chain is made
3.2
material diameter (d )
m
diameter of the material in the chain link as measured
3.3
weld diameter (d )
s
diameter at the weld as measured
3.4
length dimensionally affected by welding (e)
length on either side of the centre of the link, affected by welding
3.5
pitch (p)
internal length of a link as measured
3.6
manufacturing proof force (MPF) of chain
force to which during manufacture the whole of the chain is subjected
3.7
breaking force (BF)
maximum force which the chain withstands during the course of a static tensile test to destruction
3.8
working load limit (WLL) of chain
maximum mass which the chain hanging vertically is authorized to sustain in general lifting service.
3.9
total ultimate elongation (A)
total extension at the point of fracture of the chain expressed as a percentage of the internal length of the test
sample
3.10
processing
any treatment of the chain subsequent to welding, for example, heat treatment, polishing or dimensional
calibration
3.11
lot
specified quantity from which test sample(s) is/are selected
!3.12
competent person
designated person, suitably trained and qualified by knowledge and practical experience and with the
necessary instructions to enable the required tests and examination to be carried out
NOTE EN ISO 9001:2000, 6.2 gives guidance on training."
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
...