EN 13135:2026
(Main)Cranes - Safety - Requirements for equipment
- Abstract
This document specifies requirements for the design and selection of electrical, mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic equipment used in all types of cranes and their associated fixed load lifting attachments with the objectives of protecting personnel from hazards affecting their health and safety.
NOTE 1 Specific requirements for particular types of cranes, and for load lifting attachments, are given in the appropriate European Standard.
The electrical equipment covered by this document commences at the point of connection of the supply to the crane (the crane supply switch) including systems for power supply and control feeders situated outside the crane, e.g. flexible cables, conductor wires or bars, electric motors and cableless controls.
The principles to be applied for cranes transporting hazardous loads are given in this document. Particular requirements are given for cranes transporting hot molten metal.
This document does not cover the detail design of individual items of equipment except with regard to their selection for specific aspects of use.
The proof of competence calculations and related strength requirements or safety margins of equipment and components are not covered by this document.
NOTE 2 Some safety margins are given here for issues not covered in the EN 13001 series.
Hazards due to noise are not covered by this document. They are addressed in safety standards specific to each type of crane.
The specific hazards due to potentially explosive atmospheres, ionizing radiation, and operation in electromagnetic fields are not covered by this document.
The significant hazards covered by this document are identified in Annex A.
This document is not applicable to cranes manufactured before the date of its publication.
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 21-Jul-2026
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 147 - Cranes - Safety
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 147/WG 3 - Design - Requirements for equipment
- Current Stage
- 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
- Start Date
- 22-Jul-2026
- Due Date
- 30-Oct-2026
- Completion Date
- 22-Jul-2026
EN 13135:2026 is a CEN European Standard for crane equipment. It specifies how electrical, mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic equipment for cranes and associated fixed load lifting attachments should be designed and selected so that people are protected from safety and health hazards and the equipment works reliably.
It is aimed at crane manufacturers, designers, integrators, safety bodies and others involved in crane equipment selection, verification, marking and instructions. The document also gives special principles for cranes carrying hazardous loads, including hot molten metal.
What does EN 13135:2026 specify?
EN 13135:2026 sets out requirements for equipment used in all types of cranes and their associated fixed load lifting attachments. It focuses on selection and safety-related integration of equipment, not on detailed design of each individual part.
The standard starts electrical coverage at the crane supply switch and includes feeders outside the crane, such as flexible cables, conductor bars, motors and cableless controls. It also states the principles for hazardous-load handling and gives extra requirements for hot molten metal.
The document is organized into a short main structure: scope, normative references, terms and definitions, safety requirements, verification, and information for use.
| Annex | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Annex A | Significant hazards addressed by the standard |
| Annex B | Choosing a suitable set of crane standards for an application |
| Annex C | Design guidance for rail wheel flanges |
| Annex D | Guidance on rope systems |
| Annex ZA | Link to the essential requirements of Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 |
The introduction identifies EN 13135:2026 as a type C standard. In practice, that means its crane-specific requirements take precedence where they differ from more general machinery standards.
What are the key requirements of EN 13135:2026?
EN 13135:2026 is built around Clause 4, which requires the crane equipment to meet the safety measures in the standard and to follow EN ISO 12100 for remaining hazards. That matters because designers still need a risk-based approach for issues not dealt with directly in this document.
Electrical equipment
Clause 4.2 covers the electrical system from the crane supply switch onward, including control feeders, motors and cableless controls. It addresses physical environment, supply, protection against electric shock, control circuits, operator interfaces, power-driven motions and motor selection.
A major practical point is motor sizing. The standard requires the motor’s thermal capacity to be matched to the actual duty cycle, load history and environmental conditions such as temperature and altitude. For designers, that means the selected motor has to suit the real working pattern, not just the nominal load.
Mechanical equipment
Clause 4.3 covers clutches, couplings, brakes, gear drives, wheels on rails, rope systems, chain systems, belt systems, adjustment rods and compensating means. These are the parts that directly carry, move or hold the load, so their selection has a direct effect on load retention and motion control.
Braking provisions are especially important for vertical movements, where the standard distinguishes service brakes, backup brakes and the special handling of load-holding functions. Clause 4.3 also ties rope, chain and belt arrangement to safe guidance, anchorage and spooling behavior.
Structures, fluid power and lifting attachments
Clause 4.4 covers structures associated with mechanical equipment, including rope-braced structures and counterweights. Clause 4.5 covers fluid power systems, including emergency stop, overload testing and the safety of hydraulic and pneumatic equipment.
Clause 4.6 covers fixed load lifting attachments, including hooks. In practice, this means hooks and related lifting parts have to be selected and integrated as part of the crane safety concept, not treated as simple accessories.
Safeguarding and environmental effects
Clause 4.7 requires equipment for safeguarding, including safety-related control functions, measures for loss of drive power, devices to prevent overrunning, derailment protection, tipping prevention, storm-locking and anti-collision devices. These measures matter because many crane accidents come from uncontrolled motion or loss of stability rather than from broken structural parts alone.
Clause 4.8 addresses environmental effects, especially weakening of material and temperature. It also covers protection against hot parts from operation or ambient conditions, which is important for operators and maintenance staff working near heated equipment.
High-risk applications
Clause 4.9 adds stricter rules for high-risk applications. It requires measures to reduce the probability of harm, such as risk coefficients, duplicated components or redundant arrangements, and additional provisions for hot molten metal transport.
For hot molten metal, the standard introduces special requirements for rope systems, hooks, gear housing, backup braking and control-system protection. This section is the part to read when the crane will handle very high-consequence loads, because it sets out the extra design and reliability measures expected in that service.
Verification and information for use
Clause 5 links each requirement to a verification method such as calculation, testing, measurement or visual inspection. Clause 6 then requires the crane instructions to cover operation, exceptional situations, installation, maintenance, high-risk applications and marking.
That is important in practice because the standard is not only about design. It also requires the manufacturer to tell the user how to operate, inspect, maintain and identify the equipment safely.
What terms does EN 13135:2026 define?
- backup brake - an extra brake beyond the service brake that can stop and hold the load.
- backup limiter - a limiter that acts only if the primary limiting means fail.
- rated capacity - the maximum net load the crane is designed to lift for a given configuration, load location and operating condition.
- redundant - a component arrangement where the function remains available if one component or sub-assembly fails.
- rope system - the rope-and-sheave arrangement, including the ropes and the parts in contact with them.
- single failure proof hoisting mechanism - a hoisting mechanism arranged so that failure of any single component does not drop the hoisted mass.
- vertical movement - movement of a load or crane part along a path that is 5 % or steeper relative to horizontal.
- laminated hook - a load hook made from several parallel plates, typically used for hot molten substances.
Who uses EN 13135:2026?
EN 13135:2026 is used by crane manufacturers when designing and selecting equipment for new machines. It is also used by engineers and technical teams who choose motors, brakes, ropes, chains, hooks, control devices and safeguarding functions.
Health and safety bodies use it as a reference when checking whether crane equipment addresses the significant hazards listed in Annex A. Service providers and maintenance teams use it when preparing inspection, repair and replacement procedures.
The standard is also relevant to users and employers who need to understand what information should appear in operating and maintenance instructions, especially for cranes in demanding or high-risk service.
What changed in EN 13135:2026 from the previous edition?
EN 13135:2026 supersedes EN 13135:2013+A1:2018. The foreword identifies these technical changes:
- updated normative references
- the list of significant hazards moved to Annex A
- renumbering of the other annexes
- revision of Table A.1
- revision of Annex ZA
Which standards are used with EN 13135:2026?
| Standard | What it contributes |
|---|---|
| EN ISO 12100:2010 | General risk assessment and risk reduction principles |
| EN 60204-32:2008 | Electrical equipment requirements for hoisting machines |
| EN IEC 60204-11:2019 | Electrical equipment for higher-voltage machines |
| EN ISO 13849-1:2023 | Safety-related parts of control systems |
| EN ISO 13850:2015 | Emergency stop function principles |
| EN ISO 4413:2010 | Hydraulic fluid power safety rules |
| EN ISO 4414:2010 | Pneumatic fluid power safety rules |
| EN 13001-1 and EN 13001-2 | General crane design principles and load actions |
| EN 13001-3-1, EN 13001-3-2, EN 13001-3-5 | Proof of competence for steel structures, wire ropes and forged/cast hooks |
| EN 13557:2024 | Control devices and control stations |
| EN 12077-2:2024 | Limiting and indicating devices |
| EN 13155:2020 | Non-fixed load lifting attachments |
| ISO 4306-1:2007 | Crane vocabulary used in the standard |
| ISO 4309:2017 | Rope care, inspection and discard criteria |
| ISO 12482:2014 | Monitoring crane design working period |
| ISO 12488-1:2012 | Wheel and track tolerances |
What does the EN 13135:2026 document contain?
The document contains a detailed requirement set for electrical, mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic equipment, followed by a verification table in Clause 5 that links each requirement to methods such as calculation, testing, measurement and visual inspection. It also includes user-information requirements in Clause 6 for operation, exceptional situations, installation, maintenance, high-risk applications and marking.
Annex A maps significant hazards to the clauses that address them. Annex B helps the reader choose related crane standards for a given application. Annex C provides flange design formulas, dimensions and a table for rail wheel flanges, while Annex D gives rope-system guidance with recommended geometric parameters and fleet-angle limits. Annex ZA gives the correspondence with Regulation (EU) 2023/1230.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 31-Jul-2024
- Effective Date
- 30-Sep-2026
- Refers
EN 13411-4:2021 - Terminations for steel wire ropes - Safety - Part 4: Metal and resin socketing - Effective Date
- 23-Sep-2026
- Effective Date
- 16-Sep-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Sep-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Sep-2026
- Effective Date
- 02-Sep-2026
- Effective Date
- 29-Jul-2026
- Effective Date
- 29-Jul-2026
- Effective Date
- 29-Jul-2026
- Referred By
EN 14985:2012 - Cranes - Slewing jib cranes - Effective Date
- 29-Jul-2026
- Effective Date
- 29-Jul-2026
- Referred By
EN 16851:2017 - Cranes - Light crane systems - Effective Date
- 29-Jul-2026
- Effective Date
- 29-Jul-2026
- Effective Date
- 29-Jul-2026
Frequently Asked Questions
EN 13135:2026 is a draft published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Cranes - Safety - Requirements for equipment". This standard covers: This document specifies requirements for the design and selection of electrical, mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic equipment used in all types of cranes and their associated fixed load lifting attachments with the objectives of protecting personnel from hazards affecting their health and safety. NOTE 1 Specific requirements for particular types of cranes, and for load lifting attachments, are given in the appropriate European Standard. The electrical equipment covered by this document commences at the point of connection of the supply to the crane (the crane supply switch) including systems for power supply and control feeders situated outside the crane, e.g. flexible cables, conductor wires or bars, electric motors and cableless controls. The principles to be applied for cranes transporting hazardous loads are given in this document. Particular requirements are given for cranes transporting hot molten metal. This document does not cover the detail design of individual items of equipment except with regard to their selection for specific aspects of use. The proof of competence calculations and related strength requirements or safety margins of equipment and components are not covered by this document. NOTE 2 Some safety margins are given here for issues not covered in the EN 13001 series. Hazards due to noise are not covered by this document. They are addressed in safety standards specific to each type of crane. The specific hazards due to potentially explosive atmospheres, ionizing radiation, and operation in electromagnetic fields are not covered by this document. The significant hazards covered by this document are identified in Annex A. This document is not applicable to cranes manufactured before the date of its publication.
This document specifies requirements for the design and selection of electrical, mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic equipment used in all types of cranes and their associated fixed load lifting attachments with the objectives of protecting personnel from hazards affecting their health and safety. NOTE 1 Specific requirements for particular types of cranes, and for load lifting attachments, are given in the appropriate European Standard. The electrical equipment covered by this document commences at the point of connection of the supply to the crane (the crane supply switch) including systems for power supply and control feeders situated outside the crane, e.g. flexible cables, conductor wires or bars, electric motors and cableless controls. The principles to be applied for cranes transporting hazardous loads are given in this document. Particular requirements are given for cranes transporting hot molten metal. This document does not cover the detail design of individual items of equipment except with regard to their selection for specific aspects of use. The proof of competence calculations and related strength requirements or safety margins of equipment and components are not covered by this document. NOTE 2 Some safety margins are given here for issues not covered in the EN 13001 series. Hazards due to noise are not covered by this document. They are addressed in safety standards specific to each type of crane. The specific hazards due to potentially explosive atmospheres, ionizing radiation, and operation in electromagnetic fields are not covered by this document. The significant hazards covered by this document are identified in Annex A. This document is not applicable to cranes manufactured before the date of its publication.
EN 13135:2026 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 53.020.20 - Cranes. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 13135:2026 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 13135:2013+A1:2018, EN ISO 13850:2015, EN 13411-4:2021, EN 13001-3-5:2025, EN 13001-2:2021, EN 13001-1:2015, EN ISO 13849-1:2023, EN 13852-1:2004, EN 15056:2006+A1:2009, EN 13852-2:2004, EN 14985:2012, EN 14492-2:2019, EN 16851:2017, EN 15011:2011+A1:2014, EN 15011:2011. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 13135:2026 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2023/1230; Standardization Mandates: M/605. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
EN 13135:2026 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 13135:2025
01-junij-2025
Žerjavi - Varnost - Konstruiranje - Zahteve za opremo
Cranes - Safety - Design - Requirements for equipment
Krane - Sicherheit - Konstruktion - Anforderungen an die Ausrüstungen
Appareils de levage à charge suspendue - Sécurité - Conception - Prescriptions relatives
à l'équipement
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 13135
ICS:
53.020.20 Dvigala Cranes
oSIST prEN 13135:2025 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
oSIST prEN 13135:2025
oSIST prEN 13135:2025
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 13135
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
April 2025
ICS 53.020.20 Will supersede EN 13135:2013+A1:2018
English Version
Cranes - Safety - Design - Requirements for equipment
Appareils de levage à charge suspendue - Sécurité - Krane - Sicherheit - Konstruktion - Anforderungen an
Conception - Prescriptions relatives à l'équipement die Ausrüstungen
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 147.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, 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.
This draft European Standard was established by CEN 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-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.
Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 13135:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
oSIST prEN 13135:2025
prEN 13135:2025 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 4
Introduction . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 8
4 Safety requirements and/or protective measures . 11
4.1 General . 11
4.2 Electrical equipment . 11
4.2.1 General . 11
4.2.2 Physical environment and operating conditions . 11
4.2.3 Electrical supply . 11
4.2.4 Protection against electric shock by direct contact . 12
4.2.5 Control circuits and control functions . 12
4.2.6 Operator interface and mounted control devices . 12
4.2.7 Power driven motions . 13
4.2.8 Selection of motors . 13
4.3 Mechanical equipment . 21
4.3.1 General . 21
4.3.2 Clutches and couplings . 21
4.3.3 Brakes. 21
4.3.4 Gear drives. 24
4.3.5 Wheels on rails . 25
4.3.6 Rope systems . 26
4.3.7 Chain systems . 29
4.3.8 Belt systems . 30
4.3.9 Adjustment rods . 32
4.3.10 Compensating means . 32
4.4 Structures associated with mechanical equipment . 32
4.4.1 Structures . 32
4.4.2 Structural equipment . 32
4.5 Fluid power systems . 34
4.5.1 Controls and control devices of fluid power systems . 34
4.5.2 Protective measures . 34
4.5.3 Overload testing . 35
4.5.4 Hydraulic equipment . 35
4.5.5 Pneumatic equipment . 37
4.6 Fixed load lifting attachments . 39
4.6.1 General . 39
4.6.2 Hooks . 39
4.7 Equipment for safeguarding . 40
4.7.1 General . 40
4.7.2 Safety related functions of control systems . 41
4.7.3 Measures to decrease the consequences of loss of drive power . 41
4.7.4 Safety devices to prevent overrunning of movements . 41
4.7.5 Derailment safety device . 42
4.7.6 Provisions to prevent tipping . 43
4.7.7 Storm-locking . 43
4.7.8 Anti-collision device . 44
oSIST prEN 13135:2025
prEN 13135:2025 (E)
4.8 Environmental effects . 44
4.8.1 Protection against weakening of material . 44
4.8.2 Temperature . 44
4.9 High risk applications . 45
4.9.1 General . 45
4.9.2 Decreasing of the probability of occurrence of harm . 45
4.9.3 Additional requirements for the transportation of hot molten metal . 48
5 Verification of the safety requirements and/or protective measures . 51
6 Information for use . 55
6.1 General . 55
6.2 Instructions for operation in exceptional situations . 55
6.3 Instructions for installation and maintenance . 55
6.4 Maintenance instructions in the case of high risk applications . 56
6.5 Marking . 56
Annex A (informative) List of significant hazards . 57
Annex B (informative) Selection of a suitable set of crane standards for a given application . 60
Annex C (informative) Design of rail wheel flanges . 62
Annex D (informative) Guidance on rope systems . 65
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the essential
requirements of Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 aimed to be covered. 66
Bibliography . 69
oSIST prEN 13135:2025
prEN 13135:2025 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 13135:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 147 “Cranes -
Safety”, the secretariat of which is held by SFS.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document supersedes EN 13135:2013+A1:2018.
prEN 13135:2025 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to
EN 13135:2013+A1:2018:
— updating of normative references;
— revision of List of significant hazards, move it to Annex A and re-numbering of other Annexes;
— revision and update of Table A.1;
— revision of Annex ZA.
This document has been prepared under a standardization request addressed to CEN by the European
Commission. The Standing Committee of the EFTA States subsequently approves these requests for its
Member States.
For relationship with EU Legislation, see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this
document.
For the relationship with other European Standards for cranes, see Annex B.
oSIST prEN 13135:2025
prEN 13135:2025 (E)
Introduction
This document is a harmonized standard to provide one means for equipment for cranes to conform with
the essential health and safety requirements of the Machinery Regulation, as mentioned in Annex ZA.
This document is a type C standard as stated in EN ISO 12100:2010.
This document is of relevance, in particular, for the following stakeholder groups representing the market
players with regard to machinery safety:
— machine manufacturers (small, medium and large enterprises);
— health and safety bodies (regulators, accident prevention organizations, market surveillance etc.).
Others can be affected by the level of machinery safety achieved with the means of the document by the
above-mentioned stakeholder groups:
— machine users/employers (small, medium and large enterprises);
— machine users/employees (e.g. trade unions, organizations for people with special needs);
— service providers, e.g. for maintenance (small, medium and large enterprises);
— consumers (in case of machinery intended for use by consumers).
The above-mentioned stakeholder groups have been given the possibility to participate at the drafting
process of this document.
The machinery concerned and the extent to which hazards, hazardous situations and events are covered
are indicated in the scope of this document.
When requirements of this type-C standard are different from those which are stated in type-A or type-B
standards, the requirements of this type-C standard take precedence over the requirements of the other
standards for machines that have been designed and built according to the provisions of this type-C
standard.
oSIST prEN 13135:2025
prEN 13135:2025 (E)
1 Scope
This document specifies requirements for the design and selection of electrical, mechanical, hydraulic
and pneumatic equipment used in all types of cranes and their associated fixed load lifting attachments
with the objectives of protecting personnel from hazards affecting their health and safety and of ensuring
reliability of function.
NOTE Specific requirements for particular types of cranes, and for load lifting attachments, are given in the
appropriate European Standard.
The electrical equipment covered by this document commences at the point of connection of the supply
to the crane (the crane supply switch) including systems for power supply and control feeders situated
outside the crane, e.g. flexible cables, conductor wires or bars, electric motors and cableless controls.
The principles to be applied for cranes transporting hazardous loads are given in this document.
Particular requirements are given for cranes transporting hot molten metal.
This document does not cover the detail design of individual items of equipment except with regard to
their selection for specific aspects of use.
The proof of competence calculations and related strength requirements or safety margins of equipment
and components are not covered by this document.
NOTE Some safety margins are given here for issues not covered in the EN 13001 series.
Hazards due to noise are not covered by this document. They are addressed in safety standards specific
to each type of crane.
The specific hazards due to potentially explosive atmospheres, ionising radiation, and operation in
electromagnetic fields beyond the range of EN 61000-6-2 are not covered by this document.
The significant hazards covered by this document are identified in Annex A.
This document is not applicable to cranes manufactured before the date of its publication.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 818-1:1996+A1:2008, Short link chain for lifting purposes - Safety - Part 1: General conditions of
acceptance
EN 818-7:2002+A1:2008, Short link chain for lifting purposes - Safety - Part 7: Fine tolerance hoist chain,
Grade T (Types T, DAT and DT)
EN ISO 14118:2018, Safety of machinery - Prevention of unexpected start-up (ISO 14118:2017)
EN 12077-2:2024, Cranes safety - Requirements for health and safety - Part 2: Limiting and indicating
devices
EN 12385-4:2002+A1:2008, Steel wire ropes - Safety - Part 4: Stranded ropes for general lifting
applications
EN 13001-1:2015, Cranes - General design - Part 1: General principles and requirements
EN 13001-2:2021, Crane safety - General design - Part 2: Load actions
oSIST prEN 13135:2025
prEN 13135:2025 (E)
EN 13001-3-1:2012+A2:2018, Cranes - General Design - Part 3-1: Limit States and proof competence of
steel structure
EN 13001-3-2:2014, Cranes - General design - Part 3-2: Limit states and proof of competence of wire ropes
in reeving systems
EN 13001-3-5:2016+A1:2021, Cranes - General design - Part 3-5: Limit states and proof of competence of
forged and cast hooks
EN 13155:2020, Crane - Safety - Non-fixed load lifting attachments
EN 13411-1:2002+A1:2008, Terminations for steel wire ropes - Safety - Part 1: Thimbles for steel wire rope
slings
EN 13411-3:2022, Terminations for steel wire ropes - Safety - Part 3: Ferrules and ferrule-securing
EN 13411-4:2021, Terminations for steel wire ropes - Safety - Part 4: Metal and resin socketing
EN 13411-6:2004+A1:2008, Terminations for steel wire ropes - Safety - Part 6: Asymmetric wedge socket
EN 13480-3:2024, Metallic industrial piping - Part 3: Design and calculation
EN 13557:2024, Cranes - Control devices and control stations
EN IEC 60204-11:2019, Safety of machinery - Electrical equipment of machines - Part 11: Requirements for
equipment for voltages above 1 000 V AC or 1 500 V DC and not exceeding 36 kV (IEC 60204-11:2018
EN 60204-32:2008, Safety of machinery - Electrical equipment of machines - Part 32: Requirements for
hoisting machines
EN 62745:2017, Safety of machinery - Requirements for cableless control systems of machinery
(IEC 62745:2017)
EN ISO 4413:2010, Hydraulic fluid power - General rules and safety requirements for systems and their
components (ISO 4413:2010)
EN ISO 4414:2010, Pneumatic fluid power - General rules and safety requirements for systems and their
components (ISO 4414:2010)
EN ISO 12100:2010, Safety of machinery - General principles for design - Risk assessment and risk reduction
(ISO 12100:2010)
EN ISO 13732-1:2008, Ergonomics of the thermal environment - Methods for the assessment of human
responses to contact with surfaces - Part 1: Hot surfaces (ISO 13732-1:2006)
EN ISO 13849-1:2023, Safety of machinery - Safety-related parts of control systems - Part 1: General
principles for design (ISO 13849-1:2023)
EN ISO 13850:2015, Safety of machinery - Emergency stop function - Principles for design (ISO 13850:2015)
As impacted by EN 62745:2017/A11:2020.
oSIST prEN 13135:2025
prEN 13135:2025 (E)
ISO 4306-1:2007, Cranes — Vocabulary — Part 1: General
ISO 4309:2017, Cranes — Wire ropes — Care and maintenance, inspection and discard
ISO 4347:2015, Leaf chains, clevises and sheaves — Dimensions, measuring forces, tensile strengths and
dynamic strengths
ISO 6336-1:2019, Calculation of load capacity of spur and helical gears — Part 1: Basic principles,
introduction and general influence factors
ISO 6336-2:2019, Calculation of load capacity of spur and helical gears — Part 2: Calculation of surface
durability (pitting)
ISO 6336-3:2019, Calculation of load capacity of spur and helical gears — Part 3: Calculation of tooth
bending strength
ISO 6336-5:2016, Calculation of load capacity of spur and helical gears — Part 5: Strength and quality of
materials
ISO 10300-1:2023, Calculation of load capacity of bevel gears — Part 1: Introduction and general influence
factors
ISO 10300-2:2023, Calculation of load capacity of bevel gears — Part 2: Calculation of surface durability
(macropitting)
ISO 10300-3:2023, Calculation of load capacity of bevel gears — Part 3: Calculation of tooth root strength
ISO 12482:2014, Cranes — Monitoring for crane design working period
ISO 12488-1:2012, Cranes — Tolerances for wheels and travel and traversing tracks — Part 1: General
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN ISO 12100:2010,
ISO 4306-1:2007, EN 60204-32:2008 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
backup brake
brake that is additional to the service brake that is able to stop and hold the load
Note 1 to entry: A backup brake can have fewer design cycles than the service brake.
Note 2 to entry: Such a brake is also known as emergency brake or safety brake.
3.2
backup limiter
limiter that is only activated if other (primary) limiting means fail to operate as intended
oSIST prEN 13135:2025
prEN 13135:2025 (E)
3.3
belt system
system for supporting and moving load or crane part via belt and wheel arrangement, comprising the
belts and all the attachments and parts which are in contact with the belts
EXAMPLE Belt drive wheels, belts, belt reversing wheels, belt terminations and belt guides.
3.4
chain system
system for supporting and moving load or crane part via chain and wheel arrangement, comprising the
chains and all the attachments and parts which are in contact with the chains
EXAMPLE Chain drive wheels, chains, chain reversing wheels, chain terminations and chain guides.
3.5
compensating beam
beam to equalise forces at the ends of two ropes
Note 1 to entry: The amount of compensation is limited by the permitted movement of the beam.
3.6
compensating sheave
sheave which performs the function of compensating beam in a continuous rope system
Note 1 to entry: The amount of compensation is not limited by the movement of the sheave.
3.7
hoisting mechanism
drive mechanism for lifting and lowering the load
[SOURCE: ISO/DIS 4306-1:2024, 7.1, modified – alternate term is used]
3.8
load bearing chain
assembly of load bearing components
3.9
load bearing component
mechanical or structural component which is stressed by the hoist load
3.10
load hook
device attached to chain, rope, bottom block or lifting attachment from which the load, load handling
devices or slings can be suspended
3.11
laminated hook
load hook consisting of several parallel oriented plates
EXAMPLE Typically used for transporting hot molten substances.
Note 1 to entry: Also known as multi-plate hook.
oSIST prEN 13135:2025
prEN 13135:2025 (E)
3.12
rated capacity
rated load
maximum net load that the crane is designed to lift for a given crane configuration, load location and
operating condition
Note 1 to entry: For mobile cranes, replace net load in the definition by hoist medium load.
Note 2 to entry: For net load and hoist medium load, see ISO 4306-1:2007.
3.13
redundant
multiple arrangement of components and/or sub-assemblies arranged so that if one of the components
or sub-assemblies fails, the function is still operational
Note 1 to entry: The function can be with limited performance.
3.14
rope anchorage
arrangement comprising the parts between the rope termination and the fixed load bearing structure
EXAMPLE Pins, bolts, compensating beams, tension rods.
3.15
sheave
rotating element with one or more grooves for guiding and/or changing the direction of the rope (chain)
without essential change of the rope (chain) force
[SOURCE ISO/DIS 4306-1:2023, 7.25]
3.16
rope system
system for supporting and moving load or crane part via rope and sheave arrangement, comprising the
ropes and all the attachments and parts which are in contact with the ropes
EXAMPLE Wire ropes, sheaves, compensating sheaves, rope terminations and rope guides.
Note 1 to entry: Rope attachment on the drum is included but the rope drum itself is outside of this definition.
3.17
rope termination
equipment to connect the end of the rope to a rope anchorage
3.18
self-locking braking device
braking device whose braking effect is accomplished solely as a result of movement to be braked
3.19
single failure proof hoisting mechanism
hoisting mechanism comprising several parallel chains of components, arranged so that in case of failure
of any single component in the total mechanism, the hoisted mass is not dropped
Note 1 to entry: After the failure, the mechanism is not necessarily functional as such.
oSIST prEN 13135:2025
prEN 13135:2025 (E)
3.20
vertical movement
movement of hoist load or of a crane part, where the slope of the path of the moved mass is 5 % or steeper
in relation to horizontal level
4 Safety requirements and/or protective measures
4.1 General
Machinery shall conform to the safety requirements and/or protective measures of this clause. In
addition, the machine shall be designed according to the principles of EN ISO 12100:2010 for relevant
but not significant hazards, which are not dealt with by this document.
NOTE Specific requirements for particular crane types can be given in the appropriate European Standards,
see Annex B.
4.2 Electrical equipment
4.2.1 General
The electrical equipment shall conform to EN 60204-32:2008 as amended in this document.
High voltage equipment (exceeding 1 000 V AC or 1 500 V DC) shall conform to EN IEC 60204-11:2019.
All references to EN 60204-1 in EN IEC 60204-11:2019 shall be considered as references to the
respective clauses in EN 60204-32:2008.
4.2.2 Physical environment and operating conditions
When the physical environment or the operating conditions are outside those specified in 4.4 of
EN 60204-32:2008, the specification of the electrical equipment shall be amended accordingly.
Wind chill effects and solar heat gain shall be taken into account where appropriate.
4.2.3 Electrical supply
The electrical equipment shall be designed to operate correctly in the conditions specified in 4.3 of
EN 60204-32:2008. Where the cable length and cross section would cause voltage drops in excess of
those allowed under EN 60204-32:2008, the selection of equipment shall be based on actual voltages.
When calculating the voltage drop, the position of the hoisting appliance in relation to its supply point
shall be taken into account. The starting (I ) and rated (I ) currents of the motors operating
D Ν
simultaneously shall be taken into account.
NOTE 1 The rated current (I ) cannot necessarily be considered to mean the nameplate current of the motor but
Ν
the current drawn by the motor at full rated load.
For squirrel-cage induction motors ID (starting current), refer to the motor’s catalogue. In case the motor
is controlled by an electronic drive (soft-starter, frequency converter etc.), the maximum current
occurring during operation shall be considered as starting current, although the highest current does not
necessarily occur when starting the motion.
NOTE 2 With direct starting of squirrel cage motors, I is typically five to ten times I . For slip-ring motors, I is
D Ν D
typically two times IΝ. With electronic drives, the starting current depends on the converter type and on its
adjustments; with frequency converters in hoisting motions ID is typically below two times IΝ.
oSIST prEN 13135:2025
prEN 13135:2025 (E)
Where the crane-supply-switch is not readily accessible on the access way to the crane, the crane-
disconnector and disconnectors for special circuits shall be capable of breaking the short circuit current
of the associated circuits.
4.2.4 Protection against electric shock by direct contact
For each circuit or part of the electrical equipment, protection against electric shock by direct contact
shall, whenever practicable, be provided by enclosures or insulation of live parts in accordance with
EN 60204-32:2008.
Where these measures are not practicable,
— in electrical operating areas and enclosed electrical operating areas, protection by barriers in
accordance with HD 60364-4-41:2017 may be provided;
— only in the case of conductor bars and conductor wires, protection by placing out of reach in
accordance with EN 60204-32:2008 may be provided.
4.2.5 Control circuits and control functions
Where means for temporary suspension of safeguarding in accordance with EN 60204-32:2008, 9.2.4 is
provided,
— the device for suspending shall be located inside an enclosure, access to which, requires special tools,
or
— other means, not available for normal operation, e.g. a key-operated switch or password protection,
shall be provided.
Suspension of safeguarding shall also limit the performance of the machine or have other means (e.g.
automatic restoration of the safeguarding after power-off or a time delay) to avoid prolonged suspension.
Push-buttons and similar control devices that alternately initiate and stop an action, shall not be used for
motion drives.
Cableless controls and control functions shall be in accordance with 9.2.7 of EN 60204-32:2008 and
EN 62745:2017.
4.2.6 Operator interface and mounted control devices
Control devices and control stations and their operating positions shall be in accordance with
EN 13557:2024.
The function of each control actuator shall be indicated on or adjacent to it.
The colours of push-buttons shall be in accordance with EN 60204-32:2008, 10.2 and colours to be used
are as in the Table 1 unless otherwise stated in the instruction for use.
Table 1 — Colours of push buttons
Start/On Green
Stop/Off Black
Hold to Run White
Reset Blue
The stop button of a cableless Red
control station
oSIST prEN 13135:2025
prEN 13135:2025 (E)
Other functions Yellow or grey
4.2.7 Power driven motions
All powered motions shall be power driven at all times during normal operation.
4.2.8 Selection of motors
4.2.8.1 General
Motors for a crane motion shall be designed such that the motors have enough capacity:
— to perform the specified, consecutive working cycles without overheating;
— to start the motion with a specified acceleration;
— to maintain the specified speed of the motion.
Decisive duty features for sizing of crane motors are short-term factors such as the starting period of the
motion or a single work cycle. Consequently, the basic crane duty parameters of EN 13001-1:2015 – the
hoist load spectrum and total number of work cycles – are not relevant for sizing the motor as an electrical
component. The average distance per work cycle of each motion in accordance with EN 13001-1:2015
shall be taken into account, when determining an appropriate rating type of the motor duty and thermal
power rating requirement.
The following, related factors shall be taken into account together with the motor itself:
— features of the electrical drive system (rated current and voltage with resulting motor torque
characteristics, speed regulation and type of braking);
— cyclic duration factor of the specified duty;
— number of cycles/hour;
— type of power feed;
— degree of protection (environment conditions);
— ambient temperature in the motor location;
— altitude of the operating site.
4.2.8.2 Loadings
4.2.8.2.1 General
The loads to be applied in 4.2.8.5 to 4.2.8.7 shall be in accordance with EN 13001-2:2021, setting all the
dynamic factors ϕ = 1 and the partial safety factors γ = 1. The hoisted load shall be applied with the value
i p
of the rated load, unless otherwise specified. The wind state for an outdoor crane shall be that specified
for the crane and applied in calculation of wind forces in accordance with EN 13001-2:2021. Travel
resistance shall be taken into account as an external load action.
In transforming the load actions to a motor torque, the internal efficiency (friction) of the mechanical
system shall be taken into account.
oSIST prEN 13135:2025
prEN 13135:2025 (E)
For the thermal capacity calculation in 4.2.8.7, the load combinations A of EN 13001-2:2021 shall be
applied, with the addition of in-service wind force during controlled movement in accordance with
EN 13001-2:2021 into each load combination.
For the torque calculations in 4.2.8.5 and 4.2.8.6, the load combinations B of EN 13001-2:2021 shall be
applied, applying the in-service wind force required for starting drive forces in accordance with
EN 13001-2:2021.
4.2.8.2.2 Travel resistance
The total travel resistance due to rolling resistance and bearing friction in cases, where a wheel is running
on a flat surface, shall be calculated by multiplying the wheel force perpendicular to the running surface
by a rolling friction factor.
Values given in the Table 2 shall be used for the rolling friction factors for a steel wheel equipped with
roller bearings.
Table 2 — Rolling friction factors for steel-steel contact
Wheel diameter D [mm]
w
Wheel
630 and
construction
50 80 100 125 160 250 320 400
larger
Flanged wheels 0,013 0,011 0,01 0,009 0,008 0,006 5 0,006 0,005 5 0,005
Flangeless
0,011 0,009 5 0,008 5 0,007 5 0,007 0,005 5 0,005 2 0,005 0,004 5
wheels
Friction factors for intermediate values of D may be derived by interpolation.
w
NOTE Wheel diameters less than 50 mm are not dealt with.
4.2.8.2.3 Wheel friction
The friction factor, see Table 3, for a rail/wheel contact to calculate the traction and braking capacity of a
drive mechanism shall be determined, taking into account the ambient conditions and the provisions for
cleaning of the rail.
Table 3 — Friction factors
Wheel type Steel wheels and steel rails Rubber tyres
Indoor crane, Indoor crane, Outdoor crane, Outdoor crane,
Prepared
Rail condition ground
clean contaminated rail clean of ice, contaminated
surfaces
environment environment oil, loose dirt etc. environment
Friction factor 0,18 0,14 0,14 0,1 0,20
4.2.8.3 Multiple motors for a motion
In cases where two or more motors drive the same motion, the following shall be considered:
— synchronisation of the mechanisms, if required due to the needs of the application;
— division of external load actions to the motors, taking into account properties and geometric
proportions of the mechanical configuration;
oSIST prEN 13135:2025
prEN 13135:2025 (E)
— effect on motors, limiting their capabilities to develop torque, e.g. due to slippage of driven wheels or
due to current limit of a single or multiple drive system(s) supplying the motors.
4.2.8.4 Mechanical strength
The proof of mechanical strength of the motor components shall be done in accordance with the general
principles specified for mechanical components. The rated load shall only be applied in the calculations,
without consideration to variation of actual hoisted loads. Dynamic impacts in motor torque, e.g. due to
change of direction of the torque, shall be taken into account.
Mechanical strength of the motor shafts and shaft gears, which are subject to metal fatigue under cyclic
loading due to motor rotation, shall be designed for a fatigue limit under maximum torque.
The bearing housings of hoist motors shall be designed such that in case of failure of rolling elements of
a bearing, the capability to hold the torque is not lost.
A motor and its possible overspeed protection shall be selected so that the maximum safe operating speed
of the motor will not be exceeded under any foreseen conditions.
NOTE See EN 60034-1:2010, 9.6.
4.2.8.5 Torque requirement for vertical movements
4.2.8.5.1 General
In addition to primary hoisting of the load, this clause shall also be applied to combined vertical and
horizontal movement of hoist load or dead weight of a crane part, where the slope of the path of the
moved mass is 5 % or steeper in relation to horizontal level.
4.2.8.5.2 Determination of required torque
The maximum torque at the motor shaft (M ) shall be calculated by transforming the external load
max
actions determined in 4.2.8.2 to a torque at the motor shaft, applying the maximum values of load actions.
The load action due to acceleration of the motion may be omitted. The configuration of the mechanical
transmission and efficiency (friction) of the transmission shall be taken into account.
In order to be able to develop the necessary torque for lifting the rated load, for compensating for
variations in the mains voltage and frequency and for compensating for variations in the motor
characteristics, the torque developed by the motor shall satisfy the following condition:
M
D
≥ k (1)
V
M
max
where
M is the design motor torque taken as the minimum torque developed by the motor
D
and the drive system together during the starting period of the motion; see the
Figure 1. The combined behaviour of the drive system and the motor shall be taken
into account, when determining the torque.
For inverter drives with squirrel cage motors, M may be based upon the break-
Ν
down torque (pull-out torque) of a motor, taking into account the characteristics of
the drive system.
M is the maximum torque at the motor shaft resisting the movement;
max
k is the required safety factor in accordance with the Table 4.
V
oSIST prEN 13135:2025
prEN 13135:2025 (E)
Where the drive system characteristics vary by the value of hoisted loads (e.g. smaller loads at higher
speeds with field weakening systems), the proof of the motor torque requirement shall be done, in
addition to the rated load, also with any other hoisted load/motor torque combination, which is relevant
to the safety and performance of hoist drive. In such cases, the torques M and M in Formula (1) shall
D max
be taken as those relevant for these conditions.
Key
M motor torque
M design motor torque
D
n rotation speed of the motor
Figure 1 — Determination of torque M for different types of torque curves
D
Table 4 — Safety factors k for vertical motions
V
Squirrel cage
Squirrel cage
Type of motor and motors with DC motors and
Slip ring motors motors with
drive direct starting drives
inverter drives
and drive
Safety factor k 1,6 1,5 1,3 1,3
V
4.2.8.6 Torque requirement for horizontal motions
4.2.8.6.1 General
This clause shall be applied in cases, where the slope of the path of the moved mass is less than 5 % in
relation to horizontal level. This clause covers trolley traversing, crane travelling, slewing and level luffing
movements.
The maximum external load actions – including the acceleration of the movement – with the magnitude
they resist the motion shall be transformed to a torque at the motor shaft, taking into account the
configuration of the mechanical transmission and efficiency (friction) of the transmission.
For movements driven through friction between driving wheels and a runway, the values of individual
wheel loads and the limitation of transmissible torque due to friction shall be taken into account.
4.2.8.6.2 Determination of required torque
Account shall be taken of the sum of forces resisting the movement resulting from the dead weight, the
hoisted load and operating conditions such as:
oSIST prEN 13135:2025
prEN 13135:2025 (E)
— deformation of the running surface;
— friction of the wheels on straight sections and in curves;
— wind forces;
— gradients in the track;
— necessary force to move the power supply system.
In order to guarantee the starting of the motion to the intended direction, at a specified acceleration and
under specified wind conditions, the sum torque developed by the motors shall satisfy the conditions of
Formulae (2) and (3).
For reaching the specified acceleration in average wind conditions, the drive system shall satisfy the
requirement of the Formula (2).
M
D
≥ k (2)
H
MM+ + M + M
tr acc W 3 inc
For reaching a specified acceleration in the maximum wind conditions, the drive system shall satisfy the
requirement of the Formula (3).
M
D
≥ k (3)
H
M +×0,5 M + M + M
tr acc W 2 inc
where in Formulae (2) and (3)
M is the sum of the design motor torques, taken into account the minimum torque developed
D
by the motor and the drive system together during the starting period of the motion; see
Figure 1. The combined behaviour of the drive system and the motor shall be taken into
account, when determining the torques;
M is the torque at the motor shaft due travel resistance;
tr
M is the torque at the motor shaft due to acceleration. Inertia of each component in the
acc
system, including the rotating parts of the motor, shall be taken into account.
In cases where the acceleration is not specified, acceleration time of 5 s shall be used in
calculation of M .
acc
M is the torque at the motor shaft due to wind force required for starting drive forces; wind
W2
effect level W2 in accordance with EN 13001-2:2021, 4.2.3.1;
M is the torque at the motor shaft due to wind force during steady movement; wind effect
W3
level W3 in accordance with EN 13001-2:2021, 4.2.3.1;
M is the torque at the motor shaft due to inclination of the path of moved masses;
inc
k is the safety factor for horizontal motions; k = 1,1 for all types of drive systems.
H H
4.2.8
...