SIST EN 13574:2002

• Abstract:

  This Standard specifies the requirements for the design and construction of permanently installed vertical climbing devices made of steel with a length not exceeding 5 m, used on inland navigation vessels.; For the purposes of this standard the term permanently installed climbing devices covers ladders, step irons, dog step ladders and integral treads including handholds.; This European Standard does not apply to stairs. These are covered by EN 790 and EN 13056.

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2001
• ICS: 47.020.50 - Deck equipment and installations
• ICS: 47.060 - Inland navigation vessels
• Technical Committee: SS SPL - Technical Board for the general field
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 01-Jan-2002
• Due Date: 01-Jan-2002
• Completion Date: 01-Jan-2002
• Ref Project: EN 13574:2001 - Inland navigation vessels - Permanently installed climbing devices with a length not exceeding 5 m

• Refers: SIST EN 29519:2000 - Shipbuilding and marine structures - Rungs for dog-step ladders (ISO 9519:1990)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: SIST EN 12629-4:2001 - Machines for the manufacture of constructional products from concrete and calcium-silicate - Safety - Part 4:Concrete roof tile making machines
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: SIST EN 22768-1:2000 - General tolerances - Part 1: Tolerances for linear and angular dimensions without individual tolerance indications (ISO 2768-1:1989)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: SIST EN 12629-3:2004 - Machines for the manufacture of constructional products from concrete and calcium-silicate - Safety - Part 3: Slide and turntable machines
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: SIST EN 12629-2:2004 - Machines for the manufacture of constructional products from concrete and calcium-silicate - Safety - Part 2: Block making machines
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: SIST ENV 10220:1997 - Seamless and welded steel tubes - Dimensions and masses per unit length
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: SIST EN 14042:2003 - Workplace atmospheres - Guide for the application and use of procedures for the assessment of exposure to chemical and biological agents
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: SIST EN 13281:2000 - Inland navigation vessels - Safety requirements for walkways and working places
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: SIST EN 14504:2024 - Inland navigation vessels - Floating landing stages and floating bridges on inland waters - Requirements, tests
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: SIST EN 14329:2004 - Inland navigation vessels - Installation of berths and loading areas
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: SIST EN 14504:2009 - Inland navigation vessels - Floating landing stages - Requirements, tests
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: SIST EN 14504:2019 - Inland navigation vessels - Floating landing stages and floating bridges on inland waters - Requirements, tests
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: SIST EN 13551:2004 - Inland navigation vessels - Vocabulary
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: SIST EN 13573:2009 - Inland navigation vessels - Anchoring, coupling, towing, hauling and mooring systems
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: SIST EN 13281:2023 - Inland navigation vessels - Safety requirements for walkways and working places
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026

SIST EN 13574:2002 is the Slovenian adoption of EN 13574:2001, published by SIST for inland navigation vessels. It specifies how to design and build permanently installed steel climbing devices up to 5 m long, so designers, builders and buyers can specify ladders, step irons, dog-step ladders or integrated treads for onboard access.

What does SIST EN 13574:2002 specify?

SIST EN 13574:2002 specifies the design and construction requirements for permanently installed vertical climbing devices made of steel on inland navigation vessels. In practice, it sets the rules for safe access devices that are fixed in place and short enough to fall within the standard’s 5 m length limit.

The standard uses the term permanently installed climbing devices for ladders, step irons, dog-step ladders and integrated treads, including handholds. It does not apply to stairs, which are covered by EN 790 and EN 13056.

The document is organized into scope, normative references, terms and definitions, safety requirements, material, designation and bibliography. The main technical content is concentrated in Clause 4 on safety requirements and Clause 5 on materials.

What are the key requirements of SIST EN 13574:2002?

SIST EN 13574:2002 focuses on safe geometry, secure handholds, material selection and strength. For a yard or buyer, the key point is that the climbing device is not just a shape - it must be built and installed so that people can mount it without slipping, catching clothing or stepping onto uneven treads.

Geometry and safe access

Clause 4.1 requires general tolerances to ISO 2768-c according to EN 22768-1, and it requires uniform treads and uniform spacing between them. The top tread must be close to the upper access, and the lower tread must suit the step pattern. This matters because inconsistent spacing is a common cause of awkward or unsafe climbing.

Clause 4.2 limits ladders to a maximum inclination of 15°, requires them not to overhang, and requires the ends of the spars to be connected to walls and floors. Clauses 4.3 to 4.5 state that step irons, dog-step ladders and integrated treads shall follow the dimensions shown in the figures. These clauses tie the product type directly to its permitted geometry.

Cross-overs, spars, rungs and handholds

Clause 4.6 addresses cross-overs for coupled vessels when deck levels differ. It requires a safe crossing arrangement and gives type choices depending on the pushing shoulder profile. For users, this means the access path must match the vessel arrangement, not just the climbing device itself.

Clauses 4.7 to 4.10 define how spars, rungs, wall rungs and handholds must be built for secure holding. Rungs use a square profile tilted at 45°, wall rungs conform to EN 29519 Form A, and handholds use a round profile. In practice, these requirements control grip quality and reduce the chance of hand injury or poor footing.

Strength and materials

Clause 4.11 requires the rungs and handholds to withstand a 1.0 kN load with a breaking safety of 5:1, and the spars and handholds to withstand 1.5 kN per every 2 m of ladder without permanent deformation. This is the basis for design checking, welding quality and verification testing.

Clause 5 requires the steel parts to follow defined product forms and minimum steel quality. Rungs are made from square steel, spars and holders from flat steel, and handholds from round steel or tubes; the minimum steel quality is Fe 360. For procurement, this clause tells the supplier exactly which stock forms and material grades are acceptable.

Ordering and identification

Clause 6 assigns type letters to the climbing devices: L for ladder, G for step irons, S for dog-step ladder, A for integrated treads and K for cross-over for coupled vessels. The designation format combines the standard number, type, number of rungs or treads, nominal length or clear width, and the handhold mark H when used. This makes ordering and drawing references unambiguous.

What terms does SIST EN 13574:2002 define?

• Ladder - a climbing device made of spars, rungs and holders.
• Step iron - a climbing device with dog-step rungs arranged one above another in the vertical axis.
• Dog-step ladder - a climbing device with rungs arranged one above another in the vertical axis.
• Integrated tread - a climbing device with rungs fitted into alternating cut-outs in a wall.
• Cross-over for coupled vessels - a device for safe crossing between vessels with different deck levels in pushing formation.
• Spar - the side bar of a ladder that carries the rungs.
• Rung - the tread mounted between spars or vertical walls.
• Rung for walls - a tread mounted directly on walls parallel to them.

Who uses SIST EN 13574:2002?

SIST EN 13574:2002 is used by designers, shipyards, steel fabricators, vessel owners and procurement staff working on inland navigation vessels. It is also relevant to quality and inspection teams that need to check ladder type, dimensions, materials, welds and load performance before delivery or fitting.

What changed in SIST EN 13574:2002 from the previous edition?

SIST EN 13574:2002 is identical to EN 13574:2001.

Which standards are used with SIST EN 13574:2002?

Standard	What it contributes
EN 22768-1	General tolerances for linear and angular dimensions, used with ISO 2768-c in Clause 4.1.
ENV 10220	Dimensions and masses per unit length for seamless and welded tubes, used for handholds.
EN 29519	Form A for rungs for walls.
ISO 630	Minimum steel quality Fe 360 for the steel parts.
ISO 1035-1	Dimensions for round steel bars, used for handholds.
ISO 1035-2	Dimensions for square steel bars, used for rungs.
ISO 1035-3	Dimensions for flat steel bars, used for spars and holders.
EN 790	Stairs with inclination angles of 45° to 60°, named as the stair reference in the scope.
EN 13056	Stairs with inclination angles of 30° to <45°, named as the stair reference in the scope.

What does the SIST EN 13574:2002 document contain?

The document contains figures for the main climbing device types, including ladder, step iron, dog-step ladder and integrated treads. It also includes a table identifying the items used in the figures and a table of type letters for designation.

Clause 4 gives the dimensional and safety rules, including ladder angle, access clearances, handhold arrangement and strength checks. Clause 5 sets the material forms and minimum steel quality, while Clause 6 gives the product designation format used in orders and technical documentation.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-januar-2002
Inland navigation vessels - Permanently installed climbing devices with a length
not exceeding 5 m
Inland navigation vessels - Permanently installed climbing devices with a length not
exceeding 5 m
Fahrzeuge der Binnenschiffahrt - Festverlegte Steigvorrichtungen bis 5 m Länge
Bateaux de navigation intérieure - Dispositifs de montée fixés a demeure d'une longueur
qui ne dépasse pas 5 m
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 13574:2001
ICS:
47.020.50 Palubna oprema ter naprave Deck equipment and
installations
47.060 -H]HUVNDLQUHþQDSORYLOD Inland navigation vessels
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 13574
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
July 2001
ICS 47.020.50; 47.060
English version
Inland navigation vessels - Permanently installed climbing
devices with a length not exceeding 5 m
Bateaux de navigation intérieure - Dispositifs de montée Fahrzeuge der Binnenschiffahrt - Festverlegte
fixés à demeure d'une longueur qui ne dépasse pas 5 m Steigvorrichtungen bis 5 m Länge
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 3 May 2001.
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 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 Management Centre has the same status as the official
versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, 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
© 2001 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 13574:2001 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents
Foreword . 3
1 Scope. 4
2 Normative references. 4
3 Terms and definitions . 4
4 Safety requirements. 5
4.1 General . 5
4.2 Ladders. 6
4.3 Step irons . 7
4.4 Dog-step ladder. 8
4.5 Integrated treads . 9
4.6 Cross-over for coupled vessels. 9
4.7 Spars. 9
4.8 Rungs. 9
4.9 Rungs for walls. 9
4.10 Handhold . 10
4.11 Strength . 10
5 Material . 10
5.1 General . 10
5.2 Semi-finished products. 10
5.3 Steel quality. 10
6 Designation. 10
Bibliography. 12

Foreword
This European Standard has been prepared by CEN /TC 15, "Inland navigation vessels", the Secretariat of which is
held by DIN.
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 January 2002, and conflicting national standards have to be withdrawn at the
latest by January 2002.
The standard specifies requirements for permanently installed climbing devices with a length not exceeding 5 m
within the meaning of Council Directive 82/714/EEC of 4 October 1982 laying down technical requirements for
inland waterway vessels.
This Standard contains bibliographical references.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this document: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
and the United Kingdom.
1 Scope
This Standard specifies the requirements for the design and construction of permanently installed vertical climbing
devices made of steel with a length not exceeding 5 m, used on inland navigation vessels.
For the purposes of this standard the term permanently installed climbing devices covers ladders, step irons, dog
step ladders and integral treads including handholds.
This European Standard does not apply to stairs. These are covered by EN 790 and EN 13056.
2 Normative references
This European Standard incorporates by dated or undated reference, provision
...