National foreword

This British Standard is the UK implementation of ISO 16625:2025. It supersedes BS ISO 16625:2013, which is withdrawn.

The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical Committee MHE/3/1, Crane design.

A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on request to its committee manager.

Contractual and legal considerations

This publication has been prepared in good faith, however no representation, warranty, assurance or undertaking (express or implied) is or will be made, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by BSI in relation to the adequacy, accuracy, completeness or reasonableness of this publication. All and any such responsibility and liability is expressly disclaimed to the full extent permitted by the law.

This publication is provided as is, and is to be used at the recipient’s own risk.

The recipient is advised to consider seeking professional guidance with respect to its use of this publication.

This publication is not intended to constitute a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.

Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from legal obligations.

This British Standard was published under the authority of the Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 28 February 2025.

Foreword

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The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).

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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 96, Cranes, Subcommittee SC 3, Selection of ropes.

This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 16625:2013), which has been technically revised.

The main changes are as follows:

rope selection has been based on working cycles as opposed to the previous time-based concept;
different proofs of competence for running ropes (static, fatigue, multilayer spooling) and stationary ropes (static, fatigue) have been incorporated;
the substantial innovation of this document lies in a new mathematical approach for the proof of fatigue strength of running steel wire ropes. A new reference point has been introduced as a characteristic value for the fatigue strength, from which the S-N curves of the fatigue strength of steel wire ropes at different D/d-ratios are described;
additional annexes have been introduced:
- Annex A (normative) Number of relevant bending cycles;
- Annex B (informative) Determination of the maximum tensile force in the ropes of multi-rope grabs (holding and closing);
- Annex C (informative) Comparison of the minimum design factor according to ISO 16625:2013 and safety level according current version;
- Annex D (informative) Selection of a rope by minimum design factor Zp;
- Annex E (informative) Assumed number of hoist ropes lrduring life of a crane.

This document is intended to be used together with the ISO 4301‑1 or other applicable part of the ISO 4301 series, ISO 4309, ISO 8686‑1 or applicable part of the ISO 8686 series.

Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

1 Scope

This document provides a proof of competence and criteria for the selection of steel wire ropes used in cranes as defined in ISO 4306‑1.

The influence of the geometry of the rope drive, as well as drum and sheave geometry, are incorporated in the proof of competence.

This document does not apply to fibre ropes.

2 Normative references

3 Terms, definitions and symbols

3.1 Terms and definitions

3.2 Symbols

4 Running ropes and stationary ropes

4.1 General

4.2 Discard criteria

4.3 Rope and rope terminations

5 Proof of competence of running ropes

5.1 Proof of static strength

5.2 Proof of fatigue strength

5.3 Proof of competence for multilayer spooling

6 Proof of competence of stationary ropes

6.1 Proof of static strength

6.2 Proof of fatigue strength

Bibliography

BS ISO 16625:2025

Cranes and hoists. Selection of wire ropes, drums and sheaves

Current

Published:

28 Feb 2025