BS EN 13731:2007

What is BS EN 13731 – Safety and performance requirements for lifting bag systems about?

BS EN 13731 discusses lifting bag systems for fire and rescue service use. The aim of the BS EN 13731 is to provide manufacturers with the best performance requirements and test methods that help minimize the risk hazards. BS EN 13731 specifies requirements for lifting bag systems, where the intended operation is inflation by compressed air and used primarily by fire and rescue services.

BS EN 13731 applies to lifting bag systems including some or all of the following components:

• Hose assemblies and couplings, regulators
• Control devices, pressure indicators
• Safety valves, lifting bags

BS EN 13731 applies to lifting bag systems intended for operation under ambient temperatures between -20 °C and 55 °C. BS EN 13731 deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events during the commissioning, operation and maintenance arising from a lifting bag system when it is used as intended and under the conditions of misuse which are reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer. BS EN 13731 specifies minimum performance requirements and test methods for lifting bag systems.

Note 1: BS EN 13731 is not dealing with noise, as it is not considered to be a significant hazard.
Note 2: BS EN 13731 is not applicable to lifting bag systems that are manufactured before the date of its publication by CEN.

Note 3: BS EN 13731 does not establish the additional requirements for:

• Operation in severe conditions ( e.g. Extreme environmental conditions such as: temperatures outside the range from -20 °c to + 55 °c, corrosive environment, tropical environment, contaminating environments, strong magnetic fields, potentially explosive atmospheres)
• Risk directly arising from any means for handling or transportation of the lifting bag system by equipment other than that designed as part of the lifting bag
• Lifting bag systems manufactured for specialized use, e.g. The lifting of persons or heavy recovery where exceptional stroke movement is required
• Any hazard arising from the source of compressed air, except where this is a manually operated air pump.

Who is BS EN 13731 - Safety and performance requirements for lifting bag systems for?

BS EN 13731 on lifting bag systems is useful for:

• Lifting bag systems manufacturers
• Lifting bag systems designers
• Accident and hazard prevention organizations
• Quality control and testing authorities
• Safety department

Why should you use BS EN 13731 - Safety and performance requirements for lifting bag systems?

Lifting bag systems are used by Fire and Rescue Services principally to facilitate the release of persons trapped following accidents involving vehicles, heavy machinery, collapsed buildings, collapsed trenches, fallen trees and other natural objects. Lifting bag systems are generally used in conjunction with other means to support or stabilise the load being moved, for example, blocks, chocks and props.

BS EN 13731 provides safety requirements and/or protective measures and performance requirements that you shall adhere to while manufacturing and designing of lifting bag systems. This will ensure that lifting bag systems comply with the safety standards by reducing the risk and producing a safe system.

BS EN 13731 provides with all relevant documentation on the recommended training, safe operation, cleaning, stowage, inspection, maintenance and periodic testing of the system. This information will aid in training operators and maintaining their competency, including how the lifting bag system operates, and any relevant warning as to any foreseeable limitations
placed upon it.