What is BS EN 12613 about?

BS EN 12613 specifies the material, mechanical and functional (fitness for purpose) requirements for warning devices with visual characteristics manufactured from plastics, intended to indicate the presence of cables and piping systems buried in the ground when opening trenches and more generally during digging work.

BS EN 12613 is applicable to two types of visual warning devices: tapes (type 1) and meshes (type 2). BS EN 12613 also specifies test methods.

Who is BS EN 12613 for?

BS EN 12613 on plastics warning devices for underground cables and pipelines with visual characteristics is applicable to:

Local government
Electricity board
Manufacturers of warning devices

Why should you use BS EN 12613?

The purpose of warning devices is to warn of the presence of a pipe or a cable, when opening a trench, to indicate its orientation and to identify the equipment protected. The warning devices are expected to last at least the lifetime of the equipment with which they are associated.

BS EN 12613 will help you identify the characteristics of warning devices. BS EN 12613 will also help you in testing these characteristics to determine their applicability and durability in actual operational scenarios. If you are a manufacturer, these tests will help you identify and address the shortcomings of the warning devices that you manufacture. If you are a buyer, the tests will help you to identify and select appropriate warning devices.

Warning devices produced by following the guidelines in BS EN 12613 last longer in the field, and ensure the safety of the equipment, the maintenance staff as well as the pedestrians.

What’s changed since the last update?

BS EN 12613:2021 supersedes BS EN 12613:2009. BS EN 12613:2021 includes some technical changes with respect to BS EN 12613:2009. These include:

Deletion of the transversal rigidity (5.4.3 in EN 12613:2009), since it is not a discriminating
Characteristic for products with width ≤ 500 mm
The method according EN 60898-1, for the resistance of printing, is now recommended only (instead of being mandatory) and other methods are allowed (5.9)
Review of the number of test pieces reduced from four to one. In addition, when the test is not successful, an acceptance criterion is defined for retesting
Review of Figure A.4 and expressing of minimum gaps between the plates and the transversal walls of the central compartment

BS EN 12613:2021

Plastics warning devices for underground cables and pipelines with visual characteristics

Current

Published:

28 Feb 2021