EN1004-1:2020 Mobile Access and Working Towers

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EN1004-1:2020 Mobile Access and Working Towers

The new Standard for Scaffold Towers shall be in force from November 2021. It was introduced in November 2020 with a 12-month transition period.

The new standard relates to the design, materials, load capability and performance of a Scaffold Tower. From November 2021 all Scaffold Towers must meet the new standard of EN1004-1:2020.

The guide relates to Scaffold Towers – working towers from 0m to 8m when used outdoors and 0m to 12m when used indoors only.

It does not include, Cantilever Towers, Towers on Stairs, Towers with Bridges, Low Level Working Platform, Large Deck Towers or Non-Standard Towers

The new standard brings a wider range of towers into scope, along with new measures to make them safer.

There are four main areas of change.

  1. ALL TOWERS ARE NOW IN THE SCOPE

Towers with the working platform below 2.5m will fall within the scope of EN 1004 for the first time, as the 2020 standard covers towers from the ground up, rather than from 2.5m as it was previously.

  1. MOBILE ACCESS TOWERS WILL BE EVEN SAFER

The new standard contains clarifications and additions that will make new mobile access towers safer for their users. These include:

  • Shorter distance between platform levels (max. 2.25m, down from 4.2m)
  • Shorter distance from the ground to first platform (max. 3.4m, down from 4.6m)
  • Measures to prevent castors falling out.
  • Requirement for platforms to be secured (‘wind locked’) at both ends so they will not uplift in wind.
  • New guidance for manufacturers on wind and gust loads

 

  1. NEW PRODUCTS

Including access and advanced guard rails

  1. MANUALS

Inclusion of instruction manuals into the new standard – EN1004-2

To prepare for the standard and its implications you should.

  • Only purchase Towers that meet EN 1004-1 (mobile access towers),
  • Make sure you are only using towers that meet these standards. If you are not, update your fleet at the earliest opportunity.
  • Inspect any towers you currently own to ensure they are in good working condition. Providing they are in good working condition Towers meeting the old standard can still be used.
  • Check your instruction manuals, as these may have been updated to reflect the new standard.

 

Further information is available from pasma.co.uk/en1004 or the standard can be purchased from the BSI website.