DIN EN 1004-1 – the new standard for mobile scaffold towers – greater safety during assembly and disassembly thanks to KRAUSE's GuardMatic system.
The GuardMatic system ensures that a scaffold's platforms will always be protected on all sides with guardrails to prevent falls before assemblers step onto them for the first time during the assembly process. The same applies when it comes to disassembling the scaffolds, a process that is also associated with a high level of risk. The new GuardMatic system guardrails comprise a handrail, knee rail and diagonal all in one module and can easily be fitted from the level below. This significantly reduces the number of individual parts needed, which also makes the scaffolds easier to transport and store. The GuardMatic system is attached to the vertical frames at 6 points, which makes them very stable at every height. The diagonals can be folded and locked in place for transport once the system has been removed from the scaffold.
More platforms and fitted at shorter distances
Another change to the construction specifications set out in the standard are the maximum distances between the individual platforms. This distance has been decreased from 4.00 m to 2.25 m. This means that platforms will henceforth be a lot closer together and that scaffolds will need to be fitted with a greater number of platforms and guardrails than in the past. In order to make assembling its scaffolds even more easy and safe, KRAUSE has decreased the distances between its platforms even further to a mere 2.00 m. Under the standard, bottom platforms have to be fitted at no more than 3.40 m above the ground. This distance also applies to the second platform if the first platform is less than 0.6 m above the ground. As well as the changes to the platform distances and structural design, the new standard also differs in terms of scope. In the past, it only applied to scaffolds with a height of 2.50 m, but now applies to all products in this category.
Quick and safe to assemble and disassemble – KRAUSE’s scaffold solutions
KRAUSE has adapted all of its innovative scaffolds to the new standard, which means that they offer users a high level of convenience and maximum safety – no matter whether subject to heavy professional, industry and trade use or used for DIY in the home. KRAUSE’s new innovative GuardMatic system increases the speed at which a scaffold can be assembled and disassembled while maintaining maximum safety by 45% simply because it contains fewer parts. The smaller distances between the platforms furthermore make assembling and disassembling the scaffold even more comfortable and safe than before. All of the platforms can be fitted without having to use a plank, and tools and materials can easily be passed up from one level to the next. The sturdy design naturally also complies with the structural and wind load requirements set out in DIN EN 1004-1. KRAUSE’s STABILO and MONTO series mobile scaffold towers have also been equipped with new and innovative diagonal braces that are easier and quicker to attach to the vertical frames. The diagonal braces’ innovative design makes them some of the most effective on the market without restricting the work performed on the scaffold in any way. All of the STABILO series 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 5500 and ProTec, ProTec XXL and ProTec XS and ClimTec models furthermore have their own special features and highlights, which means that users have plenty of choice when it comes to selecting the perfect scaffold for their needs.
KRAUSE – fully compliant vertical access solutions
All of KRAUSE's STABILO and MONTO series mobile scaffold towers supplied from 15.11.2021 are already compliant with the standard's new requirements. Although industrial users are not required to update their existing mobile scaffold towers or to replace them to meet the new DIN EN 1004-1 requirements, they still have to periodically review their operations and equipment by way of a risk assessment. Since the state of the art and relevant safety equipment form part of this assessment, mobile scaffold users are recommended to take note of the changes to DIN EN 1004-1 and to update their equipment accordingly. KRAUSE’s climbing technology experts will be happy to provide users with advice on the new standard and the associated changes to mobile scaffold towers, as well as on how to achieve compliance with the new standard.
Further information on the new KRAUSE mobile scaffold towers