EN 1891:1998
(Main)Personal protective equipment for the prevention of falls from a height - Low stretch kernmantel ropes
Personal protective equipment for the prevention of falls from a height - Low stretch kernmantel ropes
This European Standard applies to low stretch textile ropes of kernmantel construction from 8,5 mm to 16 mm diameter, for use by persons in rope access including all kinds of work positioning and restraint; for rescue and in speleology. Two types of low stretch kernmantel rope are defined: A and B. The European Standard specifies requirements, testing, marking and information to be supplied by the manufacturer including instructions for use of such low stretch kernmantel ropes. NOTE 1: It is possible that rope not conforming to this European Standard may also be suitable for the activities described above. NOTE 2: Ropes used for protection during any free climbing activity in rope access, rescue or speleology should take account of other standards, e.g. EN 892. Dynamic mountaineering rope may also be used for protection during rope access and work positioning.
Persönliche Schutzausrüstung zur Verhinderung von Abstürzen - Kernmantelseile mit geringer Dehnung
Dieser Norme gilt für Textilseile mit geringer Dehnung in Kermantelkonstruktion mit einem Durchmesser von 8,5 mm bis 16 mm, zur Benutzung durch Personen bei seilunterstützten Arbeiten einschließlich aller Arten der Arbeitsplatzpositionierung und des Rückhaltens, bei der Rettung und in der Höhlenforschung. Es werden zwei Formen von Kernmantelseilen mit geringer Dehnung festgelegt: A und B.
Equipement de protection individuelle pour la prévention des chutes de hauteur - Cordes tressées gainées à faible coefficient d'allongement
La présente norme européenne s'applique aux cordes tressées gainées à faible coefficient d'allongement, de 8,5 mm à 16 mm de diamètre, utilisées par des personnes effectuant des accès par corde, tous types de maintien et de retenue au poste de travail compris, ainsi que pour les sauvetages et en spéléologie. Deux types de cordes tressées gainées sont définis: les cordes de type A et les cordes de type B.
Osebna varovalna oprema za zaščito pred padci z višine – Oplaščene statične vrvi
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 21-Apr-1998
- Withdrawal Date
- 30-Oct-1998
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 160 - Protection against falls from height including working belts
- Current Stage
- 9092 - Decision on results of review/2YR ENQ - revise - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 21-Sep-2022
- Completion Date
- 14-Apr-2025
Overview
EN 1891:1998 is a European (CEN) standard for low stretch kernmantel ropes used as personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent falls from height. It covers textile kernmantel construction ropes with diameters from 8.5 mm to 16 mm, intended for use in rope access, work positioning, restraint, rescue and speleology. The standard defines two rope categories (Type A and Type B) and specifies essential requirements for performance, testing, marking and the information manufacturers must supply, including instructions for safe use.
Key topics and requirements
- Rope types and dimensions
- Applies to kernmantel (core-and-sheath) low-stretch ropes, 8.5–16 mm diameter.
- Two defined categories: Type A and Type B (as specified by the standard).
- Performance and testing
- Specifies mechanical and functional tests to verify suitability for fall prevention and work positioning applications.
- Marking and documentation
- Requires clear marking on products and information supplied by manufacturers, including usage instructions, limitations and care/maintenance guidance.
- User information
- Instructions must address correct selection, inspection, storage, retirement criteria and application-specific warnings.
- Scope notes
- The standard notes that some ropes not conforming to EN 1891 may still be suitable for the listed activities, and that dynamic mountaineering ropes (EN 892) may be used in some protection contexts. Ropes intended for free-climbing protection should consider other standards such as EN 892.
Applications
EN 1891 is directly relevant for:
- Rope access technicians and industrial climbers using work positioning and fall-arrest systems.
- Rescue teams and emergency services requiring low stretch ropes for casualty retrieval and secure access.
- Speleologists and caving professionals needing controlled low-stretch ropes for vertical movement.
- Safety officers, procurement managers and PPE manufacturers specifying or producing ropes for fall prevention and work-at-height systems.
Practical benefits of complying with EN 1891 include predictable rope elongation under load, documented performance, clear labeling for safe selection, and manufacturer guidance that supports correct field use and maintenance.
Related standards
- EN 892 - Dynamic mountaineering ropes (relevant where dynamic protection is required).
- Other national adoptions or identical standards (e.g., SIST EN 1891:1999) may exist for local implementation and certification.
Keywords: EN 1891, low stretch kernmantel ropes, personal protective equipment, fall prevention, rope access, work positioning, rescue, speleology.
Frequently Asked Questions
EN 1891:1998 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Personal protective equipment for the prevention of falls from a height - Low stretch kernmantel ropes". This standard covers: This European Standard applies to low stretch textile ropes of kernmantel construction from 8,5 mm to 16 mm diameter, for use by persons in rope access including all kinds of work positioning and restraint; for rescue and in speleology. Two types of low stretch kernmantel rope are defined: A and B. The European Standard specifies requirements, testing, marking and information to be supplied by the manufacturer including instructions for use of such low stretch kernmantel ropes. NOTE 1: It is possible that rope not conforming to this European Standard may also be suitable for the activities described above. NOTE 2: Ropes used for protection during any free climbing activity in rope access, rescue or speleology should take account of other standards, e.g. EN 892. Dynamic mountaineering rope may also be used for protection during rope access and work positioning.
This European Standard applies to low stretch textile ropes of kernmantel construction from 8,5 mm to 16 mm diameter, for use by persons in rope access including all kinds of work positioning and restraint; for rescue and in speleology. Two types of low stretch kernmantel rope are defined: A and B. The European Standard specifies requirements, testing, marking and information to be supplied by the manufacturer including instructions for use of such low stretch kernmantel ropes. NOTE 1: It is possible that rope not conforming to this European Standard may also be suitable for the activities described above. NOTE 2: Ropes used for protection during any free climbing activity in rope access, rescue or speleology should take account of other standards, e.g. EN 892. Dynamic mountaineering rope may also be used for protection during rope access and work positioning.
EN 1891:1998 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 13.340.99 - Other protective equipment. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 1891:1998 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2016/425, 89/686/EEC, 93/95/EEC, 96/58/EC; Standardization Mandates: M/031. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
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Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-julij-1999
2VHEQDYDURYDOQDRSUHPD]D]DãþLWRSUHGSDGFL]YLãLQH±2SODãþHQHVWDWLþQHYUYL
Personal protective equipment for the prevention of falls from a height - Low stretch
kernmantel ropes
Persönliche Schutzausrüstung zur Verhinderung von Abstürzen - Kernmantelseile mit
geringer Dehnung
Equipement de protection individuelle pour la prévention des chutes de hauteur - Cordes
tressées gainées a faible coefficient d'allongement
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 1891:1998
ICS:
13.340.60 =DãþLWDSUHGSDGFLLQ]GUVL Protection against falling and
slipping
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
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