EN 913:2018/prA1

Overview

EN 913:2018/prA1 is a European Standard developed by CEN that specifies general safety requirements and test methods for gymnastic and sports equipment. This standard addresses all types of equipment used in physical education, training, and competition, which are supervised by a competent person. It applies broadly to gymnastic equipment not covered by other specific standards or federation rules, ensuring a safe environment for users.

This standard is crucial for manufacturers, sports facilities, and organizations that provide gymnastic and indoor sports equipment, emphasizing safety measures to prevent injuries by defining clear testing procedures and design constraints.

Key Topics

• General Safety Requirements
  EN 913:2018/prA1 details fundamental safety principles for gymnastic equipment design and use, aiming to minimize hazards such as entrapment or mechanical failure.

• Entrapment Testing Methods
  The standard introduces normative test procedures for detecting potential entrapment zones. This includes:

  • Use of cone-shaped probes simulating head and neck dimensions
  • Finger entrapment tests with 8 mm and 25 mm diameter rods
  • Specific testing on partially bound and V-shaped openings to evaluate risks of users becoming trapped

• Conditioning and Test Environment
  Tests require equipment and probes to be conditioned at standardized temperatures (23 ± 2 °C) for consistent results.

• Body Mass Considerations for Testing
  Reflecting realistic user conditions, the standard updates test mass values:

  • 100 kg for equipment used by adults (and adults with children)
  • 74 kg for equipment intended exclusively for children up to 14 years

• Annex Updates
  Recent modifications to Annex A revise entrapment test methodologies, while Annex B updates body mass values to reflect safer and more realistic usage conditions.

Applications

• Manufacturers
  Product designers and manufacturers use EN 913:2018/prA1 to guide the development of gymnastic equipment that meets stringent safety standards, ensuring market acceptance and regulatory compliance.

• Sports Facilities & Educational Institutions
  Operators applying this standard ensure that gymnastic and indoor sports equipment is safe for supervised use during training and competitions, reducing liability and promoting user safety.

• Certification Bodies
  Testing laboratories and certification organizations apply the defined test methods for equipment approval, helping to validate safety claims for manufacturers and vendors.

• Regulatory Authorities
  Regulatory agencies can reference this standard when drafting safety regulations or conducting inspections of gymnastic facilities.

Related Standards

• Other EN Standards on Gymnastic & Sports Equipment
  EN 913 complements other European and international standards that focus on specific types of gymnastic or fitness equipment, providing overarching safety guidelines where individual standards may not apply.

• Federation Rules and Specifications
  While EN 913 covers general requirements, equipment designers should also consider federation-specific rules for competition apparatus.

• Indoor Sports Equipment Standards (ICS 97.220.30)
  EN 913 falls under the classification for indoor sports equipment, sharing scope relevance with other standards in this category.

By adhering to EN 913:2018/prA1, stakeholders in the gymnastic equipment sector can enhance user safety, reduce risks of injury, and align with recognized European safety practices for indoor sports facilities. This standard is an essential resource for ensuring the reliability and safety of athletic equipment used in supervised gymnastic environments.