ISO 5489:2024

International
Standard
ISO 5489
Fourth edition
Ships and marine technology —
2024-01
Embarkation ladders
Navires et technologie marine — Échelles d'embarcation
Reference number
© ISO 2024
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Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Materials . 1
4.1 Wooden parts .1
4.2 Side ropes .2
4.2.1 General arrangement.2
4.2.2 Alternative side rope arrangement .2
4.3 Metallic materials .2
4.4 Step fixtures . .2
4.5 Plastic materials .2
4.6 Quality of materials .2
4.7 Rope seizing .3
5 Constructions . 3
6 Testing and inspection . 8
6.1 Prototype test for approval.8
6.2 Product inspection .10
7 Designation .10
8 Marking . .11
9 Production tests and inspections .11
10 Maintenance .11
Annex A (informative) Recommended production tests and inspections .12
Annex B (informative) Natural fibre rope embarkation ladders — Care and maintenance .13
Bibliography .18

iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 8, Ships and marine technology, Subcommittee
SC 1, Maritime safety.
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition (ISO 5489:2008), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— normative references in Clause 2 have been updated;
— Clause 3 (Terms and definitions) has been added;
— Clause 4 has been harmonized with ISO 799-1: 2019;
— Annexes A and B have been added.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

iv
Introduction
This document is intended to supplement existing requirements of the International Maritime Organization
(IMO) for embarkation ladders. Since IMO instruments do not include specific requirements for prototype
testing of embarkation ladders for approval, these types of tests have been included in this document and
therefore go beyond the scope of the existing IMO requirements. The inclusion of these tests is considered
necessary in order to ensure that specifications embarkation ladders are aligned with the performance
requirements prescribed in IMO instruments and in this document.

v
International Standard ISO 5489:2024(en)
Ships and marine technology — Embarkation ladders
1 Scope
This document specifies requirements for a ship’s embarkation ladder that is provided to enable
passengers and crew to safely embark to waterborne survival crafts along a vertical portion of the ship's
hull. It is applicable to merchant ships required to carry embarkation ladders under Chapter III of the
[1]
1974 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) , as amended. Embarkation ladders
complying with this document can be used by National maritime administrations on their ships in order to
comply with the requirements of SOLAS.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 209, Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Chemical composition
ISO 877-2, Plastics — Methods of exposure to solar radiation — Part 2: Direct weathering and exposure behind
window glass
ISO 1181, Fibre ropes — Manila and sisal — 3-, 4- and 8-strand ropes
ISO 1461, Hot dip galvanized coatings on fabricated iron and steel articles — Specifications and test methods
ISO 15510, Stainless steels — Chemical composition
3 Terms and definitions
No terms and definitions are listed in this document.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
4 Materials
4.1 Wooden parts
Each wooden part shall be made of hardwood (ash, oak, beech, teak, or other hardwood having equivalent
properties) free from knots. Wood shall not be treated or coated with paint, varnish or other coatings that
changes the friction coefficient or hides the natural grain. Where parts of the steps outside the side ropes
are varnished in order to prevent cracking of the influence of the moisture, deterioration, corrosion, and
mould formation, the varnish on the wooden parts should not hide the grain of wood or significantly change
the coefficient of the friction.

4.2 Side ropes
4.2.1 General arrangement
Each side rope shall be mildew-resistant manila rope meeting ISO 1181, Quality 1, or a spun thermoset
polyester rope with a polypropylene core of a colour that contrasts with the spun polyester.
Each side rope shall have a breaking strength of at least 24 kN, and the specification of the diameter of side
ropes should be 20 mm to 22 mm (63 mm to 69 mm circumference).
4.2.2 Alternative side rope arrangement
Alternative side ropes of synthetic material may be used, if they
a) meet the breaking strength and size requirements of 4.2.1,
b) are at least as resistant to elongation under load as the standard ropes described in 4.2.1,
c) have an exterior surface suitable to be grasped by bare hands, similar to manila or spun polyester,
d) are of a thermoset polymer, resistant to deterioration from ultraviolet light, and
e) provide a visual indication of excessive wear, similar to the spun polyester/polypropylene construction
described in 4.2.1.
4.3 Metallic materials
4.3.1 Each metal fastener shall be made of material which is inherently corrosion-resistant or treated to
be corrosion-resistant.
4.3.2 Each ferrous metal part, which is not stainless steel, shall be coated in accordance with ISO 1461.
4.3.3 Each stainless-steel part shall be of a marine grade alloy with a corrosion resistance at least equal to
grade “4401-316-00I” in ISO 15510.
4.3.4 Each aluminium part shall be 5254 alloy, or another grade containing not more than 0,06 % copper,
in accordance with ISO 209.
4.3.5 Metals in contact with each other shall be galvanically compatible or insulated to prevent galvanic
corrosion in a marine environment.
4.4 Step fixtures
Step fixtures for securing each step of a ladder shall have rope seizing or an arrangement such as seawater-
resistant aluminium clamps to prevent the steps and chocks from loosening. Cable ties, u-clamps, and worm
driven clips are not acceptable.
4.5 Plastic materials
Each plastic material (including the nylon material) shall be of a type that retains at least 30 % of its original
tensile strength and at least 80 % of its original impact strength when subjected to the one-year outdoor
weathering test described in Method A of ISO 877-2.
4.6 Quality of materials
Each part of a ladder shall be free of splinters, burrs, sharp edges, corners, projections, or other defects that
can injure a person using the ladder.

4.7 Rope seizing
Seizing shall consist of three-ply tarred marline of minimum breaking strength 800 N with a minimum
diameter of 4 mm, or other suitable material of equivalent strength and diameter. All seizings shall be
figure-of-eight racking seizings with a minimum length of seizing 32 mm.
5 Constructions
Figures 1, 2, and 3 illustrate construction for embarkation ladders.
Dimensions in millimetres
a)  Convention b)  Three-string
Figure 1 — Construction for embarkation ladder

Dimensions in millimetres
Key
1 alternative arrangements of securing rope 5 side rope
2 shackle 6 step fixture
3 splice and rope seizing 7 rope seizing or seawater resistant purpose-designed
aluminium clamp
4 step
Figure 2 — Construction details of embarkation ladder

Dimensions in millimetres
Key
1 alternative arrangements of securing rope L1 length of securing rope
2 shackle L length of ladder
3 splice and rope seizing W width of the step
4 rope seizing n number of steps in the ladder
5 step
6 side rope
7 step fixture
Figure 3 — Ladder construction using rope seizing and step fixtures
5.2 Each ladder shall have two side ropes on each side. Ladders may also be constructed as three-string
ladders with a third set of ropes in the middle of the ladder, as illustrated in Figure 1. In a three-string

ladder, the third set of ropes shall meet the same requirements as the side ropes. Each step in the ladder
shall be supported by each side rope. Three-string ladders are only acceptable for small and medium ships.
5.3 Each step in the ladder shall be supported by side ropes. Each side of the ladder shall consist of a
continuous loop of rope with the joint above the top step or below the bottom step.
5.4 Each of the side ropes shall
a) be wholly continuous rope without any knots, joints, or splices except as specified in 5.5, and
b) not be painted or otherwise coated or covered.
5.5 The ends of the side ropes shall be finished as follows:
a) If the ends of the side ropes terminate just above the top step (highest step), they shall round a thimble
and the end shall be joined with a short splice. A single eye splice or thimble shall be large enough to
accommodate at least two passes of side rope.
b) The side ropes shall not have fittings or form loops at the bottom of the ladder that can be used to attach
additional ladder sections or tripping lines.
c) If the ends of the side ropes on each side terminate just beneath the lowest step, the rope ends shall be
securely fastened or otherwise treated to prevent fraying. The rope ends shall pass through the holes
in the lowest step and use similar step fixtures as the other steps. A rope seizing, as per the other steps,
shall be made immediately under step fixtures. A second rope seizing shall be provided 60 mm under
the first seizing, as shown in Figure 3. The loose ends of the rope shall be whipped as close as possible to
the second rope seizing to protect against fraying. A common whipping length is 25 mm. The loose ends
of the rope shall be as short as possible, but not less than 50 mm below the second seizing. No loops are
allowed.
d) The ends of each side rope that do not terminate in a splice or fitting shall be served, whipped or
otherwise treated to prevent fraying.
5.6 Each side rope shall pass through a separate hole in each step. The centre of each hole shall be at
least 50 mm from the short edge of the step as shown in Figure 4. Alternative arrangements using slots are
shown in Figure 4 and are permitted only for replacement steps. The slots shall be in the longer edge of the
replacement step.
Dimensions in millimetres
Key
1 grooved, patterned or textured non-skid surface area
Figure 4 — Alternative hole and slot types for side ropes of typical ladder step and replacement step

5.7 Each pair of side ropes shall be secured together both above and below each step, with specially
designed step fixtures (chocks or widgets) and a seizing method which holds each step level when the ladder
is hanging freely. Alternative acceptable arrangements are shown in Figures 2 and 3.
The securing arrangement implemented shall preserve the creation of a gap between the step fixtures
(chocks or widgets) and the secured step. It shall not be possible to introduce a cylindrical measuring pin of
a diameter 10 mm between the step and its step fixtures (chocks or widgets).
5.8 If step fixtures are used to secure the side ropes and hold the step in place, the step fixtures shall not
extend above or below the step surfaces by more than a distance equal to 0,7 times of W (where W is the
width of the step), so that the step is not prevented from rolling if caught between a boat and the hull of the
ship.
5.9 If a seizing method is used to secure steps and side ropes, step fixtures shall be used above and below
the step. The step fixtures shall be designed to lead and support the side ropes from the step to the point
above or below the step where the side ropes are seized together. The step fixtures shall be designed so that
they stay in place when the ladder is rolled or the step is turned.
5.10 The clear space between the side ropes on one side of the ladder and those on the other side shall be at
least 400 mm. This distance shall be uniform throughout the length of the ladder (see Figures 1, 2 and 3).
5.11 Each side rope shall be arranged so that, when the ladder is in use along the vertical hull of a ship, the
side rope cannot come in contact with the ship’s side.
5.12 An extension securing rope shall be fitted to each side rope eye splice or thimble by means of an eye
splice or shackle, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.
5.13 The length of each securing rope shall be at least 3 m. The securing rope shall not be directly cut or
spliced to the side rope.
5.14 A securing rope, if used to aid in rigging the ladder, shall be shackled at the upper end of each side
rope of the ladder, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Both securing ropes shall be of equal length and shall have
a breaking strength of at least 48 kN. Securing ropes shall be fitted with a thimble. The other end shall be
treated to prevent fraying. A suitable method to prevent fraying is a whipping.
5.15 The spacing from the top of one step to the top of the next step shall be 330 mm ± 20 mm and shall be
uniform throughout the length of the ladder (see Figure 3).
5.16 Each step shall be of one-piece construction of either hardwood, or resilient plastic or rubber material
complying with Clause 4.
5.17 The top face of each step shall be in rectangular form with a width not less than 115 mm. Its surface
is grooved or patterned or of a textured non-skid type. The step surface shall be designed so that it does
not retain water. A textured non-skid surface shall be integrated with the step and shall be either moulded
or cut into the step with the nominal depth of 3 mm. Non-skid adhesive sheeting should not be used. See
Figure 4.
5.18 Each step shall be at least 25 mm thick at its thinnest point. In determining this thickness, the following
shall not be included: the depth of grooves in the top face of the step, the diameter of any hole extending
from one side of the step to the other, and the thickness of any non-skid treatment. See Figure 2.
5.19 Each step shall be arranged so that it can bear on the vertical hull of the ship when the ladder is in use.

5.20 The manufacturer shall offer replacement steps that can replace a removed step without the need for
unstringing and restringing the ladder. Replacement steps shall meet all the requirements in this document
...