What is BS EN 528 about?
BS EN 528 discusses about Rail dependent storage and retrieval equipment. BS EN 528 is applicable to all types of Storage and Retrieval (S/R) machines, restricted to the rails on which they travel within and outside the aisles for the storage and retrieval of unit loads and/or long goods such as bar materials and/or for order picking or similar duties.
These machines embody lifting means along a mast and may include lateral handling facilities. Also included is the transfer equipment used to change between aisles. Control of machines may range from manual to fully automatic.
BS EN 528 document also deals with the technical requirements for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).
Note 1: BS EN 528 is applicable to machines and equipment that are manufactured after the date of issue of BS EN 528. A transition period of 12 months is proposed.
Note 2: Safety requirements and/or measures in BS EN 528 apply to equipment used under indoor conditions.
Who is BS EN 528?
BS EN 528 is relevant for the following stakeholder groups representing the
market players regarding machinery safety:
- Machine manufacturers
- Safety regulatory bodies
- Machine operators
- Machine maintenance servicemen
- End consumers
Why should you use BS EN 528?
S/R-machine-related satellite vehicles are also defined as a load-handling device (LHD). While using S/R-machines there are chances of significant hazards which may lead to injury or damage to goods.
It’s important for the manufacturers, designers, and operators to assess all the risks associated with it. Hence crucial safety guidelines need to be followed which are compliant with regulatory authorities.
However, additional risk assessments and safety measures need to be considered for uses in severe conditions, e.g. extremely high temperatures, loads, the nature of which could lead to a dangerous situation (e.g. especially brittle loads, explosives), earthquake effects, and also contact with foodstuff.
References in BS EN 528 to racking, buildings, and systems only apply where it is necessary to assess the hazards and risks at their interfaces with S/R machines.
BS EN 528 deals with all significant hazards relevant to rail dependent storage and retrieval
equipment, when they are used under the conditions intended by the manufacturer including reasonably foreseeable misuse.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 528:2021 supersedes BS EN 528:2008, which is withdrawn.
The main changes compared to the previous edition EN 528:2008 are as follows:
- Prevention against load falling into adjacent automatically operated aisles: Safety level (PLr) is not more depending on the frequency of access to the aisle
- Physical safety backstops shall be dimensioned according to the loads that occur
- Information on the planned dismantling of the installation is required in information for use
- Requirements for additional person(s) on the lifting carriage has been stated more precisely
- Introducing the generic template for amendment in accordance with the decision of the EU commission