ISO 13856-2:2013

Overview

ISO 13856-2:2013 - Safety of machinery - Pressure-sensitive protective devices - Part 2 provides general principles for the design and testing of pressure-sensitive edges and pressure-sensitive bars. The standard applies to these devices when they are used as safeguards to detect persons or body parts exposed to machine hazards (moving parts) and when they are not used as actuating devices for normal operation. It defines essential requirements, test methods and information that manufacturers, integrators and machine builders need to design, verify and document pressure-sensitive protective devices.

Key topics and requirements

ISO 13856-2 covers high-level and testable requirements, including (but not limited to):

• Effective sensing surface - definition and considerations for sensing area
• Actuating force and force–travel relationships - how devices respond to applied load
• Pre-travel, working travel, overtravel - travel characteristics relevant to triggering and safety
• Minimum operating speed and number of operations - durability and dynamic response
• Sensor output and response of the output switching device, including reset function
• Environmental, power supply and electrical/hydraulic/pneumatic requirements
• Enclosure, additional coverings, mechanical strength, recovery after deformation
• Inhibition, blocking, access, marking and information for selection/use
• Verification and test procedures - a suite of tests (e.g., actuating force, environmental, electrical) and test sample guidance
• Guidance on performance levels and categories in relation to ISO 13849-1 (gives minimum values but does not select PLs for specific applications)

Normative and informative annexes provide timing diagrams, explanatory notes on operating speed/force/travel, device selection, design and commissioning guidance.

Applications and who uses it

ISO 13856-2 is intended for anyone involved in machine safety where pressure-sensitive edges/bars are used as protective devices:

• Machine manufacturers and designers specifying safeguards
• Safety engineers and risk assessors integrating pressure-sensitive edges/bars
• System integrators and control engineers ensuring correct signal/response behavior
• Test laboratories and conformity assessors performing verification and type tests
• End-users and maintenance teams who need selection, installation and commissioning information

Typical applications include guarding of machine perimeters, movable guards, conveyors, doors and other hazards where contact-detection via edges or bars reduces risk of entrapment or crushing.

Related standards

• ISO 13856-1 (pressure-sensitive mats/floors) and ISO 13856-3 (bumpers, plates, wires)
• ISO 12100 (general machinery safety and risk assessment)
• ISO 13849-1 (SRP/CSs performance levels and categories)
• IEC 61496-1 (electro-sensitive protective equipment)
• IEC 60204-1 (machine electrical equipment) - note: ISO 13856-2 excludes devices used only for normal operation/emergency stop per IEC 60204-1

Keywords: ISO 13856-2, pressure-sensitive edges, pressure-sensitive bars, safety of machinery, design and testing, machine safeguarding, pressure-sensitive protective devices.