The TS EN 13374 standard maximises occupational safety by defining the design, performance and test methods of temporary guardrail systems used in construction and maintenance work. Temporary edge protection systems consist of railings, handrails and fasteners installed to reduce the risk of personnel falling in working-at-height environments such as construction sites, roofs and facade maintenance. This standard regulates material quality, installation procedures and durability testing in order to prevent accidents caused by height and to ensure that protection systems operate safely and consistently.
The importance of TS EN 13374 stems from the creation of a transparent and universal safety language for both employers and workers. By making compliance with legal regulations easier, it clarifies the allocation of responsibility. The risk of legal and financial sanctions that may arise after workplace accidents is therefore reduced. At the same time, systems carrying a comparable performance standard encourages quality competition between suppliers and lays the groundwork for a sustainable safety culture on construction projects.
TS EN 13374 is a European standard defining the design, performance and testing requirements of temporary edge protection systems. It explains step by step how these systems should be installed to prevent workers from falling during construction or maintenance work at height, what materials and dimensions they should be manufactured in, and how they should perform under load. The scope of the standard covers temporary edge protection systems for applications up to an installation height of 4 m, and it provides both installation instructions and production control procedures.
The standard divides protection systems into three performance classes according to their intended use: A (low-pitch roofs), B (steeper surfaces) and C (mobile platforms, machine tops). The static load tests and dynamic load simulations specified for each class guarantee the durability of the application under real working conditions. Products complying with TS EN 13374 therefore emerge approved from laboratory testing and can be used safely on site.
The TS EN 13374 standard defines the design, performance and testing conditions of temporary edge protection systems to be used when working at height. To minimise the risk of workers falling at installation heights of up to 4 m and the risk of materials falling below, it defines how products such as handrails, intermediate guardrails, toe boards, posts and fasteners should be manufactured and installed. This ensures material compatibility and makes compliance with occupational safety regulations on site easier.
Handrail
The horizontal rail at the top of the working surface that prevents a worker from falling. Its load capacity and installation height are determined according to the standard. It undergoes different static/dynamic load tests according to Class A, B or C systems.
Intermediate Rail
The second horizontal rail between the handrail and the toe board. It is positioned to prevent a worker or equipment from falling between the guardrails. The standard tests the bending and breaking strength of the intermediate rail.
Toeboard
A vertical board profile at least 100 mm high, installed between the surface and the guardrail posts. It retains small items that could fall below and prevents damage to the ground or working surface.
Post
The vertical profile carrying the handrail, intermediate rail and toe board. Depending on the installation method, base-plate, clamp-type or socket types are available. The resistance of posts to breaking, bending and rotational forces is certified.
Fasteners (Clamps, Brackets, Couplers)
Clamps and connection fittings that fix posts to building elements and join guardrail rails. According to TS EN 13374, their material quality, clamping force and resistance to slipping are tested.
Modular Panel Systems
Prefabricated, panelled demountable guardrail units. They consist of frames that lock together for fast installation. The joint strength and full integrity of the horizontal and vertical components within the panel are tested.
Mobile Protection Systems
Protection solutions on wheeled platforms or scaffolds. They are evaluated according to both Class A/B/C load tests and the system's ability to remain stable while in motion.
Guardrails on Machinery and Equipment
Temporary edge protection used on top of equipment such as cranes, generators and packaging machines. They are designed to withstand dynamic loads arising from both vibration and equipment movement.
Roof and Inclined Surface Guardrails
Special fixing fittings and horizontal/offset guardrail arrangements for low-pitch (Class A) or steeper roof surfaces. They are installed with clamps that do not damage the roof covering, in order to reduce the risk of slipping.
TS EN 13374 is a standard defining how temporary edge protection systems (guardrails, intermediate rails, toe boards, posts and fasteners) should be designed, tested and installed. It aims to increase occupational safety by bringing working-at-height risks under control, to ensure compatibility between systems and to define clear areas of responsibility for both employers and workers.
Establishes Safety Standards: It defines the minimum performance and material requirements of temporary guardrail systems. This means all protective equipment on site has been tested and approved under similar conditions.
Reduces the Risk of Falling: Static and dynamic load tests simulate real worker movements. This guarantees that the system will withstand the expected forces and prevent falls.
Makes Legal Compliance Easier: It provides integration with construction industry and occupational health and safety legislation. By using products and installation complying with TS EN 13374, practitioners fulfil their legal responsibilities.
Defines Quality and Supplier Standards: Manufacturers know what material and workmanship quality their products must provide. It makes comparison between suppliers easier and encourages competition on quality.
Clarifies Installation and Maintenance Procedures: Installation instructions, connection details and periodic inspection criteria are clearly set out within the standard. There is therefore a single reference source for correct installation and periodic inspection of the system.
Speeds Up Inspection and Approval Processes: Products complying with the standard are approved quickly by third-party testing and certification bodies. During site inspections, documented performance reports eliminate claims of non-compliance.
The TS EN 13374 standard divides the performance requirements of temporary edge protection systems into three different classes, offering clear criteria according to the slope of the application surface, the intended use and the expected load. This determines which static and dynamic tests will be applied, along with material quality and installation procedures, for systems to be used in different environments such as construction sites, roofs, mobile scaffolds or machine tops.
The TS EN 13374 classes are as follows:
Class A (Low-Pitch Surfaces): Preferred on roofs, terraces and horizontal surfaces with a slope of 0°–10°. Static testing applies a horizontal force of 0.30 kN/m. There is no dynamic test requirement. However, the system is designed to safely handle a worker's light slipping or stopping movements.
Class B (Steeper Surfaces): Area of application: used on steeper surfaces such as roofs with a slope of 10°–30°, stair edges and sloping terraces. Static testing applies a horizontal force of 0.50 kN/m and a simulated dynamic load of 500 N. This provides resistance to the energy transfer occurring during a worker's slip or a short-distance fall.
Class C (Protection on Mobile and Temporary Equipment): Designed for areas requiring mobile or temporary installation such as wheeled platforms, scaffolds, crane tops, generators and around machinery and equipment. Static testing applies a horizontal force of 2.0 kN/m and dynamic testing applies a fall energy simulation of at least 1 kN. This high strength criterion safely handles loads arising from vibration and movement.
The EN 13374 standard defines test criteria that simulate the real working conditions of temporary edge protection systems. The aim is to ensure that components such as the handrail, intermediate rail and toe board perform safely under both static and dynamic loads. The tests reveal the system's installation method, material quality and the consistency of fastener installation.
The EN 13374 test criteria are as follows:
Static Load Test: A defined force is applied horizontally to the highest point of the handrail. This value is 0.30 kN for Class A, 0.50 kN for Class B and 2.0 kN for Class C. The aim is to verify the capacity to carry the loads the guardrail will transfer to the vertical installation components.
Dynamic Load Test: A defined mass is swung from a certain height and impacts the guardrail. The aim is to assess the ability to withstand sudden load shocks and the energy generated by a worker's slipping or falling movement.
Deflection Measurement: The horizontal deflection at the most deformed point of the guardrail under static load is measured. The criterion is that the deflection does not exceed the maximum value determined for the applied load class.
Toe Board Load Test: A vertical force of 0.5 kN is applied to the base of the board. The aim is for the board to show sufficient strength to stop small items that could fall below.
Material and Dimension Check: The cross-sectional measurements, material thicknesses and alloy properties of the guardrail profiles are examined in a laboratory environment. The aim is to ensure compliance with the minimum material quality and dimensional tolerances specified in the standard.
Fastener Strength: Both static and vibration load tests are applied to clamps, brackets and connection fittings. The aim is to preserve system integrity by preventing the risk of slipping, loosening and breakage at the connection point.
