The NBN EN 12195 standard
Within the European Union, binding rules for securing loads on vehicles are defined in the NBN EN 12195 standard. This standard outlines the requirements that lashing straps and lashing chains must meet.
It also describes the methods used to correctly calculate lashing forces and secure loads. To guarantee maximum safety at all times, SKP’s load securing equipment complies with the NBN EN 12195-3 standard.
Forces acting on loads
Load securing must take into account "normal traffic conditions". These include situations that can occur in everyday traffic, such as sudden braking, sharp manoeuvres and uneven road surfaces.
Keeping these scenarios in mind makes it clear why proper load securing is essential. Even on familiar routes, unexpected situations can arise.
The following forces may occur under normal traffic conditions:
- In the direction of travel: equal to 80% of the load weight
- To both sides: equal to 50% of the load weight
- To the rear: equal to 50% of the load weight
These forces must always be taken into account when securing a load.
The coefficient of friction
When a load rests on a loading surface, a form of "micro-interlocking" occurs between the surfaces. The strength of this interaction increases as the surfaces become rougher. This phenomenon is known as the coefficient of friction (μ).
A higher coefficient of friction means less securing force is needed to prevent the load from sliding. A lower coefficient of friction means additional securing is required. In such cases, anti-slip mats can be used to increase friction and improve load stability.