The EN 131-1 standard defines the terms and specifies the general design characteristics of portable ladders. EN 131-1:2015+A1:2019 is the most current version of part 1 of the European Ladder Standard EN 131. This standard cancels and replaces EN 131-1:2015, which in turn canceled and replaced EN 131-1:2007+A1:2011.
The main innovation of this new standard is the requirement to add stabilizers to ladders that, when in use, can exceed three meters in length, whether in their basic or extended position. This stabilizer can come in various types, including strut-style, bar-style, or side stabilizers.
This requirement of the EN 131-1 Standard also applies to articulated ladders with single or multiple hinges, as specified by the EN 131-4:2020 standard, when they are in the positions of support ladder, single ladder, or support-separation.
At KTL-Ladders, we have been the first spanish manufacturer to adapt all our products to the new EN 131-1 standard well in advance, ensuring no inconvenience to our customers and users. Therefore, we have incorporated stabilizers into all ladder structures that exceed three meters in length when in the support position, whether extended or not, as can be seen in the technical data sheets for our single-section support ladders, manual extendable ladders, mechanical extendable ladders, articulated ladders, and telescopic ladders.
The length of the stabilizing base is calculated using a mathematical formula found in Table 2 of the section dedicated to ‘Support Ladders‘ in the new version EN 131-1:2015+A1:2019. The parameters included in the formula are related to the width of the side rail, the total length of the ladder in the support position, and the width of the ladder.
