Ratchet straps are indispensable tools in a variety of industries, providing essential support for securing loads during transport. When selecting a ratchet strap, it’s crucial to understand the rating label, which provides vital information about the strap’s capabilities and compliance with safety standards. This blog will delve into the specifics of a 5tonne lorry ratchet strap rating label, including an explanation of the manufacturing standard EN12195-2:2000.
Ratchet Strap Rating Label
The rating label on a ratchet
strap provides essential information about its specifications and compliance
with industry standards. Here’s a breakdown of the key components you’ll find
on a 5tonne ratchet strap rating label:
STANDARD:
Compliance: Indication that the
strap complies with EN12195-2:2000, a crucial European standard.
MATERIAL:
Information about the material
used, commonly 100% polyester, known for its strength and durability.
ELONGATION <7%
This extension length is
expressed as a percentage and in compliance with European standards, it should
be no more than 7% of the strap’s total length at LC.
LASHING CAPACITY (LC):
Lashing Capacity (LC): This represents the maximum force
the strap can exert to secure a load, typically half of the breaking strength.
For a 5tonne strap, the LC would be 2.5T
BREAK STRENGTH (BS):
Breaking Strength is the maximum force the strap can
withstand before breaking, usually a higher value than the load capacity. Therefore
a 5tonne ratchet strap, the breaking strength would be rated as BS: 5T
LENGTH:
The dimensions of the strap, often given in meters for length and millimetres for width (e.g., 10m x 50mm).
DATE:
You should be able to find a date
printed somewhere on the label, including a month and year. This is the
production date (i.e. the date when your ratchet strap was manufactured) and,
in combination with your supplier’s name, it can be used to trace the strap
back to its exact production batch.
NOT FOR LIFTING’ WARNING:
Your ratchet strap label should also include the statement
‘Not for Lifting!’ in capital letters. This statement is there to remind users
that the safety factors for lifting equipment are very different from those of
lashing; therefore, under no circumstances, should your straps be used for
lifting.
Importance of Understanding the Label and Standard:
Safety Assurance: Knowing
that a strap complies with EN12195-2:2000 provides confidence in its
reliability and safety under specified conditions.
Legal Compliance: Using
straps that meet recognized standards helps comply with legal and industry
regulations, avoiding penalties and liabilities.
Performance Guarantee: Accurate label information
ensures that you’re using the right strap for your load, preventing overloading
and potential failures.
Additional Information:
Standard Hand Force
Standard Hand Force (SHF) is the
total force that a user can apply to the tensioning device (or ratchet) on your
cargo strap – before it would start to damage or break. Once again, this force
is measured in daN and the universal standard is currently set at 50daN. This
means that a ratchet should only be tightened by hand and not by standing on it
or using tools such as a wrench.
Standard Tension Force:
Standard tension force (STF) is
another measurement that can be found on the label of your cargo ropes.
Essentially, it is a measure of the tension (or force) that is created by your
ratchet and lashing straps – when tying down a load of cargo – and, once again,
it is expressed in terms of daN.
It is important to bear this
measurement in mind when loading your cargo, as for straps with a higher STF,
fewer straps will be needed, and each strap can be secured a little more
tightly.
Definition of daN
daN stands for decanewton. It is
a unit of force in the metric system, equivalent to ten newtons (10 N).
Conversion to Other Units
1 daN = 10 Newtons (N)
1 daN ≈ 1.02 Kilograms-force
(kgf)
Thus, 1000daN is approximately equal to the force exerted by a 1000kg weight under standard gravity.
Understanding the rating label on a 5tonne lorry ratchet strap and the significance of the EN12195-2:2000 standard is crucial for anyone involved in load securing. This knowledge not only enhances safety but also ensures compliance with industry standards, providing peace of mind in demanding environments. Always check the label and verify compliance with EN12195-2:2000 before using a ratchet strap, ensuring you’re equipped with a reliable and robust tool for your load securing needs.
Click here for more information or to purchase 5tonne ratchet straps.
How to use a 5tonne (5000kg) Ratchet Strap Video;