Overview
EN ISO 3164:2013/A1:2024 (CEN endorsement of ISO 3164:2013/Amd 1:2024) is an amendment to the international standard for earth-moving machinery that defines laboratory evaluation methods for protective structures using the concept of the deflection-limiting volume (DLV). Published April/July 2024 and adopted by CEN members, this amendment clarifies DLV construction and testing allowances and provides an informative Annex ZA linking the standard to the EU Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Deflection-limiting volume (DLV): specifies the space envelope used in laboratory tests to evaluate deformation of protective structures under load.
- DLV rotation allowance: the amendment permits the upper portion of the DLV to be rotated laterally, longitudinally, or both about the SIP (safety impact point) up to 16°; the portion below the SIP remains fixed.
- Integration with ROPS/TOPS testing: DLV rotation during ROPS (roll-over protective structure) and TOPS (tip-over protection structure) testing is allowed provided it complies with the applicable ROPS/TOPS test standards (e.g., ISO 3471, ISO 12117, ISO 12117-2, ISO 13459).
- Document updates: Table 1 from the earlier edition is deleted in this amendment; a new bibliography lists related ISO standards relevant to protective-structure testing.
- Regulatory relationship: Annex ZA explains how compliance with normative clauses of this standard confers a presumption of conformity with essential requirements of Directive 2006/42/EC where cited in the Official Journal of the EU.
Practical applications and users
Who benefits:
- Manufacturers and OEMs of excavators, loaders and other earth-moving machinery designing ROPS/TOPS and operator protection systems.
- Test laboratories and certification bodies performing laboratory evaluations and conformity assessments against DLV criteria.
- Design and safety engineers responsible for verification of protective-structure deformation limits and crashworthiness.
- Regulatory authorities and compliance teams assessing machinery conformity with the Machinery Directive.
Typical uses:
- Defining test fixtures and DLV geometry for laboratory simulation of protective-structure deformation.
- Ensuring ROPS/TOPS test set-ups account for allowed DLV rotation during impact and static tests.
- Demonstrating conformity to EU machinery safety requirements when the standard is cited.
Related standards
Keywords: EN ISO 3164:2013/A1:2024, deflection-limiting volume, earth-moving machinery, protective structures, ROPS, TOPS, laboratory evaluations, machinery safety, EU Machinery Directive.