When deciding what kind of ladder you need for a task, it is essential that you choose one that is safe and suitable for the type of work you will be carrying out.
If you’re planning on repainting your bedroom or changing a lightbulb, you don’t need to fork out on an industry-grade ladder. Conversely, if you will need to use your ladder frequently for construction or trade work, you don’t want a domestic grade ladder that is unsuitable for the job.
What Do The Regulations Say?
The EN131 ladder regulations were updated in early 2018. Since then, EN131-certified ladders have been sorted into two classifications, instead of the previous three. These classifications are:
- Professional - Ladders rated 'Professional' are suitable for commercial, industrial or construction settings where tasks typically require extra durability and safety precautions.
- Non-Professional - Ladders rated 'Non-Professional' should not be used for trade or industrial applications, but they are suitable for home DIY jobs.
What Defines Professional Use?
The main features that define a ladder rated ‘Professional’ are as follows:
- Ladder is used in a business premise such as a store, office, warehouse or construction site.
- Ladder is used regularly or daily for long periods of time.
- Ladder is used for physically demanding tasks e.g. a task that requires the worker to climb up and down frequently.
- Ladder must meet certain load ratings, stability and material requirements.
The biggest difference between Professional and Non-Professions ladders is their durability. Although both classifications now have a maximum capacity of 150kg and undergo similar testing, a Professional ladder must undergo 50,000 repetitions for durability, whereas a Non-Professional ladder only undergoes 10,000.
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At Ladders UK Direct, we stock a range of ladders for both professional and domestic use. For example, this Professional Triple Extension Ladder is made from high-quality aluminium and designed specifically for use in commercial and trade environment.
This Domestic Triple Extension Ladder, on the other hand, is ideal for use in and around the home as it’s lightweight and easy to manoeuvre.
Whether your looking for a new DIY tool or a crucial piece of work equipment, we’ve got you covered!
Use the button below to browse our ladder collection and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Ladders UK Direct and a member of our team will be happy to help.
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