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Glossary

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FEM classification

The European Federation of Materials Handling and Storage Equipment is an association of constructors and experts setting common rules for the design and use of handling equipment, including lifting equipment.

To determine the group for your lifting device, winch or block and tackle, three essential parameters are to be taken into account:

. Maximum load to be lifted:
It includes the weight of the cable and any lifting accessories (hook, etc.) except where these are of a total weight of 5 % or less of the load to be lifted.

. Load condition: it determines in what proportions the lifting device is used at maximum load or reduced load.
For an exact classification, it is preferably to calculate the average cubic value (k) using the formula below:

glossaire formule 1

where :

glossary formule 2

Thus a distinction is made between four characterised load conditions:

Light

Lifting devises subjected exceptionally to the maximum load and normally to very light loads.

k ≤ 0,5

Medium

Lifting devises subjected fairly often to the maximum load and normally to light loads.

0,5 < k ≤ 0,63

Heavy

Lifting devises subjected frequently to the maximum load and normally to medium loads.

0,63 < k ≤ 0,8

Very heavy

Lifting devises subjected regularly to loads close to the maximum load.

0,8 < k ≤ 1

. Operating class:

This is the average operating time per day, on the basis of 250 working days a year.
The lifting device is considered to be in operation when it is moving; conversely, it is not during stoppage times, between raising and lowering for example.

These three parameters thus provide the means for classifying the devices into groups of mechanisms in accordance with this table you can use to determine the group for the lifting device you need :

glossary tab

Our technical sales staff is at your disposal to help you determine the characterised load condition corresponding to your case.