EN 12195 is a series of European standards concerned with load restraint on road vehicles. This guide focuses on EN 12195-1, which covers the calculation of securing forces, and EN 12195-2, which covers web lashings made from man-made fibres.
- EN 12195-1 – calculation of securing forces for methods including blocking, lashing and combinations of securing methods
- EN 12195-2 – requirements for web lashing assemblies, including their manufacture, testing and identification
Other parts of the EN 12195 series address lashing chains and steel wire ropes.
EN 12195-1: Calculation of Securing Forces
EN 12195-1 provides calculation methods for determining the securing forces required to restrain a load. The appropriate calculation depends on the load, vehicle and securing method being used.
Relevant considerations include the mass and stability of the load, friction between the load and load bed, the direction of forces acting on the load, the geometry of the lashings and the characteristics of the restraint equipment.
Methods covered include blocking, lashing and combinations of securing methods. A load-securing calculation therefore cannot be based on load weight or strap rating alone.
Direct Lashing and Frictional Lashing
Two important lashing principles are direct lashing and frictional lashing, also commonly described as tie-down lashing. The distinction matters because different characteristics of the lashing assembly are used when assessing each method.
Frictional lashing
With frictional lashing, the strap passes over the load and is tensioned to press the load against the load bed. This increases the friction available to resist movement. The Standard Tension Force (STF) of the lashing is therefore an important value when calculating frictional restraint.
The effectiveness of frictional lashing also depends on factors including the coefficient of friction between the load and deck and the angle of the lashing.
Direct lashing
With direct lashing, the restraint is arranged so that the lashing itself acts directly against movement of the load. The lashing connects the load to suitable anchorage points on the vehicle so that movement in the relevant direction is directly restrained.
For direct lashing calculations, an important strap rating is its Lashing Capacity (LC), expressed in decanewtons (daN).
EN 12195-2: Web Lashing Strap Requirements
EN 12195-2 covers reusable web lashing assemblies made from man-made fibres. The standard includes requirements relating to manufacture, performance testing, marking and identification.
The label attached to a compliant web lashing contains information that allows the user to identify the assembly and understand its relevant performance characteristics.
Understanding an EN 12195-2 Strap Label
LC – Lashing Capacity
LC means Lashing Capacity and is expressed in daN. It identifies the rated capacity of the lashing and is the value used when assessing direct lashing arrangements.
LC should not be confused with the force at which the complete lashing assembly ultimately fails during destructive testing.
BF – Breaking Force
BF, or Breaking Force, describes the force associated with failure of the lashing assembly during tensile testing. For an EN 12195-2 web lashing, the complete lashing must withstand at least 2 × LC without failure.
For example, a lashing rated at LC 2000 daN must withstand at least 4000 daN without failure during the applicable test.
This does not make the strap a 4000 daN lashing for operational use. The rated Lashing Capacity remains 2000 daN. Breaking Force is a test and performance characteristic rather than an alternative working rating for load-securing calculations.
STF – Standard Tension Force
STF means Standard Tension Force. It is the residual force in the lashing after the physical release of the handle of the tensioning device. STF is particularly relevant when calculating frictional or tie-down lashing.
A label might, for example, state STF 500 daN. This value describes the tensioning performance of the lashing system; it is not the same as LC or Breaking Force.
SHF – Standard Hand Force
SHF means Standard Hand Force and identifies the hand operating force used when establishing the stated STF. A typical EN 12195-2 label states SHF 50 daN.
Webbing material and label colour
The label identifies the material used for the webbing. Common material codes include:
- PES – polyester, identified by a blue label
- PP – polypropylene, identified by a brown label
- PA – polyamide, identified by a green label
Lashing length: LG, LGF and LGL
The label also identifies the length of the lashing. LG identifies the length of a one-piece lashing. For a two-part lashing, LGF identifies the length of the fixed end, such as the hook and ratchet section, while LGL identifies the adjustable end comprising the webbing and associated end fitting.
Not for lifting
Web lashings manufactured for load restraint are not lifting equipment. The label must clearly state “NOT FOR LIFTING”.
Manufacturer and traceability information
The label identifies the manufacturer and includes a traceability code so that the lashing assembly can be related back to its manufacturing information.
The year of manufacture is also identified on the label.
EN 12195-2 identification
The applicable standard is shown on the label as EN 12195-2, identifying the requirements to which the web lashing applies.
Maximum elongation
The label states the maximum elongation of the webbing. This provides information about how much the webbing is permitted to elongate under the specified conditions.
Sewn-in identification section
The lower section of the label is sewn into the seam of the lashing assembly. This section repeats critical identification information, including the Lashing Capacity, material, manufacturer, traceability code, year of manufacture and standard reference, helping preserve this information if the exposed part of the label is damaged.
LC, BF, STF and SHF: What Is the Difference?
These four values describe different characteristics of the lashing system and should not be treated as interchangeable ratings.
- LC (Lashing Capacity) – the rated capacity of the lashing and an important value for direct lashing calculations.
- BF (Breaking Force) – associated with destructive tensile testing and failure of the assembly. The complete web lashing must withstand at least 2 × LC without failure.
- STF (Standard Tension Force) – the residual tension generated by the tensioning device and an important value for frictional lashing calculations.
- SHF (Standard Hand Force) – the specified hand operating force used when establishing the stated STF.
A strap with a high LC does not necessarily provide a correspondingly high level of frictional restraint when used over the top of a load. For frictional lashing, the STF, friction between the load and deck and the lashing geometry are important factors. Conversely, direct lashing uses the capacity of the restraint to act directly against load movement.
Inspection and Condition of Lashing Straps
Webbing straps and their fittings should be inspected before use and checked for deterioration or damage that could affect their performance.
Damage can include cuts, tears, abrasion, broken or damaged load-bearing fibres, damaged stitching, heat damage, contamination and damaged, cracked, deformed or corroded ratchets and end fittings.
Protection such as sleeves or corner protectors can help protect webbing where straps pass over sharp or abrasive edges.
If the condition of a lashing means that its rated performance can no longer be relied upon, it should not be used for load restraint.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between direct lashing and frictional lashing?
Frictional lashing, often called tie-down lashing, uses tension in the strap to press the load against the load bed, increasing friction and helping to resist movement. Direct lashing connects the restraint so that the lashing itself acts directly against movement of the load. STF is particularly relevant to frictional lashing, while LC is particularly relevant to direct lashing.
What is the difference between LC and Breaking Force?
LC is the rated Lashing Capacity used for load restraint. Breaking Force relates to the tensile force associated with failure during destructive testing. Under EN 12195-2, the complete web lashing must withstand at least twice its LC without failure. A strap marked LC 2000 daN must therefore withstand at least 4000 daN during the applicable test, but its operational Lashing Capacity remains 2000 daN.
What does LC mean on a lashing strap?
LC means Lashing Capacity and is expressed in decanewtons (daN). It identifies the rated capacity of the lashing and is used when assessing direct lashing arrangements.
What is the difference between LC and STF?
LC describes the rated capacity of the lashing and is particularly relevant to direct lashing. STF describes the residual tension produced when a strap is tightened and is particularly relevant to frictional or tie-down lashing.
What does SHF 50 daN mean?
SHF means Standard Hand Force. SHF 50 daN identifies the hand operating force used when establishing the stated Standard Tension Force of the lashing system.
Why does an EN 12195-2 strap say “Not for Lifting”?
EN 12195-2 web lashings are intended for load restraint rather than lifting. Their LC, STF and other ratings relate to their use as lashing equipment and must not be interpreted as lifting capacities.
This article provides an overview of EN 12195 and does not replace a load-securing calculation for a specific vehicle and load. The appropriate restraint method and equipment must be determined for the particular load, vehicle and operating conditions.
