Manufacturers : Testing and certification
Normative test facilities for a cabin class evaluation
SNDC has testing resources in compliance with international standards relevant for agricultural machinery (tractors, self-propelled machines …) and earth-moving machinery cabins.
EN 15695 standard
This European Standard is applicable to cabs of agricultural and forestry tractors and self-propelled sprayers. Its purpose is to limit the exposure of the operator (driver) to hazardous substances when applying plant protection products (PPP) and liquid fertilizers. This European Standard specifies four different categories of cabs depending of their efficiency.
SNDC Test facilities
SNDC has the resources of expertise and testing to evaluate and verify the compliance of agricultural machinery cabins with the requirements of the standard EN15695 and their qualification in each of the four classes.
From audit to cab marking
Defining a class from 1 to 4 with measurement in test room
During the evaluation work and verification, the cabin (or the whole machine) is introduced into a tests hall to perform the measurement of concentrations and to define the confinement efficiency of the cabin.
Answers to frequently asked questions about EN 15695 standard :
- What is EN 15695 ?
- How long has this standard been applicable?
- How are the agricultural machinery manufacturers concerned by this standard?
- What are the cabins categories?
- What should be the equipment level of the cabin?
- Should I inform my client of the cabin category installed on our machine?
- Is it necessary to audit the performance of the cabin?
What is EN 15695 ?
EN 15695 European standard purpose is to limit the exposure of agricultural and forestry tractors drivers to hazardous substances such as dust, aerosol and vapours when applying plant protection products (PPP) and liquid fertilizers, by requiring a good protection level of the cabin.
How long has this standard been applicable?
The EN 15695 European standard applies since may 2010.
How are the agricultural machinery manufacturers concerned by this standard?
To insure the driver’s safety, it is important to check the protective level of the cabin in the various work configurations, such as applying plant protection products or liquid fertilisers. Depending on the work performed, the cabin has to comply with one of the four category stated by the standard.
What are the cabins categories?
The four categories corresponds to four protection levels provided by the cabin:
Cabin category 1
- There is no protection.
Cabin category 2
- The cab protects the driver only against dust but does not protect against aerosols and vapors.
Cabin category 3
- The cab protects the driver against dust and aerosol but does not protect against vapors.
Cabin category 4
- The cab protects the driver against dust, aerosols and vapors.
What should be the equipment level of the cabin?
In addition to ventilation, heating and air conditioning the cabin must have additional equipment depending on its class:
Cabin Category 2:
The cabin is equipped with a pressurization system and a dust filtration of fresh air installed in a slot to prevent the passage of unfiltered air into the cabin and allowing its replacement by the driver.
Cabin Category 3:
The cabin is equipped with a pressurization system, a dust filtration of fresh air and a aerosol filtration installed in a slot preventing the passage of unfiltered air into the cabin and allowing its replacement by the driver.
Cabin Category 4:
The cabin is equipped with a pressurization system, a dust filtration of fresh air, an aerosol filtration and a vapour filtration installed in a slot to prevent the passage of unfiltered air into the cabin and allowing its replacement by the driver.
Should I inform my client of the cabin category installed on our machine?
Commercial documents must inform your client on the category of cabin equipping your machine.
The cab must have the appropriate category marking.
Moreover, the user manual should provide information on the level of protection of the cabin, on the use and settings of protective devices, operations maintenance and how to reduce risks of exposure to hazardous substances.
Is it necessary to audit the performance of the cabin?
Depending on its class cabin must be tested and meet performance requirements:
For category 2 cabins
The pressurization system shall be at least to get a filtered fresh air flow of 30 m3 / h and a pressure of 20 Pascals above atmospheric pressure if the cabin is equipped with a pressure indicator, or 50 Pascals if the cabin is not equipped with an indicator. Filtration of fresh air must be placed in a housing to prevent the passage of unfiltered air into the cabin.
For category 3 cabins
The requirements are identical to those in category 2, otherwise aerosol filtration type "P-R" must meet the requirements of EN 14387 and an audit of the cabin containment efficiency must be performed.
For category 4 cabins
The requirements are identical to those in categories 2 and 3, including the evaluation of the effectiveness of confinement of the cabin, but in addition “A” type vapors filtration must meet the requirements of EN 14387
