Functional Safety Certification for Industrial Robot Arms: ISO 13855 Explained

Date
2026-10-19
Location
Online
Host
Zach L
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About this event

A Hands-On Lab for Robotics Startup Founders pursuing functional safety certification. A live 30-minute hands-on lab on ISO 13855 (Positioning of Safeguards) for industrial robot arms, built for robotics startup founders pursuing functional safety certification. What We'll Cover: What ISO 13855 (Positioning of Safeguards) requires and how its scope applies to industrial robot arms Mapping ISO 13855 clauses to the certification evidence assessors expect System-specific hazards and safety functions typical of industrial robot arms Common findings that delay certification, and how to avoid them A practical readiness roadmap for robotics startup founders preparing for assessment Related topics: ISO 13855 · Industrial Robot Arms · functional safety certification · functional safety assessment · Hands-On Lab · Robotics Startup Founders · safety lifecycle · compliance evidence · SIL · PL · risk assessment · safety case Critical Systems Analysis provides embedded functional safety consulting for ISO 13855. Learn more: https://criticalsystemsanalysis.com Partner with us: https://meetings.hubspot.com/benjamin-twombly/strategic-partnerships

Topics

About ISO 13855 (Positioning of Safeguards)

This hands-on workshop builds applied knowledge and team exercises around the certification requirements of ISO 13855.

EN ISO 13855 provides the methodology for positioning protective equipment with respect to human approach speeds: computing the minimum distance so a hazard is neutralized before a person can reach it after detection or opening.

What it regulates

Minimum distance formulas S = K·T + C for light curtains, scanners, pressure mats, two-hand controls and interlocked guards, with approach speeds, intrusion allowances, and reach-over/reach-through additions from ISO 13857.

Who must comply

Integrators positioning ESPE and guards on every safeguarded machine; validation engineers measuring stopping performance to confirm calculated distances.

Key requirements of ISO 13855

  • K values: 1600 mm/s walking, 2000 mm/s hand movement for close approach
  • T: total stopping performance (detection response + machine stopping time)
  • C additions for detection capability (finger/hand/body) and reach-over via table lookups
  • Specific procedures for vertical, horizontal and angled detection fields

Key concepts: ISO 13855

Detection capability C-addition
Penalty distance growing with coarser resolution (14 mm finger detection adds little; body detection adds much more).
Reach-over height matrix
ISO 13857-derived tables adding distance when the protective field's top edge can be reached over.
Stop-time measurement
Periodic verification (drift of brakes/valves) that installed distances remain valid.
Stopping performance T
Measured worst-case time from initiating detection to hazard cessation, including control and actuator lag.

Frequently asked questions: ISO 13855

Does ISO 13855 apply to interlocked guards too?

Yes — for guards without guard locking, the same time-based approach ensures the hazard ends before a person can open the guard and reach it; otherwise guard locking per ISO 14119 is required.

Why did my light curtain end up so far from the hazard?

Distance is K·T + C: long machine stopping time or coarse resolution inflate it quickly. Reducing stopping time (better braking, SS1) or finer resolution moves the curtain closer; sometimes a different safeguard concept wins.

Standard information based on the published text of ISO 13855 (Positioning of Safeguards). Event content is provided by the host. For authoritative guidance, consult the official standard body.