Functional Safety Certification for Mobile Manipulators: ISO 13855 Explained

Date: 2026-12-28
Location: Online
Host: Zach L

About this event

A Gap Analysis Workshop for Early-Career Engineers pursuing functional safety certification. A live 30-minute gap analysis workshop on ISO 13855 (Positioning of Safeguards) for mobile manipulators, built for early-career engineers pursuing functional safety certification. What We'll Cover: What ISO 13855 (Positioning of Safeguards) requires and how its scope applies to mobile manipulators Mapping ISO 13855 clauses to the certification evidence assessors expect System-specific hazards and safety functions typical of mobile manipulators Common findings that delay certification, and how to avoid them A practical readiness roadmap for early-career engineers preparing for assessment Related topics: ISO 13855 · Mobile Manipulators · functional safety certification · functional safety assessment

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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.