EN 13374:2025 – Temporary Edge Protection Requirements Explained
Temporary edge protection plays an important role in preventing falls from height during construction, refurbishment and maintenance work. Whether installed around exposed floor edges, stairwells, roof edges or openings, a correctly designed and installed edge protection system helps create a safer working environment.
BS EN 13374:2025 is the current British and European standard covering the design requirements and test methods for temporary edge protection systems.
This guide explains what EN 13374:2025 covers, the different classes of edge protection, key dimensional requirements and what contractors should consider when selecting temporary edge protection equipment.
What Is EN 13374:2025?
EN 13374:2025 is a European standard specifying product requirements and test methods for temporary edge protection systems used during construction and maintenance.
In the UK, it is published as BS EN 13374:2025 – Temporary edge protection systems – Product specification – Test methods.
The standard establishes requirements for the design, structural performance, testing and classification of temporary edge protection systems.
It covers systems used on both flat and inclined surfaces, including systems fixed directly to a supporting structure and certain freestanding systems that rely on gravity and friction.
The 2025 edition replaces BS EN 13374:2013+A1:2018.
Why Is Temporary Edge Protection Important?
Falls from height remain one of the most serious risks associated with construction work.
Temporary edge protection helps prevent people from falling from exposed edges or openings before permanent protection has been installed.
Typical applications include:
- Exposed floor edges during construction
- Stairwell openings and landings
- Unprotected roof edges
- Floor openings and voids
- Staircases awaiting permanent balustrades
- Refurbishment and maintenance work
Temporary guardrails are a form of collective fall protection because they protect people within the working area without requiring each worker to wear or operate personal fall protection equipment.
Under the UK’s Work at Height Regulations 2005, collective protection should be prioritised over personal protection where appropriate.
What Are the Three Classes of EN 13374 Edge Protection?
EN 13374:2025 identifies three classes of temporary edge protection: Class A, Class B and Class C.
Each class is intended for different working conditions and levels of loading.
Class A – Static Edge Protection
Class A edge protection is intended to resist static loads associated with people leaning against, holding onto or coming into contact with the protection.
It is commonly associated with applications such as relatively flat working surfaces, exposed floor edges and suitable stairwell protection arrangements.
Class A systems are designed to provide a physical barrier that prevents people from passing or falling through the protection.
Class A does not have a dynamic energy-absorption requirement under the standard.
Class B – Static and Limited Dynamic Protection
Class B systems provide resistance to static loads and specified dynamic forces.
They are intended for applications where there may be a risk of a person sliding or falling against the protection, including certain inclined working surfaces.
The system must demonstrate the required energy absorption through testing.
Class C – High Dynamic Protection
Class C edge protection is designed for applications involving higher dynamic forces, particularly where a person could slide or fall down a steeply inclined surface.
Class C systems must demonstrate greater energy absorption than Class B systems.
The correct class depends on the working surface, inclination, potential fall or slide conditions and the results of the site-specific risk assessment.
Important: The classification of an edge protection system should be established from its technical documentation and test evidence. A product should not be assumed to meet a particular class simply because it has guardrails.
EN 13374:2025 Guardrail Height Requirements
One of the most important dimensional requirements concerns the height of the principal guardrail.
Under EN 13374:2025, the uppermost part of the principal guardrail must be positioned at least 1,000 mm above the working surface, measured perpendicular to that surface.
This minimum applies at every point along the principal guardrail.
The standard also addresses the arrangement of intermediate guardrails or intermediate protection to reduce the risk of people passing through the system.
Principal Guardrail
The principal guardrail forms the upper horizontal barrier of the edge protection system.
It should provide continuous protection along the exposed edge.
Where the principal guardrail is not continuous, horizontal gaps must not exceed 120 mm.
Intermediate Guardrail
An intermediate guardrail provides additional protection between the principal guardrail and the working surface.
Where an intermediate guardrail is used, horizontal discontinuities must not exceed 120 mm.
Additional opening-size requirements apply according to the classification of the edge protection system.
For Class A systems, where an intermediate guardrail is provided, openings must be sufficiently restricted to prevent a sphere of 470 mm diameter passing through.
Where no intermediate guardrail is provided, the applicable Class A opening limit is more restrictive.
These dimensions are important when configuring temporary timber guardrails or telescopic edge protection systems.
EN 13374:2025 Toeboard Requirements
Toeboards help reduce the risk of materials, tools and other objects falling from an exposed edge.
Under EN 13374:2025, the top of a toeboard must be at least 150 mm above the working surface, measured perpendicular to that surface.
The standard also places restrictions on gaps.
For flat working surfaces, gaps beneath the toeboard must prevent a sphere of 20 mm diameter from passing through.
Where toeboards are not continuous, horizontal gaps must not exceed 20 mm. Openings within a toeboard must also meet the specified dimensional restrictions.
On uneven working surfaces, gaps should be kept as small as practicable.
The ability to attach a toeboard is a basic requirement of the edge protection system, although the need for one in a particular installation must also be assessed against applicable legal and site requirements.
Toeboards alone may not provide sufficient protection against every falling-object hazard. Additional measures may be necessary.
EN 13374 Class A Dimensional Requirements
Class A temporary edge protection systems have additional dimensional requirements.
The protection must not deviate from the vertical by more than 15 degrees inwards or outwards.
Where an intermediate guardrail is installed, openings must prevent a 470 mm diameter sphere from passing through the protection.
Where no intermediate guardrail is provided, openings must prevent a 250 mm diameter sphere from passing through.
These requirements help ensure that the guardrail arrangement provides an effective physical barrier.
The dimensional requirements must be considered alongside the structural design, fixing method and load requirements of the complete system.
Structural Strength and Fixing Requirements
An edge protection system is only as effective as the components, fixings and supporting structure used in its installation.
EN 13374:2025 addresses the structural performance of temporary edge protection systems, including their ability to resist the loads associated with the intended classification.
For systems fixed directly to a building or other structure, the supporting material and fixings must be suitable for the loads transferred into them.
Important considerations include:
- Strength and condition of the supporting structure
- Suitability of the specified fixings
- Spacing and positioning of edge protection posts
- Strength and compatibility of guardrail components
- Connections between posts and rails
- System configuration and installation method
- Exposure to wind and other relevant loads
The required performance relates to the complete edge protection arrangement, not simply the strength of an individual post or guardrail.
Contractors should follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions and ensure the system is suitable for the specific application.
Temporary Edge Protection for Stairwells and Floor Openings
Stairwells and floor openings are common areas requiring temporary edge protection during building construction.
Before permanent stairs, walls, balustrades or handrails are complete, exposed openings can create significant fall hazards.
Temporary edge protection posts and guardrails can be configured around these areas to establish a physical barrier.
Depending on the installation, systems may use timber guardrails or purpose-designed adjustable metal rails.
The supporting structure, available fixing locations, dimensions and proposed guardrail arrangement must all be considered.
Safety Platforms supplies temporary edge protection equipment for these types of construction applications.
Temporary Edge Protection Systems from Safety Platforms
Safety Platforms offers two approaches to temporary edge protection for construction projects.
Telesafe Telescopic Edge Protection
The Telesafe system uses steel posts connected by adjustable telescopic metal guardrails.
The telescopic rails can extend or retract to accommodate different spans, reducing the need to cut timber guardrails to individual lengths.
The system includes components for floor-edge, stairwell and staircase applications.
View Telesafe Telescopic Edge Protection
Temporary Edge Protection Posts for Timber Guardrails
Safety Platforms also supplies steel temporary edge protection posts designed for use with suitable timber guardrails.
The range includes standard posts, staircase stringer posts and two-piece posts for different installation requirements.
These products provide an alternative where a traditional timber post-and-rail arrangement is preferred.
View Temporary Edge Protection Posts
Product compliance note: The descriptions above explain the available equipment. They do not constitute a declaration that these products have been tested or certified to BS EN 13374:2025. The applicable standard edition, classification and supporting test documentation should be confirmed for each product.
EN 13374:2025 and the Work at Height Regulations 2005
EN 13374:2025 and the Work at Height Regulations 2005 serve different purposes.
The Work at Height Regulations establish legal duties for planning, managing and carrying out work at height safely in Great Britain.
EN 13374:2025 provides technical product requirements and test methods for temporary edge protection systems.
For construction work, HSE guidance identifies a minimum top guardrail height of 950 mm under the Work at Height Regulations, whereas EN 13374:2025 specifies a minimum principal guardrail height of 1,000 mm for systems covered by the standard.
These figures should not be treated as interchangeable.
Where a temporary edge protection system is specified to BS EN 13374:2025, the applicable requirements of that standard must be considered alongside legal duties, the risk assessment and the manufacturer’s instructions.
Meeting a dimensional requirement alone does not demonstrate compliance of the complete system.
Does EN 13374:2025 Replace the Previous Standard?
Yes. BS EN 13374:2025 supersedes BS EN 13374:2013+A1:2018.
Manufacturers, specifiers and contractors should establish which edition of the standard applies to their products and project requirements.
Existing equipment should not automatically be described as complying with the 2025 edition simply because it was tested against an earlier version.
Equally, the publication of a revised standard does not, by itself, establish that all equipment tested to an earlier edition is unsafe or prohibited from use.
The suitability of existing systems should be assessed using the relevant technical documentation, applicable requirements and intended installation.
Choosing a Temporary Edge Protection System
When selecting temporary edge protection, consider the application and the performance required from the complete system.
The working surface, edge configuration, fixing locations and potential fall hazards will influence which system is appropriate.
For example, a system intended for a relatively flat floor edge may have different performance requirements from one intended to arrest a person sliding down a steep roof.
It is also important to consider whether the protection will need to be repositioned as construction progresses.
Safety Platforms offers telescopic guardrail systems and temporary edge protection posts for timber guardrails, allowing contractors to select components suited to different construction applications.
Explore Our Temporary Edge Protection Range
Further Information and Technical Guidance
For detailed technical requirements, refer to the official BS EN 13374:2025 standard and the relevant product manufacturer’s documentation.
For UK work-at-height responsibilities, consult the Health and Safety Executive’s guidance on the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
If you need assistance selecting temporary edge protection posts, telescopic guardrails or associated components, contact Safety Platforms to discuss your requirements.
This guide provides general technical information and is not a substitute for the full standard, competent system design, a site-specific risk assessment or the manufacturer’s installation instructions.