Every Tensys ratchet strap has a label with lots of numbers and technical jargon on it. Some of these terms can be a bit confusing if you're not familiar with them, so we've put together this handy infographic to help you read and understand the information on your ratchet strap's label.
Ratchet Strap Glossary
Here's some more information about key terms that are commonly used when talking about ratchet straps and other lashing products:
- Decanewtons (daN) are a measurement of force. Previous product standards used kg or tonnes as a unit of measurement, but BS EN 12195-2:2001 (the current UK standard for load restraint assemblies on road vehicles, published in 2001) changed the preferred method of measurement since ratchet straps are designed to secure loads that are in motion. We're talking about dynamic forces here, not static weights. For the purposes of the product standard, 1kg = 1daN (so for example, 5 tonnes is equal to 5000daN).
- Lashing capacity (LC) is the maximum force that the ratchet strap is designed to sustain in a straight pull. When selecting a ratchet strap, make sure it will NEVER encounter a force that exceeds its stated LC.
- Break force min (BFmin) is the minimum force the strap can withstand before breaking (in this case when new). At or above the BFmin, the ratchet strap will fail and will no longer be able to secure the load. Don't confuse the lashing capacity (LC) with the break force min (BFmin)! The number and type of lashings you use should always be based on the LC; in service, a lashing should NEVER be pushed to its full breaking force as this may cause premature failure. For example, this particular ratchet lashing system has a BFmin of 5000daN and a lashing capacity of 2500daN, providing a safety factor of 2:1.
- NOT FOR LIFTING means exactly that! You should NEVER use a ratchet strap for lifting because they are not designed for lifting applications. They don't have a suitable safety factor, the appropriate certification, or a mechanism that can raise and lower a suspended load.
- Standard hand force (SHF) is the average force a user can apply to the ratchet handle to tension the webbing. The BS EN12195-2:2001 product standard defines SHF as 50daN (50kg).
- Standard tension force (STF) is the amount of tension stored in the webbing lashing after the standard hand force (SHF) has been applied. STF can vary between ratchet types, because longer handles and geared ratchets apply more tension. A typical 5000daN x 50mm push-up-to-tension ratchet strap will provide an STF of 350daN. For loads requiring a higher STF, a 500daN STF can be achieved using ergo ratchet straps that pull down to tension.
About Ratchet Strap Labels
Here's some more information about the labels themselves:
- Any labels on the ratchet part will be slightly different to the main tension strap version depicted above. Only the standard tension force (STF) value is shown on the ratchet tail label.
- Tensys lashings manufactured using polyester webbing will have blue labels.
- Tensys lashings that are made of polypropylene will have brown labels.
Ratchet strap labels may seem complicated at first glance, but it's vital that you take the time to read and understand the label of any ratchet strap you intend to use. Using a ratchet strap without knowing the limits of that strap can be very dangerous, so feel free to contact Tensys Direct if you are at all unsure about how to proceed.
Understanding Load Restraint Principles
The goal of load restraint is to prevent the load in question from moving under normal transport forces.
This is achieved through a combination of two factors:
- The force applied to the load by the ratchet strap
- The friction between the load and the load platform
These two things work together to keep the load from moving.
You can read our blog post How to Use a Ratchet Strap for more information on how ratchet straps may be used to hold a load in place. As for friction, this can be increased by placing anti-slip friction mats under the load to further reduce the risk of movement.
As detailed above, the force applied by the ratchet strap is known as the standard tension force (STF). Ratchet straps can be directly connected to the load or placed over the top of the load. The angle of the strap to the load will also affect the force applied by the lashing.
Ratchet Straps from Tensys Direct
Tensys Direct is one of the UK's top ratchet strap suppliers. Reliable load securing equipment is our speciality, and we can even provide custom ratchet straps that include your company logo and other bespoke features.
We pride ourselves on our outstanding customer service, so if you are unsure about the right solution for your load restraint requirements, please don't hesitate to contact the Tensys Direct team.
Browse & Buy Ratchet Straps
Useful Links
Disclaimer: this article is informational only. Always do your own research and read labels carefully before you proceed.