Din standard

DIN standards constitute the recognized body of rules for technology, safety and quality in planning, execution and maintenance. In the context of concrete demolition, special demolition, building gutting, rock breakout, tunnel construction and natural stone extraction they provide reliable guardrails—from machine safety and hydraulics to material properties of concrete and steel. For users of concrete pulverizers, rock and concrete splitters, hydraulic power units, combination shears, multi cutters, steel shears, tank cutting equipment and rock wedge splitters, DIN standards support a safe, compliant and economically plannable way of working.

Definition: What is meant by DIN standard

A DIN standard is a consensus-based, published set of rules developed and continuously revised by the German Institute for Standardization. It describes requirements, test methods, terms and interfaces to ensure safety, interoperability and quality. DIN standards may have national (DIN), European (DIN EN) or international (DIN EN ISO) validity. They are generally voluntary, but are often agreed by contract or used as the state of the art. Thus, they serve as an objective basis for planning, execution, documentation and testing of procedures and devices—especially for hydraulic demolition and cutting tools.

Significance of DIN standards in concrete demolition, special demolition and rock cutting/processing

In deconstruction and rock processing, safety requirements, materials science and procedural quality meet directly. DIN standards structure this framework: among other things, they define requirements for machine and functional safety, hydraulic systems, electrical equipment, noise emission and vibration measurement, concrete and steel parameters, marking, testing and documentation. For users of concrete pulverizers as well as rock and concrete splitters they provide plannable procedures, traceable risks and reproducible results—from the selective separation of reinforced concrete elements to non-explosive rock removal.

Core standards for hydraulic tools and power units

Hydraulic demolition and cutting technology relies on basic standards for machine safety and hydraulics. The following focal points are particularly relevant in practice:

Machine safety and risk assessment

• DIN EN ISO 12100: Systematic risk assessment and risk reduction for machinery—foundation for the safety-related assessment of concrete pulverizers, combination shears, multi cutters and steel shears.
• DIN EN 349 and DIN EN ISO 13857: Safety distances to avoid crushing and protection from hazards at access points—important at moving tool arms, grapples and splitting wedges.
• DIN EN 474 (relevant for earth-moving machinery): General safety requirements for mobile carrier machines; for mounted attachments the standard helps consider interface and operating risks in the system as a whole.

Hydraulic systems and electrical equipment

• DIN EN ISO 4413: Hydraulics—General rules and safety requirements for fluid power systems and their components; essential for hydraulic power packs, hydraulic hose lines, valves, couplings and control.
• DIN EN 60204‑1: Electrical equipment of machines—requirements for design, protective measures, marking and documentation of electrical systems on power units.
• Marking, operating manual and warnings: Cross-cutting requirements across various standards; they ensure that operation, maintenance and testing are traceable.

Ergonomics, noise and vibrations

• DIN EN ISO 5349: Measurement and evaluation of hand–arm vibrations—important for handheld or hand-guided tools and controls.
• DIN EN ISO 3744 (sound power in free field) and applicable noise measurement standards: a basis for noise assessment and noise control measures on the construction site.

Standards for concrete, reinforcement and steel in deconstruction

Targeted intervention in concrete and steel requires knowledge of the material standards. They support the assessment of components and thus the correct choice of tools, e.g., concrete pulverizers for reinforced members or rock and concrete splitters for low-crack separations.

• DIN EN 206 (with national provisions): Requirements for concrete—strength classes, exposure classes, composition; relevant for estimating cutting or splitting behavior.
• DIN EN 1992 (Eurocode 2): Design of reinforced concrete—provides indications of reinforcement ratios and member thicknesses; useful for positioning concrete pulverizers at nodes and columns.
• DIN 488: Reinforcing steel—properties and marking; important for cutting operations with steel shears, combination shears or multi cutters.
• DIN EN 1993 (Eurocode 3): Steel structures—basics for separating steel beams, plates and sections.
• DIN EN 13236: Safety requirements for diamond tools—relevant when cutting discs are used in addition.

Practical application: using concrete pulverizers, rock and concrete splitters and combination shears in conformity with standards

In practice, the body of standards supports a safe process chain from planning through execution to documentation:

• Risk assessment in accordance with DIN EN ISO 12100: identify hazards (cutting, crushing, hydraulic leaks, noise, vibrations), define protective measures, indicate residual risks.
• Tool selection based on material and geometry data: concrete strength (DIN EN 206), reinforcement density (Eurocode 2), member thickness and accessibility. Concrete pulverizers for reinforced members; rock and concrete splitters for controlled, low vibration levels separation.
• Operate hydraulics safely per DIN EN ISO 4413: pressure ranges, hose management, leak prevention, energy dissipation and clean coupling separations.
• Ergonomics and exposure: use measurement and assessment methods for noise and vibration to select suitable work methods and protective measures.
• Documentation: maintain operating manual, marking, test records and maintenance plans in full.

Documentation, marking and testing processes

Documents are an integral part of working in conformity with standards. They ensure traceability, facilitate maintenance and support quality assurance.

• Operating manual in clear language, covering intended use, assembly, operation, maintenance and disposal.
• Nameplate and marking with relevant technical data (e.g., pressure and power ranges), warning symbols and serial information.
• Test and maintenance plans: regular visual and functional checks, documented hydraulic inspections, replacement intervals for hoses and couplings, tool wear checks.
• Training and instruction: documented briefing in operation, residual risks and emergency measures.

Areas of application and normative framework

Requirements vary with the place of use and the material to be separated. A selection of practice requirements shaped by standards:

Concrete demolition and special demolition

Selective removal, controlled load redistribution and protection against secondary damage. Concrete pulverizers enable the targeted separation of reinforced members, while rock and concrete splitters separate with low vibration levels. Standards on machine safety, hydraulics and material assessment provide the framework.

Building gutting and cutting

In interior areas, noise, dust, vibration and accessibility are in focus. In addition to concrete pulverizers, combination shears, steel shears and multi cutters are used. Measurement and limit considerations for sound and vibration help select procedures and derive protective measures.

Rock breakout and tunnel construction

With non-explosive methods, rock wedge splitters and rock and concrete splitters support controlled crack guidance. Normative specifications on hydraulics, operator safety and documentation ensure reproducible results.

Natural stone extraction

Material-appropriate splitting technology reduces crack propagation and scrap. Geometry, jointing and rock strength determine the approach; machine safety and hydraulics standards guide safe operation.

Special operations

Special separation tasks, such as the Tank Cutter for tank cutting or deconstruction of complex steel structures, require careful risk assessment, additional measurement and testing where necessary, as well as precise documentation.

Selection criteria for tools and components in line with the standards

1. Component analysis: concrete strength, reinforcement ratio, member thicknesses, cut/split line, environment.
2. Tool matching: concrete pulverizer for high reinforcement; rock and concrete splitter for low-vibration separation; for steel portions consider steel shear or hydraulic demolition shear.
3. System compatibility: align hydraulic performance of the power unit, hose lines and couplings; observe pressure/flow ranges and return line.
4. Protective measures: guards, safety distances, load handling, shoring, signaling, emergency-stop concepts.
5. Evidence: keep documents, test records, maintenance and training records available.

International context: DIN, EN and ISO

Many requirements now originate from European and international standards and are adopted as DIN EN or DIN EN ISO. In practice this means consistent requirements across borders. The decisive factor is the current edition and—where available—national provisions. This keeps work with concrete pulverizers, hydraulic power units or rock and concrete splitters interoperable and documented in a manner that is sound in law.

Maintenance, testing and periodic inspections

Regular inspections planned according to standard principles ensure that tools and power units remain functional and safe.

• Before use: visual inspection for damage, leaks, wear; functional test of safety devices.
• Periodic: documented hydraulic inspections, pressure tests within the manufacturer’s specifications, wear measurements on cutting and splitting components.
• Event-based: inspections after unusual loads, malfunctions or repairs.

State of the art and continuous updating

Standards are updated and adapted to the state of the art. Users are advised to check regularly whether relevant editions have changed and to align work instructions, test plans and documentation accordingly. This keeps the use of concrete pulverizers, rock and concrete splitters, combination shears and related tools safe, efficient and compliant with standards over the long term.