The global description “wall saw and wire saw equipment” contains two differing types of machines for use in the construction industry, and both used to make cuts on walls, ceilings and floors composed of mineral construction materials and/or composite materials. The many different cutting tasks and choice of operating method determine the type of machine to be used for each application. The machines may therefore be split into the following two principal classifications:
- Wall saws – exclusively rail guided – transportable.
- Wire saws – transportable.
The machines are intended for the use of diamond tools. The types of cutting tools used in conjunction with the machines as described above fall within the design and use parameters supplied by the manufacturer. Cutting debry generated by the cutting action is removed from the cutting joint by a medium such as water directed to the cutting tool. Machines covered by this standard may be powered by: electric motor, IC engine, electro-hydraulic drive and IC engine-hydraulic drive. This European Standard deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events relevant to wall saws and wire saws machinery, when they are used as intended and under conditions of misuse which are reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer (see Clause 4). This standard specifies the appropriate technical measures to eliminate or reduce risks arising from the significant hazards generated by the cutting process work cycle. For special applications, for example, when working in potentially explosive atmospheres, additional safety requirements is necessary which are not covered by this standard. This European Standard does not apply for wire saws intended for quarrying and stationary machining of natural stone as covered by prEN 15163. This European Standard applies primarily to machines which are manufactured after the date of approval by CEN of this standard.