Standards Development

Scope

This document specifies the technical requirements to minimize the hazards listed in Clause 4 which can arise during the commissioning, operation and maintenance of passenger boarding bridges (PBBs) when used as intended, including misuse reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer, when carried out in accordance with the specifications given by the manufacturer or their authorized representative. It also takes into account some requirements recognized as essential by authorities, aircraft and ground support equipment (GSE) manufacturers as well as airlines and handling agencies.

This document applies to:

a) apron-drive bridges;

b) fixed-head bridges (also referred to as nose-loaders) or pedestal bridges;

c) suspended bridges for embarking/disembarking of passengers. It is applicable from the interface with the terminal building, which can be movable, e.g. on two levels to separate arrival and departure level to the connection with the aircraft including fixed tunnels. This document does not apply to:

d) elevating lounges;

e) passenger stairs;

f) other form of aircraft access equipment;

g) autonomous PBB positioning. No extra requirements on noise are provided other than those in EN 1915 4:2004+A1:2009. NOTE EN 1915 4:2004+A1:2009 provides the general noise requirements.

This part of EN 12312 is not applicable to PBBs which were manufactured before the date of publication of this document by CEN.

This part of EN 12312 when used in conjunction with EN 1915-1:2023 and EN 1915 2:2001+A1:2009 provides the requirements for PBBs.

Purpose

The new requirements in EN 12312-4:2024 may result in risks, e.g. a larger gap between the leading edge of the bridgehead and the aircraft fuselage (less than 120 mm).

Boarding and deboarding with a gap of max. 120 mm harbours a high risk of stepping in.