FprEN 16191

Tunnel boring machines - Safety requirements

Publication date:   Sep 24, 2026

Scope

This document is applicable to tunnel boring machines and equipment as defined in Clause 3 used for the primary purpose of creating an underground void through the construction of horizontal and inclined tunnels and other underground excavations.
NOTE 1 Other underground excavations can include access structures to complex tunnel layouts such as in underground stations, utilities, underground storage facilities as well as below ground tunnel portals.
It deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events relevant to such machinery when they are used as intended and under the conditions of misuse which are reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer (see Clause 4).
This document covers monitoring for hazardous atmospheres within the confines of the tunnel boring machines.
Requirements for air locks and pressurized transfer shuttles are covered by FprEN 12110-1:2026 and FprEN 12110-2:2026.
The following items and applications are not covered by this document:
- the additional requirements for the use of entire tunnelling machinery within a hyperbaric environment;
- the additional requirements for use of tunnelling machinery in potentially explosive atmospheres;
NOTE 2 For the application in potentially explosive atmospheres, see EN ISO/IEC 80079-38:2016 for guidance.
- ancillary tools and equipment which are not an integral part required for the intended use of the tunnelling machinery, but located on the machinery by the user;
- supply network for services to the tunnelling machinery (e.g. power supply, water, pipes, compressed air, ventilation duct, etc.);
- loading and transport machinery which is not an integral part of the tunnelling machinery, e.g. delivery vehicle for logistic support, tunnel spoil removal system;
- EMC interactions between the tunnelling machinery and third-party surface and underground assets, e.g. railway signalling;
- vibration as a significant and relevant hazard.
This document is not applicable to tunnel boring machines which are manufactured before the date of publication of this European Standard by CEN.

Related legislation

Legislation related to this standard