Flame Resistant EN Standards

Flame Resistant - EN Standards

EN ISO 11612: 2015 Protective Clothing Against Heat and Flame

The performance requirements set out in this international standard are applicable to garments, which could be worn for a wide range of end uses, where there is a need for clothing with limited flame spread properties and where the user can be exposed to radiant, convective or contact heat or molten metal splashes.

This test uses standard methods and conditions to predict the performance of fabric/garments in the event of contact with heat or flames. Garment features such as seams, closures and logos must be tested as well as the fabric. Tests must be carried out on pre-treated components according to the manufacturers care label.

Specific testing is listed below:

Dimensional change
Limited flame spread (A1+A2)*
Convective heat (B) – 3 levels
Radiant heat (C) – 4 levels
Molten aluminium splash (D) – 3 levels
Molten iron splash (E) – 3 levels

Contact heat (F) – 3 levels (temperature 250 degrees Celsius)
Heat resistance at a temperature of 180 degrees Celsius
Tensile strength (must meet a minimum of 300N)
Tear strength (must meet a minimum of 10N)
Bursting strength
Seam strength

Garment design requires that coverage must be provided from the neck to the wrists and to the ankles. Optional testing includes water vapour resistance and manikin testing for overall burn prediction.

*This test must be carried out on fabric and seams.

If you need help or advice on anything to do with flame resistant garments please call our knowledgeable customer support staff on 01226 215204 or email safetywear@bos4ppe.co.uk.

Check out the following pages for further information on flame resistant garments - Electric ARC Range, Flame Resistant Fabric Reference Charts, Laundering of Flame Resistant Fabrics and Flame Resistant Outstanding Results.

ISO 13506: 2008 Manikin Test ISO 13506

This test method provides the general principles for evaluating the performance of complete garments or protective clothing ensembles in a flash fire or other short duration exposures.

Within the EN ISO 11612 standard, an optional test is available to provide predictions of burn injury using an instrumented, heat sensing, life size manikin, complying with the ISO13506 test method. Manikin testing creates a realistic simulation of a flash fire condition and analyses the response of manikin heat sensors to predict the potential tissue burn damage to the wearer of industrial clothing.

The effects of exposure to flame are dependent not only on the basic protective qualities of the fabric but on factors such as the quality of the garment fit and the presence of air gaps between the different layers of clothing. The presence of undergarments also has a signicant effect on protection. Testing is carried out by exposing a fully clothed manikin, to flame engulfment for a minimum period of four seconds.

The manikin is fitted with a minimum of 100 sensors positioned all over the body, arms, legs and head. The purpose of the sensors is to measure the variation in temperature on the manikin surface during a test with the manikin clothed – designed to replicate the rate at which human skin absorbs energy.

Heat energy absorbed by the sensors is recorded by the manikin’s computer software, with data normally collected for up to 120 seconds after the burn. From the information gathered, a report is produced showing a “body map” indicating predicted body burn of either no burns, first, second or third degree burns and where they would have occurred.

There are no “Pass” or “Fail” criteria in the ISO13506 standard.

One of the most useful functions of these Manikin tests is to allow garments to be compared directly to each other under identical conditions. Comparisons can be made between different types of clothing fabrics, design, construction, finish, etc. to improve levels of protection and to see how different types and mixes of materials and layers / undergarments perform in the same environment.

EN ISO 11611: 2015 Protective Clothing For Use In Welding And Allied Processes

This international standard specifies minimum basic safety requirements and test methods for protective clothing for use in welding and allied processes (excluding hand protection). The international standard specifies two classes with specific performance requirements.

Class 1 is protection against less hazardous welding techniques and situations causing lower levels of spatter and radiant heat.

Class 2 is protection against more hazardous welding techniques and situations causing higher levels of spatter and radiant heat.

EN ISO 11611 requires that protective suits completely cover the upper and lower torso, neck, arms and legs. There are a number of other design requirements which must be followed, to prevent molten droplets lodging anywhere on the garment.

Testing must be carried out on pre-treated components according to the manufacturers care label.

The following is a summary of the testing required:

Tensile strength (must meet a minimum of 400 N)
Tear strength (must meet a minimum of 15N for class 1 and 20N for class 2)
Bursting strength
Seam strength
Dimensional change

Limited flame spread (A1+A2)*
Molten droplets
Heat transfer (radiation)
Electrical resistance

Requirements of leather

I*This test must be carried out on fabric and seams.

EN ISO 14116: 2008 Protective Clothing Against Limited Flame Spread Materials and Material Assemblies

This standard specifies the performance requirements for the limited flame spread properties of materials, material assemblies and protective clothing in order to reduce the possibility of the clothing burning and thereby itself constituting a hazard. Additional requirements for clothing are also specified.

Protective clothing complying with this standard is intended to protect workers against occasional and brief contact with small igniting flames in circumstances where there is no significant flame hazard and without the presence of another type of heat.

EN ISO 14116 has three different categories for flame spread, Index 1, 2 and 3 as detailed in the table below:

Note: Index 1 garments should not be worn next to the skin. They must be worn over Index 2 or 3 garments. Index 2 or 3 garments can be worn next to the skin.

Testing must be carried out on pre-treated components according to the manufacturers care label.

Testing required is as follows:

Limited flame spread
Tensile strength
Tear strength
Seam strength

IEC 61482-2: 2009 Protective Clothing Against The Thermal Hazards of An Electric Arc

This standard specifies requirements and test methods applicable to materials and garments for protective clothing against the thermal effects of an electric arc event. An electric arc is a continuous electric discharge of high current between conductors generating very bright light and intensive heat.

Two international test methods have been developed to provide information on the resistance of clothing to the thermal effects of electric arcs. Each method gives different information. To comply with the standard either or both tests must be carried out.

Box Test Method EN61482-1-2

The fabric/garment is exposed to an electric arc confined in a specific box with a specific electrode arrangement for 0.5 seconds. Class 1 is to a current of 4kA arc, Class 2 is to a current of 7 kA arc. Test conditions for Class 1 & 2 try to stimulate typical exposure conditions for a short circuit current of 4kA and 7kA respectively.

Open Arc Method EN61482-1-1

This test method aims to establish the ATPV (Arc Thermal Performance Value) or Ebt (Energy Breakopen Threshold) of a fabric.

The ATPV is the amount of energy required to cause a 2nd degree burn through the material prior to break-open (50% probability). The Ebt is the amount of energy where the material breaks-open (50% probability). This is normally the upper thermal limit of the fabric where the fibres are damaged and the material loses mechanical strength. Both ATPV and Ebt are expressed in calories per cm2.

EN 61482-1-1 tests the fabric with an 8kA arc for various incident durations. Workers are assumed to be safe if the arc rating of their clothes exceeds the electric arc incident energy calculated in the worst case scenario of a risk assessment. Garments can be layered to achieve an overall ATPV or EBT Rating. For example a thermal layer may achieve an EBT of 4.3 Cal/m2, and an outer coverall may achieve an ATPV of 13.6Cal/cm2. However the combination ATPV/EBT ratings will be greater than the sum of the two single layers, as the air gap between the two layers affords the wearer additional protection.

Another parameter measured during the open arc test is the HAF value (Heat Attenuation Factor) – this describes the amount of heat blocked by the fabric.

ASTM F1959/F1959M-14

FABRIC ONLY TEST. This test method is the same as outlined above under EN 61482-1-1. Pre treatment may vary.

EN 1149: 2018 Protective Clothing – Electrostatic Properties – Part 5. Material Performance and Design Requirements.

This European standard is part of a series of standards for test methods and requirements for electrostatic properties of protective clothing. The standard species material and design requirements for garments used as part of a total earthed system, to avoid incendiary discharges. The requirements may not be sufficient in oxygen enriched flammable atmospheres. This standard is not applicable for protection against mains voltages.

EN 1149 consists of the following parts

EN 1149-1: Test method for measurement of surface resistivity
EN 1149-2: Test method for measurement of the electrical resistance through a material (vertical resistance)

EN 1149-3: Test methods for measurement of charge decay
EN 1149-4: Garment Test (under development)
EN 1149-5: Material performance and design requirements

Electrostatic dissipative protective clothing shall be able to permanently cover all non-complying materials during normal use. Conductive parts (zippers, buttons etc) are permitted provided they are covered by the outermost material when in use.

EN 13034: 2005 + A1:2009 Protective Clothing Against Liquid Chemicals

Performance requirements for chemical protective clothing offering limited protective performance against liquid chemicals (Type 6 and Type PB [6] equipment). This standard specifies the minimum requirements for limited use and re-usable limited performance chemical protective clothing. Limited performance chemical protective clothing is intended for use in cases of a potential exposure to a light spray, liquid aerosols or low pressure, low volume splashes, against which a complete liquid permeation barrier (at a molecular level) is not required.

The standard covers both chemical protective suits (Type 6) and partial body protection (Type PB[6]).

Type 6 suits are tested using a mist or fine spray of water with a dye added to aid the assessment of leakage. The test subject wears an absorbent suit underneath the one to be tested, which absorbs any leaks and is stained by the dye. Success or failure is determined by measuring the total area of any stains on three suits and comparing this with the requirement. A range of other tests is specified, including resistance to abrasion, tear strength, tensile strength, resistance to puncture, resistance to ignition, resistance to penetration by liquid chemicals and seam strength. In the test for liquid chemical repellency and resistance to penetration by liquid chemicals, a bank of four test chemicals is given in the standard although the requirement is that the suit material demonstrates adequate repellency and resistance to penetration against just one chemical from this list.

Protective clothing certified according to EN 13034 needs to be re-activated by heating the garment after each wash cycle and the garment must also be re-impregnated when necessary. Portwest recommends reimpregnation using a professional launderer capable of carrying out this process.

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