The fabric has been tested by EN ISO 11612:2008 standards for a number of qualities including:
•HEAT RESISTANCE, •LIMITED FLAME SPREAD, •HEAT TRANSFER
This standards replaces EN 531:1995, but please note that the protective garments which have an EN 531 certification remain valid.
The standards specifies the performance requirements for garments which protect the body from heat and flame (except the hands).
The standard is not applicable for fire fighters (EN 469) and welders (EN 470 – EN ISO 11611).
ISO 11612:2008 specifies performance requirements for garments made from flexible materials, which are designed to protect the wearer’s body, except the hands, from heat and/or flame. For protection of the wearer’s head and feet, the only items of protective clothing falling within the scope of this International Standard are gaiters, hoods and overboots. However, concerning hoods, requirements for visors and respiratory equipment are not given.
The performance requirements set out in ISO 11612:2008 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 or convective or contact heat or to molten metal splashes.
А – indicates that the garment meets the requirements for limited flame spread.
This test consists of applying a flame to a fabric sample for 10 seconds. To pass the test, the after flame & smoulder times and formation of holes must be within the tolerances (set in the standard). This test is also used for EN 531A.
The application of a flame can take place in two ways:
А1 — surface ignition method
А2 — edge ignition method
Requirements for parameter A
in procedure A (leads to Class A1), the flame is applied horizontally (similarly to EN 470-1 and EN 531)
in procedure B (leads to Class A2), the flame is applied laterally.
Minimum requirement, fabric combination conforms to the old EN 533 index 3
II. ISO 9151 – Code letter B (part of ISO 11612)
B – indicates that the garment provides protection against convective heat. (Insulation against convective heat)
Convective heat: determination of the heat transmission when exposed to flames.
The sample is held above the flame and the rise in temperature on the topside of the sample is measured with a calorimeter. Subsequently, the length of time the sample can remain exposed before its temperature rises by 24 °C is determined.
Requirements for parameter B
B1:4 < 10 seconds
B2:10 < 20 seconds
B3:>21 seconds
Code letter B indicates that the fabric provides protection against convective heat.
Requirements for parameter B
The highest level of protection against convective heat is Level 3.
B1
4 < 10 seconds
Level 1 (Basic protection)
B2
10 < 20 seconds
Level 2 (Middle protection)
B3
> 20 seconds
Level 3 (High protection)
III. ISO 6942 – Code letter C (part of ISO 11612)
C – indicates that the garment provides protection against radiant heat (infrared rays).
Exposure to radiant heat. In this test, a fabric sample is exposed to radiant heat (infrared rays).
The temperature on the reverse (unexposed) side of the sample is registered using a calorimeter. Subsequently, the length of time the sample can remain exposed before its temperature rises by 240C is measured. The test procedure is the same as ISO 11611, but the classification is different:
Requirements for parameter C:
C1: 7 < 20 seconds
C2: 20 < 50 seconds
C3: 50 < 95 seconds
C4: 95 seconds and longer
Code letter C indicates that the fabric provides protection against convective heat.
Requirements for parameter C
The highest level of protection against radiant heat is Level 4.
C1
7 < 20 seconds
Level 1 (Basic protection)
C2
20 < 50 seconds
Level 2 (Middle protection)
C3
50 < 95 seconds
Level 3 (High protection)
C4
95 seconds and longer
Level 4 (Highest protection)
IV. ISO 9185 – Code letter D and E (part of ISO 11612)
D – indicates that the garment provides protection against spatters of molten metal (molten aluminum)
Determining the level of protection against spatters of molten metal.
A membrane (with similar properties to human skin) is attached to the reverse of the fabric sample. Subsequently, sequentially rising quantities of molten metal (for the D value – molten aluminium and for the E value – molten iron) are splashed on the sample.
The quantity of molten metal which deforms the membrane is determined.
Requirements for parameter D (The classification for molten aluminium):
D1: 100 < 200 grams
D2: 200 <350 grams
D3: 350 grams and more
Code letter D indicates that the fabric provides protection against spatters of molten aluminum
Requirements for parameter D
The highest level of protection against spatters of molten aluminum is Level 3
D1
100 < 200 grams
Level 1 (Basic protection)
D2
200 < 350 grams
Level 2 (Middle protection)
D3
350 grams and more
Level 3 (High protection)
E – indicates that the garment provides protection against spatters of molten metal (molten iron)
Determining the level of protection against spatters of molten metal.
A membrane (with similar properties to human skin) is attached to the reverse of the fabric sample. Subsequently, sequentially rising quantities of molten metal (for the D value – molten aluminium and for the E value – molten iron) are splashed on the sample.
The quantity of molten metal which deforms the membrane is determined.
Requirements for parameter E (The classification for molten iron):
E1: 60 < 120 grams
E2: 120 < 200 grams
E3: 200 grams and more
Code letter E indicates that the fabric provides protection against spatters of molten iron
Requirements for parameter E
The highest level of protection against spatters of molten iron is Level 3
E1
60 < 120 grams
Level 1 (Basic protection)
E2
120 < 200 grams
Level 2 (Middle protection)
E3
200 grams and more
Level 3 (High protection)
Protective clothing – Clothing to protect against heat and flame
Here you can see all the required tests for ISO 11612 given in a table:
Note: The cleaning pre-treatment cost depends on the type of cleaning and the number of cycles specified by the manufacturer. BTTG Fire Technology Services can undertake cleaning to ISO 6330; the cost of 5 wash/dry cycles, for example, is £120 (+VAT). If dry-cleaning to ISO 3175 or “industrial” washing to ISO 15797 is required this will be subcontracted (price on application).
V. ISO 12127 – Code letter F (part of ISO 11612)
F – indicates that the garment provides protection against contact heat.
Exposure to contact heat. In this test, a fabric sample is exposed to contact heat.
Requirements for parameter F:
F1: 5 < 10 seconds
F2: 10 < 15 seconds
F3: 15 seconds and longer
Code letter F indicates that the fabric provides protection against contact heat
Requirements for parameter F
The highest level of protection against radiant heat is Level 4.
NFPA 2112: standard on flame-resistant garments for protection of industrial personnel against flash fire The standard specifies the minimum design, performance, certification requirements, and test methods for flame-resistant garments for use in areas at risk from flash fires. NFPA 2112 outlines 17 test methods, including: flame resistance, manikin testing, thermal shrinkage resistance, heat resistance and a host…
Protective clothing for fire fightingThe members of CEN have approved the new EN 469 on the 22nd July 2005, in order to replace the 10 year old EN 469:1995.The new norm gives more importance to ergonomics, to wearer comfort and to the prevention of heat stress.One of the basic ideas of the new EN 469:2005…
EN ISO 11611 Protective clothing for use in welding and allied processesSupersedes EN 470-1:1995 The protective clothing is intended to protect the wearer against small splashes of molten material, short contact time with flame, radiant heat from ARC, the clothing minimizes the possibility of electrical shock by short accidental contact with live electrical conductors up to…
Protective clothing against limited flame spread materials Supersedes EN 533:1997 ISO 14116:2008 Protective clothing — Protection against heat and flame — Limited flame spread materials, material assemblies and clothing. This international standard specifies the performance requirements for the limited flame spread properties of materials and protective clothing.The standard is not applicable for fire fighters (EN 469)…
EN 15025:2002 Test method – Limited flame spread TEST METHOD: limited flame spread of materials for use in garments which protect against heat and flames. This test measures the limited spread of flames of vertically oriented textile fabrics (one or several layers), when subjected to a small defined flame.A defined flame from a specified burner is…
NFPA 2112: standard on flame-resistant garments for protection of industrial personnel against flash fire The standard specifies the minimum design, performance, certification requirements, and test methods for flame-resistant garments for use in areas at risk from flash fires. NFPA 2112 outlines 17 test methods, including: flame resistance, manikin testing, thermal shrinkage resistance, heat resistance and a host…
Protective clothing for fire fightingThe members of CEN have approved the new EN 469 on the 22nd July 2005, in order to replace the 10 year old EN 469:1995.The new norm gives more importance to ergonomics, to wearer comfort and to the prevention of heat stress.One of the basic ideas of the new EN 469:2005…
EN ISO 11611 Protective clothing for use in welding and allied processesSupersedes EN 470-1:1995 The protective clothing is intended to protect the wearer against small splashes of molten material, short contact time with flame, radiant heat from ARC, the clothing minimizes the possibility of electrical shock by short accidental contact with live electrical conductors up to…
Protective clothing against limited flame spread materials Supersedes EN 533:1997 ISO 14116:2008 Protective clothing — Protection against heat and flame — Limited flame spread materials, material assemblies and clothing. This international standard specifies the performance requirements for the limited flame spread properties of materials and protective clothing.The standard is not applicable for fire fighters (EN 469)…
EN 15025:2002 Test method – Limited flame spread TEST METHOD: limited flame spread of materials for use in garments which protect against heat and flames. This test measures the limited spread of flames of vertically oriented textile fabrics (one or several layers), when subjected to a small defined flame.A defined flame from a specified burner is…
NFPA 2112: standard on flame-resistant garments for protection of industrial personnel against flash fire The standard specifies the minimum design, performance, certification requirements, and test methods for flame-resistant garments for use in areas at risk from flash fires. NFPA 2112 outlines 17 test methods, including: flame resistance, manikin testing, thermal shrinkage resistance, heat resistance and a host…
Protective clothing for fire fightingThe members of CEN have approved the new EN 469 on the 22nd July 2005, in order to replace the 10 year old EN 469:1995.The new norm gives more importance to ergonomics, to wearer comfort and to the prevention of heat stress.One of the basic ideas of the new EN 469:2005…
EN ISO 11611 Protective clothing for use in welding and allied processesSupersedes EN 470-1:1995 The protective clothing is intended to protect the wearer against small splashes of molten material, short contact time with flame, radiant heat from ARC, the clothing minimizes the possibility of electrical shock by short accidental contact with live electrical conductors up to…
