prEN 13911

Protective clothing for firefighters - Requirements and test methods for fire hoods for firefighters

This document specifies minimum safety requirements and test methods for a firehood to be worn during firefighting operations to protect against heat and fire.
This document has two optional requirements: firehoods can be either with a ventilation window for comfort, or a barrier for protection against particulate contaminants, or both.
This document applies in situations when protective clothing (e.g. EN 469, EN ISO 15384), respiratory protection devices (e.g. EN 136 and EN 137), and helmet (e.g. EN 443, EN 16471) are also worn.

Schutzkleidung für die Feuerwehr - Anforderungen und Prüfverfahren für Feuerschutzhauben für die Feuerwehr

Dieses Dokument legt Mindestsicherheitsanforderungen und Prüfverfahren für die bei der Brandbekämpfung zu tragende Feuerschutzhaube fest, um sich gegen Hitze und Feuer zu schützen.
Dieses Dokument enthält zwei wahlfreie Anforderungen: Feuerschutzhauben können entweder mit einem Belüftungsfenster für Komfortzwecke oder mit einer Barriere zum Schutz gegen Kontamination durch Partikel (Partikelbarriere) ausgestattet sein.
Dieses Dokument gilt für Situationen, in denen zudem Schutzkleidung (z. B. EN 469, EN ISO 15384), Atemschutzgeräte (z. B. EN 136 und EN 137), und Helme (z. B. EN 443, EN 16471) getragen werden.

Habillement de protection pour sapeurs-pompiers - Exigences et méthodes d’essai pour les cagoules de protection contre le feu pour sapeurs-pompiers

Le présent document spécifie les exigences de sécurité minimales et les méthodes d’essai relatives à une cagoule de protection contre le feu portée dans le cadre d’opérations de lutte contre des incendies pour assurer une protection contre la chaleur et le feu.
Le présent document contient deux exigences facultatives : les cagoules de protection contre le feu peuvent être équipées d’une zone de ventilation pour le confort et/ou d’une barrière de protection contre les particules contaminantes.
Le présent document s’applique dans les situations nécessitant le port concomitant d’un habillement de protection (par exemple, EN 469, EN ISO 15384), d’appareils de protection respiratoire (par exemple, EN 136 et EN 137), et de casque (par exemple, EN 443, EN 16471).

Zaščitna obleka za gasilce - Zahteve in preskusne metode za zaščitne gasilske kapuce

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 04-Feb-2024
• ICS: 13.340.20 - Head protective equipment
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 162 - Protective clothing including hand and arm protection and lifejackets
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 162/WG 2 - Resistance to heat and fire of protective clothing
• Current Stage: 4060 - Closure of enquiry - Enquiry
• Start Date: 09-May-2024
• Due Date: 12-Mar-2022
• Completion Date: 09-May-2024
• Directive: 2016/425 - Regulation (EU) 2016/425 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on personal protective equipment and repealing Council Directive 89/686/EEC
• Mandate: M/031 - Standardization mandate to CEN/CENELEC concerning standards for Personal Protective Equipment
• Mandate: M/571 - COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION of 19.11.2020 on a standardisation request to the European Committee for Standardization and the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization as regards personal protective equipment in support of Regulation (EU) 2016/425 of the European Parliament and of the Council
• Mandate: M/571 AMD 1 - Personal Protective Equipement
• Ref Project: oSIST prEN 13911:2024 - Protective clothing for firefighters - Requirements and test methods for fire hoods for firefighters

Relations

• Revises: EN 13911:2017 - Protective clothing for firefighters - Requirements and test methods for fire hoods for firefighters
• Effective Date: 19-Jan-2023

Overview

The European Standard prEN 13911:2024, developed by CEN, specifies the minimum safety requirements and test methods for fire hoods used by firefighters. Fire hoods are critical protective clothing designed to shield the exposed areas of the head and neck against heat and fire during firefighting operations. This standard ensures that fire hoods, when worn alongside other protective equipment such as firefighting garments, respiratory protection devices, and helmets, meet stringent safety and performance criteria.

The updated 2024 version supersedes EN 13911:2017 and introduces enhanced requirements emphasizing comfort, protection, and compatibility with other firefighting gear. Fire hoods covered by this standard may include optional features like ventilation windows for increased comfort or barriers against particulate contaminants, addressing diverse operational needs.

Key Topics

• Scope and Applicability
  The standard applies to fire hoods worn in combination with protective clothing (e.g., EN 469, EN ISO 15384), respiratory devices (e.g., EN 136, EN 137), and helmets (e.g., EN 443, EN 16471). It focuses on protection from heat and fire while ensuring the hood integrates seamlessly with other equipment.

• Design and Materials
  Fire hoods must be close-fitting without restricting head movement or reducing the field of view. The materials must comply with skin contact safety requirements (EN ISO 13688:2013) and exhibit high thermal resistance, limited flame spread, and durable seam strength.

• Performance Testing
  Tests include flame spread resistance, heat transfer from flames and radiant heat, residual material strength under radiant heat, seam burst strength, dimensional stability after exposure to heat or cleaning, and particulate barrier effectiveness. Specific methods are detailed to guarantee consistent safety and durability.

• Optional Features

  • Ventilation Window: A semi-opening to enhance wearer comfort without compromising protection.
  • Particulate Barrier: A protective layer to block penetration of fine particles generated during combustion, reducing inhalation risks.

• Marking and Manufacturer Information
  Fire hoods shall carry clear labels outlining compliance, size, and care instructions. Manufacturers must supply detailed information on the fire hood’s features, materials, and compatibility with other protective gear.

Applications

• Structural Firefighting: Firefighters engaged in urban fire suppression rely on fire hoods certified under prEN 13911:2024 to protect vulnerable head and neck areas from intense heat and flames.
• Industrial Fire Brigades: Personnel operating in environments with particulate contaminants benefit from hoods with particulate barriers.
• Rescue Operations: Fire hoods designed according to this standard complement respiratory devices and helmets to provide comprehensive protection during emergency interventions.
• Training and Drills: Ensures safety of firefighters during training exercises involving heat exposure.

The standard supports risk-based selection of appropriate fire hoods depending on operational conditions, emphasizing both protection and wearer comfort.

Related Standards

To ensure integrated user safety and equipment interoperability, prEN 13911:2024 references and aligns with several other key standards:

• EN 469 / EN ISO 15384 – Protective clothing for firefighters, specifying garment requirements.
• EN 136 / EN 137 – Respiratory protective devices including full face masks and self-contained breathing apparatus.
• EN 443 / EN 16471 – Firefighting helmets specifications and performance.
• EN ISO 13688 – General requirements for protective clothing.
• EN ISO 6942, EN ISO 9151, ISO 17493 – Methods for evaluating protection against heat from radiation, flame, and convection.
• NFPA 1971 (2018) – A widely recognized standard on protective ensembles for structural and proximity firefighting, offering complementary guidance.
• ASTM F2299 – Test methods for measuring penetration efficiency against particulates, supporting particulate barrier requirements.

By harmonizing with these standards, prEN 13911:2024 promotes comprehensive safety and interoperability in the design and use of firefighter protective equipment.

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Keywords: fire hood standard, firefighter protective clothing, prEN 13911, fire hood test methods, firefighting safety equipment, protective headgear, heat and flame protection, particulate barrier, ventilation window, respiratory protection compatibility, EN 469, EN 136, EN 443.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-april-2024
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 13911:2017
Zaščitna obleka za gasilce - Zahteve in preskusne metode za zaščitne gasilske
kapuce
Protective clothing for firefighters - Requirements and test methods for fire hoods for
firefighters
Schutzkleidung für die Feuerwehr - Anforderungen und Prüfverfahren für
Feuerschutzhauben für die Feuerwehr
Habillement de protection pour sapeurs-pompiers - Exigences et méthodes d’essai pour
les cagoules de protection contre le feu pour sapeurs-pompiers
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 13911
ICS:
13.220.10 Gašenje požara Fire-fighting
13.340.20 Varovalna oprema za glavo Head protective equipment
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
February 2024
ICS 13.340.20 Will supersede EN 13911:2017
English Version
Protective clothing for firefighters - Requirements and test
methods for fire hoods for firefighters
Vêtements de protection pour les sapeurs-pompiers - Schutzkleidung für die Feuerwehr - Anforderungen
Exigences et méthodes d'essai pour les cagoules de und Prüfverfahren für Feuerschutzhauben für die
protection contre le feu pour sapeurs-pompiers Feuerwehr
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 162.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations
which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2024 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 13911:2024 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 4
Introduction . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 Design and materials . 9
4.1 Introduction . 9
4.2 Flexibility . 9
4.3 Facial opening . 9
4.4 Yoke interface area . 9
4.5 Sizing . 9
4.6 Labels . 9
4.7 Ventilation window . 10
4.8 Particulate protection . 12
5 Sampling and pre-treatment . 12
5.1 Sampling . 12
5.2 Pre-treatment . 13
5.3 Conditioning . 13
6 Performance requirements . 13
6.1 Performance requirements - Material or component assembly . 13
6.1.1 General. 13
6.1.2 Flame spread . 14
6.1.3 Heat transfer (flame) . 14
6.1.4 Heat transfer (radiation) . 14
6.1.5 Residual strength of material when exposed to radiant heat. 14
6.1.6 Heat resistance . 15
6.1.7 Heat resistance of the sewing thread used seams. 15
6.1.8 Seam burst strength . 15
6.1.9 Dimensional change . 15
6.1.10 Water vapour resistance . 15
6.1.11 Particulate barrier protection . 15
6.2 Performance requirements - Complete firehood . 15
7 Marking . 16
8 Information supplied by the manufacturer . 16
Annex A (normative) Uncertainty of measurement . 17
Annex B (normative) Donning, Doffing and shape retention test . 18
Annex C (normative) Determination of property values . 19
Annex D (normative) Particulate test method . 20
D.1 Introduction . 20
D.2 Apparatus and test parameters . 20
D.3 Procedure . 20
D.4 Calculation of the penetration . 20
Annex E (informative) Significant technical changes between this document and the previous
edition EN 13911:2017 . 21
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the essential
requirements of EU Regulation 2016/425 aimed to be covered . 23
Bibliography . 25
European foreword
This document (prEN 13911:2024) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 162 “Protective
clothing including hand and arm protection and lifejackets”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 13911:2007.
This document has been prepared under a standardization request addressed to CEN by the European
Commission. The Standing Committee of the EFTA States subsequently approves these requests for its
Member States.
For the relationship with EU Legislation, see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this
document.
Introduction
This document specifies the minimum safety requirements and test methods for a firehood worn by a
firefighter following a user risk assessment. When worn with protective clothing, breathing apparatus
and helmet, the design features and performance requirements of the firehood are intended to provide
protection to the exposed areas of the head and neck against heat and flame.
Firehoods can be used in different end uses, both over and underneath the facemask and with different
shapes of helmets. It is the user’s responsibility to choose the right firehood appropriate to the garment,
helmet, and facemask.
1 Scope
This document specifies minimum safety requirements and test methods for a firehood to be worn during
firefighting operations to protect against heat and fire.
This document has two optional requirements: firehoods can be either with a ventilation window for
comfort, or a barrier for protection against particulate contaminants, or both.
This document applies in situations when protective clothing (e.g. EN 469, EN ISO 15384), respiratory
protection devices (e.g. EN 136 and EN 137), and helmet (e.g. EN 443, EN 16471) are also worn.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 136:1998, Respiratory protective devices — Full face masks — Requirements, testing, marking
EN 137:2006, Respiratory protective devices — Self-contained open-circuit compressed air breathing
apparatus with full face mask — Requirements, testing, marking
EN 168:2001, Personal eye-protection — Non-optical test methods
EN ISO 3146:2022, Plastics — Determination of melting behaviour (melting temperature or melting range)
of semi-crystalline polymers by capillary tube and polarizing-microscope methods (ISO 3146:2022)
EN ISO 5077:2008, Textiles — Determination of dimensional change in washing and drying (ISO
5077:2007)
EN ISO 6942:2022, Protective clothing — Protection against heat and fire — Method of test: Evaluation of
materials and material assemblies when exposed to a source of radiant heat (ISO 6942:2002)
EN ISO 9151:2016, Protective clothing against heat and flame — Determination of heat transmission on
exposure to flame (ISO 9151:2016, Corrected version 2017-03)
EN ISO 11092:2014, Textiles — Physiological effects — Measurement of thermal and water-vapour
resistance under steady-state conditions (sweating guarded-hotplate test) (ISO 11092:2014)
EN ISO 13688:2013, Protective clothing — General requirements (ISO 13688:2013)
EN ISO 13938-1:2019, Textiles — Bursting properties of fabrics — Part 1: Hydraulic method for
determination of bursting strength and bursting distension (ISO 13938-1:2019)
EN ISO 14116:2015, Protective clothing — Protection against flame — Limited flame spread materials,
material assemblies and clothing (ISO 14116:2015)
EN ISO 15025:2016, Protective clothing — Protection against flame — Method of test for limited flame
spread (ISO 15025:2016)
ISO 8559-1:2017, Size designation of clothes — Part 1: Anthropometric definitions for body measurement
ISO 11610:2023, Protective clothing — Vocabulary

As impacted by EN 136:1998/AC:2003.
ISO 17493:2016, Clothing and equipment for protection against heat — Test method for convective heat
resistance using a hot air circulating oven
NFPA 1971:2018, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Firefighting and Proximity Fire Fighting
ASTM F2299-03:2017, Standard Test Method for Determining the Initial Efficiency of Materials Used in
Medical Face Masks to Penetration by Particulates Using Latex Spheres
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 11610:2023 and the following
apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp/
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1
area of protection (helmet)
specific area on a headform for which protection is intended to be provided by the helmet
[SOURCE: EN 443:2008]
3.2
area 1a (helmet)
area situated above plane 'AA' as defined in Figure 1 ( a) and b) )
[SOURCE: EN 443:2008]
3.3
area 1b (helmet)
area situated between plane 'AA' and points CDEF as defined in Figure 1 ( a) and b) )
[SOURCE: EN 443:2008]
3.4
area 3a (helmet)
area on the neck-guard from the lower edge of the shell to the lower edge of the neck-guard and rearward
from the vertical transverse plane, or part thereof (see Figure 1 ( a) and b) )
[SOURCE: EN 443:2008]
3.5
cleaning
process by which PPE is made serviceable and/or hygienically wearable by removing any dirt or
contamination
3.6
conditioning
keeping samples under standard conditions of temperature and relative humidity for a minimum period
of time
3.7
component assembly
combination of all materials of a multi-layer garment presented exactly as the finished garment
construction
3.8
facial opening
opening in the front of the firehood interfacing with the breathing apparatus facemask
3.9
firehood
the firehood covers the neck and the area of the head which is not protected by the facemask
Note 1 to entry: The firehood ensures the junction between the helmet and garment.
3.10
garment
single item of clothing which may consist of single or multiple layers
3.11
interface area
area where individual items meet and/or overlap
3.12
material
substances excluding hardware and labels, of which an item of clothing is made
3.13
particulate protection
barrier layer that blocks ingress of very small particles of substances produced through combustion and
dispersed in air
3.14
pre-treatment
standard way of preparing the samples before testing
Note 1 to entry: This might include e.g. a number of cleaning cycles, submitting the sample to heat, mechanical
action or any other relevant exposure and is finished by conditioning.
3.15
type A helmet (Figure 2)
helmet protecting at least area 1 a (Figure 1 b))
Note 1 to entry: Same as definitions in EN 443:2008 (4.15.1).
3.16
type B helmet (Figure 2)
helmet protecting at least areas 1 a and 1 b (Figure 1 b))
Note 1 to entry: Same as definitions in EN 443:2008 (4.15.1).
3.17
seam
permanent fastening between two or more pieces of material
3.18
yoke
area of the firehood interfacing with the coat
3.19
ventilation window
semi-opening at the top of the firehood to increase comfort of the wearer
4 Design and materials
4.1 Introduction
Materials used in the construction of the firehood which are likely to come into contact with the skin of
the wearer shall comply with 4.2 of EN ISO 13688:2013.
The design requirements specified shall be verified by visual inspection during the procedures in
Annex B, unless otherwise specified in 4.2. The manufacturer shall provide information on the specific
items for those that compatibility is claimed.
4.2 Flexibility
The firehood shall be close fitting and able to be worn without discomfort or significant restriction to
head movement and without reducing the field of view, or interfering with the breathing function of the
respiratory protective devices.
Excess material in the construction of the firehood may hamper the wearer and compromise the wearing
of other personal protective equipment.
4.3 Facial opening
The firehood shall have a facial opening designed to fit the respiratory protective device. Assess by visual
observation.
4.4 Yoke interface area
The firehood shall have a yoke creating an interface with the protective clothing and stays secure under
the fire garment. Assess by visual inspection the interface area between firehood and garment (see
Figure 3).
NOTE The yoke is not always symmetrical on the back, upper shoulders and front (upper chest).
4.5 Sizing
The firehood shall either be manufactured in various sizes or shall be sufficiently elastic to be compatible
with various head sizes and shapes. The design requirements specified shall be verified by visual
inspection during the procedures in Annex B.
Overstretching will reduce the heat protective performance of the firehood and should be avoided by
design.
4.6 Labels
The label(s) for the marking requirement shall be positioned in the area defined as the yoke of the
firehood. Assess by visual inspection.
4.7 Ventilation window
Where a single ventilation opening is introduced in the protective firehood in order to reduce heat-stress
and allow body heat accumulated to escape from the top head area of the protective firehood, a single
ventilation opening can be optionally introduced in the protective firehood.
The firehood shall be continuous except for the facial opening and, optionally, the top of the head. This
area (top of the head) shall not exceed 100 cm for helmets of type B (Figure 2) with a 3a protection type
protection (Figure 1) and shall be positioned within a radius of 6 cm around the top point of the firehood.
The centre of the ventilation opening shall be at the top point of the firehood, when the firehood is placed
flat
...