EN 1486:2007

• Abstract:

  This European Standard considers requirements for the protection of the whole body including head, hands and feet. Clothing for head and feet according to this European Standard, however, may only provide sufficient protection when worn together with such basic PPE specified in the relevant standards as noted in paragraphs 4.2 and 4.4 of this European Standard.; This European Standard specifies test methods and minimum performance requirements for reflective protective clothing used in specialised fire-fighting.; This clothing provides protection against flame lick and intense radiant heat and is worn for short periods only, to enable the fire-fighter to enter specific high-risk fire-fighting and fire rescue situations which also require the use of breathing apparatus.; This European Standard only covers protective clothing that relies upon the ability of the outer material to reflect intense radiant heat. This type of reflective clothing may also be used for industrial applications involving high levels of radiant heat.; The reflective clothing specified in this European Standard is not covered in EN 469.

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 16-Oct-2007
• ICS: 13.340.10 - Protective clothing
• 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: 9060 - Closure of 2 Year Review Enquiry - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 03-Jun-2024
• Completion Date: 03-Jun-2024
• Directive: Harmonized Standard2014/90/EU - Directive 2014/90/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 on marine equipment and repealing Council Directive 96/98/EC
• Directive:

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  Harmonized Standard2016/425 - 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
  OJ Ref: C, C 113 OJ Date: 27-Mar-2018
• Directive:

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  Not Harmonized89/686/EEC - Personal protective equipment (PPE)
  OJ Ref: C, C 63 OJ Date: 08-Mar-2008
• Directive:

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  Not Harmonized96/98/EC - Marine equipment
• Mandate: M/031 - Standardization mandate to CEN/CENELEC concerning standards for Personal Protective Equipment
• Ref Project: SIST EN 1486:2007 - Protective clothing for fire-fighters - Test methods and requirements for reflective clothing for specialised fire-fighting

• Replaces: EN 1486:1996 - Protective clothing for firefighters - Test methods and requirements for reflective clothing for specialized fire fighting
• Effective Date: 22-Dec-2008
• Refers: ISO 17493:2000 - Clothing and equipment for protection against heat — Test method for convective heat resistance using a hot air circulating oven
• Effective Date: 25-Aug-2026
• Refers: ISO 7000:2004 - Graphical symbols for use on equipment — Index and synopsis
• Effective Date: 25-Aug-2026
• Refers: EN ISO 13935-2:2026 - Textiles - Seam tensile properties of fabrics and made-up textile articles - Part 2: Determination of maximum force to seam rupture using the grab method (ISO 13935-2:2026)
• Effective Date: 06-May-2026
• Refers: EN ISO 13934-1:2013 - Textiles - Tensile properties of fabrics - Part 1: Determination of maximum force and elongation at maximum force using the strip method (ISO 13934-1:2013)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN 443:2008 - Helmets for fire fighting in buildings and other structures
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN 171:2002 - Personal eye-protection - Infrared filters - Transmittance requirements and recommended use
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN 136:1998 - Respiratory protective devices - Full face masks - Requirements, testing, marking
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN 15090:2012 - Footwear for firefighters
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN ISO 12402-8:2006/A1:2011 - Personal flotation devices - Part 8: Accessories - Safety requirements and test methods - Amendment 1 (ISO 12402-8:2006/Amd 1:2011)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN ISO 13688:2013 - Protective clothing - General requirements (ISO 13688:2013)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: 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)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN ISO 4920:2012 - Textile fabrics - Determination of resistance to surface wetting (spray test) (ISO 4920:2012)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN ISO 1421:1998 - Rubber- or plastics-coated fabrics - Determination of tensile strength and elongation at break (ISO 1421:1998)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN 420:2003 - Protective gloves - General requirements and test methods
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026

Overview

EN 1486:2007 (CEN) specifies test methods and minimum performance requirements for reflective protective clothing for specialised fire-fighting. The standard covers whole-body protection (including head, hands and feet) where the outer material’s ability to reflect intense radiant heat is the primary protection mechanism. It is intended for short-duration entry into high‑risk fire or rescue situations (usually with breathing apparatus) and can also apply to industrial tasks with high radiant heat exposure. This reflective clothing is distinct from EN 469 garments.

Key topics and technical requirements

EN 1486:2007 defines a structured test and performance framework, including:

• Thermal requirements

  • Limited flame spread
  • Heat transfer by radiant heat (evaluation of outer reflective systems)
  • Convective heat resistance
  • Contact heat and general heat resistance

• Mechanical requirements

  • Dimensional change (after cleaning/ageing)
  • Tensile, burst and tear strength
  • Seam strength and integrity

• Other technical areas

  • Sampling, pre-treatment and ageing of materials (to simulate use and maintenance)
  • Surface wetting resistance
  • Optional whole‑garment testing
  • Marking and information that manufacturers must supply (usage limits, care, limitations)

• Design and ergonomics

  • Guidance on garment design, pockets, closures, hoods and compatibility with basic PPE (helmets, boots, gloves)

Practical applications and users

EN 1486:2007 is used by:

• Manufacturers of reflective fire‑fighting garments to design and certify products that reflect intense radiant heat.
• Testing laboratories to perform standardized thermal and mechanical tests.
• Fire and rescue services and procurement officers when selecting PPE for specialised fire-fighting tactics (short‑term, high‑radiant‑heat entries).
• Safety managers and industry where high radiant heat hazards exist (petrochemical, steel mills) as an option for short‑duration protection.
• Regulatory bodies and certifiers implementing CEN harmonized standards across EU countries.

Practical notes:

• Clothing conforming to EN 1486 is intended for short-term use and must be paired with appropriate respiratory and basic PPE where required.
• A formal risk assessment and training in use, care and limitations are essential before deployment.

Related standards

Important referenced standards include:

• EN 469 - Protective clothing for firefighters (non‑reflective, general purpose)
• EN ISO 6942 - Radiant heat evaluation
• EN ISO 15025 - Limited flame spread
• EN 443, EN 15090, EN 136 - Helmets, footwear and respiratory protection interfaces

Keywords: EN 1486:2007, reflective clothing, specialised fire‑fighting, radiant heat, test methods, protective clothing, CEN, firefighter PPE.

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Schutzkleidung für die Feuerwehr - Prüfverfahren und Anforderungen für reflektierende Kleidung für die spezielle BrandbekämpfungVetements de protection pour sapeurs-pompiers - Méthodes d'essai et exigences relatives aux vetements réfléchissants pour opérations spéciales de lutte contre l'incendieProtective clothing for fire-fighters - Test methods and requirements for reflective clothing for specialised fire-fighting13.340.10Varovalna oblekaProtective clothing13.220.10Gašenje požaraFire-fightingICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 1486:2007SIST EN 1486:2007en,fr,de01-december-2007SIST EN 1486:2007SLOVENSKI
STANDARDSIST EN 1486:19961DGRPHãþD

EUROPEAN STANDARDNORME EUROPÉENNEEUROPÄISCHE NORMEN 1486October 2007ICS 13.340.10 English VersionProtective clothing for fire-fighters - Test methods andrequirements for reflective clothing for specialised fire-fightingVêtements de protection pour sapeurs-pompiers -Méthodes d'essai et exigences relatives aux vêtementsréfléchissants pour opérations spéciales de lutte contrel'incendieSchutzkleidung für die Feuerwehr - Prüfverfahren undAnforderungen für reflektierende Kleidung für die spezielleBrandbekämpfungThis European Standard was approved by CEN on 26 August 2007.CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this EuropeanStandard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such nationalstandards may be obtained on application to the CEN Management Centre or to any CEN member.This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translationunder the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN Management Centre has the same status as theofficial versions.CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATIONCOMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATIONEUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNGManagement Centre: rue de Stassart, 36
B-1050 Brussels© 2007 CENAll rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reservedworldwide for CEN national Members.Ref. No. EN 1486:2007: ESIST EN 1486:2007

Mechanical pre-treatment for metallised materials.18 A.1 Principle.18 A.2 Sampling.18 A.3 Apparatus.18 A.4 Procedure.18 SIST EN 1486:2007

Warning – flame engulfment.20 Annex C (informative)
Guidelines for clothing design.21 Annex D (informative)
Checking of basic ergonomic features of protective clothing – practical performance tests.22 Annex E.24 Annex F (informative)
Significant technical changes between this document and the previous edition EN 1486:1996.26 Annex ZA (informative)
Relationship between this European Standard and the Essential Requirements of EU Directive 89/686/EEC.27 Bibliography.29
EN 24920, Textiles — Determination of resistance to surface wetting (spray test) of fabrics EN 25077, Textiles — Determination of dimensional change in washing and drying (ISO 5077:1984) SIST EN 1486:2007

EN 166:2001. 4.3.2.10 IR-transmission and transmittance to Vis When tested in accordance with Clause 4 of EN 171:2002, the IR-transmission scale number and the transmittance shall be in the range of 4-2,5 and 4-5. 4.3.2.11 Flammability Flammability shall be tested analogous to 8.5.2 of EN 136:1998. 4.3.2.12 Marking Screens shall be marked in accordance with 9.2 of EN 166:2001. 4.4 Hand protection Hand protection shall meet the requirements of this European Standard as specified in Clauses 6, 7 and 8. The general requirements of EN 420 shall be applied; for dexterity according to 5.2 of EN 420:2003 at least level 1 shall be achieved. The sizes of the gloves shall be designated in accordance with EN 420, except that the minimum length shall be 350 mm. Dimension of cuff measured on the wrist line shall be compatible to the width of jacket (coat, coverall) sleeves end either to be worn over or under the sleeves as specified by the manufacturer. The assessment shall be made with the clothing being worn and used by an appropriately sized wearer. 4.5 Overboots The size of the overboots shall be designated in accordance to the footwear. Overboots shall meet the requirements of Clauses 6, 7 and 8. It shall be designed to be worn over designated footwear providing additional protection in accordance with EN 15090 and EN ISO 20345, and fixed to it by adjustable means. The footwear with which compatibility is claimed shall be identified in the information supplied by the manufacturer. Dimension of shaft measured on the ankle line shall be compatible to the width of trousers (coverall) legs and either to be worn over or under the trouser legs as specified by the manufacturer. The assessment shall be made with the clothing being worn and used by an appropriately sized wearer. 5 Sampling, pre-treatment, ageing 5.1 Sampling Test specimens shall be taken from the material or materials as used in the component assembly. They may also be cut from the original garment, and shall not include construction features, such as seams, closure systems, or hardware except the test described in 6.1 and 7.5. Number and dimensions of the test specimen are given in the standards describing the test methods in Clauses 6, 7 and 8. SIS
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