EN 659:2003+A1:2008

Protective gloves for firefighters

This standard defines minimum performance requirements and test methods for firefighters' protective gloves.
This standard applies only to firefighters' protective gloves which protect the hands during normal firefighting, including search and rescue.
These gloves are not intended for deliberate handling of liquid chemicals, but provide some protection against accidental contact with chemicals.
Protective gloves for special operations within firefighting service are excluded from the scope of this standard.

Feuerwehrschutzhandschuhe

Diese Europäische Norm legt Mindestanforderungen und Prüfverfahren für Feuerwehrschutzhandschuhe fest.
Diese Europäische Norm gilt nur für Feuerwehrschutzhandschuhe, die die Hände bei normalen Feuerbekämpfungstätigkeiten
einschließlich Bergung und Rettung schützen.
Diese Feuerwehrschutzhandschuhe sind nicht für Arbeiten mit flüssigen Chemikalien vorgesehen, sie bieten
einen gewissen Schutz bei versehentlichem Kontakt mit Chemikalien.
Feuerwehrschutzhandschuhe für besondere Feuerbekämpfungstätigkeiten sind außerhalb des Anwendungsbereiches
dieser Norm.

Gants de protection pour sapeurs-pompiers

Cette norme spécifie les exigences minimales de performances et les méthodes d'essai requises pour les gants de protection pour sapeurs-pompiers.
Cette norme s'applique uniquement aux gants de protection pour sapeurs-pompiers qui protègent les mains lors de la lutte contre l'incendie, y compris les opérations de recherche et de sauvetage.
Ces gants ne sont pas destinés pour la manipulation volontaire de produits chimiques liquides, mais fournissent quelque protection contre un contact accidentel avec des produits chimiques
Les gants de protection destinés à être utilisés pour des interventions spéciales de lutte contre le feu sont exclus du domaine d'application de cette norme.

Zaščitne rokavice za gasilce

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 04-Mar-2008
• ICS: 13.340.40 - Hand and arm protection
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 162 - Protective clothing including hand and arm protection and lifejackets
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 162/WG 8 - Protective gloves
• Current Stage: 9092 - Decision on results of review/2YR ENQ - revise - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 23-Jan-2021
• Completion Date: 14-Apr-2025
• 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
• Directive: 89/686/EEC - Council Directive 89/686/EEC of 21 December 1989 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to personal protective equipment
• Directive: 93/68/EEC - Council Directive amending Dir. 87/404/EEC (simple pressure vessels), 88/378/EEC (safety of toys), 89/106/EEC (construction products), 89/336/EEC (electromagnetic compatibility), 89/392/EEC (machinery), 89/686/EEC (personal protective equipment), 90/384/EEC (automatic weighing instruments), 90/385/EEC (active implantable medicinal devices), 90/396/EEC (appliances burning gaseous fuels), 91/263/EEC (telecommunications terminal equipment), 92/42/EEC and 73/23/EEC
• Directive: 93/95/EEC - Personal protective equipment (Dir. 89/686/EEC amendment)
• Directive: 96/58/EC - Personal protective equipment (Dir. 89/686/EEC amendment)
• Mandate: M/031 - Standardization mandate to CEN/CENELEC concerning standards for Personal Protective Equipment
• Ref Project: SIST EN 659:2003+A1:2008 - Protective gloves for firefighters

Relations

• Merged From: EN 659:2003/prA1 - Protective gloves for firefighters
• Effective Date: 19-Jan-2023
• Merged From: EN 659:2003 - Protective gloves for firefighters
• Effective Date: 22-Dec-2008
• Corrected By: EN 659:2003+A1:2008/AC:2009 - Protective gloves for firefighters
• Effective Date: 06-Jun-2009
• Revised: FprEN 659 - Protective gloves for firefighters
• Effective Date: 19-Jan-2023

EN 659:2003+A1:2008 Overview

EN 659:2003+A1:2008 is a European standard developed by CEN that sets the minimum performance requirements and test methods for protective gloves specifically designed for firefighters. This standard ensures gloves used in firefighting and search and rescue operations provide adequate protection to firefighters' hands under normal conditions. It excludes gloves intended for specialized firefighting operations and those meant for deliberate handling of liquid chemicals, although some protection against accidental chemical contact is assessed.

The standard was updated with Amendment 1 in 2008 and is applicable across CEN member countries, governing essential safety criteria for firefighters' gloves.

Key Topics in EN 659:2003+A1:2008

• Scope and Application: Applies exclusively to protective gloves used by firefighters during normal firefighting and search and rescue. Gloves for special operations are outside its scope.
• Performance Requirements: Gloves must meet rigorous mechanical properties including:
  • Abrasion resistance (minimum level 3; 2,000 cycles)
  • Cut resistance (minimum level 2; index 2.5)
  • Tear resistance (minimum 50 N)
  • Puncture resistance (minimum 100 N)
• Thermal Protection:
  • Burning behaviour with after-flame time less than 2 seconds
  • Convective heat resistance with a Heat Transfer Index (HTI) above 13 seconds
  • Radiant heat resistance tested against 40 kW/m² radiant heat with minimum RHTI 24 of 20 seconds
  • Contact heat resistance at 250°C with a threshold time of at least 10 seconds
• Material Integrity: Lining materials must withstand heat without melting or dripping, and gloves cannot shrink more than 5% under heat exposure.
• Dexterity and Usability: Gloves must allow adequate dexterity according to EN 420 standards with a minimum pin size of 11mm and be removable within 3 seconds when dry or wet.
• Chemical Resistance: Gloves provide limited protection against accidental contact with chemicals such as sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, and o-xylene with no penetration allowed.
• Water Penetration (Optional): Gloves may be tested for water resistance to meet specific user needs.
• Marking and Information: Gloves must be clearly marked with the EN 659 standard number and feature a specific firefighter pictogram, alongside manufacturer usage instructions.

Applications of EN 659 Firefighter Gloves

• Firefighting Operations: Designed for use in structural firefighting and search and rescue, providing reliable hand protection against heat, flames, and mechanical hazards.
• Emergency Response: Suitable for firefighters in various scenarios needing robust hand protection that balances heat resistance and manual dexterity.
• Limited Chemical Exposure: While not intended for chemical handling, these gloves offer protection against accidental, short-term contact with common hazardous substances.
• Protective Clothing Integration: Ensures compatibility with firefighter protective suits, preventing skin exposure during extended movements and operations.

Related Standards

• EN 420: General requirements and test methods for protective gloves, including sizing, dexterity, and marking.
• EN 388: Protection against mechanical risks such as abrasion, cuts, tears, and punctures, part of performance testing in EN 659.
• EN 407: Standards covering thermal risks, specifically burning behaviour and heat resistance.
• EN ISO 6942: Method for evaluating radiant heat resistance in protective clothing materials.
• EN 702: Test method for contact heat resistance.
• ISO 15383: Laboratory test methods and performance requirements for firefighters' gloves.
• EN ISO 13935-2: Seam tensile strength testing ensuring durability of gloves under strain.

EN 659:2003+A1:2008 integrates multiple harmonized European and international standards to comprehensively define firefighter glove safety, ensuring enhanced protection, durability, and usability in demanding firefighting environments.

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Keywords: protective gloves for firefighters, EN 659 standard, firefighter hand protection, thermal resistance gloves, firefighter glove performance, firefighting safety equipment, firefighter PPE standards, firefighting glove testing, mechanical resistance firefighters gloves, thermal hazards gloves.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-maj-2008
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Protective gloves for firefighters
Feuerwehrschutzhandschuhe
Gants de protection pour sapeurs-pompiers
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 659:2003+A1:2008
ICS:
13.220.10 Gašenje požara Fire-fighting
13.340.40 Varovanje dlani in rok Hand and arm protection
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 659:2003+A1
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
March 2008
ICS 13.340.40 Supersedes EN 659:2003
English Version
Protective gloves for firefighters
Gants de protection pour sapeurs-pompiers Feuerwehrschutzhandschuhe
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 7 February 2003 and includes Amendment 1 approved by CEN on 5 January 2008.

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. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards 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 translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN Management Centre has the same status as the
official 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 STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36  B-1050 Brussels
© 2008 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 659:2003+A1:2008: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents
Page
Foreword.3
Introduction .4
1 Scope .4
2 Normative references .4
3 Requirements.5
3.1 General requirements.5
3.2 Sizes.5
3.3 Abrasion resistance .5
3.4 Cut resistance .5
3.5 Tear resistance.5
3.6 Puncture resistance .6
3.7 Burning behaviour.6
3.8 Convective heat resistance .6
3.9 Radiant heat resistance .6
3.10 Contact heat resistance .6
3.11 Heat resistance of the lining material.6
3.12 Heat shrinkage .6
3.13 Dexterity.6
3.14 Seam breaking strength.6
3.15 Time for the removal of gloves.7
3.16 Resistance of glove material to water penetration (optional) .7
3.17 Whole glove integrity test .7
3.18 Resistance to liquid chemical penetration.7
4 Preconditioning and testing conditions.7
5 Marking .8
6 Information supplied by the manufacturer .8
Annex A (informative) Test results - Uncertainty of measurement.9
Annex ZA (informative) Clauses of this European Standard addressing essential requirements or other
provisions of EU Directives .10

Foreword
This document (EN 659:2003+A1:2008) 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 shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical text or by
endorsement, at the latest by September 2008 and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at the latest by
September 2008.
This document includes Amendment 1, approved by CEN on 2008-01-05.
This document supersedes !EN 659:2003".
This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the European
Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of EU Directive(s).
For relationship with EU Directive(s), see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this document.
Annex A is informative.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: 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.

Introduction
Suitable gloves for firefighters can enable the firefighters to work for long periods under hazardous conditions.
However, it is not possible to relate the performance levels achieved in laboratory testing to protection levels under
actual use conditions because the thermal hazards in wet and dry conditions may be very different.
1 Scope
This European Standard defines minimum performance requirements and test methods for firefighters' protective
gloves.
This European Standard applies only to firefighters' protective gloves which protect the hands during normal
firefighting, including search and rescue.
These gloves are not intended for deliberate handling of liquid chemicals, but provide some protection against
accidental contact with chemicals.
Protective gloves for special operations within firefighting service are excluded from the scope of this standard.
2 Normative references
This European Standard incorporates, by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications. These
normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the publications are listed hereafter. For
dated references, subsequent amendments or revisions of any of these publications apply to this European
Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated references the latest edition of the
publication referred to applies (including amendments).
!deleted text"
EN 367, Protective clothing — Protection against heat and fire — Method of determining heat transmission on
exposure to flames
!deleted text"
EN 388, Protective gloves against mechanical risks
EN 407, Protective gloves against thermal risks (heat and/or fire)
!EN 420:2003, Protective gloves — General requirements and test methods"
EN 702, Protective clothing — Protection against heat and flame — Test method: Determination of the contact heat
transmission through protective clothing or its materials
EN 20811, Textile — Determination of resistance to water penetration — Hydrostatic pressure test
!EN ISO 6530, Protective clothing — Protection against liquid chemicals — Test method for resistance of
materials to penetration by liquids (ISO 6530:2005)"
EN ISO 6942, 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 13935-2, 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 13935-2:1999)
!EN ISO 20344:2004, Personal protective equipment — Test methods for footwear (ISO 20344:2004)"
ISO 15383, Pr
...