ISO 11999-5:2015

PPE for firefighters — Test methods and requirements for PPE used by firefighters who are at risk of exposure to high levels of heat and/or flame while fighting fires occurring in structures — Part 5: Helmets

ISO 11999-5:2015 specifies the minimum design and performance requirements for helmets as part of personal protective equipment (PPE) to be used by firefighters, primarily but not solely to protect against exposure to flame and high thermal loads. NOTE A Type 1 helmet is similar to helmets for fighting fires in structures according to EN 443:2008. A Type 2 helmet is similar to helmets used for fighting fires in structures according to NFPA 1971:2013. However, following ISO 11999‑1, all parts of heat and flame resistance requirements are consistent with each other, therefore heat and flame tests consistent with requirements for clothing given in ISO 11999‑3.

Équipement de protection personnelle pour pompiers — Méthodes d'essai et exigences pour les équipements de protection personnelle utilisés par les pompiers qui sont à risque d'une exposition à des niveaux élevés de chaleur et/ou de flamme quand la lutte contre les incendies survient dans les structures — Partie 5: Casques

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 02-Nov-2015
• ICS: 13.340.10 - Protective clothing
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 94/SC 14 - Firefighters' personal equipment
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 94/SC 14 - Firefighters' personal equipment
• Current Stage: 9092 - International Standard to be revised
• Completion Date: 13-Oct-2020

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 11999-5
First edition
2015-11-01
PPE for firefighters — Test methods
and requirements for PPE used
by firefighters who are at risk of
exposure to high levels of heat
and/or flame while fighting fires
occurring in structures —
Part 5:
Helmets
Équipement de protection personnelle pour pompiers — Méthodes
d’essai et exigences pour les équipements de protection personnelle
utilisés par les pompiers qui sont à risque d’une exposition à des
niveaux élevés de chaleur et/ou de flamme quand la lutte contre les
incendies survient dans les structures —
Partie 5: Casques
Reference number
ISO 11999-5:2015(E)
©
ISO 2015

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ISO 11999-5:2015(E)

COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2015, Published in Switzerland
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form
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ISO 11999-5:2015(E)

Contents Page
Foreword .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 Helmet requirements . 2
4.1 General . 2
4.1.1 Fit . 2
4.1.2 Protrusions and sharp edges . 2
4.1.3 Reinforcement . 3
4.1.4 Replacement components and accessories . 3
4.1.5 Neck protector and ear covers . 3
4.1.6 Shikoro . . . 3
4.1.7 Optional components . . 3
4.1.8 Material selection . 4
4.1.9 Resistance to cleaning agent . 4
4.1.10 Protected area . 4
4.1.11 Field of vision. 5
4.1.12 Helmet mass . 6
4.2 Samples and helmet adjustment . 6
4.2.1 Samples . 6
4.2.2 Helmet adjustment. 6
4.3 Pre-conditioning .10
4.3.1 Pre-conditioning for Type 1 helmets .10
4.3.2 Pre-conditioning for Type 2 helmets .11
4.4 Performance requirements .12
4.4.1 Requirement table for Type 1 and Type 2 helmets .12
4.4.2 Radiant heat requirements for Type 1 helmets .14
4.4.3 Protection against molten metals for Type 1 helmets (optional) .14
4.4.4 Heat resistance .14
4.4.5 Flame resistance .15
4.4.6 Flame engulfment for Type 1 helmets (optional) .15
4.4.7 Thermal protective performance (TPP) for Type 2 helmets .15
4.4.8 Force impact resistance .16
4.4.9 Ballistic resistance for Type 1 helmets (optional) .16
4.4.10 Impact energy attenuation for Type 2 helmets .16
4.4.11 Penetration resistance .16
4.4.12 Lateral crushing for Type 1 helmets .16
4.4.13 Retention system effectiveness for Type 1 helmet (optional) .16
4.4.14 Retention system strength .17
4.4.15 Suspension system retention for Type 2 helmets .17
4.4.16 Shell retention for Type 2 helmets .17
4.4.17 Electrical properties .17
4.4.18 Hardware corrosion resistance for Type 2 helmets .18
4.5 Test methods .18
4.5.1 Radiant heat .18
4.5.2 Protection against molten metals for Type 1 helmets (optional) .18
4.5.3 Heat resistance .18
4.5.4 Flame resistance .19
4.5.5 Flame engulfment for Type 1 helmets (optional) .19
4.5.6 Thermal protective performance for Type 2 helmets ear covers .20
4.5.7 Force impact resistance .20
4.5.8 Ballistic resistance for Type 1 helmets (optional) .20
4.5.9 Impact energy attenuation for Type 2 helmets .21
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ISO 11999-5:2015(E)

4.5.10 Penetration resistance .21
4.5.11 Lateral crushing for Type 1 helmets .21
4.5.12 Retention system effectiveness for Type 1 helmets (optional) .21
4.5.13 Retention system strength .21
4.5.14 Suspension system retention for Type 2 helmets .22
4.5.15 Shell retention for Type 2 helmets .22
4.5.16 Electrical properties .22
4.5.17 Hardware corrosion resistance for Type 2 helmets .23
5 Marking .23
5.1 Marking for Type 1 helmets .23
5.2 Marking for Type 2 helmets .24
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ISO 11999-5:2015(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity
assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the WTO principles in the Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: Foreword - Supplementary information
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 94, Personal safety — Protective clothing and
equipment, Subcommittee SC 14, Fire-fighters’ personal equipment.
ISO 11999 consists of the following parts, under the general title PPE for firefighters — Test methods and
requirements for PPE used by firefighters who are at risk of exposure to high levels of heat and/or flame
while fighting fires occurring in structures:
— Part 1: General
— Part 2: Compatibility [Technical Specification]
— Part 3: Clothing
— Part 4: Gloves
— Part 5: Helmets
The following parts are under preparation:
— Part 6: Footwear
— Part 9: Fire hoods
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 11999-5:2015(E)
PPE for firefighters — Test methods and requirements
for PPE used by firefighters who are at risk of exposure
to high levels of heat and/or flame while fighting fires
occurring in structures —
Part 5:
Helmets
1 Scope
This part of ISO 11999 specifies the minimum design and performance requirements for helmets as
part of personal protective equipment (PPE) to be used by firefighters, primarily but not solely to
protect against exposure to flame and high thermal loads.
NOTE A Type 1 helmet is similar to helmets for fighting fires in structures according to EN 443:2008. A
Type 2 helmet is similar to helmets used for fighting fires in structures according to NFPA 1971:2013. However,
following ISO 11999-1, all parts of heat and flame resistance requirements are consistent with each other,
therefore heat and flame tests consistent with requirements for clothing given in ISO 11999-3.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 9185:2007, Protective clothing — Assessment of resistance of materials to molten metal splash
ISO 11612:2008, Protective clothing — Clothing to protect against heat and flame
ISO 11999-1, PPE for firefighters — Test methods and requirements for PPE used by firefighters who are at risk
of exposure to high levels of heat and/or flame while fighting fires occurring in structures — Part 1 General
ISO/TS 11999-2, PPE for firefighters — Test methods and requirements for PPE used by firefighters who
are at risk of exposure to high levels of heat and/or flame while fighting fires occurring in structures —
Part 2: Compatibility
ISO 16073:2011, Wildland firefighting personal protective equipment — Requirements and test methods
ISO 17493:2000, Clothing and equipment for protection against heat — Test method for convective heat
resistance using a hot air circulating oven
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 166:2001, Personal eye protection — Specifications
EN 168:2001, Personal eye-protection — Non-optical test methods
EN 443:2008, Helmets for fire fighting in buildings and other structures
EN 960:2006, Headforms for use in the testing of protective helmets
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ISO 11999-5:2015(E)

EN 13087-1:2000, Protective helmets — Test methods — Part 1: Conditions and conditioning
EN 13087-2:2012, Protective helmets — Test methods — Part 2: Shock absorption
EN 13087-4:2012, Protective helmets — Test methods — Part 4: Retention system effectiveness
EN 13087-5:2012, Protective helmets — Test methods — Part 5: Retention system strength
EN 13087-6:2012, Protective helmets — Test methods — Part 6: Field of vision
EN 13087-8:2000, Protective helmets — Test methods — Part 8: Electrical properties
EN 13087-10:2012, Protective helmet — Test methods — Part 10: Resistance to radiant heat
NFPA 1971:2013, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 11999-1 apply.
4 Helmet requirements
4.1 General
Helmets shall consist of at least the following assembled components:
a) Shell (area 1a according to EN 443:2008).
b) Energy absorbing system.
— Retention system. The retention system shall include a chinstrap having a minimum width of 19 mm.
c) Neck protector (Optional for Type 1 helmets, area 3a according to EN 443:2008).
d) Ear covers (Optional for Type 1 helmets, area 1b according to EN 443:2008).
e) Faceshield or goggles or both (Optional for Type 1 helmets, area 3b or area 2 according to
EN 443:2008).
— Where a faceshield is selected, the faceshield shall be attached to and tested with the helmet.
— Where goggles are selected, the goggles shall be permitted to be unattached, not assembled, to the
helmet. Where they are attached to the helmet, they shall be tested with the helmet. Where they are
not attached, they shall be removed from the helmet before it is tested.
4.1.1 Fit
The fit of the helmet shall be adjustable laterally, in order to improve the wearing comfort and the
helmet efficiency. This adjustment shall be easily feasible by the wearer without the use of tools. It
should be possible for the wearer to remove the helmet by releasing the chinstraps, using one hand
wearing a structural firefighting glove.
When this adjustment covers several size of head circumference, the relevant instructions shall be
given in the information supplied by the manufacturer.
4.1.2 Protrusions and sharp edges
There shall be no sharp edges, roughness or projection on any part of the helmet. Projections intruding
more than 5 mm from the shell interior surface and above the test line, shall not be acceptable unless
covered by protective padding. Projections above the test line shall be impacted directly over the
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ISO 11999-5:2015(E)

position of the internal projection in accordance with 4.4.7, and the laboratory shall assess that the
projection did not make contact with the headform.
Rigid internal projections below the test line and above the reference plane shall not be able to touch
the head of the wearer when the helmet is normally affixed to the head.
The profile at the front of the helmet shall not prevent the wearing of spectacles or goggles as specified
by the helmet manufacturer.
4.1.3 Reinforcement
The shell construction shall be uniformly reinforced. This does not exclude a gradual increase of the
shell’s thickness or of the grooves or fixation devices of the harness or of the accessories, but it does
exclude every other localized reinforcement.
4.1.4 Replacement components and accessories
The fitting and/or replacement of any interchangeable parts or accessories shall not impair the function
and/or safety of the helmet. All accessories and their respective replacement procedures shall be given
in the information supplied by the manufacturer. No openings shall penetrate the helmet shell other
than those provided by the manufacturer for mounting energy absorbing systems, retention systems
or accessories.
Faceshields shall not be considered as accessories and along with neck protectors (where fitted) shall
be considered as fixed sub-components of the helmet assembly.
4.1.5 Neck protector and ear covers
Type 2 helmets shall cover the wearer’s neck and ears, or shall have neck protector and ear covers that
cover the wearer’s neck and ears. The helmet or the helmet with neck protectors and ear covers shall
provide at least the following coverage.
The helmet, or the helmet with neck protector and ear covers, shall be donned in the proper wearing
position as specified by the manufacturer on an EN 960:2006 headform 575 according to its positioning
index. The helmet positioning index shall be the vertical distance, as specified by the manufacturer, from
the lowest point of the brow at the lateral midpoint of the helmet to the basic plane of the EN 960:2006
headform 575 with the helmet firmly positioned on the headform. In this position, the neck coverage
shall be measured downward from the reference plane to the lower edge of the neck coverage.
a) 95 mm measured 50 mm forward of the coronal plane;
b) 120 mm measured 25 mm forward of the coronal plane;
c) 130 mm measured at the coronal plane;
d) 130 mm measured at the midsagittal plane at the rear of the headform.
4.1.6 Shikoro
Where Shikoro is fitted, it is made of fire resistance fabric that surrounds entire wear’s head, neck part
below helmet brim level except eye portion covered by the face shield. Its purpose is to prevent direct
flame contact to wear’s head, face or neck and also to reduce heat stress. The helmet fitted with Shikoro
shall continue to meet the relevant requirements of 4.4.2 to 4.4.6.
4.1.7 Optional components
Type 1 helmets shall have the facility for the fitting of any optional neck, ear and eye and face protection,
unless these form integral parts of the helmet. Helmets incorporating these optional components shall
continue to meet the relevant requirements of 4.4.
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ISO 11999-5:2015(E)

Neck protectors intended for use and supplied with Type 1 helmets shall conform to the requirements
for neck protectors as indicated in Table 3.
4.1.8 Material selection
Materials used in helmets that may come into contact with the wearer’s skin shall not be known to be
likely to cause irritation or any other adverse effect to health.
4.1.9 Resistance to cleaning agent
All materials shall be unimpaired after cleaning and disinfection by the agents and procedures specified
in the information provided by the manufacturer. Such agents shall not be known to be likely to cause
irritation or any other adverse effect to the health of the wearer.
4.1.10 Protected area
When adjusted on the headform as in 4.2.2, the helmet shall at least cover all the area 12,7 mm above
the reference plane (see line AA in Figure 1).
NOTE This is area 1a according to EN 443:2008.
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ISO 11999-5:2015(E)

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1 reference plane
2 basic plane
3 central vertical axis
Figure 1 — Protected areas
4.1.11 Field of vision
4.1.11.1 When a Type 1 helmet is tested in accordance with EN 13087-6:2012, with any attached
faceshield or goggle in both the stowed and deployed positions, the wearer’s field of vision shall
correspond to the following angles:
a) A dihedral angle of at least 105 degrees measured horizontally between L and K on each side of
the sagittal plane which passes through the point L (see Figure 2 and Figure 3). Remove the neck
protector or Shikoro if necessary.
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ISO 11999-5:2015(E)

b) An upper dihedral angle greater than 7 degrees above the reference plane and which is defined by
the straight line passing through L1, L2 (see Figure 2 and Figure 3);
c) A lower dihedral angle greater than 45 degrees under the basic plane and which is defined by the
straight line passing through K1 K2 situated on the surface of the headform as 31 mm on each side
of the point K (see Figure 2 and Figure 3).
4.1.11.2 When a Type 2 helmet is tested in accordance with NFPA 1971:2013, Section 6.4.5, with
faceshield or faceshield/goggle component deployed, the wearer’s field of vision shall correspond to the
following angles:
a) A dihedral angle of at least 85 degrees measured horizontally between L and K on each side of the
sagittal plane which passes through the point L (refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3).
b) An upper dihedral angel greater than 10 degrees above the reference plane and which is defined by
the straight line passing through L1 L2 (refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3).
c) A lower dihedral angle greater than 40 degrees under the basic plane and which is defined by the
straight line passing through K1 K2 situated on the surface of the headform as 31 mm on each side
of the point K (refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3).
d) With faceshield or faceshield/goggle component in the stowed position, the helmet shall provide
peripheral vision clearance of at least 94 degrees to each side.
NOTE “Stowed position” means to be placed in “out of use” position, when it is not providing the designed
protection. “Deployed position” means to be placed “in use” position, when it is providing the designed protection.
4.1.12 Helmet mass
If helmet mass, excluding non-permanently fitted accessory parts, exceed 1 500 g it shall then be
marked on the helmet visible to users.
4.2 Samples and helmet adjustment
Helmet samples shall be submitted for testing in the condition in which they are offered for sale,
including any means of attachment for energy absorbing systems, retention systems or accessories
specified by the manufacturer.
4.2.1 Samples
Unless otherwise specified in the test methods, the number of specimens needed for pre-conditioning
and testing shall be in accordance with Table 1 or Table 2 as appropriate.
4.2.2 Helmet adjustment
Before any testing on a headform, the helmet shall be adjusted in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions. If the wearing adjustment covers several sizes of headform then the size of headform
representing the most unfavourable case shall be used.
Type 1 helmets shall be tested on headforms, where required, that conform to EN 960:2006 sizes 495,
535, 605, and 625 or EN 168:2001 medium size, as appropriate to the test performed.
Type 2 helmets shall be tested on headforms, where required, that conform to NFPA 1971:2013,
Figure 8.15.4.1 (a), (b), and (c). (Acceleration and penetration tests are done on ISO size J headform, and
only force impact is on an aluminium ISEA size 7 headform).
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ISO 11999-5:2015(E)

Key
1 central vertical
2 longitudinal vertical median plane
3 basic plane
4 reference plane
Figure 2 — Vertical field of vision
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ISO 11999-5:2015(E)

Dimensions in millimetres
a) Section of headform at longitudinal vertical median plane
b) Section of headform at the reference plane
Key
1 central transverse vertical plane
2 longitudinal vertical median plane
3 front
4 back
Figure 3 — Section of headform, longitudinal, vertical, medial and reference planes
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ISO 11999-5:2015(E)


ˆˆ
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-
- - -
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Key
1 central vertical axis
2 reference plane
3 basic plane
Figure 4 — Impact points on the helmet
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ISO 11999-5:2015(E)

4.3 Pre-conditioning
4.3.1 Pre-conditioning for Type 1 helmets
Unless otherwise specified in the specific test methods, all specimens (complete with any attached
accessories, which shall be in the stowed position, where appropriate) shall be conditioned for a
minimum of 24 h by exposure to a temperature of 20 °C ± 3 °C and a relative humidity of 60 % ± 30 %
prior to testing.
Testing shall be carried out within 5 min of removing the samples from the p
...