ISO 18639-1:2018

PPE ensembles for firefighters undertaking specific rescue activities — Part 1: General

ISO 18639 series of standards specify requirements of personal protective equipment (PPE) specifically designed to protect firefighters from injury and/or loss of life while engaged in specific rescue activities. ISO 18639 series provides the principles that govern the development of incident type and/or hazard specific minimum test methods including design and performance requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE) worn by firefighters and other rescue workers to reduce injury and/or the loss of life while engaged in rescue activities. To assist with selection based on a risk assessment (see Annex C), type of PPE, (if applicable) and performance levels, for different categories of protection are included. ISO 18639-1:2018 covers PPE for use in the rescue activities for road traffic crash (RTC) and urban search and rescue (USAR), but could also include other rescue activities depending on the risk assessment. ISO 18639-1:2018 does not include PPE for use in high risk fire exposures. Similarly, this document does not include PPE to protect against chemical and biological hazards, except against short term and accidental exposures whilst engaged in rescue activities. ISO 18639-1:2018 describes the general structure of the ISO 18639 series, including each subsection, sets design and performance requirements for PPE and includes requirements for marking and manufacturer's instructions.

Équipements de protection personnelle pour pompiers entreprenant des activités de sauvetage particulières — Partie 1: Généralités

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 04-Jan-2018
• ICS: 13.340.01 - Protective equipment in general
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 94/SC 14 - Firefighters' personal equipment
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 94/SC 14/WG 5 - Non-fire rescue incidents (Rescue)
• Current Stage: 9020 - International Standard under periodical review
• Start Date: 15-Jan-2023
• Completion Date: 15-Jan-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 18639-1
First edition
2018-01
PPE ensembles for firefighters
undertaking specific rescue
activities —
Part 1:
General
Équipements de protection personnelle pour pompiers entreprenant
des activités de sauvetage particulières —
Partie 1: Généralités
Reference number
ISO 18639-1:2018(E)
ISO 2018
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ISO 18639-1:2018(E)
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© ISO 2018, Published in Switzerland

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ISO 18639-1:2018(E)
Contents Page

Foreword ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................iv

Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................v

1 Scope ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1

2 Normative references ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 1

3 Terms and definitions ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 1

4 Abbreviated terms and subscripts ..................................................................................................................................................... 2

4.1 Abbreviated terms ............................................................................................................................................................................... 2

4.2 Subscripts .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2

5 Design and performance requirements for PPE items and ensembles .......................................................2

5.1 PPE ensembles ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 2

5.2 Combination of items of PPE ...................................................................................................................................................... 2

6 Marking .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3

6.1 General ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3

6.2 Compliance marking requirements for an item of PPE........................................................................................ 3

6.3 Additional marking for compatibility ......... ......................................................................................................................... 3

7 Manufacturer’s instructions to be supplied with each item of PPE .................................................................3

7.1 User’s information ............................................................................................................................................................................... 3

7.2 Additional user information for compatibility ............................................................................................................ 4

Annex A (informative) Structure of the ISO 18639 series .............................................................................................................. 5

Annex B (informative) Design of the ISO 18639 individual standards for Part 3 onward ............................6

Annex C (informative) Information on risk assessment .................................................................................................................. 8

Bibliography .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................17

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ISO 18639-1:2018(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 voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and

expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the

World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following

URL: www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.

ISO 18639-1 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 94, Personal safety — Protective clothing and

equipment, Subcommittee SC 14, Fire-fighters' personal equipment.
A list of all the parts in the ISO 18639 series can be found on the ISO website.
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ISO 18639-1:2018(E)
Introduction

ISO 18639 series of standards specify requirements of personal protective equipment (PPE) specifically

designed to protect firefighters from injury and/or loss of life while engaged in special rescue activities.

This document specifies the organisational structure of the ISO 18639 series of standards (see Annex A)

with common standard design for easier end user access (see Annex B for ISO 18639-3 onward) and the

drafting structure to be used consistently in the individual standards within the ISO 18639 series.

ISO/TS 11999-2 specifies design and performance requirements for the compatibility of the relevant

parts of the ISO 18639 series when all or some of the items covered in these parts are worn together,

thereby creating an ensemble standard. All items meet the general requirements for marking

and manufacturer’s instructions detailed in this document, as well as the specific marking and

manufacturer’s instructions of the respective parts.

Under best practice health and safety procedures, prior to choosing any PPE, a risk assessment of the

workplace is carried out. Where hazards are identified and cannot be removed from a work place, the items

of PPE chosen to protect personnel need to be fit for their intended use. They need to protect personnel

whilst allowing them to carry out the work required in their workplace without unduly increasing the

risk. In environments where firefighters can be required to work, not only needs the PPE protect the

firefighter whilst enabling them to achieve the objectives of attendance at an incident, but it also needs

safeguard them and allow a safe escape in the event that this becomes necessary. The risk assessment

is the responsibility of the firefighting organisation that is purchasing the PPE. The PPE chosen will also

allow the firefighter to carry out their duties without undue stress being caused by the PPE.

Some PPE, particularly PPE to protect against mortal danger, may have failure levels far above the

limit of exposures of human beings. In situations such as this, it is important to ensure that proper and

suitable safety procedures are in place that will both identify when personnel should be withdrawn

from dangerous or potentially dangerous situations. In addition, they need to ensure that the relevant

medical support is available for firefighters when they exit the incident, if rehydration or any other

medical treatment is required.

As the risk assessment will dictate the performance parameters for the PPE, it is critical that decision-

makers have the necessary knowledge of the risks against which the PPE is designed to protect. In

addition, they also need to understand the limitations of the equipment. It is recommended that those

who make the decision on the choice of PPE for particular work places should be competent in their

knowledge and understanding of both the work place hazards and the PPE from which to choose, prior

to making these decisions, to ensure that informed decisions are taken.

Further detail on carrying out risk assessment to ascertain the type of PPE required to protect

personnel working in specific areas is included in Annex C of this document.

Hazards in the workplaces of firefighters are varied but may be common from workplace to workplace

therefore some uses of PPE for firefighters can be multi-purpose. Because this Standard has been

developed on a risk assessment approach, a number of different types, levels or classes are given for

certain performance requirements of various parts of a PPE ensemble.

ISO 18639 series includes separate parts for each item of a firefighter's ensemble. As PPE to protect

each part of the body can be so complex, this Standard draws from the expertise of other technical

Committees in ISO, which specialise in such protection.

The results of the risk assessment for certain work places may require the use of PPE with higher

and/or different levels or classes of performance than those in this Standard. PPE covered in this

document will not protect from all possible exposures. Nothing in this document is intended to restrict

any jurisdiction, purchaser or manufacturer from exceeding the minimum performance requirements

specified in this Standard.

ISO/TC 94/SC 14 was established in 2000 with the purpose of standardisation of the performance

of personal protective equipment (PPE) intended to safeguard firefighters against the hazards

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ISO 18639-1:2018(E)

encountered in the performance of their duties. Two of the objectives of the ISO/TC 94/SC 14 Business

Plan are:

— to move away from prescriptive-based requirements in standards to a performance-based approach

incorporating a risk assessment in all areas of firefighters personal protective equipment, and

— to ensure wherever practical, compatibility, integration and consistency between the components

of firefighters PPE.

ISO/TC 94/SC 14 has developed a Technical Report on this subject, ISO/TR 21808. Firefighters are

trained in the selection, use, care and maintenance of their PPE. Firefighters need also to be trained in

the performance and limitation of their PPE.
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 18639-1:2018(E)
PPE ensembles for firefighters undertaking specific rescue
activities —
Part 1:
General
1 Scope

ISO 18639 series of standards specify requirements of personal protective equipment (PPE) specifically

designed to protect firefighters from injury and/or loss of life while engaged in specific rescue activities.

ISO 18639 series provides the principles that govern the development of incident type and/or hazard

specific minimum test methods including design and performance requirements for personal protective

equipment (PPE) worn by firefighters and other rescue workers to reduce injury and/or the loss of life

while engaged in rescue activities.

To assist with selection based on a risk assessment (see Annex C), type of PPE, (if applicable) and

performance levels, for different categories of protection are included.

This document covers PPE for use in the rescue activities for road traffic crash (RTC) and urban search

and rescue (USAR), but could also include other rescue activities depending on the risk assessment.

It does not include PPE for use in high risk fire exposures.

Similarly, this document does not include PPE to protect against chemical and biological hazards, except

against short term and accidental exposures whilst engaged in rescue activities.

This document describes the general structure of the ISO 18639 series, including each subsection,

sets design and performance requirements for PPE and includes requirements for marking and

manufacturer’s instructions.
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.

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 13688, Protective clothing — General requirements

EN 1149-3, Protective clothing — Electrostatic properties — Test methods for measurement of charge decay

EN 1149-5, Protective clothing — Electrostatic properties — Material performance and design

requirements
3 Terms and definitions
There are no normative references in this document.
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ISO 18639-1:2018(E)
4 Abbreviated terms and subscripts
4.1 Abbreviated terms
RTC Road Traffic Crash
USAR Urban Search and Rescue
PPE personal protective equipment
RPD respiratory protective device
HTI heat transmission index (12 °C temperature rise)
HTI heat transmission index (24 °C temperature rise)
TTI thermal threshold index
m mass
R’ coefficient of retroreflection
RHTI radiant heat transmission index (12 °C temperature rise)
RHTI radiant heat transmission index (24 °C temperature rise)
w mass fraction of water absorbed
4.2 Subscripts
12 at 12 °C temperature rise
24 at 24 °C temperature rise
w water
5 Design and performance requirements for PPE items and ensembles
5.1 PPE ensembles

An ensemble of PPE items is classified as meeting the requirements of this document, if every item in

the ensemble meets the appropriate requirements of the relevant parts of ISO 18639 series and provide

as an ensemble protection to the whole body of the firefighter for rescue operations.

For example, any item of PPE or any PPE ensemble, which are intended to provide protection for the

firefighter’s upper and lower torso, head, neck, arms, hands, legs and feet, shall be in accordance with

the requirements of relevant part of ISO 18639 series.

Nevertheless, an item of PPE, which is in accordance with the requirements of one of the relevant part

of ISO 18639 series, can individually be designated and marked for that item of PPE according to the

relevant part of the ISO 18639 series.
5.2 Combination of items of PPE

A PPE combination is the use of 2 or more PPE elements, each of which meets the requirements of the

relevant individual part of ISO the 18639 series but is not classed as an ensemble (see 5.1).

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ISO 18639-1:2018(E)

PPE combinations that claim compatibility shall be assessed according to the relevant interface

compatibility testing method(s) described in relevant clause(s) or subclause(s) of ISO/TS 11999-2.

NOTE A combination is more than a single item of PPE but less than an ensemble, i.e. it is not an offering

protection for the whole firefighter.
6 Marking
6.1 General
Marking requirements shall be as specified in ISO 13688 and in this clause.

ISO 13688 shall include the marking requirements specified in this clause and in additional specified

requirements for the individual PPE elements of the relevant parts of ISO 18639 series.

Any marking in the form of labels shall not adversely affect the performance of any item to which they

are attached or present a hazard to the wearer.

When required labels that shall be tested for flammability according to the requirements for labels in

ISO 18639-3 only where placed on the exterior of the garment. Labels (interior and exterior) and closure

systems shall be tested to the relevant requirements according to the PPE item they are attached.

Marking of PPE shall be under the specific requirements of the item in the relevant parts of

ISO 18639 series.
6.2 Compliance marking requirements for an item of PPE

Each item of PPE, for which compliance with this document is claimed, shall have a label permanently

and conspicuously attached in conformance with ISO 13688 and upon which the following information

is printed in letters at least 1,5 mm high:
a) identification of product standard — ISO 18639-X:YYYY;

b) the name, trademark, or other means of identifying or tracing back to the manufacturer;

c) the manufacturer’s model number and/or user’s specified number.
6.3 Additional marking for compatibility

Ensembles and combination of PPE items which are intended to be worn together and or assembled, shall

be tested together according to the respective compatibility requirements clause(s) and subclause(s) of

ISO/TS 11999-2 and meet the requirements of the individual parts of ISO 18639 series. An additional

marking shall be added to the item individual markings, clearly listing and identifying all items that are

compatible:
― compatible with ……………..[using information in 6.2 c)].
7 Manufacturer’s instructions to be supplied with each item of PPE
7.1 User’s information

The manufacturer shall meet the requirements of ISO 13688 and the minimum requirements in 7.1 and

7.2. Manufacturers shall also add additional relevant information from each part of ISO 18639 series.

The manufacturer shall provide user’s information including, but not limited to, data showing

conformity to the item of relevant part(s) of ISO 18639 series, any additional data required by this

document, the results of any optional tests undertaken, warnings, information, and instructions with

each PPE.
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ISO 18639-1:2018(E)

Instructions shall be supplied in the official language(s) of the country of destination.

The manufacturer shall provide at least the following instructions and information with each PPE:

a) safety considerations,
b) information about the markings,
c) limitations of use,
d) preparation for use,
e) sizing,
f) recommended storage practices,
g) inspection frequency and details,
h) donning and doffing procedures,
i) maintenance and cleaning,
j) retirement and disposal,
k) known shelf life limitations, and
l) information about the use of integrated devices.

The manufacturer shall attach the manufacturer’s instructions, or packaging containing this

information, to the relevant item of PPE in such a manner that it is not possible to use the item of PPE

without being aware of the availability of the information and that a deliberate action is necessary to

remove it.

The manufacturer shall provide notice that the information is to be removed ONLY by the end user.

Instructions shall give the following additional information:

— In the situation where a combination of PPE items or an ensemble, do not have the same rating, for

example, different levels of heat and flame protection, the manufacturer’s instructions shall indicate

additional effects and risks which may result.
7.2 Additional user information for compatibility

The combination of PPE items which are intended to be worn and or assembled together, shall be tested

together according to the respective compatibility requirements of ISO/TS 11999-2 and meet the

requirements of the individual parts of ISO 18639 series.

For the compatible items of PPE, the manufacture shall provide a declaration for each compatible PPE,

additional information on the conformity to the requirements of relevant clause(s) and subclause(s) of

ISO/TS 11999-2 and any additional checks or warnings, such as but not limited to:

— compatible with ……………..[using information in 6.2 c)];

— testing and classification of performance for items of PPE, for combinations of items of PPE for

ensembles;

— additional compatibility testing, including detailed instructions, that shall be completed by the end

user before wearing the PPE in hazard situations.
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ISO 18639-1:2018(E)
Annex A
(informative)
Structure of the ISO 18639 series
Figure A.1 — Representation of the structure of the ISO 18639 series
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ISO 18639-1:2018(E)
Annex B
(informative)
Design of the ISO 18639 individual standards for Part 3 onward

Keep only first two levels as fixed: Foreword, Introduction, Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6.1 to 6.8, 7 and 8. The

titles of 6.3.1, 6.4.1, 6.5.1, 6.7.1-6.7.2, and 6.8.1 to 6.8.3 are given as examples.

Foreword
Introduction
1. Scope
2. Normative References
3. Terms and Definitions
4. Design and General Requirements
5. Pre-treatment, Conditioning and Sampling
6. Performance Requirements
6.1 General
6.2 Summary of Requirements and Classification
Requirements RTC USAR Xxxx
Flame resistance 6.xx Index Index
Radiant heat 6.xxx
Contact heat 6.xx
Tensile strength
www WWW
— outer material
xxx XXX
— seams
Tear strength yyy YYY
Abrasion resistance (rubs) zzz ZZZ
6.3 Thermal/arc requirements
6.3.1 Flame spread
6.3.2 …
6.4 Mechanical protection requirements
6.4.1 Tensile Strength
6.4.2 …
6.5 Environmental Protection requirements
6.5.1 Surface wetting
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ISO 18639-1:2018(E)
6.5.2 ….
6.6 Visibility requirements
6.7 Biological and chemical requirements
6.7.1 Chemical
6.7.2 Viral
6.7.3 ….
6.8 Other requirements
6.8.1 Ergonomics
6.8.2 Dexterity
6.8.3 Grip
6.8.4 …
7. Marking
8. User Instructions
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ISO 18639-1:2018(E)
Annex C
(informative)
Information on risk assessment
C.1 General

Personal protective equipment is only one part of an effective system of firefighter safety. Well-trained,

closely supervised and properly staffed fire departments are equally essential elements of minimizing

the operational risk.

Regardless of location, the primary goals of rescue work are to control an incident as quickly as possible

and at the same time take steps to minimize eventual damage to and loss of persons and materials. In

order of priority, the objectives of a firefighter reaching an incident are to:
— save lives and to prevent or minimize injury;
— prevent or minimize damage to property;
— prevent or minimize damage to the environment.

The role of firefighters' personal protective equipment (PPE) is to protect the firefighter and to enable

the firefighter to achieve these objectives.

However, at an incident where the firefighter is unable to achieve these objectives, the PPE shall also

provide sufficient protection to enable the firefighter to escape whilst eliminating or minimising

the possibility of injury. The choice of PPE and the protection it offers shall be selected on the basis

of a risk assessment specific to the incidents and where hazards are identified and selecting specific

performance requirements for the PPE used which eliminate or reduce these hazard.

C.2 General approach for conducting a risk assessment
The three major steps of the risk assessment process are as follows.

1) Risk identification: for every aspect of the operation of the fire department or brigade, list

potential problems and hazards. The following are examples of sources of information that may be

useful in this process:
— a list of the risks to which members are or may be exposed;

— records of previous accidents, illnesses, and injuries, both locally and nationally and

internationally;
— facility and apparatus surveys, inspections, etc.

2) Risk evaluation: evaluate each item listed in the risk identification process using the following

questions.
— What is the level or potential severity of the occurrence?
— What is the potential frequency or likelihood of the occurrence?
— What are the potential consequences of the occurrence?
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ISO 18639-1:2018(E)

This will help to set priorities in the developing specifications for PPE performance. Some sources of

information which may be useful are:
— safety audits and inspection reports;
— prior accident, illness, and injury statistics;
— application of national data to local circumstances;
— professional judgement in evaluation risks unique to the jurisdiction.

3) Risk control: once the risks are identified and evaluated, a control for each should be implemented

and documented. The hazard controls in the hierarchy are, in order of decreasing effectiveness

represented in Figure C.1:
Figure C.1 — Hazard controls in the hierarchy
— Elimination

Eliminating the hazard—physically removing it—is the most effective hazard control. For example,

if employees shall work high above the ground, the hazard can be eliminated by moving the piece

they are working on to ground level to eliminate the need to work at heights.
— Substitution

Substitution, the second most effective hazard control, involves replacing something that produces

a hazard (similar to elimination) with something that does not produce a hazard.
To be an effective control, the new product shall not produce another hazard.
— Engineering

The third most effective means of controlling hazards is engineered controls. These do not

eliminate hazards, but rather isolate people from hazards.
— Administration

Administrative controls are changes to the way people work. Examples of administrative controls

include procedure changes, employee training, and installation of signs and warning labels (such

as those in the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System. Administrative controls do

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ISO 18639-1:2018(E)

not remove hazards, but limit or prevent people's exposure to the hazards, such as completing road

construction at night when fewer people are driving.
— Personal protective equipment

PPE is often referred to as the Last Line of Defence. Additionally, some PPE in the Firefighting

service is designed to protect the firefighter from the unforseen event or exposure and better

facilitate their retreat to a safe place.

Firefighters often use some or a combination of all of these controls at emergency incidents.

In the case of PPE, this should include determining the appropriateness of specific tests and

requirements for eliminating or reducing risk. Normally, the two primary methods of controlling risk,

in order of preference, are as follows:

— wherever possible, totally eliminate and/or avoid the risk or activity that presents the risk;

— where it is not possible to or practical to avoid or eliminate the risk, steps should be taken to control it

— such as developing appropriate PPE specifications.

Specification of appropriate PPE shall be part of any overall safety program which includes Standard

Operating Procedures, training, and inspections. As with any program, it is important to evaluate

whether the plan is working. Periodic evaluations should be made, and if the program elements are not

working satisfactorily, then modifications to the program should be made. If the methods are changed,

a new risk assessment should be per
...