ISO 16073-1:2019

Wildland firefighting personal protective equipment - Requirements and test methods - Part 1: General

This document specifies the minimum performance requirements and methods of test for personal protective equipment (PPE) covering the torso, neck, arms, hands, legs, feet, head, eyes and hearing that is used for wildland firefighting. This document covers the general design of the PPE, the minimum levels of performance for the materials employed and the methods of test used. The PPE is not intended to provide protection during fire entrapment. This document does not cover PPE for structural firefighting (see ISO 11999 series), for use against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear hazards, or for use where a reflective outer surface is required (see ISO 15538). Activities in support of wildland firefighting, such as the cutting of trees and the use of a chainsaw can require additional protection to that provided in this document. Users are directed to those relevant standards for the requirements associated with such protection. To assist with selection of the right PPE, a risk assessment (see Annex A) can be conducted to determine the type of PPE, and performance levels, for different categories of protection are required. This document describes performance requirements for PPE and includes requirements for marking and manufacturer's instructions.

Équipement de protection individuelle pour la lutte contre les feux d'espaces naturels — Exigences et méthodes d'essai — Partie 1: Généralités

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 28-Oct-2019
• ICS: 13.220.10 - Fire-fighting
• ICS: 13.340.10 - Protective clothing
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 94/SC 14 - Firefighters' personal equipment
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 94/SC 14/WG 3 - Wildland firefighting
• Current Stage: 9060 - Close of review
• Completion Date: 04-Jun-2030

Relations

• Revises: ISO 16073:2011 - Wildland firefighting personal protective equipment - Requirements and test methods
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2017

Overview

ISO 16073-1:2019 - Wildland firefighting personal protective equipment - Part 1: General defines the minimum performance requirements and test methods for personal protective equipment (PPE) used in wildland firefighting. It covers PPE that protects the torso, neck, arms, hands, legs, feet, head, eyes and hearing, focusing on general design, material performance levels and test methods. The standard is intended for extended use in hot, high‑metabolic‑load environments and explicitly does not cover protection for fire entrapment, structural firefighting, CBRN hazards, or reflective‑surface requirements.

Key Topics and Requirements

• Scope & exclusions: Applies to wildland firefighting PPE; excludes structural firefighting (ISO 11999 series), CBRN, and reflective outer surfaces (ISO 15538).
• Performance & test methods: Specifies minimum material performance levels and how to test PPE items and ensembles.
• Design considerations: Emphasizes lightweight, flexible designs to reduce heat stress during prolonged summer operations.
• Innocuousness: Materials must not release substances known to be toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, allergenic or otherwise harmful.
• Ensembles & compatibility: Defines how items combine into ensembles; combined items must meet interface and compatibility requirements (see ISO/TS 11999-2).
• Marking: Permanent, conspicuous labelling requirements - including a pictogram, ISO 16073 part/year reference, manufacturer identification and model number - and tests for label flammability where applicable.
• Manufacturer’s instructions: Detailed user information must accompany each PPE item: safety considerations, limitations, sizing, donning/doffing, inspection, maintenance, retirement/disposal, and any compatibility declarations.
• Risk assessment (Annex A): Guidance for selecting PPE types and performance levels based on operational hazards and exposure.

Applications and Users

Who uses ISO 16073-1:2019:

• PPE manufacturers designing and certifying wildland firefighting garments, gloves, helmets, eye and hearing protection.
• Procurement officers and specifiers in forestry services, fire agencies and emergency management organizations selecting PPE for wildland operations.
• Test laboratories performing compliance testing against ISO 16073 series test methods.
• Safety managers and trainers conducting risk assessments and PPE selection for crews exposed to wildland fire hazards.

Practical value:

• Ensures consistent minimum safety/performance across wildland firefighting PPE.
• Helps reduce heat stress by advocating appropriate material and design choices.
• Simplifies garment selection through standard marking, compatibility and required user information.

Related Standards

• ISO 16073 series (Parts 2–8) - item‑specific requirements
• ISO/TS 11999-2 - compatibility and fitting/interface testing
• ISO 13688 - general protective clothing requirements
• ISO/TR 19591 - PPE terminology for firefighters
• ISO 15538, ISO 11999 series - related exclusions and structural firefighting guidance

Keywords: ISO 16073-1:2019, wildland firefighting PPE, personal protective equipment, test methods, performance requirements, PPE marking, risk assessment.

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 16073-1
First edition
2019-10
Wildland firefighting personal
protective equipment —
Requirements and test methods —
Part 1:
General
Équipement de protection individuelle pour la lutte contre les feux
d'espaces naturels — Exigences et méthodes d'essai —
Partie 1: Généralités
Reference number
©
ISO 2019
© ISO 2019
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting
on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address
below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
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CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Design and performance requirements for PPE items and ensembles .2
4.1 Innocuousness . 2
4.2 PPE Ensembles . 2
4.3 Combination of items of PPE . 2
5 Marking . 2
5.1 General . 2
5.2 Compliance marking requirements for an item of PPE. 2
5.3 Additional marking for compatibility . . 3
6 Manufacturer’s instructions to be supplied with each item of PPE .3
6.1 User's information . 3
6.2 Additional user information for compatibility . 4
Annex A (informative) Information on risk assessment . 5
Bibliography .13
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 of 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 www .iso .org/
iso/ foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 94, Personal safety — Personal protective
equipment, Subcommittee SC 14, Firefighters' personal equipment.
This first edition of ISO 16073-1, together with ISO 16073-2 to ISO 16073-8, cancels and replaces
(ISO 16073:2011). The main changes are as follows:
— the content has been reviewed and separated into several parts;
— the respiratory protection has been deleted from the document.
A list of all parts in the ISO 16073 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/ members .html.
iv © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

Introduction
Wildland firefighting involves work carried out mostly in summer temperatures and for many hours,
during which the firefighter can develop high levels of metabolic heat. As a consequence, the personal
protective equipment (PPE) is required to be light, flexible and commensurate with the risks to which the
firefighter can be exposed in order to be effective without introducing excessive heat stress to the wearer.
It is important to train firefighters in the selection, use, care and maintenance of the PPE covered by
this document, including an understanding of its limitations.
It is intended that a risk assessment be undertaken to determine if the PPE covered by this document is
suitable for its intended use and the expected exposure, see Annex A.
This document provides minimum performance requirements for wildland firefighters' personal
protective equipment (PPE) designed for use for extended periods during wildland firefighting.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 16073-1:2019(E)
Wildland firefighting personal protective equipment —
Requirements and test methods —
Part 1:
General
1 Scope
This document specifies the minimum performance requirements and methods of test for personal
protective equipment (PPE) covering the torso, neck, arms, hands, legs, feet, head, eyes and hearing
that is used for wildland firefighting.
This document covers the general design of the PPE, the minimum levels of performance for the
materials employed and the methods of test used. The PPE is not intended to provide protection during
fire entrapment.
This document does not cover PPE for structural firefighting (see ISO 11999 series), for use against
chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear hazards, or for use where a reflective outer surface is
required (see ISO 15538).
Activities in support of wildland firefighting, such as the cutting of trees and the use of a chainsaw can
require additional protection to that provided in this document. Users are directed to those relevant
standards for the requirements associated with such protection.
To assist with selection of the right PPE, a risk assessment (see Annex A) can be conducted to determine
the type of PPE, and performance levels, for different categories of protection are required.
This document describes 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
ISO/TR 19591, Personal protective equipment for firefighters — Standard terms and definitions
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO/TR 19591 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http:// www .electropedia .org/
4 Design and performance requirements for PPE items and ensembles
4.1 Innocuousness
PPE shall not adversely affect the health or hygiene of the user. The materials shall not, in the foreseeable
conditions of normal use, release substances generally known to be toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic,
allergenic, toxic to reproduction or otherwise harmful.
NOTE For more detail either see specific parts of ISO 16073 or see more detail in either ISO 13688 or
ISO 21420 used respectively for garment and gloves.
4.2 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 16073 series and provide
as an ensemble protection to the whole body of the firefighter for wildland firefighting operations.
For example, the items or items of PPE of a PPE ensemble, which are intended to provide protection
for the firefighter’s upper and lower torso, head, neck, arms, hands, legs and feet, shall conform to the
requirements of ISO 16073-3 to ISO 16073-9.
Nevertheless, an item of PPE, which is conforming to the requirements of one of ISO 16073-3 to
ISO 16073-9, can individually be designated and marked as design and performance requirements for
that item of PPE conforming to the relevant part of the ISO 16073 series.
4.3 Combination of items of PPE
A combination of two or more items of PPE, of which each item individually meets the requirements
of the relevant part of ISO 16073 series, shall also meet the relevant fitting/interface compatibility
requirements detailed in 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.
5 Marking
5.1 General
Marking requirements shall be as specified in ISO 13688 and in this clause.
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.
Labels shall be tested for flammability according to the requirements for labels in ISO 16073-3 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 to.
Marking of PPE shall also be in accordance with the specific requirements of the item as detailed in the
relevant parts of the ISO 16073 series.
5.2 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 accordance with ISO 13688 and upon which the following information is
printed in letters at least 2 mm high:
a) Where practical, the pictogram given in Figure 1.
b) Identification of product standard — ISO 16073-Y:XXXX where Y is part and XXXX is year.
2 © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

c) The name, trademark, or other means of identifying or tracing back to the manufacturer.
d) The manufacturer’s model number and/or user’s specified number.
Figure 1 — Protective equipment for wildland firefighting
(ISO 7000-3636)
5.3 Additional marking for compatibility
All items of PPE, which are intended to be worn together in order to form a specific combination of PPE
items or a specific mixed ensemble, and which are intended to be certified together and put together
on the market, are to be tested together according to the respective compatibility requirements of
ISO 16073-2. An additional marking is to be added to the items’ individual markings, stating each item
that it is “Compatible with ―  Compatible with [using information in 5.2 c) and d)]".
6 Manufacturer’s instructions to be supplied with each item of PPE
6.1 User's information
The manufacturer shall meet the requirements of ISO 13688 and the minimum requirements in 5.1 and
5.2. Manufacturers shall also add additional relevant information from each part of ISO 16073.
The manufacturer shall provide user information including, but not limited to, data in accordance with
the relevant part(s) of 16073 series, any additional data required by this standard, the results of any
optional tests undertaken, warnings, information, and instructions with each PPE.
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 and details if gender specific.
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.
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.
Instruction’s 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.
6.2 Additional user information for compatibility
Combination of PPE items which are intended to be worn together 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 the ISO 16073 series.
For the compatible items of PPE, the manufacture shall provide a declaration for each item of compatible
PPE, additional information on the conformance to the requirements of ISO/TS 11999-2, and any
additional checks or warnings, such as but not limited to:
— compatible with [using information in 5.2 c) and d)]
— 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 prior to wearing the PPE in hazard situations.
4 © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

Annex A
(informative)
Information on risk assessment
A.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 wildland firefighting are to control an incident as quickly as
possible and at the same time take steps to minimize eventual damage to and loss of life and property.
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 should 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 should 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 hazards.
A.2 General approach for conducting a risk assessment
The three major steps of the risk assessment process are as follows.
a) 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.
b) 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?
—
...