SIST EN 14404-1:2024
(Main)Personal protective equipment - Knee protectors for work in the kneeling position - Part 1: Test methods
Personal protective equipment - Knee protectors for work in the kneeling position - Part 1: Test methods
This document specifies the test methods for knee protectors intended to protect the knee while working in a kneeling position.
This document does not apply to knee protectors that are medical devices or are intended for sports and motorcycles.
Persönliche Schutzausrüstung - Knieschutz für Arbeiten in kniender Haltung - Teil 1: Prüfverfahren
Dieses Dokument legt die Prüfverfahren für Knieschützer fest, die zum Schutz des Knies während des Arbeitens in kniender Haltung vorgesehen sind.
Dieses Dokument ist nicht anwendbar für Knieschützer, die ein Medizinprodukt sind oder für Sport und Motorräder vorgesehen sind.
Équipements de protection individuelle - Protecteurs de genoux pour le travail à genoux - Partie 1 : Méthodes d'essai
Le présent document spécifie les méthodes d’essai relatives aux protecteurs de genoux destinés à protéger les genoux lors du travail à genoux.
Le présent document ne s’applique pas aux protecteurs de genoux qui sont des dispositifs médicaux ou sont destinés aux sports et aux motos.
Osebna varovalna oprema - Ščitniki za kolena za delo v klečečem položaju - 1. del: Preskusne metode
Ta del standarda določa preskusne metode za ščitnike za kolena, namenjene za delo v klečečem položaju.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-oktober-2024
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 14404:2005+A1:2010
Osebna varovalna oprema - Ščitniki za kolena za delo v klečečem položaju - 1. del:
Preskusne metode
Personal protective equipment - Knee protectors for work in the kneeling position - Part
1: Test methods
Persönliche Schutzausrüstung - Knieschutz für Arbeiten in kniender Haltung - Teil 1:
Prüfverfahren
Équipements de protection individuelle - Protecteurs de genoux pour le travail à genoux -
Partie 1 : Méthodes d'essai
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 14404-1:2024
ICS:
13.340.50 Varovanje nog in stopal Leg and foot protection
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
EN 14404-1
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
May 2024
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 13.340.50 Supersedes EN 14404:2004+A1:2010
English Version
Personal protective equipment - Knee protectors for work
in the kneeling position - Part 1: Test methods
Équipements de protection individuelle - Protecteurs Persönliche Schutzausrüstung - Knieschutz für
de genoux pour le travail à genoux - Partie 1 : Arbeiten in kniender Haltung - Teil 1: Prüfverfahren
Méthodes d'essai
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 20 June 2022.
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-CENELEC 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-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2024 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 14404-1:2024 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Test methods . 6
4.1 General . 6
4.2 Preparation of the test specimens . 6
4.3 Examination . 6
4.4 Penetration resistance . 9
4.5 Force distribution . 10
4.6 Peak transmitted force (“Impact test”) . 14
4.7 Restraint testing . 16
4.8 Water resistance . 17
4.9 Bend test for interoperable knee pad . 18
4.10 Ergonomic testing . 18
4.11 Compliance of straps . 20
Bibliography . 21
European foreword
This document (EN 14404-1:2024) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 162 “Protective
clothing including hand and arm protection and life jackets”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by November 2024 and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by November 2024.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document, together with EN 14404-2 to EN 14404-6, supersedes EN 14404:2004+A1:2010.
EN 14404 "Personal protective equipment — Knee protectors for work in the kneeling position" is split into
6 parts:
— Part 1: Test methods;
— Part 2: Requirements for wearable knee protectors (type 1);
— Part 3: Requirements for the individual combination of knee pads and garments (type 2);
— Part 4: Requirements for the combination of interoperable knee pads and garments (type 2);
— Part 5: Requirements for knee mats (type 3);
— Part 6: Requirements for kneeling systems (type 4).
With the splitting of the standard, the following changes were made:
— definition of the protection zone;
— new combination of interoperable knee pads with interoperable garments (EN 14404-4);
— a bend test for interoperable knee pad was introduced;
— normative references were updated, further normative references were included;
— an uneven test surface and test was introduced;
— no more "UNISIZE" size; adjustment of size designation;
— additional markings were added.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
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, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North
Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United
Kingdom.
Introduction
Kneeling is a frequently occurring working position, but one which is problematic from an occupational
health viewpoint. Without knee protectors, workers can suffer immediate injuries from hard surfaces and
small stones and similar objects lying on the surfaces. However, no knee protector can ensure that
workers will not suffer medical complications if they are required to kneel for long periods.
It is important that knee protectors do not compromise venous drainage in the leg while kneeling or
standing up. Therefore, it is important that it is easy for workers to change position and to stand up to re-
establish a normal blood circulation at frequent intervals while wearing knee protectors.
Work in a kneeling position involves the risk of chronic diseases such as prepatellar bursitis and cartilage
injuries caused by continuous pressure on the knees. Knee protection is therefore recommended for all
work in the kneeling position. The protection should distribute forces evenly and prevent small hard
objects on the ground causing injuries. Many workers have pre-existing damage to their knees,
particularly to their cartilage from sports injuries and from previous work. These injuries will be made
worse by further kneeling. Wearing knee protectors cannot correct existing damage but should slow
down further damaging effects.
Work in a kneeling position can expose the skin of the shins, knees and thighs to toxic and corrosive
materials normally kept off the body while walking and standing by waterproof or water-resistant
footwear. Knee protectors and trousers for use with such wet materials and particularly wet cement,
should take this into account and provide adequate protection.
For working in a kneeling position, four types of knee protectors exist:
— wearable knee protectors (type 1),
— knee pads in combination with garments (type 2),
— knee mats (type 3), and
— kneeling systems (type 4).
1 Scope
This document specifies the test methods for knee protectors intended to protect the knee while working
in a kneeling position.
This document does not apply to knee protectors that are medical devices or are intended for sports and
motorcycles.
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.
EN 863, Protective clothing - Mechanical properties - Test method: Puncture resistance
EN 14404-2, Personal protective equipment - Knee protectors for work in the kneeling position - Part 2:
Requirements for wearable knee protectors (type 1)
EN 14404-3, Personal protective equipment - Knee protectors for work in the kneeling position - Part 3:
Requirements for the individual combination of knee pads and garments (type 2)
EN 14404-4:2024, Personal protective equipment - Knee protectors for work in the kneeling position -
Part 4: Requirements for the combination of interoperable knee pads and garments (type 2)
EN 14404-5, Personal protective equipment - Knee protectors for work in the kneeling position - Part 5:
Requirements for knee mats (type 3)
EN 14404-6, Personal protective equipment - Knee protectors for work in the kneeling position - Part 6:
Requirements for kneeling systems (type 4)
EN ISO 4014, Hexagon head bolts - Product grades A and B (ISO 4014)
EN ISO 5084, Textiles - Determination of thickness of textiles and textile products (ISO 5084:1996)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions in EN 14404-2, EN 14404-3, EN 14404-4,
EN 14404-5 and EN 14404-6 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp/
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
4 Test methods
4.1 General
Measuring instruments unless otherwise specified shall be accurate to ±2 % of the pass/fail level of the
characteristic being measured.
The test specimen shall at least attain the required requirement value.
4.2 Preparation of the test specimens
4.2.1 Condition atmosphere
Knee protectors (and garments) shall be conditioned for at least 24 h at a temperature of (20 ± 2) °C and
a relative humidity of (65 ± 5) % prior to testing.
4.2.2 Testing atmosphere
The tests shall be carried out at (20 ± 2) °C or within 30 min after removal from the conditioning
atmosphere.
4.3 Examination
4.3.1 Visual and tactile examination
Knee protectors shall be examined visually and by hand to locate any hard or sharp edges, seams, buckles,
or other items that might injure the user or others during normal use (innocuousness). The marking of
the orientation needs to be checked, if applicable.
4.3.2 Sizes and dimension
The dimensions of the product, the defined zone of protection, the restraint systems and settings shall be
measured with suitable measuring tapes or other devices. Curved areas shall be determined in their
unwound length and width within the inner edges of the knee protector. The shape of the minimum
protection zone is shown in Figure 1 (top view). The results shall be recorded in the test report.
All sizes shall be examined to determine whether their construction appears to provide similar protection
throughout the required zone of protection. Areas with seemingly reduced protection shall be marked
for the mechanical test so that tests occur there.
Key
l1 length of the zone of protection
l width of the zone of protection
r1 radius of curvature of a proximal (upper) corner of the zone of protection
r2 radius of curvature of a distal (lower) corner of the zone of protection
a) wearable knee protector (type 1)
b) knee protector (type 2)
c) knee mat (type 3)
Figure 1 — Shapes of the zones of protection of knee protectors
The dimensions of the zone of protection are given in EN 14404-2 to EN 14404-6.
4.3.3 Fitting test for interoperable knee pad using the test pocket
The interoperable knee pad has to fit into the test pocket.
The inner dimensions of the test pocket have to be:
Length: (265 ± 1) mm
Width: (175 ± 1) mm as described in Figure 2
Figure 2 — Picture of test pocket
The woven fabric of the test pocket shall be made of a single material and shall be non-stretchable.
NOTE A 100 % Polyamide woven fabric covered with a PU-coating (PU: Polyurethan) with a mass per unit area
of about 265 g/m has been found suitable.
The test pocket has to be a separate unit that is not sewed up a trouser leg or other clothes. Three sides
of the test pocket have to be sewn up; the top width side has to be open. The seams shall be at the nooks.
The test shall be evaluated as “fail”, when the knee pad
— does not fit into the test pocket,
— protrudes at the opening of the test pocket,
— is unable to return to its original shape when placed in the test pocket.
4.3.4 Thickness of interoperable knee pad
The thickness of interoperable knee pad shall be tested according to EN ISO 5084.
4.3.5 Fitting test for interoperable pockets using the test knee pad
The garment shall be laid out with the interoperable pockets uppermost on a table.
The test knee pad has to fit into each interoperable pocket of one garment.
The dimensions of the test knee pad shall be:
— Length: (250 ± 1) mm
— Width: (150 ± 1) mm
— Thickness: (24 ± 1) mm
3 3
The material of the test knee pad shall be made of foam with a density between 35 kg/m and 50 kg/m .
The test shall be evaluated as “fail”, when the test knee pad
— does not fit into the interoperable pocket of the garment,
— protrudes at the opening of the interoperable pocket of the garment,
— is unable to return to its original shape when placed in the interoperable pocket of the garment,
— has a displacement in the interoperable pocket of more than 1 cm in width (from left to right or vice
versa),
— has a displacement in the interoperable pocket of more than 3 cm in length (from top to bottom or
vice versa).
4.4 Penetration resistance
The penetration resistance shall be measured according to EN 863 at a velocity of (100 ± 10) mm/min.
The test spike shall be applied to the outer face of the knee protector so that the spike can reach the zone
of protection. Five tests shall be made distributed throughout the zone of protection of the knee protector,
including potentially weak points.
The zone to be tested is restricted to the orthogonal projection area of the zone of protection (see
Figure 3).
Key
1 zone of protection
2 orthogonal projection of the protection zone
Figure 3 — Orthogonal projection of the protection zone
4.5 Force distribution
4.5.1 Apparatus
4.5.1.1 Test knee
A test knee shall be used. It shall be made out of hard plastics, wood or metal.
The test knee is illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. It shall be equipped with three force transducers placed as
shown in Figures 4 and 5. The surface of the transducers shall be shaped to match the surface of the
“Kandy” knee at the points where they are inserted. The surfaces shall follow the profile of the “Kandy”
knee with a tolerance of ±0,5 mm. The transducers shall have the dimensions shown in Figure 5. The force
transducers shall be connected to a recording system. The overall accuracy of the system shall be ±1 N.
A horizontal test surface shall be used to support a knee protector for the test. This forms the horizontal
plane. The test knee shall be attached to the cross head of a compression tester. The test knee shall be
orientated in the apparatus so that the inclined plane (4) contacting the centre line of the knee at two
points (6 and 7) a distance l (170 ± 30) mm apart is at an angle α (5,0 ± 0,5)° to the horizontal plane.
The IFA (Institut für Arbeitsschutz) test knee “Kandy” is suitable. Further technical details are available at the
CEN/TC 162.
a) Top view of the
test knee with
transducer A, B, C
(front view of the
medial side of the
left knee and upper
shin).
b) Schematic side
view of the test knee
(medial view of the
left knee and upper
shin)
Key
1 force transducer C
2 centre of the face of the middle force transducer B (this is the lowest point of the test knee)
3 direction down the shin towards the ankle
4 inclined plane
5 horizontal plane (even test surface)
6 7 contact points with the inclined plane
8 designation of the force transducers (A=upper (front); B=middle; C=lower (rear))
l distance between 6 and 7 (300 ± 10) mm.
α angle between the inclined plane and the horizontal plane (5,0 ± 0,5)
A force transducer
B force transducer
C force transducer
Figure 4 — Shape of the test knee “Kandy” with the positions of the force transducers
Key
1 force transducer
l Dimension for the height difference between the top sides of the force transducers and the surface of the
“Kandy” test knee. The distance between the surface of the transducer and the surface of the “Kandy” test
knee around it shall be within [0,0; 1,0] mm.
l distance between the centres of the force transducers, (28 ± 2) mm
l diameter of the force transducers, (10 ± 0,1) mm
r1 radius of curvature of the corners of the force transducers, (1,0 ± 0,1) mm
Figure 5 — Dimensions of force transducers and their relationship to the test knee surface
4.5.1.2 Uneven surface
The uneven surface comprises a support plate (non-deforming wooden board or comparable material)
on which M8 bolts are attached introduced from below (underside) and symmetrically offset. These are
secured by a nut on the upper side. The hexagon bolts with shaft shall correspond to EN ISO 4014.
The screw thread with the nut protrudes over the support plate. The scre
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