SIST EN ISO 15027-3:2026

Immersion suits - Part 3: Test methods (ISO 15027-3:2026)

This document specifies the test methods for constant wear suits and abandonment suits.
Requirements for constant wear suits are given in ISO 15027-1:2026.
Requirements for abandonment suits are given in ISO 15027-2:2026.

Schutzkleidung gegen Unterkühlung im Wasser - Teil 3: Prüfverfahren (ISO 15027-3:2026)

Dieses Dokument legt die Prüfverfahren für Kälteschutzanzüge und Seenot-Kälteschutzanzüge fest.
Anforderungen an Kälteschutzanzüge sind in ISO 15027 1:— angegeben
Anforderungen an Seenot-Kälteschutzanzüge sind in ISO 15027 2:— angegeben.

Combinaisons d'immersion - Partie 3: Méthodes d'essai (ISO 15027-3:2026)

Le présent document spécifie les méthodes d'essai qui s'appliquent aux combinaisons de port permanent et aux combinaisons d'abandon.
Les exigences concernant les combinaisons de port permanent sont données dans l'ISO 15027-1:2026.
Les exigences concernant les combinaisons d'abandon sont données dans l'ISO 15027-2:2026.

Potapljaške obleke - 3. del: Preskusne metode (ISO 15027-3:2026)

Ta dokument določa preskusne metode za obleke za stalno nošenje in obleke za zapustitev.
Zahteve za obleke za stalno nošenje so podane v ISO 15027-1:2026.
Zahteve za obleke za zapustitev so podane v ISO 15027-2:2026.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 26-Jul-2023
• Publication Date: 10-Jun-2026
• ICS: 13.340.10 - Protective clothing
• Technical Committee: OVP - Personal protecting equipment
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 18-May-2026
• Due Date: 23-Jul-2026
• Completion Date: 11-Jun-2026
• Ref Project: EN ISO 15027-3:2026 - Immersion suits - Part 3: Test methods (ISO 15027-3:2026)

Relations

• Replaces: SIST EN ISO 15027-3:2013 - Immersion suits - Part 3: Test methods (ISO 15027-3:2012)
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2026
• Refers: SIST EN 590:2022 - Automotive fuels - Diesel - Requirements and test methods
• Effective Date: 06-May-2026

Overview

SIST EN ISO 15027-3:2026 defines the standardized test methods for immersion suits, specifically constant wear suits and abandonment suits. Issued by SIST in alignment with international ISO standards, this part of the ISO 15027 series ensures uniform performance evaluation of protective clothing designed for water immersion. The document details procedures to assess the durability, buoyancy, thermal protection, and integrity of immersion suits, supporting compliance and safety in professional, industrial, and maritime environments. Requirements for constant wear suits and abandonment suits are specified in ISO 15027-1:2026 and ISO 15027-2:2026, respectively.

Key Topics

• Scope of Testing: Covers test methods for both constant wear and abandonment immersion suits, including preconditioning, sampling, and evaluation.
• Preconditioning Tests:
  • Temperature Cycling Test: Evaluates material durability under extreme temperature fluctuations.
  • Rotating Shock Bin Test: Simulates shipping and handling stresses.
• Physical and Mechanical Assessments:
  • Tensile Strength of Seams: Assesses seam integrity under strain.
  • Suit Strength and Lifting Loop Tests: Examines performance of harnesses and lifting loops.
  • Fuel Resistance Test: Tests suit materials against diesel exposure.
  • Buoyancy Test: Measures suit buoyancy before and after immersion.
• Safety Performance:
  • Flammability Test: Determines reaction to fire and heat.
  • Leakage and Water Ingress Measurement: Ensures the suit's water tightness.
• Thermal Protection:
  • Human subject and thermal manikin testing are included to verify insulation and thermal retention.
• Fit and Ergonomics:
  • Donning, Dexterity, Mobility Tests: Checks the ease of use and wearer mobility.
  • Field of Vision, Secondary Donning, and Climbing Tests: Ensures practical features for survivability.

Applications

• Maritime and Offshore Industries: Ensures immersion suits meet international safety standards for personnel working on or near water, including on ships, oil rigs, and wind farms.
• Search and Rescue Operations: Verifies the reliability and functionality of suits used in emergency evacuation and rescue situations.
• Helicopter Transit: Includes specific procedures for helicopter transit suits, essential for offshore oil and gas industry workers.
• Regulatory Compliance: Assists manufacturers, testing agencies, and regulatory bodies in evaluating and certifying immersion suits according to internationally recognized methods.
• Research and Development: Provides essential performance benchmarks for product innovation and improvement in the design of protective clothing for immersion.

Related Standards

• ISO 15027-1:2026: Immersion suits - Part 1: Requirements for constant wear suits.
• ISO 15027-2:2026: Immersion suits - Part 2: Requirements for abandonment suits.
• EN 590: Automotive fuels – Diesel – Requirements and test methods.
• EN 14225-1:2017: Diving suits - Wet suits - Requirements and test methods.
• ISO 12402 series: Personal flotation devices.
• ISO 811: Textile fabrics – Determination of resistance to water penetration.
• ISO 13935-2: Textiles – Seam tensile properties of fabrics.
• ISO 15831: Clothing – Measurement of thermal insulation using a thermal manikin.
• ISO 12894: Ergonomics of thermal environment – Medical supervision for hot/cold exposure.

Practical Value

Implementing the test methods outlined in SIST EN ISO 15027-3:2026 offers several practical benefits:

• Enhanced Safety: Objective performance criteria help ensure that products protect against hypothermia, cold shock, and other water immersion hazards.
• Global Acceptance: Testing and certifying immersion suits using internationally recognized methods facilitates worldwide trade and deployment.
• Standardized Quality Assurance: Manufacturers and end-users can rely on repeatable, robust testing for product consistency and regulatory approval.
• Versatile Applications: Suitable for a wide range of constant wear and abandonment immersion suits, including specialized helicopter transit PPE.

By adopting these standardized test methods, organizations foster compliance, innovation, and the highest levels of personnel safety in aquatic and maritime environments.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-julij-2026
Nadomešča:
SIST EN ISO 15027-3:2013
Potopne obleke - 3. del: Preskusne metode (ISO 15027-3:2026)
Immersion suits - Part 3: Test methods (ISO 15027-3:2026)
Schutzkleidung gegen Unterkühlung im Wasser - Teil 3: Prüfverfahren (ISO 15027-
3:2026)
Combinaisons d'immersion - Partie 3: Méthodes d'essai (ISO 15027-3:2026)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 15027-3:2026
ICS:
13.340.10 Varovalna obleka Protective clothing
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN ISO 15027-3
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
April 2026
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 13.340.10 Supersedes EN ISO 15027-3:2012
English Version
Immersion suits - Part 3: Test methods (ISO 15027-
3:2026)
Combinaisons d'immersion - Partie 3: Méthodes d'essai Schutzkleidung gegen Unterkühlung im Wasser - Teil
(ISO 15027-3:2026) 3: Prüfverfahren (ISO 15027-3:2026)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 24 March 2026.

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
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 15027-3:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3

European foreword
This document (EN ISO 15027-3:2026) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 188 "Small
craft" in collaboration with Technical Committee CEN/TC 162 “Protective clothing including hand and
arm protection and lifejackets” 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 October 2026, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by October 2026.
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 supersedes EN ISO 15027-3:2012.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards
body/national committee. 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.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 15027-3:2026 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 15027-3:2026 without any
modification.
International
Standard
ISO 15027-3
Third edition
Immersion suits —
2026-04
Part 3:
Test methods
Combinaisons d'immersion —
Partie 3: Méthodes d'essai
Reference number
ISO 15027-3:2026(en) © ISO 2026

ISO 15027-3:2026(en)
© ISO 2026
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
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
ISO 15027-3:2026(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Test methods . 2
4.1 General .2
4.2 Sampling .2
4.3 Temperature cycling test . .2
4.3.1 General .2
4.3.2 Procedure .2
4.4 Rotating shock bin test .3
4.4.1 General .3
4.4.2 Apparatus .3
4.4.3 Procedure .3
4.4.4 Evaluation . .3
4.5 Tensile strength of seams .4
4.6 Fuel resistance test .4
4.7 Buoyancy test .4
4.7.1 Principle .4
4.7.2 Apparatus .4
4.7.3 Procedure .4
4.7.4 Results .4
4.8 Suit strength test .5
4.8.1 Principle .5
4.8.2 Apparatus .5
4.8.3 Procedure .5
4.8.4 Results .6
4.9 Lifting loop test .6
4.9.1 Procedure .6
4.9.2 Results .6
4.10 Flammability test .7
4.10.1 Principle .7
4.10.2 Apparatus .7
4.10.3 Sampling .7
4.10.4 Procedure .7
4.10.5 Evaluation .8
4.11 Cleaning .8
4.12 Human test subjects .8
4.12.1 Instruction and selection .8
4.12.2 Number and sizes of human test subjects .8
4.12.3 Gender of human test subjects .9
4.12.4 Fitness of human test subjects .9
4.12.5 Dress of human test subjects.9
4.12.6 Pass/fail criteria .9
4.13 Water ingress measurement .10
4.13.1 Water ingress measurement for jumping.10
4.13.2 Water ingress measurement for swimming .10
4.14 Thermal test.11
4.14.1 General .11
4.14.2 Using a thermal manikin .11
4.14.3 Using human test subjects .14
4.15 Ergonomic performance testing .16
4.15.1 General .16
4.15.2 Donning .17

iii
ISO 15027-3:2026(en)
4.15.3 Walking .18
4.15.4 Climbing .18
4.15.5 Dexterity and mobility .19
4.16 In-water performance and field of vision tests .19
4.16.1 Jump test .19
4.16.2 Secondary donning . . 20
4.16.3 Turning test . 20
4.16.4 Conspicuity . 20
4.16.5 Field of vision. 20
4.16.6 Swim and boarding test .21
4.17 Helicopter transit suits .21
4.17.1 Helicopter escape .21
4.17.2 Buoyancy measurement .21
Annex A (informative) Test results — Uncertainty of measurement .23
Annex B (normative) Test protocol and checklist for thermal manikin testing .24
Annex C (normative) Thermal manikin — Means of circulated water .31
Annex D (normative) Correlation of thermal manikin systems.32
Annex E (informative) Thermal insulation identification for suit material — Test methods.34
Annex F (informative) Medical fitness assessment for human thermal testing in cold water . 41
Bibliography .42

iv
ISO 15027-3:2026(en)
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 document 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).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
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 188, Small craft, Subcommittee SC 1, Personal
safety equipment, in collaboration with the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Technical
Committee CEN/TC 162, Protective clothing including hand and arm protection and lifejackets, in accordance
with the Agreement on technical cooperation between ISO and CEN (Vienna Agreement).
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 15027-3:2012), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— the terms and definitions have been revised;
— in Clause 4, the order of testing has been changed and clarified;
— in 4.3, a temperature and cycling test procedure for suits stored in sealed storage bags has been added;
— in 4.5, a test for tensile strength of seams has been added;
— in 4.7, a buoyancy test has been added;
— in 4.8, a suit strength test has been added;
— in 4.9, a lifting loop test has been added;
— in 4.12.2, the number and sizes of human test subjects have been revised;
— in 4.14.2, the use of a thermal manikin has been revised;
— Annex B “Test protocol and checklist for thermal manikin testing” has been added;
— Annex C “Thermal manikin — Means of circulated water” has been added;
— Annex D “Correlation of thermal manikin systems” has been added;
— Annex E “Thermal insulation identification for suit material — Test methods” has been added;

v
ISO 15027-3:2026(en)
— Annex F “Medical fitness assessment for human thermal testing in cold water” has been added.
A list of all parts in the ISO 15027 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.

vi
International Standard ISO 15027-3:2026(en)
Immersion suits —
Part 3:
Test methods
1 Scope
This document specifies the test methods for constant wear suits and abandonment suits.
Requirements for constant wear suits are given in ISO 15027-1:2026.
Requirements for abandonment suits are given in ISO 15027-2:2026.
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 811:2018, Textiles — Determination of resistance to water penetration — Hydrostatic pressure test
ISO 12402-9:2020, Personal flotation devices — Part 9: Evaluation
ISO 12894:2001, Ergonomics of the thermal environment — Medical supervision of individuals exposed to
extreme hot or cold environments
ISO 13935-2:2014, Textiles — Seam tensile properties of fabrics and made-up textile articles — Part 2:
Determination of maximum force to seam rupture using the grab method
ISO 15027-1:2026, Immersion suits — Part 1: Safety and performance requirements for constant wear suits
ISO 15027-2:2026, Immersion suits — Part 2: Safety and performance requirements for abandonment suits
ISO 15831:2004, Clothing — Physiological effects — Measurement of thermal insulation by means of a thermal
manikin
EN 590:2022, Automotive fuels — Diesel — Requirements and test methods
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 15027-1:2026, ISO 15027-2:2026
and the following 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/
3.1
test panel
group of persons experienced in testing immersion suits who observe the test subject undergoing the tests

ISO 15027-3:2026(en)
3.2
thermal manikin system
equipment for measuring thermal insulation of immersion suit systems, including a human-shaped,
instrumented (temperature sensors and heaters) thermal manikin and a control system with a computer
interface
4 Test methods
4.1 General
Requirements for which no special test methods are given in this document shall be tested in one of the
following ways:
a) by tests referred to in ISO 15027-1:2026 and ISO 15027-2:2026; or
b) by measurement; or
c) by visual assessment; or
d) by functional test.
Prior to testing, materials and components shall be conditioned for (24 ± 0,1) h under standard atmosphere.
The temperature cycling test and the rotating shock bin test shall be carried out as preconditioning before
any other tests are carried out.
Annex A provides further information on uncertainty of measurement.
4.2 Sampling
Where materials and components are common to a range of suits, it is permitted to test just one sample of
each material or component, unless specified otherwise by the relevant test procedure.
Samples for testing shall be taken from the original garment or from material or materials used in the
finished garment.
When the number of samples to be tested is “at least [x]” or “a minimum of [x]” that number of [x] samples
shall be tested.
4.3 Temperature cycling test
4.3.1 General
The temperature cycling test shall be carried out as a preconditioning before all other tests.
4.3.2 Procedure
The suit, along with any attachments, shall be subjected to the following exposures with the suit packed in
accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
For suits supplied in a sealed storage bag, such as hermetically sealed or vacuum packed, the suit samples
shall be exposed to this test in this condition, including the storage bag.
The suit shall be subjected to 10 alternating cycles of 8 h continuous exposures to temperatures of
(65 ± 2) °C and (– 30 ± 2) °C. These alternating temperatures need not follow immediately after each other.
On completion of the temperature cycling test, the suit shall be visually inspected for signs of degradation to
the materials or construction or to any attachments.

ISO 15027-3:2026(en)
4.4 Rotating shock bin test
4.4.1 General
The rotating shock bin test shall be carried out as a preconditioning after the temperature cycling test in 4.3
but before all other tests.
4.4.2 Apparatus
The equipment used shall be as shown in Figure 1.
4.4.2.1 Box, of specific design made from plywood board or equivalent, the inside surface of which shall
be coated with hard plastic laminate or similar. The bearing of the bin shall be in the centre of the mass and
shall permit the bin to be rotated freely.
Dimensions in millimetres
NOTE In this figure, dimensions are identical once rotated 180° on its central axis.
Figure 1 — Design of rotation shock bin apparatus
4.4.3 Procedure
The suit shall be placed in the bin through a flush panel in one of its faces, which shall then be closed and
−1
secured. The bin shall then be rotated for a total of 150 revolutions at a steady rate of 6 min .
4.4.4 Evaluation
On completion of the revolutions, the suit shall be removed from the shock bin and examined for signs of
wear and tear, and for any signs that the thermal insulation material has migrated.

ISO 15027-3:2026(en)
4.5 Tensile strength of seams
The tensile strength of seams shall be measured on separate samples using the grab method given in
ISO 13935-2:2014, using specimens of at least 60 mm width and with at least 100 mm of material on each
side of the test point, with four similar seams for each type of seam including the seam between fastening
devices, including zip fasteners, and fabric.
4.6 Fuel resistance test
Three samples of all exterior fabrics, typical seams, apertures and components shall be placed in a suitable
container and submerged under a 100 mm head of diesel in accordance with EN 590:2022 at a temperature
of (20 ± 2) °C for 24 h. After removal from the container, remove the surface diesel by wiping. Subject the
samples to a hydrostatic test in accordance with ISO 811:2018 with a speed of 10 cm/min until 1 000 mm
water head and then carry out a tensile seam strength test according to 4.5.
4.7 Buoyancy test
4.7.1 Principle
The buoyancy of a suit that is designed to be used without a personal flotation device (PFD) shall be
measured using Archimedes’ principle of weighing the submerged device in water, as specified in 4.7.3.
Any inflatable chambers required to meet ISO 15027-2:2026, 4.11.8, shall be inflated.
The buoyancy of the suit shall be measured and recorded after entrapped air has been removed, and 24 h
after the initial buoyancy has been measured.
4.7.2 Apparatus
4.7.2.1 Weighted cage, with a submerged weight greater than 1,1 times its expected buoyancy value.
4.7.2.2 Tank, of fresh water, deep enough to accommodate the device horizontally with its upper surface
at a depth of 100 mm to 150 mm below the water surface without contacting the sides of the tank or the
bottom and supported by a calibrated load cell or balance.
4.7.3 Procedure
The suit shall be enclosed in a weighted cage (4.7.2.1).
The cage shall be suspended from the load cell in fresh water at a temperature of (20 ± 5) °C so that the
upper surface of the horizontally positioned suit is submerged at 100 mm to 150 mm below the surface. The
combined immersed weight shall be recorded as A.
05,
The assembly shall remain immersed for 24,0 h , after which time the combined immersed weight shall

0
again be recorded as B.
The suit shall finally be removed from the cage. The weighted cage (4.7.2.1) shall again be immersed and the
result again recorded as C.
The water temperature, air temperature and atmospheric pressure shall be recorded at the start of each test
and then after completion of each test.
4.7.4 Results
The buoyancy values shall be corrected to a water temperature of 20 °C and an atmospheric pressure of
101,325 kPa.
ISO 15027-3:2026(en)
The initial buoyancy is obtained by subtracting A from C. The final buoyancy is obtained by subtracting B
from C. The buoyancy lost during immersion is obtained by subtracting the final buoyancy from the initial
buoyancy.
4.8 Suit strength test
4.8.1 Principle
The suit shall be subject to tension via its integral structure, such as waist belt or harness arrangement, by
means of a specified load.
4.8.2 Apparatus
4.8.2.1 Horizontally suspended upper cylinder, of diameter (50 ± 5) mm for child suits, or of diameter
(125 ± 10) mm for adult suits. The length of the test cylinder shall be sufficient to accommodate the full
width of the portion of the suit under test, as shown in Figure 2.
Key
1 immersion suit 5 weight
2 suspension point 6 bottom cylinder
3 rope or cable 7 top cylinder
4 suit closure (closed)
Figure 2 — Suit strength test
4.8.3 Procedure
The suit shall withstand a load of 1 350 N for 30 min, without tearing, seams ripping, parts breaking or other
damage that permits water entry or otherwise affects the intended performance of the suit. One sample of
the suit shall be tested. Prior to the application of the load, the suit shall be immersed in water for at least
2 min. The suit shall be placed in the test apparatus immediately after the immersion.
The load shall be applied by means of two cylinders (4.8.2.1), as illustrated in Figure 2.
With the suit supported by the top cylinder and the primary suit closures closed and adjusted to simulate
use, a weight shall be attached to the bottom cylinder by means of ropes or cables to apply the required load

ISO 15027-3:2026(en)
to the suit. When required, to accommodate the test apparatus, the suit shall be cut at the wrists or waist, or
holes shall be cut into the suit.
4.8.4 Results
The suit shall be examined for any failures resulting in functional damage of the suit.
4.9 Lifting loop test
4.9.1 Procedure
The suit shall be fitted to the appropriately sized dummy such as that shown in ISO 12401:2009, 5.2.2.2, or
the appropriately sized test form (see Figure 3) according to the manufacturer’s donning and adjustment
instructions.
A cylinder, (50 ± 5) mm in diameter, shall be put through the loop and a load of 3 200 N shall be applied
steadily until the suit is hanging freely. The load shall be maintained for 30 min and shall include the mass of
the dummy or test form (see Figure 3).
Key
Dimensions in millimetres
Size A B C D E F G H I
Adult 610 114 76,2 127 381 432 508 25,4 178
Child 508 102 76,2 102 279 330 406 22,2 152
Infant 305 63,5 38,1 63,5 191 203 241 19,1 76,2
NOTE General tolerances ISO 2768-1:1989, tolerance level “v”.
Figure 3 — Test form for vertical load test, lifting loop and buddy lines
4.9.2 Results
The suit and lifting loop shall be examined for any failures resulting in functional damage of the suit.

ISO 15027-3:2026(en)
4.10 Flammability test
4.10.1 Principle
The suit system, excluding a separate PFD, is passed over a test pan with burning test fuel to determine if the
suit system burns or continues to melt after removal.
4.10.2 Apparatus
4.10.2.1 Test pan, (300 ± 20) mm × (350 ± 20) mm × (65 ± 5) mm.
4.10.2.2 Test fuel: petrol or n-heptane.
4.10.3 Sampling
One suit system, excluding a separate PFD, shall be subjected to the flammability test
4.10.4 Procedure
Place a test pan (4.10.2.1) in a draught-free area so that the suit system travels freely across the diagonal
distance of the test pan.
Fill the test pan (4.10.2.1) with water to a depth of 10 mm, followed by enough petrol or n-heptane to make a
minimum total depth of 40 mm.
Ignite the petrol or n-heptane and allow to burn freely for 30 s.
Drape the suit system over a suitable hanger, folded at the waist with the front outward. The bottom of the
suit shall be (250 ± 20) mm from the top edge of the test pan (4.10.2.1), see Figure 4. Secure loose parts
above the lower part of the suit.
Then expose the suit system at a constant speed that allows the suit system to be exposed to the flames
for (2 ± 0,1) s. The suit system shall start and finish the test 2 m away from the closest edge of the test pan
(4.10.2.1).
ISO 15027-3:2026(en)
Dimensions in millimetres
Key
a
1 suit Start.
b
2 test pan Finish.
Figure 4 — Flammability test
4.10.5 Evaluation
It shall be reported if the suit system, excluding a separate PFD, is destroyed by the flames. It shall be
reported whether the suit sustains burning or continues melting 6 s after being removed from the flames.
4.11 Cleaning
Suit samples shall be cleaned in accordance with the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions to condition them
prior to testing. Five cleaning cycles shall be undertaken.
4.12 Human test subjects
4.12.1 Instruction and selection
All human test subjects shall be familiar with the use of the suit under test. They shall be informed and
instructed on the potential hazards of the tests.
4.12.2 Number and sizes of human test subjects
Where tests call for the use of human test subjects, unless otherwise specified, six people shall be used, each
wearing a suit of the appropriate size for the test subject, fitted in accordance with the stated height and
chest size of the suit. Their body sizes shall be within the values for height and mass shown in Table 1.

ISO 15027-3:2026(en)
When selecting test subjects, care should be taken to achieve an evenly spaced range of subject height and
body mass.
If certain subject sizes in Table 1 are not applicable for the specific suit sizing, then subjects within the size
range of the suits shall be selected, for a minimum of six subjects. The sizes of the subjects should be evenly
distributed as much as possible to cover the range appropriate for the suit.
Table 1 — Human test subject sizes
Height Mass
Subject
category
mm kg
1 1 400 to 1 600 1 person under 60
2 1 400 to 1 600 1 person over 60
3 1 601 to 1 800 1 person under 70
4 1 601 to 1 800 1 person over 70
5 > 1 800 1 person under 80
6 > 1 800 1 person over 100
NOTE Size categories relate to the size of test subjects only and do not relate to the size ranges of the suit products.
4.12.3 Gender of human test subjects
At least one and not more than three of the persons should be female.
If the suit is gender specific, all subjects shall be of the specific gender.
4.12.4 Fitness of human test subjects
The persons conforming to the criteria given in 4.12.1 shall:
— be capable of relaxing when in water out of their depth; and
— be able to swim for 20 min and cover a distance of 350 m with the aid of an approved PFD as recommended
by the manufacturer and, after sufficient rest, board the life raft or platform specified in 4.16.6.
4.12.5 Dress of human test subjects
Throughout the tests given in 4.13 to 4.16, unless otherwise specified, the underclothing specified by the
manufacturer or, if not specified by the manufacturer, the standard underclothing according to 4.14.2.2,
shall be worn by each human test subject.
4.12.6 Pass/fail criteria
Due to the high variability between human test subjects and the difficulty in assessing some subjective
measures, it is permitted that a device does not completely meet the requirements of the subjective tests
given in 4.13 to 4.16 in a single sample and in no more than one human test subject. Two other human test
subjects within the same body mass category and with the same gender, wearing the same size of suit, shall
be subjected to the same test and before the same test panel. If this additional test is still not clearly passed,
then the device is deemed to have failed, while if it is clearly passed by the additional two subjects, the test
panel may deem that the device has passed the test overall.
NOTE For the purposes of this clause, “subjective tests” includes all tests that require the participation of human
test subjects.
ISO 15027-3:2026(en)
4.13 Water ingress measurement
4.13.1 Water ingress measurement for jumping
4.13.1.1 All suit samples shall be cleaned in accordance with 4.11 prior to the water ingress tests.
4.13.1.2 Each human test subject shall wear the suit system, excluding a separate PFD, with the standard
underclothing as specified by the manufacturer or, if not specified by the manufacturer, the standard
underclothing according to 4.14.2.2. The human test subject shall carefully enter the pool using the pool
ladder and remain there for at least 2 min in order to completely pre-wet the suit. The suit shall be vented
of excess air prior to this test according to the instructions of the manufacturer. If there is an inflatable
element on the suit, it shall not be inflated for this test.
4.13.1.3 The human test subject shall then climb out using the pool ladder, crouch, stretch, shake limbs
and then stand to permit excess water to run off the exterior of the suit and to remove the water from all
trapped areas. After 1 min, the human test subject shall be weighed, in order to establish the human test
subject’s gross mass before the leak test starts. The weighing scales shall have a capacity up to 150 kg, and a
resolution of 0,02 kg or better.
4.13.1.4 Immediately after the pre-wetting and weighing, a PFD shall be donned and inflated if required.
The human test subject shall then cover the mouth and nose with one hand and cross the other arm over the
top, grasping the shoulder of the suit or of the PFD. The human test subject shall then jump vertically, feet
+05,
first, into the pool from a height of (,45 )m .
4.13.1.5 After the jump, the human test subject shall climb out using the pool ladder, remove the PFD if
used, crouch, stretch, shake limbs and then stand to remove free water from all trapped areas. After 1 min,
the human test subject shall be weighed again. The increase in mass shall be recorded as the water ingress
from jumping for that individual test subject.
The suit shall then be removed to record the location of water ingress in the suit and the areas of wetted
underclothing.
The mean shall be calculated from the individual water ingress results of all of the subjects’ jump tests.
4.13.2 Water ingress measurement for swimming
4.13.2.1 Following the water ingress measurement for jumping, the human test subject shall re-don the suit
system using a dry set of underclothing and vent the suit. The human test subject shall then carefully enter
the pool using the pool ladder and remain there for at least 2 min in order to completely pre-wet the suit.
4.13.2.2 The human test subject shall then climb out using the pool ladder, crouch, stretch, shake limbs and
then stand to permit excess water to run off the exterior of the s
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