ISO/TC 94/SC 13/WG 2 - Protective clothing against heat and flame

This document specifies a test method for measuring the heat transferred through horizontally mounted flame-resistant textile materials when exposed to a combination of convective and radiant heat. The exposure conditions are adjusted to be approximately a 50/50 mixture of pure convective heat and pure radiant heat. The total exposure heat flux is 84 kW/m2. This test method is applicable to any type of sheet material used either as a single layer or in a multilayer construction when all structures or sub-assemblies are made of flame-resistant materials. It does not apply to materials that are not flame resistant. This test method does not apply to the evaluation of materials exposed to any other type of thermal energy sources, such as radiant heat only or flame contact only. ISO 6942 is applicable when evaluating materials for exposure to radiant heat only. ISO 9151 is applicable when evaluating materials due to flame contact only. NOTE Some, but not all, textiles materials can ignite and continue to burn after exposure to the convective and radiant heat produced by this test method.

ISO 13506-2:2017 provides technical details for calculating predicted burn injury to human skin when its surface is subject to a varying heat flux, such as may occur due to energy transmitted through and by a garment or protective clothing ensemble exposed to flames. A series of test cases are provided against which the burn injury prediction calculation method is verified. It also contains requirements for the in situ calibration of the thermal energy sensor ? skin injury prediction system for the range of heat fluxes that occur under garments. The skin burn injury calculation methods as presented in this test method do not include terms for handling short wavelength radiation that may penetrate the skin. The latter include arc flashes, some types of fire exposures with liquid or solid fuels, and nuclear sources.

ISO 13506-1:2017 specifies the overall requirements, equipment and calculation methods to provide results that can be used for evaluating the performance of complete garments or protective clothing ensembles exposed to short duration flame engulfment. This test method establishes a rating system to characterize the thermal protection provided by single-layer and multi-layer garments made of flame resistant materials. Any material construction such as coated, quilted or sandwich can be used. The rating is based on the measurement of heat transfer to a full-size manikin exposed to convective and radiant energy in a laboratory simulation of a fire with controlled heat flux, duration and flame distribution. The heat transfer data are summed over a prescribed time to give the total transferred energy. For the purposes of this test method, the incident heat flux is limited to a nominal level of 84 kW/m2 and limited to exposure durations of 3 s to 12 s dependant on the risk assessment and expectations from the thermal insulating capability of the garment. The results obtained apply only to the particular garments or ensembles, as tested, and for the specified conditions of each test, particularly with respect to the heat flux, duration and flame distribution. This test method requires a visual evaluation, observation and inspection on the overall behaviour of the test specimen during and after the exposure as the garment or complete ensemble on the manikin is recorded before, during and after the flame exposure. Visuals of the garment or complete ensemble on the manikin are recorded (i.e. video and still images) before, during and after the flame exposure. This also applies to the evaluation of protection for the hands or the feet when they do not contain sensors. For the interfaces of ensembles tested, the test method is limited to visual inspection. The effects of body position and movement are not addressed in this test method. The heat flux measurements can also be used to calculate the predicted skin burn injury resulting from the exposure (see ISO 13506-2). This test method does not simulate high radiant exposures such as those found in arc flash exposures, some types of fire exposures where liquid or solid fuels are involved, nor exposure to nuclear explosions. NOTE 1 This test method provides information on material behaviour and a measurement of garment performance on a stationary upright manikin. The relative size of the garment and the manikin and the fit of the garment on the shape of the manikin have an important influence on the performance. NOTE 2 This test method is complex and requires a high degree of technical expertise in both the test setup and operation. NOTE 3 Even minor deviations from the instructions in this test method can lead to significantly different test results.

ISO 17493:2016 describes a test method for evaluating the heat resistance of protective clothing materials or items and equipment when exposed in a hot air circulating oven. The method is intended to evaluate physical changes in a material at a given exposure temperature. Materials are evaluated for defined visible changes including the measurement of shrinkage. Different procedures are provided depending on the type of the protective clothing material or item being tested.

ISO 15025:2016 specifies two procedures (surface ignition and bottom-edge ignition) for determining flame spread properties of vertically oriented flexible materials in the form of single or multicomponent fabrics (coated, quilted, multilayered, sandwich constructions and similar combinations), when subjected to a small defined flame. This test standard does not apply to situations where there is restricted air supply or exposure to large sources of intense heat, for which other test methods are more appropriate. This test method is not appropriate for materials that demonstrate extensive melting or shrinkage.

ISO 9151:2016 specifies a method for determining the heat transmission through materials or material assemblies used in protective clothing. Materials may then be ranked by comparing heat transfer indices, which provide an indication of the relative heat transmission under the specified test conditions. The heat transfer index should not be taken as a measure of the protection time given by the tested materials under actual use conditions.

ISO 12127-1:2015 specifies a test method for the determination of contact heat transmission. It is applicable to protective clothing (including hand protectors) and its constituent materials intended to protect against high contact temperatures. ISO 12127-1:2015 is restricted to contact temperatures between 100 °C and 500 °C.

ISO 14116:2015 specifies the performance requirements for the limited flame spread properties of all materials, all material assemblies, and protective clothing in order to reduce the possibility of the clothing burning when in occasional and brief contact with small flames and thereby constituting a hazard. Additional requirements for clothing are also specified, including design requirements, mechanical requirements, marking, and information supplied by the manufacturer. When protection against heat hazards is necessary, in addition to protection against flame, this International Standard is not appropriate. International Standards such as ISO 11612 are to be used instead. A classification system is given for materials, material assemblies, and garments which are tested according to ISO 15025, Procedure A.

ISO 11611:2015 specifies minimum basic safety requirements and test methods for protective clothing including hoods, aprons, sleeves, and gaiters that are designed to protect the wearer's body including head (hoods) and feet (gaiters) and that are to be worn during welding and allied processes with comparable risks. For the protection of the wearer's head and feet, this International Standard is only applicable to hoods and gaiters. This International Standard does not cover requirements for feet, hand, face, and/or eye protectors. This type of protective clothing is intended to protect the wearer against spatter (small splashes of molten metal), short contact time with flame, radiant heat from an electric arc used for welding and allied processes, and minimizes the possibility of electrical shock by short-term, accidental contact with live electrical conductors at voltages up to approximately 100 V d. c. in normal conditions of welding. Sweat, soiling, or other contaminants can affect the level of protection provided against short-term accidental contact with live electric conductors at these voltages. For adequate overall protection against the risks to which welders are likely to be exposed, personal protective equipment (PPE) covered by other International Standards should additionally be worn to protect the head, face, hands, and feet. Guidance for the selection of the type of welders clothing for different welding activities is detailed in Annex A.

ISO 11612:2015 specifies performance requirements for protective clothing made from flexible materials, which are designed to protect the wearer's body, except the hands, from heat and/or flame. For protection of the wearer's head and feet, the only items of protective clothing falling within the scope of ISO 11612:2015 are gaiters, hoods, and overboots. However, concerning hoods, requirements for visors and respiratory equipment are not given. The performance requirements set out in ISO 11612:2015 are applicable to protective clothing which could be worn for a wide range of end uses, where there is a need for clothing with limited flame spread properties and where the user can be exposed to radiant or convective or contact heat or to molten metal splashes.

ISO 9185:2007 specifies a method for assessing the heat penetration resistance of materials intended for use in clothing to protect against large splashes of molten metal. It provides specific procedures for assessing the effects of splashes of molten aluminium, molten cryolite, molten copper, molten iron and molten mild steel. The principle of the test method is applicable to a wider range of hot molten materials than those for which specific procedures are set out, provided that appropriate measures are applied to protect the test operator.

ISO/TR 2801:2007 sets out guidance for the selection, use, care and maintenance of clothing designed to provide protection against heat and flame.

ISO 6942 specifies two complementary methods (method A and method B) for determining the behaviour of materials for heat protective clothing subjected to heat radiation. These tests are carried out on representative single or multi-layer textiles or other materials intended for clothing for protection against heat. They are also applicable to assemblies, which correspond to the overall build up of a heat protective clothing assembly with or without underclothing. Method A serves for visual assessment of any changes in the material after the action of heat radiation. With method B, the protective effect of the materials is determined. The materials may be tested either by both methods or only by one of them. The tests carried out according to these two methods serve to classify materials; however, to be able to make a statement or prediction as to the suitability of a material for protective clothing, it is necessary to take into account additional criteria. Since the tests are carried out at room temperature, the results do not necessarily correspond to the behaviour of the materials at higher ambient temperatures and therefore are only to a limited extent suitable for predicting the performance of the protective clothing made from the materials under test.

Forms a part of a series concernes with clothing designed to protect against heat and fire. The diversity of the conditions in which splashes of molten metal may come into contact with materials used makes it difficult to evalute the hazards that may arise under conditions of use.

ISO 11612:2008 specifies performance requirements for garments made from flexible materials, which are designed to protect the wearer's body, except the hands, from heat and/or flame. For protection of the wearer's head and feet, the only items of protective clothing falling within the scope of this International Standard are gaiters, hoods and overboots. However, concerning hoods, requirements for visors and respiratory equipment are not given. The performance requirements set out in ISO 11612:2008 are applicable to garments which could be worn for a wide range of end uses, where there is a need for clothing with limited flame spread properties and where the user can be exposed to radiant or convective or contact heat or to molten metal splashes.

ISO 12127-1:2007 specifies a test method for the determination of contact heat transmission. It is applicable to protective clothing (including hand protectors) and its contituent materials intended to protect against high contact temperatures. Application of ISO 12127-1:2007 is restricted to contact temperatures between 100 °C and 500 °C.

ISO 11611:2007 specifies minimum basic safety requirements and test methods for protective clothing including hoods, aprons, sleeves and gaiters that are designed to protect the wearer's body including head (hoods) and feet (gaiters) and that are to be worn during welding and allied processes with comparable risks. For the protection of the wearer's head and feet, ISO 11611:2007 is only applicable to hoods and gaiters. ISO 11611:2007 does not cover requirements for hand protection. This type of protective clothing is intended to protect the wearer against spatter (small splashes of molten metal), short contact time with flame, radiant heat from the arc, and minimizes the possibility of electrical shock by short-term, accidental contact with live electrical conductors at voltages up to approximately 100 V d.c. in normal conditions of welding. Sweat, soiling or other contaminants can affect the level of protection provided against short-term accidental contact with live electric conductors at these voltages. ISO 11611:2007 specifies two classes with specific performance requirements, i.e. Class 1 being the lower level and Class 2 the higher level. Class 1 is protection against less hazardous welding techniques and situations, causing lower levels of spatter and radiant heat. Class 2 is protection against more hazardous welding techniques and situations, causing higher levels of spatter and radiant heat. For adequate overall protection against the risks to which welders are likely to be exposed, personal protective equipment (PPE) covered by other standards should additionally be worn to protect the head, face, hands and feet.

ISO 17492:2003 specifies a test method for measuring the heat transfer of horizontally mounted flame-resistant textile materials when exposed to a combination of convective and radiant energy. This test method can be used for any type of sheet material used either as a single layer or in a multilayer construction when all structures or sub-assemblies are made of flame-resistant materials. It is not intended to be used on materials that are not flame resistant. This test method is not intended for evaluating materials exposed to any other type of thermal-energy sources, such as radiant heat only or flame contact only. Use ISO 6942 when evaluating heat-transfer through materials due to radiant heat only and use ISO 9151 when evaluating heat-transfer through materials due to flame contact only. ISO 17492:2003 should be used to measure and describe the properties of materials, products or assemblies in response to both convective and radiant energy under controlled laboratory conditions and should not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire risk of materials, products or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However, the results of this test method may be used as elements of a fire-risk assessment which takes into account all of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a particular end use.

Gives a test method for the determination of contact heat transmission. Applies to protective clothing including protective gloves intended to protect against high contact temperatures. Scope of application is restricted to contact temperatures between 100 °C and 500 °C.

Specifies a method for comparing the heat transmission through materials or material assemblies used in protective clothing. Materials are ranked by calculation of a heat transfer index, which is an indication of the relative heat transmission under the specified test conditions. The heat transfer index should not be taken as a measure of the protection time given by the tested materials under actual use conditions.

Specifies two complementary methods carried out at room temperature: method A is used for visual assessment of any changes in the material after the action of heat radiation; with method B, the protective effect of the materials is determined. The materials may be tested either by both methods or by only one of them. The tests according to these two methods serve to classify materials; however, to be able to make a statement or prediction as to the suitability of a material for protective clothing additional criteria must be taken into account.