Changes to heat and flame-protection standards

According to SATRA, the European standard EN ISO 11611 for welders’ garments has replaced EN 470-1. EN ISO 11612 (clothing for protection against heat and flame) and EN ISO 14116 (limited flame-spread tests and requirements for heat and flame clothing) are also due to be replaced by EN 531 and EN 533, respectively.

There are some significant differences between the old and the new standards, for example, all three standards impose requirements for fabric strength, tear resistance, and seam strength, whereas previously only EN 470-1 applied such requirements.

Other points highlighted by SATRA are:

• the new requirement for limited flame-spread testing (depending on the garment design, materials will be tested for limited flame-spread by either surface and/or edge ignition);

• the new requirement for limited flame-spread testing of seams and closures (fasteners/zips);

• EN ISO 11611 introduces a requirement for radiant heat transmission, two classes of performance in the molten metal droplet test and radiant heat test, and an electrical resistance test;

• EN ISO 11612 introduces a heat-resistance test for all materials and a new class of protection (Class F Contact heat);

• the new optional tests include manikin testing, resistance to thermal effects of an arc, water vapour resistance and water-penetration resistance;

• EN ISO 14116 is now a full garment specification, and therefore provides a better basis for type approval of limited flame-spread-only garments than EN 533.

For more information on the new standards, contact Peter Doughty at SATRA by email here.

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