Standards

EN 1149 – Anti-static (ESD)

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING – ELECTROSTATIC PROPERTIES – PART 5: PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

Antistatic clothing suppresses static charge, thereby preventing sparks, which might cause a fire or explosions. EN 1149-5 is part of a larger system.
EN 1149 consists of the following parts:
– EN1149-1: test methods for the measurement of surface resistance
– EN1149-2: test methods for the measurement of the electrical resistance through a material (vertical resistance)
– EN1149-3: test methods for the measurement of charge decay
– EN1149-4: garment test method (standard currently under development)
– EN1149-5: performance requirements.
The contents of this standard
This standard’s pictogram is a lightning bolt placed above the text NEN EN 1149-5. This standard specifies requirements for clothing that conducts electricity. This clothing (combined with e.g. shoes that conduct electricity) forms part of a completely earthed system. The clothing prevents sparks and therefore explosions.
Different tests
The fabric from which the clothing is made must be EN 1149-1, EN 1149-2 or EN 1149-3 compliant – or entire garments must be tested in accordance with EN 1149-4 (under development). Van Puijenbroek Textiel only works with materials that are EN 1149-1 or EN 1149-3 compliant.
EN 1149-1: Protective clothing – Electrostatic properties, part 1
The fabric releases its electrostatic charge via conduction. In the related test, the surface resistance is determined; it has to be ≤ 2,5 * 109 Ω. Electricity can be conducted via homogeneous or heterogeneous material. If the material is heterogeneous, static electricity has to be released via a grid of conductive fibres (metal/carbon) measuring max. 10 mm x 10 mm.
EN 1149-3: Protective clothing – Electrostatic properties, part 3
The fabric releases its electrostatic charge to the air (and not via conduction). The standard contains a test method in which the amount of time it takes for a static electrical charge to dissipate is measured (Electrostatic Discharge of clothing): t50% < 4 s or S > 0.2.

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EN 13034 – Liquid chemicals

PROTECTION AGAINST LIQUID CHEMICALS

EN 13034:2005 Clothing for protection against liquid chemicals – Requirements for clothing that gives limited protection against liquid chemicals (Type 6 clothing)
This standard specifies the requirements and test methods for type 6 chemical protection suits for one-off and multiple use. For related accessories, such as gloves and boots, which are not an integral part of the suit, see the corresponding product standards.
The contents of this standard
The fabric is tested in various ways to determine its tensile strength and resistance to chemicals. In these tests, 4 solutions of chemicals (H2SO4 30%, NaOH 10%, o-xylene en butan-1-ol) are applied to a fabric sample. The quantities of liquid that drip off and that penetrate the fabric are determined and must be within the tolerances set in the standard.

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EN 343 – Rain, bad weather

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AGAINST RAIN AND BAD WEATHER

EN 343:2003 Protective clothing – Protection against rain
This standard specifies the requirements and test methods for materials and the seams of clothing designed to give protection against precipitation (rain, snow), mist and ground moisture. A separate test has been developed for assessing the rainproofing of complete garments (EN 14360); this test is not included in EN 343.
The contents of this standard
The X value indicates the waterproofing and the Y value indicates the water vapour permeability (the respective garment’s breathability). There are 3 classes in this respect – 3 is the highest (i.e. the most waterproof) and 1 is the lowest. A specific quantity of pressurised water is applied to the fabric (in combination with the insert); the respective class is derived from the amount of pressure the fabric can withstand.
The Y value indicates the breathability of the fabric(s) (all the layers used in the article). There are also 3 classes for breathability. Class 1 is the lowest and Class 3 the highest. Wearing Class 1 articles longer than x minutes is not recommended (the length of time the article may be worn (x) is given in the standard in a table).

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EN ISO 11611 – Welding, metal cutting

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING FOR USE IN WELDING AND ALLIED PROCESSES

EN EN ISO 11611:2007 EN EN ISO 11611:2007 Protective clothing for use in welding and allied processes
The contents of this standard
This standard consists of a series of tests, the most important of which are described in ISO 6942, ISO 9150, ISO 15025 and EN 1149-2. EN ISO 11611 has two classes. If the fabric passes all the tests, it is designated as Class 1. If the fabric receives a Class-2 rating for the ISO 6942 and ISO 9150 tests, it is designated as Class 2.
Different tests
ISO 6942
This is a test method for assessing fabrics and fabric combinations exposed to radiant heat. In this test, a fabric sample is exposed to radiant heat (infrared rays). The temperature on the reverse (unexposed) side of the sample is registered using a calorimeter. Subsequently, the length of time the sample the sample can remain exposed before its temperature rises by 24С is measured. This test is also used for EN 531C and has two different classesю
ISO 9150
Determining the behaviour of fabrics when exposed to small spatters of molten metal. In this test, droplets of molten metal are spattered on a vertically suspended fabric sample. Subsequently, the number of droplets it takes to cause an increase in temperature of 40 °C on the reverse side of the sample is determined. This test also has two classes:
– Class 1 ≥ 15 droplets of molten metal
– Class 2 ≥ 25 droplets of molten metal.
ISO 15025
Test method for limited flame spread. The test consists of applying a flame to a fabric sample for 10 seconds. To pass the test, the after flame & smoulder times and formation of holes must be within the tolerances (set in the standard). This test is also used for EN 531A. The application of a flame can take place in two ways:
– in procedure A (leads to Class A1), the flame is applied horizontally (similarly to EN 470 and EN 531)
– in procedure B (leads to Class A2), the flame is applied laterally.
EN 1149-2
This is a test method for measuring the electrical resistance of a fabric sample and determining whether an electrical charge passes through the sample from the outside to the inside.

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EN ISO 11612 – Heat, flames, fire

CLOTHING TO PROTECT AGAINST HEAT AND FLAME

EN EN ISO 11612: protective clothing for workers exposed to heat and flames (not including welders and firefighters).
This means that the wearer is protected against brief contact with a flame and against (a limited amount of) convective and radiant heat. EN ISO 11612 is scheduled to replace EN 531.
The contents of this standard
The pictogram is given above and is the same as EN 531. This standard has a number of fabric tests. The results of the tests are represented by the letters A, B, C, D, E and F. If a letter is not specified, or if a class is given as “0”, the corresponding lowest test value has not been attained, or the de test has not been carried out (which means the clothing does not have the respective protective properties).
Different tests, codes
11612A (ISO 15025)
This test consists of applying a flame to a fabric sample for 10 seconds. To pass the test, the after flame & smoulder times and formation of holes must be within the tolerances (set in the standard). This test is also used for EN 531A. The application of a flame can take place in two ways:
in procedure A (leads to Class A1), the flame is applied horizontally (similarly to EN 470 and EN 531)
in procedure B (leads to Class A2), the flame is applied laterally.
11612B (ISO 9151)
Convective heat: determination of the heat transmission when exposed to flames. The sample is held above the flame and the rise in temperature on the topside of the sample is measured with a calorimeter. Subsequently, the length of time the sample can remain exposed before its temperature rises by 24 °C is determined.
– B1: 4 < 10 seconds
– B2: 10 < 20 seconds
– B3: 21 seconds and longer
11612C (ISO 6942)
Exposure to radiant heat. In this test, a fabric sample is exposed to radiant heat (infrared rays). The temperature on the reverse (unexposed) side of the sample is registered using a calorimeter. Subsequently, the length of time the sample the sample can remain exposed before its temperature rises by 24 0C is measured. The test procedure is the same as EN ISO 11611, but the classification is different:
– C1: 7 < 20 seconds
– C2: 20 < 50 seconds
– C3: 50 < 95 seconds
– C4: 95 seconds and longer
11612D en E (ISO 9185)
Determining the level of protection against spatters of molten metal. A membrane (with similar properties to human skin) is attached to the reverse of the fabric sample. Subsequently, sequentially rising quantities of molten metal (for the D value – molten aluminium and for the E value – molten iron) are splashed on the sample. The quantity of molten metal which deforms the membrane is determined.
The classification for molten aluminium is:
– D1: 100 < 200 grams
– D2: 200 <350 grams
– D3: 350 grams and more
The classification for molten iron is:
– E1: 60 < 120 grams
– E2: 120 < 200 grams
– E3: 200 grams and more
11612F (ISO 12127)
A new test supplementing 531): contact heat. The classification in this respect:
– F1: 5 < 10 seconds
– F2: 10 < 15 seconds
– F3: 15 seconds and longer
11612Wnn
Optional test for protection against rain. The first “n” refers to the waterproofing class, the second “n” to the water vapour permeability class (see Section 11: EN 343 for explanation)
The requirements set in this standard
The respective clothing must always comply with the flame spread code A1 or A2 and at least 1 of the other codes (B to F). The label must indicate the class that the fabric has attained.

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EN ISO 20471 – High visability

PROTECTION VIA HIGH VISIBILITY DURING THE DAY, AT DUSK AND DURING THE NIGHT

High visibility clothing, certified according to this standard, falls under risk category II. The number next to the pictogram indicates the class to which the item belongs. It depends on the minimum surface of fluorescent and reflective material:
– Class 3 requires 0.8 m² fluorescent surface and 0.2 m² reflective surface.
– Class 2 requires 0.5 m² fluorescent surface and 0.13 m² reflective surface.
What’s the difference with EN 471?
EN ISO 20471 has only one value (x). This number indicates the class to which the item belongs. Value (y) expires with EN ISO 20471, since reflection is only permitted in the highest category.
EN ISO 20471 requires that the maximum number of washing cycles of both reflective bands and fluorescent colour are indicated (only the reflection was assessed in case of EN 471).
What are the requirements for this standard?
1. Conditions regarding the placement of reflective bands
The width of the reflective bands must be at least 50mm (otherwise it will not be included in surface calculation and seen as decorative
A gap (for a closing system or seam) in the band of retroreflective material has a maximum of 50mm. The total amount of such gaps in every band won’t exceed 100mm around the torso and 50mm around the sleeves and legs.
The space between 2 reflective bands must be at least 50mm (with a maximum angle of 20˚) and these bands must sit at least 50mm off the bottom of the garment (like a trouser leg’s seam).
The reflective bands can be applied in various ways. They will only be included in surface calculation when they have been applied according to requirements. This means that the torso, legs and arms have to be encircled twice (or once horizontally with vertical bands across the shoulder)
2. Conditions regarding the fluorescent material:
The fluorescent material must encircle the torso, sleeves and legs with at least 5cm. Gaps in fluorescent material made by reflective bands are permitted (in case of Rijkswaterstaat* clothing: a vertical reflective band of 25mm across the sleeves and legs).
At the front and back, the reflective material shall have an equal 50% ratio +/- 10%.

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IEC 61482 – Electric arc

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AGAINST THE THERMAL HAZARDS OF AN ELECTRIC ARC

This standard was set up for clothing designed to provide protection against the thermal hazards of an electric arc.
Protection against the hazards of an electric arc can be tested in 2 ways:
IEC 61482-1-1: the “open arc” method
This test method is used in thee USA. This test method measures the ATPV value or EBT50. The ATPV value is the value (in cal/cm2) that predicts a 50% of protection against a second degree burn. The higher the value, the better the protection. In America, a minimal ATPV value of 8 is required for employees exposed to electric-arc hazards. The measured ATPV value is mentioned on the label. The HAVEP® 5safety Image collection has an ATPV value of 11.5 cal/cm8.
IEC 61482-1-2: de BOX-test
In Europe, 61482-1-2: the “box” test is used. A fabric sample is exposed to an electric arc produced by a 4kA (class 1) or 7kA (class 2) short circuit. In the test, the arc does not last any longer than 500 ms. The amount of heat transmitted through the sample is measured during and after the test. On the basis of the resulting data and a STOLL curve, the length of time it would take to cause the onset of second-degree burns is subsequently determined. Samples are also assessed for after-flaming, hole formation, melting, etc.
In Europe, 61482-1-2: the “box” test is used (the test method is comparable to 50354).
Besides fabric samples, a complete jacket also has to be tested. The objective of doing this is not to determine the energetic value, but to assess the jacket after exposure to an electric arc for defects in the seams, fastenings and all other accessories.
The requirements set in this standard
The model requirements for welder’s clothing (EN ISO 11611) are used in this standard.

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