ISO 11612 standard: protective clothing against heat and flame

The standards relating to protective clothing are established to protect workers as much as possible against the risks of their occupation . The ISO 11612 standard, for example, is specific to the protection of people exposed to heat and flames. Have you ever wondered how well this standard protects you from these threats? Do you know how it relates to practice (actual situation)? There are points on which it is important to pay attention.

The ISO 11612 standard and its requirements for PPE

To meet the requirements of ISO 11612, PPE must pass at least two tests. The test certified by endorsement A is mandatory. Then, the manufacturer must ensure at least one of the remaining tests (B, C, D, E or F).

During the test, the performance of the materials making up the protective clothing is tested on flame diffusion (test A), convective heat tolerance (test B), radiant heat tolerance (test C), metal in fusion (test D and E) as well as on contact heat (test F).

The test results are ranked according to performance levels. For example, Performance Level 1 indicates that the workwear material provides the minimum protection to pass the test. If you are responsible for your company's PPE, it is advisable to check not only if a fabric has passed the test, but also in what condition.

It is important to understand the different levels of performance, as they are related to the magnitude of the risk. For example, the three performance levels of the E test tell you about protection from different amounts of molten metal splash. E1 represents a splash of molten metal weighing 60 to 120 g and E3 represents molten metal greater than 200 g. Depending on the risk levels of your work environment, you should choose the appropriate performance level.

The ISO 11612 standard in real life

The level of protection for your workers is not only determined by the ISO 11612 standard. There are many elements that can affect the level of safety.

One work environment may be different from another

It is important to consider other hazards in your work environment, as they can affect the level of exposure your workers have to the hazard. This may suggest the need to add other standardized equipment to ensure the safety of your employees.