Norms
Play it safe with PPE – Personal Protective Equipment !
Fundamental PPE safety requirements - as well as the measures required for their compliance - are laid down by law in the EU member states in Directive 89/686/EEC. This includes ensuring that the requirements contained in the EC directives and the relevant harmonised EN norms are fulfilled by the supplier. This is carried out on the basis of the
(Comité Européen) marking and the declaration of conformity. Within the framework of the hazard analysis the protective clothing is classified in three categories:
Category I:
PPE where the manufacturer assumes that the user can himself assess the effectiveness with respect to small risks whose effect if it occurs gradually can be perceived by the user in good time and without any danger > marking with the symbol
Category II:
PPE which protects against serious but not life-threatening risks and is therefore not covered by category I or III fällt > marking with the symbol
Category III:
PPE which is intended to protect against life-threatening risks or serious, irreversible damage to health and where the manufacturer assumes that the user is not able to perceive the direct effect in good time > marking with the symbol + code number of the notified supervisory authority
As a reference norm, EN (European Norm) 340 describes the general requirements placed on protective clothing with respect to ergonomics, ageing, size designation, marking and the information that has to be supplied by the manufacturer.
The type designation for the hazards or form of use is indicated by the pictogram in accordance with the marking requirements contained in the specific norm.
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EN 531 / EN 11612 – Protective Clothing for Industrial Workers Exposed to Heat –
Code Letter A: EN 532 – Limited Flame Spread
EN 532 measures the burning behaviour of the material: the surface is exposed to flames for 10 seconds.
Requirements: After-burning ≤2 s; afterglow ≤2 s; no further burning to the upper or side edges; no formation of holes; no burning or melting debris
Code Letter B: EN 367 – Heat Transmission (Convective Heat)
EN 367 measures the rate at which a material allows convective heat to pass from one side of the material to the other. Here it is determined how long it takes until the temperature reaches the pain level (HTI 12) or causes second-degree burns (HTI 24). The heat flux density is 80 kW/m².
Requirements according to the level:
B 1: 3
Code Letter C: EN 366 Method B: Heat Transmission (Radiant Heat)
EN 366 B measures the rate at which a material allows radiant heat to pass from one side of the material to the other. Here it is determined how long it takes until the temperature reaches the pain level (t1) or causes second-degree burns (t2). The heat flux density is 20 kW/m².
Requirements according to the level:
C 1: 8
Code Letter D: EN 373 – Liquid Metall Splashes/new: ISO 9185
EN 373 assesses the material resistance to liquid metal splashes consisting of liquid aluminium and liquid iron. The pouring temperature is 780°C +-20, the pouring height 225 mm +-5 and the angle of the sample 60°C +-1
Requirements according to the level:
In comparison to EN 531 etc, EN 11612 (pictogram of a FLAME) stipulates the following changes:
Test norm: EN ISO 15025: Limited flame spread Method A – Surface Flame Impingement –
-no formation of holes; -no continued burning; -no melting or dripping; -afterflame time ≤2 s;
-afterglow time ≤2 s; -no opening of the seams
Limited flame spread Method B – Edge Flaming
-no continued burning; -no melting or dripping; after-flame time ≤2 s; -afterglow time ≤2 s
Test norm: EN 367: Heat Transmission (Convective Heat) Code Letter B/new: ISO 9151
-B1: 4
Test norm: EN 366. Method B: Heat Transmission (Radiant Heat) Code Letter C/new: ISO 6942 Method B
Values for EN ISO 6942 (20 kW/m²):
-C1: >7 RHTI24<20, -C2: >20 RHTI24<50, -C3: >50 RHTI24<95, -C4: >95 RHTI24
Test norm: ISO 12127: Contact Heat (tc = 250 °C)
-F1: ≥5<10 s, -F2: ≥10<15 s, -F3: ≥15 s
Other changes refer to mechanical and optional requirements, as well as the temperature resistance for the textiles in contact with the skin (260°C) and watertightness in accordance with EN 343 Code Letter W.
EN 470-1 – Protective Clothing for Use in Welding and Allied Processes –
EN 11611
These European Norms lay down the requirements for protective clothing for welding and allied processes with the same type of hazard. In addition to the A1 or A2 coding in the check of the burning behaviour according to ISO 15025, in EN 11611 the classifications for the effect of metal splashes have been changed to Class 1: ≥15 drips and Class 2: ≥25 drips, as well as the heat transmission of radiation according to ISO 6942 (20 kW/m2) to Class 1: RHTI ≥7 s and Class 2: RHTI ≥16 s, in comparison to EN 470-1 – besides further supplementations.
EN 1149 – Electrostatic Properties –
EN 1149 comprises a number of regulations and test procedures for measuring the charge dissipation of the protective clothing or its protective effect against static electricity. Even under everyday working conditions an electric charge of more than 5000 Volts can build up on clothing. If the wearer of the clothing then touches an earthed item, there is a slight electric shock and the creation of a spark. In the presence of inflammable vapours or dusts this discharge of electrostatic energy may be enough to trigger an explosion.
EN 1149-1: lays down the electrostatic requirements and the test methods for electrostatically conductive protective clothing in order to protect against discharges which represent an ignition hazard. The material is placed on an insulating base plate. Then electrodes are put on the material. A direct current potential is applied to the electrodes and the resistance of the material measured in ohms (Ω). The protective clothing has to be designed in such a way that it enables a charge-dissipating effect. Surface resistance: <5 x 1010 Ω
EN 1149-2: is the test method for measuring electric resistance through a material (contact resistance). This EN does not apply to the specification of the protective effect of mains voltages.
EN 1149-3: lays down two methods for determining the dissipation of electrostatic charge from the surface of protective textiles. The test methods can be applied to all materials, including homogeneous and inhomogeneous materials with conductive surface threads or conductive core threads. In the one test method the charge is created by rubbing the material to be tested directly on cylindrical rods. In the other test method the material is charged up by induction, without direct contact. The maximum field strength and the dissipation rate are recorded. On this basis it is possible to calculate the corresponding surface resistance (<5 x 1010 Ω).
EN 1149-5: contains the standard regulations for electrostatically conductive protective clothing which is used as a component of a fully earthed system in order to avoid flammable discharges. The material has to satisfy the requirements contained in EN 1149-3 or -1.
EN 13034 Type 6
EN 13034 – Protective Clothing against Liquid Chemicals – lays down the performance requirements placed on clothing that provides limited protection against chemicals, type 6. It offers limited protection against the effects of liquid aerosols, sprays and light splashes of chemicals. The protective effect against special chemicals has to be tested in advance.
ENV 50354 / IEC 61482-1-2
Protective Clothing for Workers at Risk from Exposure to an Electrical Arc.
For reasons of cost effectiveness and security of supply, a considerable share of the maintenance work performed on electrical switchgear is carried out "live". This applies to both the power grid of the public energy supply companies and to industrial grids. Accidental arcing in the low voltage range is mainly triggered by short-circuits caused by humans working in the vicinity of live components. In the explosion-type process of arc ignition, extreme energy levels are released which are exceptionally hazardous to humans and the environment. Within a fraction of a second temperatures of over 10,000°C can occur which are associated with other specific risks such as heat radiation, the triggering of a pressure wave, the vaporisation and splashes of hot and molten metal, hot oils, fats, chemicals, UV radiation and the consequences of physical and mental shock.
Here protection is provided by
clothing systems whose safety requirements are specified by normative test standards with limiting values and control parameters.
This includes the safeguards contained in ENV 50354, as well as the internationally harmonised IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) 61482-1-2. Besides the underlying BOXTest (controlled arc with a short-circuit current of 4 kA – Class 1 – and 7 kA – Class 2 – (IEC 61482-1-2) in ENV 50354, IEC 61482 also includes the ATPV (Arc Thermal Performance Value) test with an uncontrolled, open arc (IEC 61482-1-1) and a prospective current of 8 kA. The thermal characteristic values serve as a reference for the assessment and simultaneous protection against second-degree burns based on the STOLL curve. Requirements that go beyond the standard values – in the development of 3-pole arcing faults it is possible for short-circuit currents of >7 kA and a longer arcing fault of >0.5 s to occur - have to be laid down separately by the respective energy suppliers and then translated into a specific clothing concept.
INDUSTRYSYMBOL
Fundamental PPE safety requirements - as well as the measures required for their compliance - are laid down by law in the EU member states in Directive 89/686/EEC. This includes ensuring that the requirements contained in the EC directives and the relevant harmonised EN norms are fulfilled by the supplier. This is carried out on the basis of the
(Comité Européen) marking and the declaration of conformity. Within the framework of the hazard analysis the protective clothing is classified in three categories:Category I:
PPE where the manufacturer assumes that the user can himself assess the effectiveness with respect to small risks whose effect if it occurs gradually can be perceived by the user in good time and without any danger > marking with the
symbolCategory II:
PPE which protects against serious but not life-threatening risks and is therefore not covered by category I or III fällt > marking with the
symbolCategory III:
PPE which is intended to protect against life-threatening risks or serious, irreversible damage to health and where the manufacturer assumes that the user is not able to perceive the direct effect in good time > marking with the
symbol + code number of the notified supervisory authorityAs a reference norm, EN (European Norm) 340 describes the general requirements placed on protective clothing with respect to ergonomics, ageing, size designation, marking and the information that has to be supplied by the manufacturer.
| The marking has to include the following information: | |
| A) | Name, trade name or other forms of identification of the manufacturer or the manufacturer's authorised representative |
| B) | Type designation, trade names or code |
| C) | Size designation |
| D) | Number of the specific European Norm (EN) |
| E) | Pictograms and - if appropriate - power levels |
| F) | Care labelling |
The type designation for the hazards or form of use is indicated by the pictogram in accordance with the marking requirements contained in the specific norm.
EN 531 / EN 11612 – Protective Clothing for Industrial Workers Exposed to Heat –
Code Letter A: EN 532 – Limited Flame Spread
EN 532 measures the burning behaviour of the material: the surface is exposed to flames for 10 seconds.
Requirements: After-burning ≤2 s; afterglow ≤2 s; no further burning to the upper or side edges; no formation of holes; no burning or melting debris
Code Letter B: EN 367 – Heat Transmission (Convective Heat)
EN 367 measures the rate at which a material allows convective heat to pass from one side of the material to the other. Here it is determined how long it takes until the temperature reaches the pain level (HTI 12) or causes second-degree burns (HTI 24). The heat flux density is 80 kW/m².
Requirements according to the level:
B 1: 3
Code Letter C: EN 366 Method B: Heat Transmission (Radiant Heat)
EN 366 B measures the rate at which a material allows radiant heat to pass from one side of the material to the other. Here it is determined how long it takes until the temperature reaches the pain level (t1) or causes second-degree burns (t2). The heat flux density is 20 kW/m².
Requirements according to the level:
C 1: 8
Code Letter D: EN 373 – Liquid Metall Splashes/new: ISO 9185
EN 373 assesses the material resistance to liquid metal splashes consisting of liquid aluminium and liquid iron. The pouring temperature is 780°C +-20, the pouring height 225 mm +-5 and the angle of the sample 60°C +-1
Requirements according to the level:
| Liquid aluminium splashes D 1: ≥100<200 g, D 2: ≥200<350 g, D 3: ≥350 g |
Liquid iron splashes E 1: ≥60<120g, E 2: ≥120<200 g, E 3: ≥200 g |
In comparison to EN 531 etc, EN 11612 (pictogram of a FLAME) stipulates the following changes:
Test norm: EN ISO 15025: Limited flame spread Method A – Surface Flame Impingement –
-no formation of holes; -no continued burning; -no melting or dripping; -afterflame time ≤2 s;
-afterglow time ≤2 s; -no opening of the seams
Limited flame spread Method B – Edge Flaming
-no continued burning; -no melting or dripping; after-flame time ≤2 s; -afterglow time ≤2 s
Test norm: EN 367: Heat Transmission (Convective Heat) Code Letter B/new: ISO 9151
-B1: 4
Test norm: EN 366. Method B: Heat Transmission (Radiant Heat) Code Letter C/new: ISO 6942 Method B
Values for EN ISO 6942 (20 kW/m²):
-C1: >7 RHTI24<20, -C2: >20 RHTI24<50, -C3: >50 RHTI24<95, -C4: >95 RHTI24
Test norm: ISO 12127: Contact Heat (tc = 250 °C)
-F1: ≥5<10 s, -F2: ≥10<15 s, -F3: ≥15 s
Other changes refer to mechanical and optional requirements, as well as the temperature resistance for the textiles in contact with the skin (260°C) and watertightness in accordance with EN 343 Code Letter W.
EN 470-1 – Protective Clothing for Use in Welding and Allied Processes –
EN 11611
These European Norms lay down the requirements for protective clothing for welding and allied processes with the same type of hazard. In addition to the A1 or A2 coding in the check of the burning behaviour according to ISO 15025, in EN 11611 the classifications for the effect of metal splashes have been changed to Class 1: ≥15 drips and Class 2: ≥25 drips, as well as the heat transmission of radiation according to ISO 6942 (20 kW/m2) to Class 1: RHTI ≥7 s and Class 2: RHTI ≥16 s, in comparison to EN 470-1 – besides further supplementations.
EN 1149 – Electrostatic Properties –
EN 1149 comprises a number of regulations and test procedures for measuring the charge dissipation of the protective clothing or its protective effect against static electricity. Even under everyday working conditions an electric charge of more than 5000 Volts can build up on clothing. If the wearer of the clothing then touches an earthed item, there is a slight electric shock and the creation of a spark. In the presence of inflammable vapours or dusts this discharge of electrostatic energy may be enough to trigger an explosion.
EN 1149-1: lays down the electrostatic requirements and the test methods for electrostatically conductive protective clothing in order to protect against discharges which represent an ignition hazard. The material is placed on an insulating base plate. Then electrodes are put on the material. A direct current potential is applied to the electrodes and the resistance of the material measured in ohms (Ω). The protective clothing has to be designed in such a way that it enables a charge-dissipating effect. Surface resistance: <5 x 1010 Ω
EN 1149-2: is the test method for measuring electric resistance through a material (contact resistance). This EN does not apply to the specification of the protective effect of mains voltages.
EN 1149-3: lays down two methods for determining the dissipation of electrostatic charge from the surface of protective textiles. The test methods can be applied to all materials, including homogeneous and inhomogeneous materials with conductive surface threads or conductive core threads. In the one test method the charge is created by rubbing the material to be tested directly on cylindrical rods. In the other test method the material is charged up by induction, without direct contact. The maximum field strength and the dissipation rate are recorded. On this basis it is possible to calculate the corresponding surface resistance (<5 x 1010 Ω).
EN 1149-5: contains the standard regulations for electrostatically conductive protective clothing which is used as a component of a fully earthed system in order to avoid flammable discharges. The material has to satisfy the requirements contained in EN 1149-3 or -1.
EN 13034 Type 6
EN 13034 – Protective Clothing against Liquid Chemicals – lays down the performance requirements placed on clothing that provides limited protection against chemicals, type 6. It offers limited protection against the effects of liquid aerosols, sprays and light splashes of chemicals. The protective effect against special chemicals has to be tested in advance.
ENV 50354 / IEC 61482-1-2
Protective Clothing for Workers at Risk from Exposure to an Electrical Arc.
For reasons of cost effectiveness and security of supply, a considerable share of the maintenance work performed on electrical switchgear is carried out "live". This applies to both the power grid of the public energy supply companies and to industrial grids. Accidental arcing in the low voltage range is mainly triggered by short-circuits caused by humans working in the vicinity of live components. In the explosion-type process of arc ignition, extreme energy levels are released which are exceptionally hazardous to humans and the environment. Within a fraction of a second temperatures of over 10,000°C can occur which are associated with other specific risks such as heat radiation, the triggering of a pressure wave, the vaporisation and splashes of hot and molten metal, hot oils, fats, chemicals, UV radiation and the consequences of physical and mental shock.
Here protection is provided by
clothing systems whose safety requirements are specified by normative test standards with limiting values and control parameters.This includes the safeguards contained in ENV 50354, as well as the internationally harmonised IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) 61482-1-2. Besides the underlying BOXTest (controlled arc with a short-circuit current of 4 kA – Class 1 – and 7 kA – Class 2 – (IEC 61482-1-2) in ENV 50354, IEC 61482 also includes the ATPV (Arc Thermal Performance Value) test with an uncontrolled, open arc (IEC 61482-1-1) and a prospective current of 8 kA. The thermal characteristic values serve as a reference for the assessment and simultaneous protection against second-degree burns based on the STOLL curve. Requirements that go beyond the standard values – in the development of 3-pole arcing faults it is possible for short-circuit currents of >7 kA and a longer arcing fault of >0.5 s to occur - have to be laid down separately by the respective energy suppliers and then translated into a specific clothing concept.
INDUSTRYSYMBOL
