PROTECTIVE CLOTHING FOR FOREST FIREFIGHTERS
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING FOR FIREFIGHTERS. TEST METHODS AND REQUIREMENTS
This document specifies test methods and minimum performance requirements for personal protective clothing, designed to protect the wearer’s body, except for the head, hands, and feet, worn during wildland firefighting and associated activities. . This clothing is not designed to provide protection during entrapment or structural firefighting, rescue, or to protect against chemical, biological, electrical, or radiation hazards. This document does not provide protection against high mechanical risks such as protection when using chainsaws.
Samples must be representative. There are tests that are required in original and/or after cleaning.
The pre-treatment of the fabric will be a minimum of 5 cycles and/or according to the manufacturer’s instructions (EN6330, Method 6N [60±3ºC] + drying F [40ºC-80].
Before all the tests and after having carried out the specified pre-treatment, the samples will be conditioned according to ISO 139 for a minimum of 24 hours (20ºC ±2 at relative humidity 65ºC±5).
Protective clothing may be composed of:
The general requirements must comply with ISO 13688. They must not restrict the user in any of the movements expected to be made during the spread of wildfires, eg stooping, reaching, twisting and crouching.
Closure systems, tag accessories, touch fasteners and zippers, retro-reflective and/or fluorescent materials… attached to personal protective clothing must be designed so as not to adversely affect the performance of the clothing. These closure systems must prevent debris from entering the flames.
Conformity will be assessed by visual inspection.
Any label or accessory must not adversely affect the performance of any item to which it is attached or represent a hazard to the user.
Label durability and legitimacy after industrial heat laundering shall remain legible after being exposed to abrasion for 200 cycles in accordance with ISO 12947-2 at kPa pressure using a moistened felt abrasive.
Each item of protective clothing for which compliance with this International Standard is declared shall bear a permanent and visibly affixed label, on which the following information shall be printed in letters at least 1.5 mm high:
