www bzfxw com BRITISH STANDARD BS EN 469 2005 Incorporating amendment no 1 Protective clothing for firefighters — Performance requirements for protective clothing for firefighting The European Standar[.]
General
The levels of performance specified in this European Standard may be achieved by the use of a garment or a multilayer clothing assembly, which may contain material combinations, or component assemblies.
Size designation
Size designation shall be in accordance with the requirements of EN 340.
Type of clothing
Firefighter protective clothing is designed to safeguard the torso, neck, arms up to the wrists, and legs down to the ankles during firefighting operations However, it does not offer protection for the head, hands, and feet, nor does it address other hazards such as chemical, biological, radiological, and electrical threats.
Combination of garments
When multiple garments are used to meet the protection requirements of this European Standard, each garment in the clothing assembly must be appropriately marked according to the standard's specifications.
Outer two piece suit
To ensure compliance with this European Standard, it is essential that an outer two-piece suit maintains an overlap between the jacket and trousers during job-related exercises This overlap must be preserved regardless of body position or movement during ergonomic and practical performance testing, as outlined in EN 340 and Annex D.
Anti-wicking barrier
In garments featuring an anti-wicking barrier, whether integrated into an interlining at the moisture barrier's edge or as part of the innermost lining at sleeve ends, trouser legs, or jacket bottoms, the material must comply with the moisture barrier standards outlined in section 6.11 Additionally, the entire component assembly, which includes the anti-wicking barrier, must adhere to the requirements specified in sections 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3.
Hardware
Hardware penetrating the outer material shall not be exposed on the innermost surface of the component assembly.
Integrated personal protective equipment (PPE)
When integrating PPE for additional protection, such as fall protection, into clothing assemblies, it is essential that these components comply with the relevant safety standards The integration must not compromise the overall protection level provided by the clothing assembly.
5.1 The number and size of specimens for the different tests shall be in accordance with the respective European Standards
Before conducting tests outlined in Clause 6, with the exception of those in sections 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.13, 6.14, and 6.15, it is essential to wash and dry or dry-clean the test materials according to care labeling and manufacturer instructions Additionally, materials must be conditioned for 24 hours at a temperature of (20 ± 2) ºC and a relative humidity of (65 ± 5) % prior to testing Testing should commence within 10 minutes after the specimen is removed from the standard atmosphere.
Component assembly or multilayer component assembly testing requires the outermost surface to be exposed, with the exception of flame spread testing for the innermost lining Tests should be conducted under controlled laboratory conditions, maintaining a temperature of (20 ± 3) ºC and a relative humidity of (65 ± 5) %.
5.4 Pre-treatment of testing of water vapour resistance (see 6.12) shall be in accordance with EN 31092 on the whole component assembly
Flame spread
Materials and seams must be tested in accordance with EN ISO 15025:2002, procedure A, ensuring they meet a flame spread index of 3 as specified by EN 533:1997 The evaluation of results occurs while the samples are positioned on the test frame.
6.1.1.1 For materials, 3 specimens in machine direction and 3 specimens in cross direction shall be tested according to EN ISO 15025:2002, procedure A, and they shall achieve flame spread index 3 of EN 533:1997
For seams, three specimens with a structural seam must be tested in accordance with EN ISO 15025:2002, procedure A These specimens should achieve a flame spread index of 3 as per EN 533:1997 and must not open during testing It is essential that the specimens are oriented with the seam aligned along the center line to ensure that the burner flame directly impacts the seam.
No specimen shall exhibit hole formation in any layer, except for layers that are not the outer material or innermost lining, when tested as per the specified guidelines This applies to layers designed for specific protections other than heat protection, such as those providing resistance against liquid penetration.
The outer garment's component assembly must undergo testing as specified in section 6.1.1, which involves applying a test flame to both the outer material's surface and the innermost lining's surface.
To ensure adequate protection, multilayer clothing assemblies composed of separate garments must have both the outer surface and innermost lining of each garment tested in accordance with section 6.1.1.
When wristlet materials are included in the clothing assembly, they must be tested independently by applying flame to the outer surface, following the guidelines of EN ISO 15025:2002, procedure A The materials should meet a flame spread index of 3 as specified in EN 533:1997.
When hardware is incorporated into protective clothing, it must undergo separate testing by applying flame to the outer surface of the hardware items, in accordance with EN ISO 15025 It is essential that the hardware continues to function properly after the test.
Heat transfer – Flame
The component assembly or multilayer clothing assembly when tested according to EN 367 shall achieve the following performance levels and be classified accordingly:
Heat transfer index Performance level 1
The standard specifies that the number of samples must be tested, and the performance should be classified based on the lowest single result, rounded to one decimal place In cases where both performance levels 1 and 2 are present in the same garment or multilayer clothing assembly, the classification will be level 1, as outlined in Clause 7 regarding marking.
Heat transfer – Radiation
The component assembly or multilayer clothing assembly when tested according to EN ISO 6942 at a heat flux density of 40 kW/m² shall achieve the following performance levels and be classified accordingly:
Heat transfer factor index Performance level 1
The standard specifies that the number of samples must be tested, and the performance should be classified based on the lowest single result, rounded to one decimal place If a garment or multilayer clothing assembly contains both performance levels 1 and 2, it will be classified as level 1, as outlined in Clause 7 regarding marking.
Residual tensile strength of material when exposed to radiant heat
Three specimens in the machine direction and three in the cross direction of the outer material shall be tested by
The EN ISO 13934-1 and EN ISO 1421:1998 standards, specifically method 1, require the complete assembly or multilayer clothing to undergo pre-treatment as per EN ISO 6942:2002, method A, under a heat flux density of 10 kW/m² Each specimen must demonstrate a tensile strength of at least 450 N.
The sample used after exposure at 10 kW/m² according to EN ISO 6942 shall be stripped in order to obtain 50 mm width This width shall contain the exposed surface.
Heat resistance
According to ISO 17493, materials used in clothing assemblies must withstand testing at a temperature of (180 ± 5) ºC for 5 minutes without igniting, melting, or shrinking more than 5% in any direction Each material is tested individually, and if a sufficiently sized specimen cannot be obtained, it may be sewn onto the garment's carrying material Additionally, any hardware intended for use in the final garment must remain functional after this test.
Tensile strength
6.6.1 The outer material when tested in accordance with EN ISO 13934-1 or EN ISO 1421:1998, method 1, shall give a breaking load in both machine and cross direction ≥ 450 N
6.6.2 The main seams of the outer material when tested in accordance with EN ISO 13935-2:1999 shall give a breaking load ≥ 225 N.
Tear strength
The outer material must exhibit a tear strength of at least 25 N in both machine and cross directions Coated fabrics should be tested according to EN ISO 4674-1:2003, method B, while non-coated fabrics must follow the specified testing standards.
Surface wetting
Before testing the test materials shall be washed and dried according to 5.2 as indicated by the manufacturer
The outer material when tested according to EN 24920 at 20 °C shall give a spray rate of 4 The evaluation criterion shall be the lowest value
This test is to be carried out, even if the garment has a moisture barrier.
Dimensional change
The dimensional change shall be equal to or less than ± 3 % in both directions when tested in accordance with ISO
5077 using the pre-treatment specified in 5.2
Each single layer material or component assembly of a multilayer clothing assembly shall be tested separately
The assembly of materials in a component must ensure that the layers are securely sewn together on all four sides of the test sample, with only one sample required for testing.
This test does not apply to wristlet material.
Resistance to penetration by liquid chemicals
Before testing the test materials shall be washed and dried according to 5.2 as indicated by the manufacturer
The assembly of multilayer clothing must be tested according to EN ISO 6530, utilizing a chemical application time of 10 seconds The testing should involve specific liquid chemicals, ensuring that there is no penetration to the innermost surface and achieving a repellency rate exceeding 80%.
This test is to be carried out, even if the garment has a moisture barrier.
Resistance to water penetration
The layer, including seams, must demonstrate resistance to water entry by achieving specific results when tested according to EN 20811, with a pressure increase rate of (0.98 ± 0.05) kPa/min.
Level 1 < 20 kPa, for garments without a moisture barrier
Level 2 ≥ 20 kPa, for garments with a moisture barrier
Test samples shall be taken from critical areas like e.g shoulder seams
Water vapour resistance
Water vapor resistance requirements must be met by testing either the complete component assembly or the multilayer clothing assembly, excluding anti-wicking barriers Testing should comply with EN 31092, and one of the specified criteria must be achieved.
NOTE High water vapour resistance can lead to a higher risk of steam burns.
Ergonomic performance
The ergonomic assessment of clothing, as outlined by this European Standard, must be conducted through practical performance testing Although suitable tests for these requirements have not yet received international validation, guidance is provided in Annex D.
Also additional integrated devices to be used with the protective clothing should be included in this testing.
Visibility
Any optional retro-reflective/fluorescent material shall conform to those requirements given in Annex B Colour requirements of the fluorescent material shall be in accordance with 5.1 of EN 471:2003.
Optional test - whole garment testing
The complete assembly of components or multilayer clothing designed for protection can be optionally tested in accordance with this European Standard If conducted, these tests must utilize an instrumented manikin rather than human subjects, adhering to specified exposure conditions.
Also additional integrated devices to be used with the protective clothing should be included in this testing
The test method described in Annex E is able to provide the information as required in 8.5
7.1 Marking requirements shall be as specified in EN 340 and in this clause
Firefighters' protective clothing must be labeled with the number and date of the relevant European Standard, specifically EN 469:2005, positioned on or near the pictogram affixed to the garment.
According to European Standard 7.3, when a combination of garments is used to meet the requirements, it must be clearly stated on the labels of all garments involved, indicating that they should be worn together.
7.4 The level of performance achieved, when tested in accordance with 6.2, 6.3, 6.11, and 6.12 shall be stated on the pictogram attached to the garment
7.4.1 The pictogram shall be as given in Figure 1
The pictogram must display four performance levels related to heat protection, including flame and radiation, applicable to the entire garment Additionally, it should indicate resistance to water penetration and water vapor resistance The lowest performance level achieved in the garment or multilayer clothing assembly for each specific test will be the one that applies.
NOTE For a jacket and trousers designed to be worn together either the jacket or the trousers can be level 1 or level 2
The performance ratings for heat protection, specifically against flame and radiation, are defined by levels Xf1 or Xf2 and Xr1 or Xr2 The minimum standards of levels 6.2 and 6.3 establish the baseline for these heat protection ratings.
7.4.2.2 Y1 or Y2 This is the level achieved for resistance to water penetration
7.4.2.3 Z1 or Z2 This is the level achieved for water vapour resistance
If re-impregnation of the outer material is necessary, the marking must clearly indicate the number of washes allowed before this process This re-impregnation can be performed prior to the inspection and disposal of the equipment.
8 Information supplied by the manufacturer
8.1 Firefighters' protective clothing shall be supplied to the customer with information written at least in the official language(s) of the state of destination
The manufacturer shall add information about the use of integrated devices
8.2 The information to be supplied by the manufacturer shall be as specified in EN 340
To meet the requirements of this European Standard, the manufacturer must indicate that the clothing provides coverage and protection for the upper and lower body, including the neck, arms to the wrists, and legs to the ankles However, it is important to note that other body parts remain unprotected and require additional protective measures.
In accordance with European Standard 8.4, manufacturers must include a warning indicating that if clothing comes into contact with chemical or flammable liquids, the wearer should promptly remove the affected garments These items should then be either cleaned or taken out of service to ensure safety.
8.5 If the optional whole garment test in 6.15 has been performed, the manufacturer shall provide a report in the information on the result, as given in Annex C
Manufacturers must indicate that garments rated at level 1 for water penetration resistance are not suitable for use in conditions where water exposure is likely.
The manufacturer must include a note in the product information highlighting the time limitation for use due to heat stress in garments made from materials with level 1 water vapor resistance This time limitation should be associated with the type of activity and environmental conditions affecting metabolic heat production.
The uncertainty of the test methods outlined in European Standard EN 469:2005 cannot be assessed until interlaboratory trials are finalized and necessary amendments are made During this transitional phase, results from all tests specified in EN 469:2005 should be interpreted without considering uncertainty.
Retroreflective/fluorescent/combined performance material shall conform to EN 471 as per the following:
Performance retroreflective material must be affixed to the outermost layer of protective clothing, covering a minimum area of 0.13 m² This material should provide 360-degree visibility by encircling the arms, legs, and torso of the garment.
B.2 If non-reflective fluorescent or combined performance material is applied, the minimum area of fluorescent material shall be not less than 0,2 m²
The photometric requirements for retroreflective materials must be assessed using the CIE 54.2:2001 test method For new retroreflective or combined performance materials, the minimum coefficient of retroreflection should comply with the standards outlined in EN 471:2003, specifically in Table 5 or Table 7.
To ensure that retroreflective, fluorescent, and combined performance materials do not compromise the effectiveness of protective clothing, they must meet specific testing requirements following the pre-treatment outlined in section 5.3.
Heat resistance is a critical requirement for retroreflective, fluorescent, and combined performance materials, which must be tested for 5 minutes as per the standards outlined in section 6.5 of the European Standard These materials should comply with the retroreflection coefficient specified in section 6.2 of EN 471:2003 Additionally, they must not exhibit any dripping, ignition, melting, or shrinkage exceeding 5%.