The basics of Flame retardant garments. Learn more about ISO 11612: Protection against heat and flame.

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1 The basics of Flame retardant garments Learn more about ISO 11612: Protection against heat and flame.

2 Table of contents 2 What is a flame retardant garment? 3 What is the function of these garments? A B C D E F CODE LETTERS AND RISK AREAS Limited flame spread, Surface and edge ignition Protection against convection heat Protection against radiant heat Protection against molten aluminium splashes Protection against molten iron splashes Protection against contact heat 10 Things to consider! In this handy guide, we take the first steps to get acquainted with flame retardant garments and its standard. The standard for this type of garments is a complex collection of directives. Therefore we have chosen in this first handy guide to start from the standards different code letters, and the risk areas each code letter is derived to. Our experience is that this is an informative and at the same time a logical way to understand the characteristics of the garments. It also creates a deeper understanding of the levels and expectations the garments should live up to. And when you connect each code letters theoretical world into a practical examples, it is easy to understand. In the last part Things to consider! you ll have some important lessons Berendsen pulled over the years. If you have any further questions dont hesitate to contact us, or visit us at

3 What is a flame retardant garment? A flame retardant garments is a type of personal protective equipment, commonly abbreviated as PPE. The standard that sets the requirements how to test and design a flame retardant garments is called ISO 11612: Protection against heat and flame. The content of this handy guide is based on the latest and third version of the standard, which was released in late The garments certified under the standard is characterized by the pictogram seen in the bottom right corner on this page. The pictograms main task is to signal to the wearer and the surroundings that its a flame retardant garment. ISO 11612:2015 is often combined with other types of standards to give the wearer maximum protection in several risk environments. It could be features such as High Visibility - EN ISO 2071, Welding - EN ISO 11611:2015 or protection against static electricity - EN These type of multifunctional garments is something we won t address in this handy guide. ISO 11612:2015 covers only garments, which dont have the main purpose to protect head, hands or feets. We have therefore chosen to also exclude that kind of protection, although its important and vulnerable parts of the human body. Flame retardant garments are classified as heavy protection clothing. The main part of the garment is made of textiles, like all the other clothes we wear. The big difference is that these textile materials have a much bigger purpose, to protect us from harsh environments and hazards such as splashes of molten metal. To be able to do so its not only the garment material and accessories that are important, but also its construction. The garment s design must for example be designed so that the risk of catching fire is minimized. The garment must also be designed so that the wearer in a quick way can tear off the garments in the event of an incident. This feature is called quick release.

4 What is the garments function? All protective garments have the task of protecting the wearer to prevent and minimise various risks. But it must also protect the wearer from ambient factors, while it is to profile and market the company you work for. Many of these tasks can be in directly contradiction and in combination very difficult to achieve. In many cases it is unrealistic expectations and demands we have on our protective wear. At Berendsen we usually compare a flame retardant garments with protective clothing for riding a motorcycle. Both garments have the majority of the time no major function beyond the usual, like protecting the wearer from dirt and weather. Flame retardent garments and protective clothing for riding a motorcylce is thus a preparatory protection. Its not until the accident occurs that you get the full benefit of the garment certified or protective features. Understanding how the garments have been tested increases the knowledge of the levels and in what kind of situation the garments will protect the wear. It is only to the specific level established in the test that the garments can be expected to perform. Stress levels exceeding the levels in the standard will have a different outcome than the results in the tests carried out when certifying the garments. Unfortunately, many people believe that the garments can withstand excessive stress and unrealistic expectations like this is a big risk in itself. The standard is divided into different risk areas through code letters. Each code letter is divided into different levels depending on the degree of achievement in the conducted tests. In the current standard, there are six different code letters A-F. The level in each code letter varies as you can see in the matrix below. CODE LETTER The level of each code letter/risk area that the garment comply to.

5 A1, A2 Limited flame spread IN THEORY IN PRACTICE To achieve the code letter A, which is limited flame spread, two tests are carried out on the garments. A1 = Surface ignition A flame is directed towards the material surface. After 10 seconds, the flame is extinguished and focus of the test is what happens to the material. The requirements of the standard is for the material to extinguish any fire within 2 seconds and no afterglow is allowed 2 seconds afterwards. No hole formation is allowed in the burnt material after the test. This test simulates a person being subjected to any kind of open flame. The garments objective is to limit the damage as much as possible. If the garment would catch fire, which may occur under high stress, the garment should extinguish itself according to the standard. A2 = Edge ignition A flame is directed towards the material edge. After 10 seconds, the flame is extinguished and the sample examined. A possible ignition or glow must be extinguished within 2 seconds. Also in this test no hole formation is allowed in the burnt material. A2 is a tougher test since the strain is on both sides simultaneously. Limited flame spread the base of the standard.in order to recieve any kind of approval in this standard A1 is the least a material needs to pass. is The standard says nothing about the garment catching fire, the task is to limit the flame spread and for the garment to self-extinguish.

6 B1, B2, B3 Convective heat IN THEORY The protection against convective heat measures the time it takes to raise the temperature to 2 C degrees (This temperature change corresponds to a second degree burn) on the back of the material when a flame is directed towards it. In other terms you try the material s ability to block heat generated when exposed to a direct flame. In this test it s the time that sets the degree of how good the material performs. The longer the 2 C degree temperature change takes the higher level of protection the material will give. B1 = seconds B2 = 10 seconds B3 = 20 seconds IN PRACTICE As previously mentioned, it is a combination of several risks, a flame retardant garment should protect against. In the first step, it should minimize the risk of the garment catching fire. In the second step, it must block heat like the testing under the code letter B. In the third step, the garment should extinguish so the damage and risk of injuries are further prevented. There is no specific working group this test area is directed towards. This part is like code letter A, a general risk area no matter what kind of occupation. As always, it is a relatively short time involved in the tests. The aim is that the wearer should get that extra second or the short additional time needed to get to a safe spot. A flame resistant garment is designed to prevent and withstand but has its limitations. To minimize the risk of excessive expectations, it is important to know to which level the garments been tested and the background to its design.

7 C1, C2, C3, C Radiant Heat IN THEORY This test is very similar to the tests performed in B- onvective heat. The difference is that in this test, there is no open flame affecting the material, instead it exposes the material to radiant heat. You can compare it to standing in front of an extremely hot radiator. This test measures the time it takes to develop a second degree burn through the material. IN PRACTICE A common occupational group exposed to this type of risk is casting workers. The functionallity they are looking for in a garment is the ability of the material to block the heat just as in the test for convective heat transfer. But it must also protect from the risk that the material self-ignites under the stress it is exposed to. The most extreme environments require additional reinforcement from extra garments to provide full protection. C1 = 7 seconds C2 = 20 seconds C3 = 50 seconds C = 95 seconds

8 D1, D2, D3 Molten aluminium splashes IN THEORY IN PRACTICE This test simulates a person being exposed to splashes of molten aluminum. The test is performed by placing a PVC film sensor which simulates human skin and at the same time measuring the temperature change on the backside of the material. Drops of molten aluminum are released from an angle of 60 degrees in order to see how the material performs. In the update of the standard made in 2015 a test with molten cryolite was added to this part of the test. After the material been exposed to the molten aluminium the result is evaluated. Its not allowed that the splashes have created any hole formation in the material. The code letters D and E have also requirements on the garments design to be approved. D1 = 100 g D2 = 200 g D3 = 350 g This test is primarily developed for workers handling molten aluminum. Usually it s some kind of foundry business, eg in the automotive industry. The test is with relatively low volumes of molten aluminium splashed on to the material. Obviously, the level of stress that the garment is exposed to in reality could differ from the test levels. The outcome of the protection level the garment offer will under those circumstances vary from the test results. Regardless of the that a flame retardant garment provides a increased protection for the wearer and will in many cases be the difference between a disaster or if all goes well. The construction of the garment can have a big impact on the outcome of this test. Garment design may limit the ability of melt flow off. The risk of this is important to take into account when developing and designing, but also in introducing the garments to the wearers that not yet have worn this type of protective clothing. If you re not used to wearing this type of garment the design requirements of the standard can sometimes be perceived as uncomfortable by the wearer.

9 E1, E2, E3 Molten iron splashes IN THEORY Here, in the same manner as in D, the test involves splashing of molten substances. In this case its molten iron. Aluminum and iron have different properties when it comes to such melting point and adherence. This is the reason for the splitting of these two tests in two different code letters. This test is done by sprinkling droplets of the molten material at an angle of 75 degrees. After the test an evaluation of the ability to protect against splashes is carried out in the same mannor as in the test for splashes of molten aluminum. IN PRACTICE Also this part of the standard has the main focus of some kind of foundry business. D and E are in great part the same test but with changes adapted for the molten material properties. In order to achieve the standards high requirements on protective properties of the material, rather heavy and thick fabrics are needed. The comfort of the wearer is often a challenge when chosing material or designing garments for these environments. As previously mentioned, the design has also an important role for the garment to be approved in tests of molten aluminum and iron. E1 = 60 g E2 = 120 g E3 = 200 g

10 F1, F2, F3 Contact heat IN THEORY In the test for protection against contact heat the test is all about the time it takes for the material to block a temperature increase. The test is performed by rolling a heating cylinder over the fabrics surface and at the same time measuring the time it takes to create a change of 10 C. The temperature of the heat cylinder used in the test is 250 C IN PRACTICE The best way to visualise the risk the garments must protect against can be compared to putting ones hand on a hot stove plate. So, the purpose of this test is to validate the garments ability to protect the wearer from the risks involved when coming into contact with a hot object. All tasks or environments that handle hot objects and have a risk of getting in direct contact with them. F1 = 5 seconds F2 = 10 seconds F3 = 15 seconds

11 Things to consider Here are some of the lessons that we have learnt at Berendsen and offer for your consideration. 1 YOUR GARMENT IS ONLY NEW ONCE What happens to the garment after you started using it is something that the certification has very little rules about. Therefore it is important to check and maintain the garment continuously and in the best possible way not to comprimise the garment s protective functions. The garments can be repaired but it requires that you do it with the right materials and details of which the garment is designed for. 2 ADDING LOGOS TO YOUR FLAME RETARDANT GARMENTS Adding company logos to a flame retardant garments is very common. When you choose to do so you have to take the garment certification into account. It is vital not to add anything that can decrease the functionallity of the garment and thus jeopardize the safety of the wearer. The logo s size, location and especially the technology used to produce the logos have a great impact on garments safety aspects. 3 ADJUSTMENTS OF YOUR GARMENTS To adjust a wearer s garment is sometimes a must. By adjustments we refer to shorten the legs on your pants for example. When doing so there are many rules and requirements regarding the standard to take in consideration. The right method for shortening the trousers should be used not to conflict with the design requirements of the standard or to have a negative impact on the garments ability to protect the wearer. DRESS PROPERLY To achieve the level of protection your garment is designed for, it is of great importance to wear it correct and properly. If one chooses not to follow the requirements and eg wearing his jacket with open zipper, it will reduce the degree of protection the garment is intended to provide. Therefore, it is not only important to wear a protective garment in risk environments, it is also of great importance that the carrier has the knowledge and understanding of how to dress properly and how to maintain the garments to preserve functionallity through the complete lifespan.

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