EN STANDARDS.
HI-VISIBILITY
EN ISO 20471
The EN ISO 20471 standard specifies requirements for hi-visibility clothing which is capable of visually signalling users presence. Everyday workers are faced with potential risks and hazards that can be dangerous to one's life therefore safety is vital amongst a workplace. Increasing the wearers visibility is important in promoting safety at work so it is essential all PULSAR® garments meet the EN ISO 20471 hi-visibility standard.
Every garment differs on the level of hi-visibility conformity. Please see the classes below:
Class 3 - Highest class, typically consists of upper body and full sleeved garments
Class 2 - Mid level, typically consists of short or no sleeve garments and some trousers
Class 1 - Lowest level, typically consists of lower body or partially fluorescent garments
RAIN PROTECTION & BREATHABILITY
EN343
Each waterproof garment must offer protection against water penetration and breathable properties. EN343 is a European Standard for protective clothing that helps protect a wearer against wet weather. The protection against water penetrations comes in 3 classes:
Class 4 - Highest level of wet weather protection
Class 3 - High level of wet weather protection
Class 2 - Medium level of wet weather protection
Class 1 - Minimum Level of wet weather protection
Breathable properties
Class 4 - Level 3 water vapour resistance (breathability)
Class 3 - Level 3 water vapour resistance (breathability)
Class 2 - Level 2 water vapour resistance (breathability)
Class 1 - Level 1 water vapour resistance (breathability)
RAIL STANDARD
RIS 3279
The Rail Group Standard mandates minimum requirements for hi-visibility clothing that is to be provided for wearing by people on the lineside or on the near the line. It appears to all hi-visibility clothing worn in order to meet the requirements of GE/RT800 Rule Book.
Class 2 - The rail industry has now replaced GO/RT 3279 Issue 8. However, garments previously certified to GO/RT 3279 continue to meet the requirements of the rail industry standard.
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING FOR USE INWELDING & ALLIED PROCESS
EN ISO 11611
The EN ISO 11611 certified safety clothing must protect the wearer from spark and accidental flame contact. It can help protect workers such as welders, rail workers, miners etc. The standard is divided into two classes with different levels of protection.
Class 2 - High level of protection for more hazardous welding situations
Class 1- Lower level of protection of less hazardous welding situations
PROTECTION AGAINST HEAT &FLAME
EN ISO 11612 certified workwear that protects the wearer against heat and fire. The protection level is monitored by the below format:
A: Limited flame spread (essential condition) - fabric combination confirms to EN 14115 index 3 (Limited Flame Spread)
B: (B1-B5) - Insulation against convection hear
C (C1-C4) - Insulation against radiant heat
D (D1-D3) - Insulation against molten aluminium
E (E1-E3) - Insulation against molten cast iron
F (F1-F3) - Insulation against heat
EN ISO 11612
EN1149-1 /
EN1149-3
PROTECTION AGAINST ELECTROSTATIC
This standard covers 2 test methods (EN1149-1/EN1149-3) and the performance requirements (EN1149-5). It specifies material and design requirements for electrostatic dissipative protection clothing used as part of total earthed system to avoid incendiary discharge of static electricity. Garments meeting this standard do not offer protection from mains voltage.
PROTECTION AGAINST THERMAL HAZARDS OF AN ELECTRICARC FLASH
IEC 61482-2 is the European standard for the thermal hazards of an arc flash. This standard includes requirements for material testing and additional information for garments constructed from compliant materials.
Garments certified to this standard are defined as complex design and are subject to annual audits under Article 11 of the PPE Directive.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS?
During an arc blast plasma clouds, flames, radiation and metal splashes from the electrodes explode. Extreme risk of second and third degree body burns from the intense heat.
When human tissue is raised from the normal temperature of 36°C to above 44°C, we start to feel pain. If the skim temperature rises to 55°C, a first degree burn will occur after 20 seconds followed by second and third degree burns. The degree of burning depends on the intensity of the heat transfer to the skin and its duration.
TESTS
EN 61482-1-1 Determination of arc rating using Open Arc test - APTV, EBT, ELIM
Fabric is quantified in terms of its Arc rating, expressed in cal/cm², that value being either:
ATPV (Arc Thermal Performance Value) - Numerical value of incident energy at which the heat transfer through the test specimens is enough to reach the stoll criteria with 50% probability
EBT (Energy Breakopen Threshold) - Numerical value of incident at which breakopen occurs with 50% probability
ELIM (Energy Limit) - Numerical value of incident energy below which there is no data point with the amount of heat transmitted through the product reaching the stoll criteria, or with the fabric exhibiting breakopen
Arc rating values are useful measure of the effectiveness of any fabric, an end user can predict the incident energy they will receive from electrical working and pick the correct garment that will provide protection against the arc flash
EN 61482-1-2 Determination of arc protection class (APC 1 or 2) using the Box Test
Fabric is exposed to an electric arc confined in a specific box with a specific electrode arrangement. This special box design releases a constrained direct exposure on the fabric.
APC 1 - Arc Protection Class 1
Test current of 4kA and test voltage of 400V
APC 2 - Arc Protection Class 2
Test current of 7 kA and test voltage of 400V
Important consideration from EN 61482-2 - No undergarments like shirts, undergarments or underwear make of, for example, polyamide, polyester or acryl fibres which melt under arc exposure, should be used. This is the responsibility of the employee to ensure these items are not to be worn.
IEC 61482-2
APTV / ELIM
An ARC Thermal Value (APTV) refers to the maximum incident energy (in calories per centimetre squared) that protective equipment can be exposed to and prevent to onset of a second-degree burns when there is a 50% probability.
An Energy Limit Value (ELIM_ is the point at which the clothing gives a 0% probability of enough energy getting through the garment to cause a second-degree burn. It is the new cal/cm2 measurement.
Ratings are based upon the total weight of the fabric and ratings can be stacked when using a layered system. A higher rating means better protection. To summarise, both ELIM and APTV are properties used to determine the effectivness of ARC Flash clothing.