Introduction
EN ISO 14116, titled “Protective clothing – Protection against flame – Limited flame spread materials and material assemblies,” is an international standard that sets performance requirements for protective clothing designed to limit flame spread. This standard is crucial for ensuring the safety of workers in environments where they may encounter occasional and brief contact with small flames
The primary focus of EN ISO 14116 is on the limited flame spread properties of Materials, Material assemblies, and Protective clothing. The standard aims to reduce the risk of clothing ignition when exposed to mall flames for short periods. It covers various aspects of protective clothing.
Pic 1: The protective clothing should pass EN 14116 cert. when facing brief flame contact risk.
There are 4 major topics included to explain the importance of flame retardant clothing: Performance Requirements, Classification, Marking, and Information Supplied by Manufacturer.
Performance Requirements
The performance requirements are critical to ensuring the protective clothing meets safety standards. All materials and material assemblies used in a flame retardant garment claiming compliance with this standard shall achieve a limited flame spread index of 1, 2, or 3 when tested in accordance with ISO 15025 procedure A. The test involves applying a small flame to the surface (Procedure A) or on the edge (Procedure B) of the material and observing the behavior. The key observations include the afterflame time, afterglow time, and the formation of holes.
The EN ISO 14116 standard doesn’t only focus on flame spread but also sets some physical requirements for materials, including minimum tensile strength, tear strength, burst strength for knitted fabrics, and seam strength. These criteria ensure the overall durability and integrity of protective garments under various conditions.
Additionally, if the garment is repeatedly used dimensional stability is important as well. Materials must maintain their dimensions within specified limits after undergoing cleaning cycles.
Classification
As mentioned, EN ISO 14116 classifies materials and garments based on their limited flame spread performance into three indices: Index 1, Index 2, and Index 3 according to ISO 15025 procedure A. The test is designed to assess how the material reacts to a flame after the burner is placed on the fabric surface for 10 seconds, including whether it ignites, how quickly the flame spreads, and whether it continues to burn after the flame source is removed.
Each index has defined specific performance requirements to ensure the protective clothing provides adequate protection against flames. The test method is Here’s a detailed look at the classification and performance requirements:
Index 1:
- Flame Spread: No specimen should permit any part of the lowest boundary of any flame or the boundary of any hole to reach the upper or either vertical edge.
- Flaming Debris: No specimen should give flaming or molten debris.
- Afterglow: Afterglow time should be ≤ 2 seconds. A glowing inside the charred area is defined as afterglow without combustion and is not regarded as afterglow for this purpose.
Index 2:
- Flame Spread: No specimen should permit any part of the lowest boundary of any flame to reach the upper or either vertical edge.
- Flaming Debris: No specimen should give flaming or molten debris.
- Afterglow: Afterglow time should be ≤ 2 seconds. A glowing inside the charred area is defined as afterglow without combustion and is not regarded as afterglow for this purpose.
- Hole Formation: No specimen should give hole formation of 5 mm or greater in any direction, except for an interlining used for specific protection other than flame protection.
Index 3:
- Flame Spread: No specimen should permit any part of the lowest boundary of any flame to reach the upper or either vertical edge.
- Flaming Debris: No specimen should give flaming or molten debris.
- Hole Formation: No specimen should give hole formation of 5 mm or greater in any direction, except for an interlining used for specific protection other than flame protection.
- Afterglow: Afterglow time should be ≤ 2 seconds. A glowing inside the charred area is defined as afterglow without combustion and is not regarded as afterglow for this purpose.
- Afterflame: After flame time should be ≤ 2 seconds.
Marking:
Proper marking is crucial as it provides essential information to users about the garment’s protective capabilities, proper use, and care instructions, all of which are vital for ensuring the intended level of protection is maintained.
Marking requirements ensure that users can identify the protective properties of the clothing. Each garment must be clearly marked with the EN ISO 14116 standard number, and flame spread index(1, 2, or 3) achieved by the material or garment. This ensures that users can easily identify the level of protection offered by the garment.
There is an Index One Warning needs to be shown If the garment contains Index 1 materials or if parts of the clothing are manufactured from thermally conductive hardware likely to be exposed to flame. It should warn that these materials and parts should not be worn next to the skin, and should only be worn over index 2 or 3 garments.
Pic 2: The illustration for test method of ISO 15025 Procedure A.
Information Supplied by Manufacturer
The information supplied by the manufacturer, as outlined in EN ISO 14116, is critically important. It is vital to ensure the proper use of protective clothing, which directly impacts user safety. This includes Regulatory Compliance, Optimal Performance, Limitations Awareness, Assembly instructions, Traceability, etc.
The manufacturer’s information is not just a regulatory requirement or a nice-to-have addition. It is a crucial link between the technical capabilities of protective clothing and its practical, safe use in real-world situations. It allows users to make informed decisions, properly use, and ensure maximum protective capabilities. Without this information, the effectiveness and safety of the protective clothing cannot be guaranteed potentially putting users at risk.
Summary
EN ISO 14116 provides a globally recognized benchmark for flame retardant protective clothing, It helps to ensure compliance with safety regulations in many industries. The standard includes many requirements for the design, mechanical properties, and durability of the clothing. It not only protects against flames but also reduces the risk of the clothing burning when in brief contact with mall flames. Here are 4 key points of EN ISO 14116:
- Classification System: Establishes a three-tier classification system (Index 1, 2, and 3) for materials, assemblies, and garments based on flame spread resistance. This allows for clear protection levels and helps to select appropriate protective clothing for frontline workers.
- Comprehensive Testing Requirements: Specifies rigorous testing procedures for flame spread, physical properties (such as tensile strength, tear strength, and burst strength), and durability. This ensures that protective clothing meets necessary safety criteria across multiple performance aspects.
- Marking and Manufacturer Information: Mandates clear marking of compliant materials and garments, including performance index and care instructions. It also requires manufacturers to provide detailed information on proper use, care, cleaning, maintenance, and limitations of protective clothing.
- Limitations and Compatibility: Clearly define the scope of protection (limited flame spread) and acknowledge situations where additional protection may be necessary. This helps users understand when this standard is sufficient and when they need to refer to other standards for more comprehensive protection.
EN ISO 14116 is crucial for manufacturers, employers, and workers in industries with flame hazards, as it ensures the use of appropriate protective clothing to minimize risks. These points encompass the core elements of EN ISO 14116, highlighting its role in ensuring safety, guiding proper use, and maintaining quality standards in flame retardant protective clothing.
