BS EN ISO 18640-2:2018+A1:2019 Protective Clothing for Firefighters

Firefighting is one of the most challenging and dangerous professions, requiring not only courage and skill but also the best protective equipment available. The BS EN ISO 18640-2:2018+A1:2019 standard is a crucial document that addresses the physiological impact of protective clothing worn by firefighters. This standard is essential for ensuring that the gear used by these brave individuals provides the necessary protection while minimizing the physiological heat load on the wearer.

Understanding the Standard

The BS EN ISO 18640-2:2018+A1:2019 standard, released on November 13, 2019, is a comprehensive document that spans 26 pages. It is designed to determine the physiological heat load caused by protective clothing worn by firefighters. This standard is part of a series that focuses on the safety and effectiveness of firefighting gear, ensuring that it meets the highest international safety standards.

Key Features of the Standard

• Standard Number: BS EN ISO 18640-2:2018+A1:2019
• Pages: 26
• Release Date: November 13, 2019
• ISBN: 978 0 539 02890 4
• Status: Standard

Importance of the Standard

Firefighters are exposed to extreme conditions, and their protective clothing is their first line of defense against heat, flames, and hazardous materials. However, the very clothing that protects them can also contribute to heat stress, which can be detrimental to their health and performance. The BS EN ISO 18640-2:2018+A1:2019 standard provides a method for assessing the physiological heat load imposed by protective clothing, ensuring that it does not compromise the wearer's safety and well-being.

This standard is vital for manufacturers, safety officers, and regulatory bodies involved in the design, production, and evaluation of firefighting gear. By adhering to this standard, they can ensure that the protective clothing not only meets safety requirements but also supports the physiological needs of the wearer, allowing them to perform their duties effectively and safely.

Benefits of Compliance

Compliance with the BS EN ISO 18640-2:2018+A1:2019 standard offers numerous benefits, including:

• Enhanced Safety: Ensures that protective clothing provides adequate protection without imposing excessive heat stress on the wearer.
• Improved Performance: By minimizing heat load, firefighters can maintain higher levels of performance and endurance during operations.
• Regulatory Compliance: Meets international safety standards, facilitating acceptance and use in various regions and jurisdictions.
• Informed Design: Provides valuable insights for manufacturers to design and produce more effective protective clothing.

Conclusion

The BS EN ISO 18640-2:2018+A1:2019 standard is an indispensable resource for anyone involved in the development and use of protective clothing for firefighters. By focusing on the physiological impact of such clothing, it ensures that the gear not only protects against external hazards but also supports the health and performance of the wearer. This standard is a testament to the ongoing commitment to firefighter safety and the continuous improvement of protective equipment.

For those dedicated to advancing firefighter safety, the BS EN ISO 18640-2:2018+A1:2019 standard is a critical tool in the pursuit of excellence in protective clothing design and implementation.

BS EN ISO 18640-2:2018+A1:2019

This standard BS EN ISO 18640-2:2018+A1:2019 Protective clothing for firefighters. Physiological impact is classified in these ICS categories:

• 13.340.10 Protective clothing

This document specifies a method for evaluating the thermo-physiological impact of protective fabric ensembles and potentially protective clothing ensembles in a simulated activity under defined relevant conditions for firefighters.

This document is intended to be used to assess the thermo-physiological impact of protective fabric ensembles and potentially protective clothing ensembles but not the risk for heat stress due to actual fire conditions. The results of this test method can be used as elements of characterisation and comparison of thermo-physiological impact of various types of protective fabric ensembles and potentially protective clothing ensembles.

Default measurements are undertaken on fabric samples representing the garment or protective clothing combination. Optionally and in addition to the standard test method, the same testing protocol can be applied to characterise protective clothing ensembles including underwear, air layers and certain design features⁴. In addition measurements on readymade garments are optionally possible.

NOTE The presently used evaluation methods are only validated for structural firefighting garments.

⁴ A study conducted at Empa (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Switzerland) showed good correlation between results of standard torso tests (without both underwear and air layers on fabrics) to tests on fabrics with underwear, tests on fabrics with underwear and air layers and test on readymade garments (with underwear and with or without air layers) of the same material composition. Due to the different thermal insulation of the systems direct comparison of the results is not possible.