PD CEN/TR 17620:2021 - Guidelines for Smart Garments Protecting Against Heat and Flame

In the ever-evolving world of personal protective equipment, the integration of smart technology into garments has revolutionized the way we approach safety. The PD CEN/TR 17620:2021 standard is a comprehensive guide that provides essential guidelines for the selection, use, care, and maintenance of smart garments designed to protect against heat and flame. Released on June 30, 2021, this standard is a must-have for professionals in industries where heat and flame hazards are prevalent.

Key Features of PD CEN/TR 17620:2021

This standard, with its 98 pages of detailed information, serves as an invaluable resource for ensuring the safety and longevity of smart protective garments. Here are some of the key features and benefits:

• Comprehensive Guidelines: The document provides thorough guidelines on how to select the right smart garments based on specific industry needs and risk assessments.
• Usage Instructions: Detailed instructions on the proper use of smart garments to maximize their protective capabilities and ensure user safety.
• Care and Maintenance: Essential tips and best practices for maintaining the integrity and functionality of smart garments over time.
• Technological Integration: Insights into the integration of smart technology within garments, enhancing their protective features and user experience.

Why Choose PD CEN/TR 17620:2021?

Choosing the right standard for your protective garments is crucial for ensuring safety and compliance. The PD CEN/TR 17620:2021 standard stands out for several reasons:

• Industry Relevance: Tailored for industries where heat and flame protection is critical, such as firefighting, welding, and chemical processing.
• Expertly Crafted: Developed by leading experts in the field, ensuring that the guidelines are both practical and scientifically sound.
• Up-to-Date Information: Released in 2021, this standard reflects the latest advancements in smart garment technology and safety protocols.
• ISBN: 978 0 539 16406 0 - Easily identifiable and accessible for procurement and reference.

Understanding the Importance of Smart Garments

Smart garments represent a significant advancement in personal protective equipment. By incorporating sensors and other smart technologies, these garments can provide real-time data and alerts, enhancing the wearer's safety and response time in hazardous situations. The PD CEN/TR 17620:2021 standard ensures that these advanced features are utilized effectively and safely.

Selection Criteria

When selecting smart garments, it is essential to consider factors such as the specific hazards present in the work environment, the level of protection required, and the compatibility of the smart technology with existing safety protocols. The guidelines provided in this standard help streamline this selection process, ensuring that the chosen garments meet all necessary safety and performance criteria.

Proper Use and Maintenance

To maintain the effectiveness of smart garments, proper use and regular maintenance are crucial. The PD CEN/TR 17620:2021 standard offers detailed instructions on how to care for these garments, including cleaning procedures, storage recommendations, and inspection protocols. By following these guidelines, users can extend the lifespan of their protective gear and ensure consistent performance.

Conclusion

The PD CEN/TR 17620:2021 standard is an essential resource for anyone involved in the selection, use, and maintenance of smart garments designed to protect against heat and flame. With its comprehensive guidelines and expert insights, this standard helps ensure that these advanced protective garments are used effectively and safely, providing peace of mind in high-risk environments.

Invest in the safety and well-being of your team by incorporating the PD CEN/TR 17620:2021 standard into your safety protocols. With its focus on smart technology and practical application, this standard is a valuable tool for enhancing workplace safety and compliance.

PD CEN/TR 17620:2021

This standard PD CEN/TR 17620:2021 Guidelines for selection, use, care and maintenance of smart garments protecting against heat and flame is classified in these ICS categories:

• 13.340.10 Protective clothing
• 59.080.80 Smart textiles

The purpose of this document is to assist employers (or the person who advises the employer such as suppliers of PPE or services, inspection, insurance companies, etc.) in taking the necessary decisions regarding the selection, use, care and maintenance (SUCAM) of advanced garments and ensembles of garments that provide protection against heat and flame, with integrated smart textiles and smart non-textile elements for enhanced health, safety and survival capabilities that are compliant with the European legislation.

This document supports developers and manufacturers in designing and producing garments with smart textiles and smart non-textile elements that will meet the user’s needs during the whole life cycle of the garment and comply with standard requirements set for protective clothing on use, care and maintenance up to and including the disposal of the protective gear.

This document is not exhaustive in addressing all the safety concerns associated with the use of compliant protective equipment for protection against heat and flames and other related risks.

It is essential not to construe this document as addressing all the safety concerns, if any, associated with the use of this document by testing or repair facilities. It is the responsibility of the persons and organizations that use this document and any other standards or technical report related to PPE:

1. to conduct a risk assessment at the workplace;

2. to select the protective clothing and other PPE, including those with smart (intelligent) features, and to verify that the manufacturer has indicated the selected PPE to be suitable for the identified risks at the workplace;

3. as well as to ensure that these provide a holistic protection, only when the compatibility has been assessed including understanding the workplace and the work environment to determine the properties of protective clothing against heat and flames to establish health and safety practices;

4. to verify that the manufacturer has provided information for risk assessment of the potential risks that may occur due to the smart (intelligent) features in the intended working environment, and that the manufacturer has suggested measurements to compensate such new risks, whilst the employer has to ensure that these measurements are brought to action;

5. and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to using this document for any designing, manufacturing, and testing.

This document is meant for all end users that are using smart garments for protection against heat and flame. It contains information that can also be useful to other people, such as manufacturers, designers, service providers and educators who may be confronted with smart garments used to protect against heat and flame risks although it will focus on the first four in the list below:

1. petrochemical and chemical industry;

2. welders and foundries;

3. utilities (electrical, gas, water);

4. firefighters and emergency response;

5. sports (motor sports, boating, etc.);

6. security forces (military, police and private).

It is essential that nothing herein restricts any jurisdiction from exceeding the minimum requirements as provided in the relevant standards.

This document is not intended to cover the aspects related to data security and privacy. For employers using smart garments that monitor and/or collect data, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR, Regulation (EU) 2016/679) and national regulations can apply. It is essential that the smart protective garments are selected, used, taken care and maintained in a way that will neither compromise the safety and privacy of the user nor the security of the enterprise or authority using the smart garment systems.