EN ISO 11612: Protective clothing against heat and flames

Category 2 PPE: significant risks (if index A/B = 1 or 2 and C/D/E/F = 0 or 1).

Category 3 PPE: lethal risks (if index B = 3 or C/D/E/F = 2 or higher).

This protection protects against brief and accidental contact with flames, convective heat (from a flame), radiant heat (from a heated body) and small projections of molten metal in industrial activities.

Certain design requirements must be respected for this PPE: the jacket must overlap the trousers by at least 20 cm, all openings must be closed with a flap, no lapels are allowed, etc.

Tests are carried out on the fabric as well as on the accessories and seams; nothing must catch fire or melt (fastening systems are always tested to ensure that they still work).

The purpose of PPE is to act as a first line of defence against danger, and the wearer must be able to use this clothing to move away from danger and, if necessary, remove it quickly.

Seven performance characteristics are tested under EN ISO 11612:

A1 Limited flame spread (on the face)
A2 Limited flame spread (on the edges)
B Convective heat, ratings from 1 to 3
C Radiant heat, ratings from 1 to 4
D Molten aluminium splashes, ratings from 1 to 3
E Molten iron splashes, ratings from 1 to 3
F Contact heat, ratings from 1 to 3

For the ratings, the highest number is the best performance.

Depending on the level of performance protection, PPE will be classified as category 2 (significant risks) or 3 (fatal risks). PPE is classified as category 3 if it has at least one rating in this category.


		Category 2 PPE Significant risks	Category 3 PPE Life-threatening risks
A1 and/or A2	Flame spread (A1 = on face and A2 = on edge)	A1 and/or A2
B : 1 to 3	Measurement of convective heat	B1- B2	B3
C : 1 to 4	Radiant heat measurement	C1	C2 to C4
D : 1 to 3	Splash resistance: cast aluminium	D1	D2 to D3
E : 1 to 3	Resistance to splashes: molten iron	E1	E2 to E3
F : 1 to 3	Contact heat	F1	F2 to F3

Good to know

Upon accidental contact with flame, the fire-retardant material transforms into carbon to delay and limit the spread of flame. The formation of this carbonised layer leads to a decrease in mechanical integrity. The carbonised layer crumbles either during subsequent wear or washing and may cause a hole. The fire-retardant properties are designed to prevent the flame from spreading, not to make the fabric incombustible. The garment therefore fulfils its role as a ‘first line of defence’!