DIN EN ISO 13506-1:2014-10

This International Standard provides the general principles of a test method for evaluating the performance of complete garments or protective clothing ensembles in a fire or other short duration fire exposure. This test method characterizes the thermal protection provided by garments, based on the measurement of heat transfer to a full-size manikin exposed to a laboratory simulation of a fire with controlled heat flux, duration and flame distribution. The heat transfer data is summed over a prescribed time to give the total transferred energy. The heat transfer measurements can also be used to calculate the predicted skin burn injury resulting from the exposure (see ISO 13506-2). In addition, observations are recorded on the overall behaviour of the test specimen during and after the exposure. This test method serves for the purpose of evaluation of a garment or ensemble for a particular application or specification. The results obtained apply only to the particular garments or ensembles, as tested, and for the specified conditions of each test, particularly with respect to the heat flux, duration and flame distribution. For the purposes of this test method, the incident heat flux is limited to a nominal level of 84 kW/m2 and limited to exposure durations of less than 12 s. This International Standard shall be used to measure and describe the behaviour of complete garments or protective clothing ensembles in response to convective and radiant energy under controlled laboratory conditions. This test method does not simulate high radiant exposures such as those found in arc flash exposures, some types of fire exposures where liquid or solid fuels are involved, nor exposure to nuclear explosions. This test method does not apply to the evaluation of protection for the hands or the feet if they do not contain sensors. For the interfaces of ensembles tested, the test method is limited to visual inspection. The effects of body position and movement are not addressed in this test method. Considerations for the use of this test method are provided in Annex A. Inter-laboratory data for the test method are provided in Annex B. NOTE 1 This test method provides information on material behaviour and a measurement of garment performance on a stationary upright manikin. The relative size of the garment and the manikin and the fit of the garment on the shape of the manikin have an important influence on the performance. NOTE 2 This test method is complex and requires a high degree of technical expertise in both the test setup and operation. NOTE 3 Deviations from the instructions in this test method can lead to significantly different test results. Technical knowledge concerning fabric behaviour and the theory of heat transfer and testing practices is needed in order to evaluate which deviations are significant with respect to the instructions given in this test method. Standardization of the test method reduces, but does not eliminate, the need for such technical knowledge.