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EN 469:2005

Performance requirements for protective clothing for firemen

The EN 469:2005 standard offers performance requirements for protective clothing for firemen. It demands high performances, which are verified in 20 tests. Essentially, the standard determines 4 key values: Xf (flame), Xr (radiation), Y (waterproofness) and Z (breathability).

  • Flame (Xf)

    The EN ISO 9151 test method (flame test) involves heat transmission (flame) with a heat flux of 80 kW/m2.

    Xf2 Xf1
    HTI Heat Transfer Index Level 2 Level 1
    HTI24 ≥ 13s ≥ 9s
    HTI24 - HTI12 ≥ 4s ≥ 3s
    Level 1 is the lowest level; level 2 is the highest level.

  • Radiant heat (Xr1 or Xr2)

    The transmission of heat (radiation) is tested in the EN 6942 test method. There is a heat flux of 40kW/m2.

    Xr2 Xr1
    RHTI Radiation HTI Level 2 Level 1
    RHTI 24 ≥ 18s ≥ 10s
    RHTI 24 - RHTI 12 ≥ 4s ≥ 3s
    Just as for the previous test, level 1 is the lowest level, while level 2 is the highest one.
    More about the test method EN ISO 6942

  • Water tightness (Y1 or Y2)

    Waterproofness test EN 20811

    • Y1 < 20 kPa
    • Y2 ≥ 20 kPa
    Y1: garments without membrane ; Y2: garments with membrane
    More about the test method EN 20811
    Sioen - a water penetration test is performed

  • Breathability (Z1 or Z2)

    Water vapour resistance EN 31092

    Level Z1 > 30m² Pa/W.
    Z1 indicates a higher water vapour resistance than Z2.
    This garment is less breathable.

    Level Z2 ≤ 30 m² Pa/W
    This garment has a lower water vapour resistance.
    It is more breathable.

    More about the test method EN 31092

In addition the B annex of the EN 469 specifies the surface of the stripings (if the risk analysis demands them).

  • B.1 The retroreflective material with single characteristic has to be fixed on the outer surface of the protective clothing with a minimum area of 0,13m2 for a circular visibility thanks to circular bands around the arms, the legs and the torso.
  • B.2 In the case of the application of fluorescent non-retroreflective material or material with combined characteristics, the surface of the fluorescent material must be at least 0,2 m2.

The EN ISO 20471 standard can also be adopted.