Standards compliance
Regulations and safety requirements
What standards must a firefighter suit comply with?
Our suits meet the minimum requirements of the following standards:
- EN 469:2020 for structural firefighting,
- EN ISO 15384:2020 for wildland firefighting,
- EN 16689 for technical rescue operations.
The applicable standard depends on the type of intervention and the risk assessment carried out beforehand.
- EN 469:2020 for structural firefighting,
- EN ISO 15384:2020 for wildland firefighting,
- EN 16689 for technical rescue operations.
The applicable standard depends on the type of intervention and the risk assessment carried out beforehand.
Are your garments compliant with the latest applicable standards (EN 469, NFPA, etc.)?
Absolutely. Each model is certified according to the standards relevant to its intended use (structural firefighting, wildland fires, technical rescue) and is regularly updated to remain compliant with evolving regulations.
Are your protective garments free from hazardous chemical treatments, including PFAS?
We develop textile solutions that incorporate PFAS-free treatments whenever technically feasible, in line with evolving European regulations.
Transparency and traceability of our components are central to our commitment. Beyond compliance, we actively pursue the development of safer and more environmentally friendly alternatives, in collaboration with our textile partners and certified laboratories.
Our goal: to gradually reduce the impact of chemical treatments while maintaining the highest standards of protection for end users.
Transparency and traceability of our components are central to our commitment. Beyond compliance, we actively pursue the development of safer and more environmentally friendly alternatives, in collaboration with our textile partners and certified laboratories.
Our goal: to gradually reduce the impact of chemical treatments while maintaining the highest standards of protection for end users.
Are your suits designed to minimize contamination by toxic particles and combustion residues?
Yes. At SIOEN FIRE, our suits are specifically designed to limit skin exposure to toxic substances encountered during operations - such as particles, gases, and PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons).
We conducted an exclusive scientific study confirming that multiple textile layers can block a portion of fine particles—even without the use of a membrane. Our garments are tested using strict protocols (NFPA, ASTM, EN), and we collaborate with toxicology experts to continuously enhance protective performance.
This commitment is part of our broader approach to long-term firefighter health and safety.
We conducted an exclusive scientific study confirming that multiple textile layers can block a portion of fine particles—even without the use of a membrane. Our garments are tested using strict protocols (NFPA, ASTM, EN), and we collaborate with toxicology experts to continuously enhance protective performance.
This commitment is part of our broader approach to long-term firefighter health and safety.
Is SIOEN FIRE committed to an eco-responsible approach to reduce the environmental impact of its products?
Yes. Our suits are designed with an eco-design mindset—from the selection of durable fibers to their ability to be repaired. Made entirely from 100% aramid, they are developed from the outset to be more easily recyclable.
This commitment is fully aligned with the SIOEN Group’s CSR approach, combining performance, safety, and environmental responsibility.
This commitment is fully aligned with the SIOEN Group’s CSR approach, combining performance, safety, and environmental responsibility.
Product design
Customisation and performance
Can SIOEN firefighter suits be customised to meet the specific needs of different fire services?
Yes. We offer full customisation: fit, color, visual identification, additional pockets, or reinforced areas… Each suit can be developed based on a detailed specification, tailored to your operational environment and field constraints.
Our industrial flexibility, combined with the expertise of our field teams, allows us to turn your needs into concrete technical solutions.
Our industrial flexibility, combined with the expertise of our field teams, allows us to turn your needs into concrete technical solutions.
How can thermal stress be reduced?
Thermal stress is a major health risk for firefighters. To help mitigate it, Sioen Fire designs garments that combine lightness, breathability, and ergonomic cuts—while maintaining a high level of protection.
Our current solutions include:
Suits without membranes or with partial membranes to promote heat dissipation,
Lightweight and flexible technical fabrics,
Ergonomic designs that support natural airflow and ventilation.
And because reducing thermal stress is a long-term health priority, our R&D teams are constantly working on new technologies to push the limits of thermal protection—without adding weight.
Our current solutions include:
Suits without membranes or with partial membranes to promote heat dissipation,
Lightweight and flexible technical fabrics,
Ergonomic designs that support natural airflow and ventilation.
And because reducing thermal stress is a long-term health priority, our R&D teams are constantly working on new technologies to push the limits of thermal protection—without adding weight.
What technological innovations are you developing to enhance firefighter safety and comfort?
At SIOEN FIRE, innovation is at the heart of everything we do. We develop next-generation textile solutions to meet the real-life demands of the field.
Our focus includes:
Ultra-lightweight fabrics to reduce physical strain,
Advanced multilayer systems designed to improve moisture and sweat evacuation.
Our patented TM® system is a concentration of cutting-edge innovations, developed to meet both current and future operational challenges.
Our focus includes:
Ultra-lightweight fabrics to reduce physical strain,
Advanced multilayer systems designed to improve moisture and sweat evacuation.
Our patented TM® system is a concentration of cutting-edge innovations, developed to meet both current and future operational challenges.
How do you choose the right size for a firefighter suit to ensure both comfort and safety?
Choosing the right size for a firefighter suit is essential to ensure safety, thermal performance, and wearer comfort. A proper fit maintains the insulating air layer between the body and the garment, while allowing optimal freedom of movement.
At Sioen Fire, we've developed an exclusive tool: the Sioen Measuring System (SMS). This system enables fast and accurate measurements, fully compliant with EN ISO 13688:2013. It helps reduce sizing errors and adapts to all body types—for both jackets and trousers.
At Sioen Fire, we've developed an exclusive tool: the Sioen Measuring System (SMS). This system enables fast and accurate measurements, fully compliant with EN ISO 13688:2013. It helps reduce sizing errors and adapts to all body types—for both jackets and trousers.
Care management
Inspection, cleaning, repairs & end-of-life
How often and how should a firefighter suit be inspected?
Regular visual and functional inspections are essential. They should be carried out after each intense intervention or according to the inspection frequency defined by your unit’s internal protocol.
Our wear-tracking and inspection tools help ensure the continued performance and reliability of your suits.
Our wear-tracking and inspection tools help ensure the continued performance and reliability of your suits.
How can a firefighter suit be cleaned without compromising its durability and safety?
Washing must be carried out under specific conditions to preserve the protective properties of the garment.
We provide a validated washing protocol that complies with relevant standards, along with tailored recommendations for professional cleaning providers.
We provide a validated washing protocol that complies with relevant standards, along with tailored recommendations for professional cleaning providers.
How and by whom should a firefighter garment be repaired?
Only certified repair technicians trained in our technical textiles are authorized to work on firefighter garments. We offer an approved repair service that ensures full compliance and traceability of all interventions. Anyone performing work on a firefighter garment is responsible for maintaining its integrity.
What is the average lifespan of a firefighter suit, and how can you tell when it needs to be replaced?
A firefighter suit does not have a fixed lifespan—its durability depends primarily on wear condition and intensity of use. At Sioen Fire, our garments are built to last. They are made with high-quality technical materials, designed to withstand extreme operational conditions.
That’s why we recommend regular inspections (both visual and functional), especially after major interventions, following a defined protocol. These checks help identify critical signs of wear—such as tearing, delamination, or damage to protective layers—and determine whether the suit can still be worn safely or needs to be replaced.
That’s why we recommend regular inspections (both visual and functional), especially after major interventions, following a defined protocol. These checks help identify critical signs of wear—such as tearing, delamination, or damage to protective layers—and determine whether the suit can still be worn safely or needs to be replaced.
What happens to firefighter suits at the end of their life cycle? Are there any recycling solutions available?
Today, end-of-life firefighter suits are typically sent for controlled destruction, to ensure the safe disposal of PPE that may be contaminated.
Aware of the environmental challenges linked to PPE disposal, we are actively exploring more sustainable alternatives. Current areas of research include:
Chemical recycling of aramid fibers, in collaboration with specialised partners,
Material recycling, depending on suitable processes for multilayer fabrics,
Upcycling of non-degraded components for secondary uses (covers, bags, accessories),
Eco-design projects aimed at improving the sorting and separation of materials.
Our suits, made from 100% aramid, are already designed with future recycling pathways in mind.The search for more responsible end-of-life solutions is a core part of our CSR strategy.
Aware of the environmental challenges linked to PPE disposal, we are actively exploring more sustainable alternatives. Current areas of research include:
Chemical recycling of aramid fibers, in collaboration with specialised partners,
Material recycling, depending on suitable processes for multilayer fabrics,
Upcycling of non-degraded components for secondary uses (covers, bags, accessories),
Eco-design projects aimed at improving the sorting and separation of materials.
Our suits, made from 100% aramid, are already designed with future recycling pathways in mind.The search for more responsible end-of-life solutions is a core part of our CSR strategy.
