BS EN ISO 11611 Standard | Arc Flash & Protective Clothing Standards

Published 09 Sep 2021

BS EN 1149-5 Standard Arc Flash & Protective Clothing Standards

BS EN ISO 11611 Standard Arc Flash & Protective Clothing Standards

BS EN ISO 11611

Arc Flash & Protective Clothing Standards

BS EN ISO 11611 Standard is the European Standard for protective clothing for use in welding and allied processes. Within BS EN ISO 11611 Arc Flash Clothing Standard there are a series of tests – the most important of which are described in ISO 6942, ISO 9150, ISO 15025 and EN 1149-2. ISO 11611 has two classes – if the fabric passes all the tests, it is designated as Class 1 and if the fabric receives a Class 2 rating for the ISO 6942 and ISO 9150 tests, it is designated as Class 2.

Class 1 – Lower Hazard Welding Applications
Class 2 – Higher Hazard Welding Applications

EXPLAINING THE DIFFERENT TESTS

ISO 6942: This is a test method for assessing fabrics and fabric combinations exposed to radiant heat. In this test, a fabric sample is exposed to radiant heat (infrared rays). The temperature on the reverse (unexposed) side of the sample is registered using a calorimeter. Subsequently, the length of time the sample can remain exposed before its temperature rises by 24°C is measured.

This test is also used for EN 531C and has two different classes as follows:

Class 1 temperature increase occurs after ≥ 7 seconds
Class 2 temperature increase occurs after ≥ 16 seconds.

ISO 9150: Determining the behaviour of fabrics when exposed to small spatters of molten metal. In this test, droplets of molten metal are spattered on a vertically suspended fabric sample. The number of droplets it takes to cause an increase in temperature of 40°C on the reverse side of the sample is determined. This test also has two classes as follows:

Class 1 ≥ 15 droplets of molten metal
Class 2 ≥ 25 droplets of molten metal.

ISO 15025: The test method for limited flame spread. The test consists of applying a flame to a fabric sample for 10 seconds. To pass the test, the after flame & smoulder times and formation of holes must be within the tolerances (set in the standard). This test is also used for EN 531A. The application of a flame can take place in two ways:

in procedure A (leads to Class A1), the flame is applied horizontally (similarly to EN 470 and EN 531)
in procedure B (leads to Class A2), the flame is applied laterally.

EN 1149-2: This is a test method for measuring the electrical resistance of a fabric sample and determining whether an electrical charge passes through the sample from the outside to the inside. For further information on this EN Standard please refer to the EN1149 section.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF PROCESSES VERSUS CLASS OF CLOTHING

Criteria for choice on the basis of the type of process

CLASS 1

Manual welding operations during which small amounts of spatter or droplets of molten metal are formed

– Gas welding
– TIG welding
– MIG welding
– Micro plasma welding
– Soldering brass
– Spot welding
– Shielded electrode MMA welding

CLASS 2

Manual welding operations during which large amounts of spatter or droplets of molten metal are formed, e.g.:

– MMA welding (using alkaline or cellulose electrodes)
– MAG welding (with CO2 or mixed gasses)
– MIG (high-voltage) welding
– Flux-cored arc welding
– Plasma cutting
– Gouging
– Oxygen cutting
– Thermal spraying

Criteria for choice on the basis of the type of work

CLASS 1

Operating machines, e.g.

– Oxygen cutting machines
– Plasma cutting machines
– Resistance pressure welding machines
– Thermal spraying
– Welding tables

CLASS 2

Operating machines, e.g.:

– In enclosed spaces
– When welding/cutting operations require reaching above head height or take place in comparable difficult positions

BS EN 1149-5 | Standard Overview

Protective clothing. For welding & allied processes. Basic safety requirements.

This International Standard specifies minimum basic safety requirements and test methods for protective clothing including hoods, aprons, sleeves, and gaiters that are designed to protect the wearer’s body including head (hoods) and feet (gaiters) and that are to be worn during welding and allied processes with comparable risks. For the protection of the wearer’s head and feet, this International Standard is only applicable to hoods and gaiters. This International Standard does not cover requirements for feet, hand, face, and/or eye protectors.

This type of protective clothing is intended to protect the wearer against spatter (small splashes of molten metal), short contact time with flame, radiant heat from an electric arc used for welding and allied processes, and minimizes the possibility of electrical shock by short-term, accidental contact with live electrical conductors at voltages up to approximately 100 V d. c. in normal conditions of welding. Sweat, soiling, or other contaminants can affect the level of protection provided against short-term accidental contact with live electric conductors at these voltages.

For adequate overall protection against the risks to which welders are likely to be exposed, personal protective equipment (PPE) covered by other International Standards should additionally be worn to protect the head, face, hands, and feet.

Guidance for the selection of the type of welders clothing for different welding activities is detailed in Annex A.

Standard Status | Current, Under Review

Published | 2015

BS EN ISO 11611:2007

BS EN ISO 11611:2007 specifies minimum basic safety requirements and test methods for protective clothing including hoods, aprons, sleeves and gaiters that are designed to protect the wearer’s body including head (hoods) and feet (gaiters) and that are to be worn during welding and allied processes with comparable risks.

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