EN ISO 11612: Protection during welding and related activities

Safety clothing with the EN ISO 11612 standard protects employees (except welders and firefighters) who are exposed to heat, flames and molten metals. The work clothing protects against flames as well as convective and radiant heat for short periods of time.

Why EN ISO 11612?

EN ISO 11612 is a standard that uses various tests to determine the extent to which clothing can tolerate industrial heat. Tests are carried out on the cloth and clothing. The results of these tests are represented by the letters A, B, C, D, E and F in combination with a number indicating the degree of protection. In addition to the tests, the clothing must also meet specific design requirements such as flaps on all pockets with the letters D and/or E, properly constructed seams and sufficient overlap of a jacket compared to trousers.

If the clothing has been tested and meets all specific design requirements, it receives a classification. This consists of one or more letters in combination with the corresponding protection level, expressed as a number. If a certain type of protection is not achieved, this will be indicated with a number 0 or the omission of the letter.

The following types of protection, their letter codes and possible numerical codes are possible in EN ISO 11612:

11612-A Flame spread

During this test, the fabric and seams are flamed for 10 seconds. In the result, the afterflame time, afterglow time and hole formation must remain within the values of the set standard. The test can be performed in two different ways:

Procedure A (provides A1): Horizontal surface ignition.
Procedure B (provides A2): edge ignition.

11612-B Convective Heat

In this test, the substance is held above the flame and the increase in temperature is measured at the top using a calorimeter. For example, thermal conductivity when exposed to flames is tested. During the test, the time required to reach a temperature increase of 24 °C is measured. Depending on this, the class is determined:

B1: from 4 to 10 seconds
B2: from 10 to 20 seconds
B3: 20 seconds and more

11612-C Radiant heat

In this test, the fabric is exposed to radiant heat using infrared. The temperature increase is measured on the other side of the cloth via a calorimeter. The time (s) required to reach a temperature increase of 24 °C is measured. Depending on this, the class is determined:

C1: from 7 to 20 seconds
C2: from 20 to 50 seconds
C3: from 50 to 95 seconds
C4: 95 seconds and more

11612D/E Molten metal

This test measures protection against splashes of molten metal. A membrane (which mimics human skin) is applied to the back of the fabric. A certain amount of molten aluminum (Code D) and molten iron (Code E) is then applied: the membrane on the back of the fabric must not deform.

With molten aluminum:

D1: between 100 and 200 grams
D2: between 200 and 350 grams
D3: 350 grams and more

With molten iron:

E1: between 60 and 120 grams
E2: between 120 and 200 grams
E3: 200 grams and more

1162-F Contact Heat

This test measures the protection against possible contact through the clothing with a warm object. During the test, the fabric is brought into contact with a test object at a temperature of 250 °C and the time during which the heat transfers to the back of the fabric is measured. The time determines the class achieved as follows:

F1: between 5.0 and 10.0 minutes
F2: between 10.0 and 15.0 minutes
F3: 15.0 minutes and more

Use and maintenance

The EN ISO 11612 standard is the basis for working safely. Tricorp recommends that the user read the use and maintenance instructions before first use. If you have any doubts about the protective clothing to use or if you have questions about its correct use, it is wise to consult a safety expert and/or manager.

Multinorm collection classification

The table below provides an overview of the classification of our Multinorm clothing.

Tricorp Multinorm Collection	Classified
T-shirts and polos	A1, B1 and C1
Sweater and fleece	A1, B1 and C2
Parka	A1, B1, C1, E3 and F1
Soft shell	A1, B1 and C2
Overalls and trousers	A1, B1, C1, E2 and F1

Discover the full version here multinorm collection.