EN 11611 and EN 11612 are European standards for protective clothing, specifically focused on protecting workers from various hazards. Here’s an explanation of both:
EN 11611: Protective Clothing for Use in Welding and Allied Processes
Scope:
This standard specifies minimum safety requirements for protective clothing used during welding and similar processes where workers are exposed to heat, flames, and molten metal splashes.
Key Protections:
- Heat and Flame: Ensures the fabric is resistant to heat and flame.
- Molten Metal Splashes: Tested to protect against small splashes of molten metal.
- Mechanical Risks: Provides limited protection against punctures and abrasions that might occur during welding.
Classes:
- Class 1: For low-risk welding methods and situations with lower levels of splashes and radiant heat.
- Class 2: For more hazardous welding operations where there is a higher risk of larger molten splashes and greater radiant heat.
EN 11612: Protective Clothing Against Heat and Flame
Scope:
This standard applies to protective clothing that is designed to safeguard workers from exposure to heat and flames in various industrial environments. It includes protection against:
- Radiant heat
- Convective heat
- Contact heat
- Molten metal splashes
Key Protections:
- Limited Flame Spread: The fabric is tested to resist flames without spreading.
- Convective Heat: Measures the material’s ability to block heat from direct exposure.
- Radiant Heat: Evaluates how well the material shields against radiant heat sources.
- Molten Metal Splash: Protection against splashes from molten metal, similar to EN 11611.
- Contact Heat: Assesses how well the fabric resists heat from direct contact with hot surfaces.
Testing Parameters:
Each type of heat resistance (like radiant, convective, or contact) has performance levels ranging from 1 to 4. A higher level indicates better protection.
Main Differences Between EN 11611 and EN 11612:
- EN 11611 is specifically for welding and similar processes.
- EN 11612 is broader, covering a wider range of industrial heat and flame hazards, not just welding.
Both standards are critical for ensuring that protective clothing is suitable for specific high-risk environments where exposure to heat, flames, or molten materials is present.
