This standard specifies thermal performance for protective gloves against heat and/or fire.
The nature and degree of protection is shown by a pictogram followed by a series of six performance levels, relating to specific protective qualities. Gloves must also achieve at least Performance level 1 for EN 388:2003 standard abrasion and tear.
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- aBurning behaviour (x, 0-4)
- bContact heat resistance (x, 0-4)
- cConvective heat resistance (x, 0-4)
- dRadiant heat resistance (x, 0-4)
- eResistance to small splashes of molten metal(x, 0-4)
- fResistance to large splashes of molten metal (x, 0-4)
Level X means that this test cannot be carried out on this particular glove. The higher the level, the better performance.
A - Burning behaviour (Performance level 0-4)
Based on the length of time the material continues to burn and glow after the source of ignition is removed. The flame is held against the material for 15 seconds.
The seams of the glove shall not come apart after an ignition time of 15 seconds.
| PERFORMANCE LEVEL | AFTER FLAME TIME (S) | AFTER GLOW TIME (S) |
| 1 | 20 | No requirement |
| 2 | 10 | 120 |
| 3 | 3 | 25 |
| 4 | 2 | 5 |
B - Contact heat resistance (Performance level 0-4)
Based on the temperature range at which the user will feel no pain for at least 15 seconds. The glove’s material is exposed to high temperatures (up to 500°C) during the testing. To gain the relevant performance level, the temperature of the inside of the glove cannot increase more than 10°C within the threshold time (15 seconds).
| PERFORMANCE LEVEL | CONTACT TEMPERATURE °C | THRESHOLD TIME |
| 1 | 100 | 15 |
| 2 | 250 | 15 |
| 3 | 350 | 15 |
| 4 | 500 | 15 |
C - Convective heat resistance (Performance level 0-4)
Based on the length of time the glove is able to delay the transfer of heat from a flame.
Samples are subjected to the incident heat from a flame, and the amount of time is measured to increase of the glove’s inside material by 24°C.
D - Radiant heat resistance (performance level 0-4)
Based on the length of time the glove is able to delay the transfer of heat when exposed to a radiant heat source.
E - Resistance to small splashes of molten metal (Performance level 0-4)
The number of molten iron (other metals can be tested as required) drops required to heat the glove sample by 40°C, shows the performance level the glove corresponds to.
| PERFORMANCE LEVEL | NUMBER OF DROPLETS |
| 1 | 10 |
| 2 | 15 |
| 3 | 25 |
| 4 | 35 |
F - Resistance to large splashes of molten metal (Performance level 0-4)
A quantity of molten iron is poured onto the sample, which has a simulant of skin attached to the sample. The weight of molten metal is measured by how much molten metal is required to damage the simulant of skin. The test fails if metal droplets remain stuck to the specimen or if the specimen is punctured or ignited.
| PERFORMANCE LEVEL | MOLTEN IRON (G) |
| 1 | 30 |
| 2 | 60 |
| 3 | 120 |
| 4 | 200 |