Certification - EN ISO 11612

EN ISO 11612: Heat & Flame Protective Clothing

A practical guide for choosing the right heat- and flame-protective workwear for your team.

What is EN ISO 11612?

EN ISO 11612 is the core European/international standard for clothing that protects the wearer from brief contact with flame and at least one form of heat (convective, radiant or contact) and/or molten metal splash. It applies to garments that cover the body (e.g., coveralls, jackets and trousers), and can also include hoods, gaiters and overboots when specified. Hands, eyes, and respiratory protection are covered by other standards and must be selected separately.

EN ISO 11612 replaced the older EN 531 standard. If you’re upgrading older FR garments, look for EN ISO 11612 on the label to ensure current compliance.

Who is it for?

Typical users include workers in:

  • Foundries and metal production: iron, steel, aluminium processing and casting
  • Oil, gas & petrochemical production, refining and maintenance
  • Utilities and power generation: electricity, gas, district heating
  • Glass, cement, automotive, shipbuilding and heavy manufacturing
  • General industrial settings involving heat sources or intermittent flame exposure

Note: Dedicated standards exist for other tasks—e.g., EN ISO 11611 for welding and allied processes, and IEC 61482-2 for electric arc hazards. Choose garments certified for the hazards you actually face.

How to read an EN ISO 11612 label

Garments are marked with a flame pictogram and a code showing the standard and performance letters/levels, e.g.:
EN ISO 11612:2015 A1 B1 C1 D2 F1

  • A1/A2 – Limited flame spread (A1 = surface ignition test, A2 = edge ignition test)
  • B1–B3 – Resistance to convective heat (higher number = better)
  • C1–C4 – Resistance to radiant heat
  • D1–D3 – Resistance to molten aluminium splash
  • E1–E3 – Resistance to molten iron splash
  • F1–F3 – Resistance to contact heat (hot surface at 250 °C)

A compliant garment must achieve A1 or A2 (or both) and at least one of B–F. Two‑piece outfits (jacket + trousers) must be worn together as specified on the CE label to achieve the stated protection.

Performance classes at a glance

Code What it measures Levels
A1 / A2 Limited flame spread (10 s exposure; self‑extinguishing, no melting/dripping) Pass/Fail (must achieve A1 and/or A2)
B1–B3 Convective heat (time to 24 °C rise) B1: ≥4–<10 s • B2: ≥10–<20 s • B3: ≥20 s
C1–C4 Radiant heat (time to 24 °C rise) C1: ≥7–<20 s • C2: ≥20–<50 s • C3: ≥50–<95 s • C4: ≥95 s
D1–D3 Molten aluminium splash (grams resisted) D1: ≥100–<200 g • D2: ≥200–<350 g • D3: ≥350 g
E1–E3 Molten iron splash (grams resisted) E1: ≥60–<120 g • E2: ≥120–<200 g • E3: ≥200 g
F1–F3 Contact heat at 250 °C (time to threshold) F1: ≥5–<10 s • F2: ≥10–<15 s • F3: ≥15 s

Minimum construction & design expectations

  • Coverage: Garments must cover from neck to wrist and ankle; two‑piece sets require sufficient jacket–trouser overlap in all working positions.
  • Closures & hardware: Fastenings are protected; metal parts must not contact the skin directly.
  • Heat resistance: Materials and components must withstand elevated temperatures without igniting, melting or excessive shrinkage.
  • Molten metal protection (D/E): Additional design measures help prevent retention of splashes (e.g., covered pockets, flaps).

How to choose the right EN ISO 11612 garment

  1. Identify your primary hazards: flame only; radiant heat; hot surfaces (contact heat); or molten metal type/quantity (aluminium vs iron/steel).
  2. Match performance letters/levels: e.g., foundry work often requires higher D/E; furnace/ladle proximity calls for higher C; hot‑surface handling needs higher F.
  3. Confirm garment combination: If the label states a two‑piece outfit, use the specified jacket and trousers together for full protection.
  4. Check fit & mobility: Correct size avoids gaps and ensures overlaps; freedom of movement reduces snag and burn risk.
  5. Plan for care: Choose fabrics/finishes compatible with your laundering process (home vs industrial). Build a replacement schedule for heavily used FR gear.

Care, laundering & lifetime

  • Follow the garment’s care label. FR performance is validated after specified wash cycles; harsh or incorrect laundering can reduce protection.
  • Industrial laundering: If garments face heavy soiling (e.g., oil & carbon), select products tested for industrial wash programs and verified after multiple cycles.
  • Inspection: Replace garments that are thinned, holed, heavily contaminated or have damaged seams/closures—especially for molten metal service.
  • Layering: Only certified combinations guarantee performance. If you add mid‑layers, ensure they are flame-resistant and approved by the manufacturer.

Limitations & related standards

  • Not a firefighting standard: Structural and wildland firefighting require other PPE standards (e.g., EN 469).
  • Welding: Use EN ISO 11611 for welding and allied processes.
  • Electric arc: Use IEC 61482-2 (box/open-arc) for arc‑flash hazards; many multi‑norm garments carry both arc and EN ISO 11612 certifications.

Typical selections by industry

  • Aluminium foundry: A1/A2 + D2/D3; consider higher C if exposed to radiant heat.
  • Steel/iron casting: A1/A2 + E2/E3 with design features that shed splash; higher C near furnaces.
  • Refining & petrochem: A1/A2 + B/C/F depending on task; multi‑norm (anti‑static/high‑vis) often preferred.
  • Maintenance near hot plant: A1/A2 + F2–F3 (contact heat) and appropriate B/C levels.

FAQ

Is A1 better than A2?
No—they are different flame-spread tests (surface vs edge ignition). Many garments achieve both A1 and A2; either is acceptable when paired with at least one of B–F.
Can I wear a non‑FR hoodie under an EN ISO 11612 jacket?
Avoid non‑FR layers. Use only FR base/mid‑layers approved by the manufacturer, and follow the certified garment combination to maintain protection.
Does higher weight always mean better protection?
Not necessarily. Protection depends on fabric type, construction, and garment design. Always rely on the certified letter codes and levels for the job’s hazards.
My team works around sparks and hot metal—do we need EN ISO 11611 instead?
If welding, cutting, or grinding is the primary hazard, choose EN ISO 11611. If you face broader heat/flame risks (including radiant or contact heat and molten metal splash), EN ISO 11612 is typically more suitable. Many garments are dual‑certified.

Shop EN ISO 11612 Workwear

Browse by application to find the right protection fast:

  • /collections/en-iso-11612-foundryFoundry & molten metal (D/E)
  • /collections/en-iso-11612-radiant-heatHigh radiant heat (C3–C4)
  • /collections/en-iso-11612-contact-heatContact heat handling (F2–F3)
  • /collections/multi-normMulti‑norm & arc‑rated (EN ISO 11612 + IEC 61482‑2)

Compliance reminder: Always conduct a task‑specific risk assessment, verify the garment’s exact certification on the CE label, and use all required PPE (head, hands, eyes, feet, and respiratory) for complete protection.