How to read the pictograms on high-visibility clothing?

EN 471 - High-visibility clothing

EN 471 is a standard that applies to fluorescent clothing with certified reflective elements. It is most often referred to as a high visibility warning device for professional use. The standard includes two numbers that describe each single item of clothing.

The first digit indicates the safety class of the product. The class depends on the area where the fluorescent fabric is applied and the number of reflective elements used. Products can be classified on a scale of 1-3, with 3 being the highest class (highest safety). It can be obtained by combining a given item of clothing with another product, if it does not meet safety class 3 in itself

The second number is the garment's ability to reflect light. There are two classes: 1 and 2, (2 is the highest.)

EN 343 - Breathable, windproof and waterproof clothing

In the case of work regardless of weather conditions, the right type of clothing is then important.

EN 343 is a European standard that applies to protective clothing. It is characterized by rain protection. The descriptions given in the standard contain two references. The first number indicates the water resistance class, while the second number refers to the breathing class for the entire product. Both values ​​are measured on a scale of 1-3, with class 3 being the highest index of resistance. The certificate can be obtained from the FIOH institute (Finnish Institute of Occupational Medicine).

EN 342 - Protective clothing against the cold

The use of EN 342 certified clothes enables effective protection against the cold. Fasten your clothes tightly and tighten the sleeves around your wrists to protect them from hypothermia. Each piece of clothing has a strictly defined protection class. The first digit indicates the air permeability class (AP) on a scale of 1-3, with class 3 being the highest degree of protection. The second figure indicates the air permeability class (AP) on a scale of 1-2, where class 2 is the highest degree of protection. The certificate can be obtained from the FIOH institute (Finnish Institute of Occupational Medicine).

EN ISO 11611 - Protection during welding

The standard specifies the minimum requirements that apply to protective clothing used during welding as well as similar work, which entails a similar level of risk. The standard has two protection classes, ie 1 and 2, where class 2 is the highest security level. The standard replaced the previous standard EN 470-1.

EN ISO 11612 - Protection against heat and flames

Clothes that protect against heat sources and flames. The standard defines the types of outer garments made of elastic fabric, which are designed to protect the wearer's body (excluding the hands) against heat and / or fire. Clothes do not protect the hands and feet. The head should either be covered with a cap or covered. The standard replaced the previous provision of EN 531.

EN ISO 14116 - Protection against heat and flames

Materials and material combinations as well as clothing limiting the spread of flames. The standard defines the requirements for the effectiveness of materials, material combinations and protective clothing with flame-retardant properties that reduce the risk of clothing catching fire and creating a hazard for the wearers. The standard replaced the previous provision of EN 533.

EN 61482-1-2 - Workers exposed to electric arcs

Protective clothing protecting against the thermal hazards generated by an electric arc. Part 1-2: Test methods - Method 2: Determination of arc flash protection class for fabrics and garments using forced and controlled arc application (test box). The standard is to define two protection classes, ie 1 and 2, where class 2 is the highest (best) security level. The standard replaced the previous provision of ENV 50354.

EN 1149-3 / EN 1149-5 - Protective clothing with electrostatic properties

EN 1149-3: 2004 - Electric discharge

The standard defines the way electrostatic discharges collapse on the garment material.

EN 1149-5: 2008 - Material behavior and design

The standard specifies the requirements that apply to the materials and construction of electrostatic dissipative protective clothing. They are part of the base system that prevents incendiary discharges.

EN 13034 - Protective clothing against liquid chemicals

EN 13034 / EN 13034 + A1

The standard specifies the reaction requirements of clothes that protect against chemicals and provide limited protection against liquid chemicals (equipment type 6 and PB [6]). Chemical protective clothing with a limited protection class is designed for situations of potential exposure to small splashes of chemicals, spread of liquids or liquid streams (under low pressure and in small amounts).

ISO EN 15797- Standard establishing industrial washing procedures

EN ISO 15797 (EN stands for European standard) is a guarantee that a given product is resistant to industrial washing and drying. The Hohenstein Institute evaluates products according to criteria that have been defined by ETSA (European Textile Service Industry Association). A comprehensive evaluation of the various criteria shows how effectively a given product withstands industrial washing and drying processes. Product testing consists of testing shrinkage, wear, color fastness and tensile strength (some are tested before and others after washing). MASCOT's products have obtained excellent results using Test Method 8B (colored workwear that can withstand tunnel finishers).

Standard UV 801 - Protection against UV radiation

Some of the products are certified in accordance with the UV 801 standard, which means that such clothing provides longer and better protection than the best sunscreen products. The properties of new and used products are checked (washed, damp, stretched and worn). UV-certified workwear is especially important for people who work outdoors for long periods.

EN 1150 - Protection of children

Protective clothing - clothing that provides visibility, intended for non-professional use. The clothes provide high visibility, but they are not suitable for professional uses that are designed to visually signal the presence of a given person in a given place. Visibility must be ensured in daylight as well as in car headlights or searchlights used at night, and also on city roads.