Flame-retardant workwear standards explained: how to read the label and choose the right protection

Short answer: “flame retardant” is not a standard. What protects you is the specific European standard on the CE label and the codes or classes next to it. EN ISO 11612 covers heat and flame, IEC 61482-2 covers electric arc, EN ISO 11611 covers welding, EN ISO 14116 only covers limited flame spread, and EN 1149-5 covers electrostatic dissipation. Start from your risk assessment, match each hazard to the right standard and level, and make sure the whole outfit, from base layer to outerwear, works together.

We are often asked for “flame retardant workwear” as if it were one category. It isn’t. A garment that is fine for a welder can be the wrong choice for an electrician working near live switchgear, and a jacket that only limits flame spread should not go over a cotton T-shirt in a refinery. This guide explains what each standard means, how to read the codes, and the mistakes we see most often.

At a glance: which standard covers which hazard?

EN ISO 11612: heat and flame

Answer first: EN ISO 11612 is the core standard for workers exposed to industrial heat and flame. Every certified garment passes limited flame spread (code A1 and/or A2). The other letters show which heat hazards it was tested for and at which level, and a higher level number means better performance in that test.

The codes on the label:

• A1 / A2: limited flame spread. A1 is tested with the flame applied to the surface of the fabric, A2 with the flame applied to the edge. At least one of them is required.
• B: convective heat, levels 1 to 3. Think of hot air and gases near furnaces or flames.
• C: radiant heat, levels 1 to 4. Heat radiating from glowing surfaces, molten material or fire.
• D: molten aluminium splash, levels 1 to 3.
• E: molten iron splash, levels 1 to 3.
• F: contact heat, levels 1 to 3. Brief contact with hot surfaces.

A garment marked “A1 B1 C1” and one marked “A1 B2 C2 E3” are very different garments. The first is a basic heat-and-flame garment. The second adds better protection against convective and radiant heat and a high rating against molten iron splash, which matters in a foundry. A garment without a D or E code was not tested against molten metal splash, so don’t assume it protects against it.

EN ISO 11612:2015 is the current edition. A revised edition is in preparation, so expect updated labels in the future, but the 2015 edition is the one that applies today.

Browse our flame retardant clothing and multinorm clothing for garments that combine several of these standards.

IEC 61482-2: electric arc

Answer first: if your team works on or near live electrical installations, flame resistance alone is not enough. An arc flash releases a very large amount of energy in a fraction of a second. Garments for this risk are tested to IEC 61482-2, either in the box test or in the open arc test.

• Box test (IEC 61482-1-2): the garment is classified as APC 1 (tested at 4 kA) or APC 2 (tested at 7 kA). You may still see these called “Class 1” and “Class 2” on older labels and in catalogues. APC 2 is the higher class.
• Open arc test (IEC 61482-1-1): this gives a value in cal/cm²: the ELIM (incident energy limit) and an ATPV or EBT value. The higher the value, the more incident energy the fabric or garment can handle in that test. Match the value to the incident energy calculated in your arc flash risk assessment.

The two tests measure different things and the results are not directly interchangeable. Check which one your risk assessment asks for. Arc protection also only works as a full system: the face shield, gloves and the layers underneath matter just as much as the outer garment.

See our arc flash protective clothing.

EN ISO 11611: welding

Answer first: EN ISO 11611 is the standard for protective clothing for welding and allied processes. It has two classes. Choose Class 2 for the more hazardous jobs.

• Class 1: protection for less hazardous welding techniques and situations, with lower levels of spatter and radiant heat. Examples include gas welding, TIG welding and MIG welding at low current.
• Class 2: protection for more hazardous welding techniques and situations, with higher levels of spatter and radiant heat. Examples include manual metal arc welding with basic or cellulose electrodes, MAG welding, plasma cutting, and welding in confined spaces or overhead.

For extra protection where spatter concentrates, a leather welding apron goes over the welding garment. The Sacobel Cow Split Leather Welding Apron is listed with EN ISO 11611 and EN 13688 in our product data. For hands, welding gloves are tested to their own standard, EN 12477. The Sacobel Welding Gloves Split Leather list EN 12477 Type A and EN 407. The unlined Sacobel 3210 TIG Welding Gloves list EN 12477 Type B, the type intended where dexterity matters, as in TIG work.

More options are in our welding clothing and welding gloves collections.

EN ISO 14116: limited flame spread

Answer first: EN ISO 14116 only tells you that a material limits flame spread when it briefly touches a small flame. Read the index carefully: index 1 materials must never be worn directly against the skin. They must go over an index 2 or index 3 garment. Index 3 is the highest level within this standard.

• Index 1: the material doesn’t burn to the edge and produces no flaming debris, but it may form a hole. That is why it must be worn over an index 2 or 3 garment, never against the skin.
• Index 2: as index 1, and the material does not form a hole.
• Index 3: as index 2, with an added limit on afterflame. This is the highest index in the standard.

EN ISO 14116 is not a substitute for EN ISO 11612 where real heat or flame exposure is expected. It is meant for garments with a limited flame-spread requirement, such as some high-visibility or rain garments worn over other protective clothing. EN ISO 14116:2015 is the current edition. A revised edition is coming but has not been published yet.

EN 1149-5: electrostatic dissipation

Answer first: EN 1149-5 garments dissipate static charge so that a spark from static build-up does not ignite a flammable atmosphere. It is usually combined with the standards above for ATEX zones in petrochemical, gas and chemical work.

EN 1149-5 has no classes or levels, but it only works if it is worn correctly:

• The wearer must be earthed, normally through suitable dissipative safety footwear and flooring.
• The EN 1149-5 garment must cover all non-compliant layers underneath during normal use, including when bending and moving.
• Don’t open or take off the garment inside a flammable or explosive atmosphere.

EN 1149-5 is about static only. A garment can carry EN 1149-5 without any flame standard. The Lyngsøe Microflex Jacket, for example, lists EN 343 (rain) and EN 1149-5 in our product data and no flame standard. If you need heat and flame protection too, check that the label also shows EN ISO 11612 or EN ISO 14116 at the right level. See our antistatic clothing.

Layering: the whole outfit has to work together

Answer first: flame-resistant outerwear only protects as well as the layers underneath allow. Synthetic base layers such as polyester, nylon or elastane can melt and stick to the skin when the outer layer heats up.

• Wear non-melting base layers: flame-resistant underwear and T-shirts, or natural fibres such as cotton or wool where your risk assessment allows.
• Index 1 garments to EN ISO 14116 go over an index 2 or 3 garment, never against the skin.
• A rain jacket or hi-vis vest worn over FR clothing must not undo the protection. It needs its own suitable flame standard, and for ATEX work it must also meet EN 1149-5.
• For arc flash, the whole assembly counts: garments, gloves, face protection and what is worn underneath.
• Close the garment properly. An open front or rolled-up sleeves reduce the protection on the label.

Care: inherent vs treated FR fabrics

Answer first: inherent FR fabrics get their flame resistance from the fibre itself. Treated FR fabrics, usually cotton or cotton-rich, get it from a chemical finish. Both need correct care, and the wrong washing can reduce protection.

• Inherent FR fabrics: the flame resistance does not wash out. However, contamination with oil, grease or other flammable substances can still burn and undo the protection. Clean garments regularly and replace them when damaged.
• Treated FR fabrics: the finish is durable but depends on correct care. Follow the care label exactly: temperature, number of wash cycles where stated, and drying method.
• For both: avoid bleach and fabric softener unless the care label allows them, because they can affect protective performance or leave a flammable film. Repair only with compatible FR materials, and replace garments that are worn, torn or heavily contaminated.

How to choose from the risk assessment

Answer first: start from the risk assessment, not the catalogue. Identify the hazard, match the standard and level to it, then check that the whole outfit works together.

1. Name the hazard. Is it flame, convective or radiant heat, molten metal, contact heat, welding spatter, electric arc, static, or a combination?
2. Match the standard. Heat and flame: EN ISO 11612. Arc: IEC 61482-2. Welding: EN ISO 11611. Static in ATEX zones: EN 1149-5. Brief contact with a small flame only: EN ISO 14116.
3. Match the level. For example, a higher C level for strong radiant heat, an E code for iron foundries, Class 2 for heavy welding, and an arc value at or above the calculated incident energy.
4. Check combinations. Many jobs need multinorm clothing that combines several standards on one label.
5. Check the full outfit. Base layers, outerwear, gloves, face protection and footwear.
6. Plan care and replacement. Agree on washing and inspection before the garments go into use.

Not sure which combination your team needs? Send us the job description and we will help you match the right protection. Items in stock that are ordered before 14:00 ship the same day, we ship within the EU (shipping costs are calculated at checkout), and you have a 30-day right of return.

Three things we see go wrong

1. Buying on the words “flame retardant” without checking which standards and levels are on the label.
2. Wearing flame-resistant outerwear over synthetic base layers, which can melt onto the skin. The layer underneath matters too.
3. Forgetting that inherent and treated FR fabrics need different care, and that the wrong washing can reduce protection.

FAQ

Is “flame retardant” the same as EN ISO 11612?

No. “Flame retardant” is a general description. EN ISO 11612 is a specific standard for heat and flame with tested codes and levels. Always check the standard and codes on the CE label.

What is the difference between EN ISO 11612 and EN ISO 14116?

EN ISO 11612 covers protection against heat and flame, including convective, radiant and contact heat and molten metal splash. EN ISO 14116 only covers limited flame spread. It is not a substitute for EN ISO 11612 where real heat exposure is expected.

Can I wear an EN ISO 14116 index 1 garment on its own?

Not against the skin. Index 1 materials must be worn over an index 2 or index 3 garment.

Does flame-resistant clothing protect against arc flash?

Not automatically. Arc flash protection requires IEC 61482-2 testing, either the box test class (APC 1 or APC 2) or an open arc value (ELIM, ATPV or EBT) in cal/cm².

Which welding class do I need, Class 1 or Class 2?

Class 1 is for less hazardous welding with lower spatter and radiant heat. Class 2 is for more hazardous work, such as heavier arc welding or welding in confined spaces or overhead.

Why combine EN 1149-5 with flame-resistant standards?

In ATEX zones, a spark from static build-up can ignite a flammable atmosphere. EN 1149-5 garments dissipate that charge, but only if the wearer is earthed and the garment covers the layers underneath.

Are EN ISO 11612 and EN ISO 14116 being revised?

Yes. Revised editions are in preparation but have not been published yet. EN ISO 11612:2015 and EN ISO 14116:2015 remain the current editions.