ISO/TS 11999-2:2015

TECHNICAL ISO/TS
SPECIFICATION 11999-2
First edition
2015-06-01
PPE for firefighters — Test methods
and requirements for PPE used
by firefighters who are at risk of
exposure to high levels of heat and/or
flame while fighting fires occurring in
structures —
Part 2:
Compatibility
Équipement de protection personnelle pour pompiers — Méthodes
d’essai et exigences pour les équipements de protection personnelle
utilisés par les pompiers qui sont à risque d’une exposition à des
niveaux élevés de chaleur et/ou de flamme quand la lutte contre les
incendies survient dans les structures —
Partie 2: Compatibilité
Reference number
ISO/TS 11999-2:2015(E)
©
ISO 2015

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ISO/TS 11999-2:2015(E)

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© ISO 2015, Published in Switzerland
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ISO/TS 11999-2:2015(E)

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative References . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Compatibility . 2
4.1 General . 2
4.2 Minimum requirements of compatibility . 2
4.3 Fit and function tests demonstrating compatibility . 2
4.3.1 Test subjects. 2
4.3.2 Compatibility for helmet/fire hood/jacket/RPD interface . 3
4.3.3 Compatibility for glove/jacket interface . 3
4.3.4 Compatibility for the jacket/trousers interface . 3
4.3.5 Compatibility for the footwear/trousers interface . 4
4.3.6 Performance tests . 4
5 Marking . 4
6 Manufacturer’s instructions . 5
Annex A (informative) Practical performance test — Practical performance for
compatibility of firefighters’ PPE ensemble or combinations .6
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ISO/TS 11999-2:2015(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International
Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting.
Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies
casting a vote.
In other circumstances, particularly when there is an urgent market requirement for such documents, a
technical committee may decide to publish other types of normative document:
— an ISO Publicly Available Specification (ISO/PAS) represents an agreement between technical
experts in an ISO working group and is accepted for publication if it is approved by more than 50 %
of the members of the parent committee casting a vote;
— an ISO Technical Specification (ISO/TS) represents an agreement between the members of a
technical committee and is accepted for publication if it is approved by 2/3 of the members of the
committee casting a vote.
An ISO/PAS or ISO/TS is reviewed after three years in order to decide whether it will be confirmed for
a further three years, revised to become an International Standard, or withdrawn. If the ISO/PAS or
ISO/TS is confirmed, it is reviewed again after a further three years, at which time it must either be
transformed into an International Standard or be withdrawn.
ISO/TS 11999-2 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 94, Personal safety – Protective clothing
and equipment, Subcommittee SC 14, Fire-fighters’ personal equipment.
ISO 11999 consists of the following parts, under the general title PPE for firefighters — Test methods and
requirements for PPE used by firefighters who are at risk of exposure to high levels of heat and/or flame
while fighting fires occurring in structures:
— Part 1: General
— Part 2: Compatibility
— Part 3: Clothing
— Part 4: Gloves
The following parts are under preparation:
— Part 5: Helmets
— Part 6: Footwear
— Part 7: Face and eye protection
— Part 8: Hearing
— Part 9: Firehoods
— Part 10: Respiratory protection
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ISO/TS 11999-2:2015(E)

Introduction
This International Standard provides minimum design and performance requirements for personal
protective equipment (PPE) worn by firefighters to reduce injury and/or the loss of life. Amongst other
hazards faced by firefighters is exposure to high thermal loads and to flames.
This International Standard details the design and performance requirements for the various items of
PPE covered in all parts and for the compatibility of items of PPE when worn together.
This International Standard specifies design and performance requirements for the compatibility
of ISO 11999-3, ISO 11999-4, ISO 11999-5, ISO 11999-6, ISO 11999-7, ISO 11999-8, ISO 11999-9, and
ISO 11999-10 when all items covered in this International Standard are worn together, thereby creating
an ensemble standard. All items have to meet the general requirements for marking and manufacturer’s
instructions (ISO 11999-1), as well as the specific marking and manufacturer’s instructions of the
respective parts of ISO 11999.
Under best practice for health and safety procedures, prior to choosing any PPE, a risk assessment of
the workplace is carried out. Where hazards are identified and cannot be removed from a workplace,
the items of PPE chosen to protect the personnel need to be fit for their intended use while allowing the
personnel to carry out the work required of them. In environments where firefighters may be required
to work, not only must the PPE protect the firefighters while enabling them to achieve their objectives
at an incident, but it must also safeguard them and allow a safe escape. The PPE chosen must also allow
firefighters to carry out their duties without undue stress being caused by the PPE.
Some PPE, particularly PPE to protect against mortal danger, can have failure levels far above the limit of
exposures of human beings. On sites where such PPE is being used, it is important to ensure that proper
and suitable safety procedures are in place which can identify when personnel should be withdrawn
from dangerous or potentially dangerous situations and which can ensure that the relevant medical
support is available for firefighters.
Since the decision on which PPE ensemble to use following risk assessment will dictate the parameters
for protection of the persons who have to wear it, it is critical that decision-makers have knowledge of
the risks against which the PPE is supposed to protect and its limitations. It is recommended that those
who make the decision on the choice of PPE for particular workplaces should be competent in their
knowledge and understanding of both the workplace hazards and the PPE from which to choose, prior
to making these decisions, to ensure that informed decisions are taken.
Further detail on carrying out risk assessment to ascertain the type of PPE required to protect personnel
working in specific areas is included in ISO 11999-1:2015, Annex A.
Hazards in the workplaces of firefighters are varied but can be common from workplace to workplace;
therefore, some uses of PPE for firefighters can be multipurpose. Because this International Standard has
been developed on a risk assessment approach, a number of different types, levels, or classes are given for
certain performance requirements of various parts of a PPE ensemble. Based on their risk assessment,
users of this International Standard can make a choice of which levels or classes are required for the
particular workplace where their personnel are expected to work. This can include fires in domestic and
commercial buildings, fires in industry, including aviation, petrochemical, chemical, pharmaceutical,
land-based marine incidents, rescue, etc.
This International Standard includes separate parts for each item of a firefighter’s ensemble. As PPE to
protect each part of the body can be complex, this International Standard draws from the expertise of
other Technical Committees in ISO which specialize in such protection.
The results of the user risk assessment for certain workplaces can require the use of PPE with higher
and/or different levels or classes of performance than those in this International Standard. PPE covered
in this part of ISO 11999 will not protect from all possible exposures. Nothing in this International
Standard is intended to restrict any jurisdiction, purchaser, or manufacturer from exceeding the
minimum performance requirements specified in this International Standard.
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ISO/TS 11999-2:2015(E)

Another objective in the Business Plan of ISO/TC 94/SC 14 is to provide guidance on the selection, use,
care, and maintenance for firefighters’ PPE. Such activities are critical to the lifespan and continuing
protective ability of any PPE and policies covering these aspects should be implemented as soon as
the PPE is introduced into use. ISO/TC 94/SC 14 has developed a Technical Report on this subject,
ISO/TR 21808. Firefighters should be trained in the selection, use, care, and maintenance of their PPE.
Firefighters should also be trained in the performance and limitation of their PPE.
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION ISO/TS 11999-2:2015(E)
PPE for firefighters — Test methods and requirements for
PPE used by firefighters who are at risk of exposure to high
levels of heat and/or flame while fighting fires occurring in
structures —
Part 2:
Compatibility
1 Scope
This Technical Specification describes compatibility for ensembles of firefighters personal protective
equipment (PPE) to be used by firefighters, who are at risk of exposure to high levels of h
...