The European standard “EN 13911 Protective clothing for firefighters – Requirements and test methods for fire hoods for firefighters” describes the minimum safety requirements and test methods for fire hoods worn to provide protection against heat and fire during firefighting operations. This standard is only valid when protective clothing, a breathing apparatus, and a helmet are worn.
This standard outlines the minimum safety requirements for a fire hood worn by a firefighter following a user risk assessment. When used in conjunction with protective clothing, a respirator, and a helmet, the design features and performance requirements of the fire hood aim to protect exposed areas of the head and neck from heat and flame.
Fire hoods can be used both above and below a face mask, and with different helmet shapes, resulting in different final configurations. It is the user's responsibility to select the correct fire hood to match the clothing, helmet, and face mask recommended by the hood manufacturer.
Materials used in the construction of fire hoods that may come into contact with the user's skin must comply with EN ISO 13688. Unless otherwise specified, the stated design requirements must be verified by visual inspection during the procedures in the annex to this standard (Annex B). The manufacturer must provide information on the specific products for which compliance is claimed.
The fire hood must fit snugly to the body and be worn without causing discomfort or significantly restricting head movement. The fire hood must fit around or under the claimed compatible respirator face mask without reducing the field of vision in a way that impedes the respiratory function of the mask or causing discomfort to the user. Excessive stretching should be avoided in the design, as it will reduce the heat protection performance of the fire hood. Excessive material in the construction of the fire hood may cause discomfort to the user and compromise the use of other personal protective equipment.
The fire hood must have a face opening designed to fit around or under a respirator face mask that is claimed to be compatible. This is assessed visually.
The fire hood must have a yoke that interfaces with the protective clothing. The interface area between the hood and the clothing should be assessed through visual inspection.
Fire hoods can be manufactured in various sizes. They must be elastic enough to accommodate various head sizes and shapes. This is assessed by visual inspection. The yoke is not always symmetrical on the back, upper shoulders, and front (upper chest).
Labels for marking requirements should be placed in the area defined as the yoke of the fire hood. This is assessed by visual inspection.
To reduce heat stress and allow the release of body heat accumulating in the upper head area of the protective fire hood, a single ventilation opening may be optionally added to the protective fire hood. When the fire hood is placed flat on a table, the center of the ventilation opening should be at the highest point of the fire hood. The size of the ventilation opening should not exceed 100 cm² and should be positioned within a radius of 6 cm around the highest point of the fire hood. The ventilation opening should be made of non-melting flame-retardant materials (e.g., knitted mesh) and comply with the hole formation requirements and specified performance requirements of EN ISO 14116. The holes in the ventilation opening material should not exceed 10 mm in any direction when the fabric is measured flat in its new state.
In the high-risk world of firefighting, where flames roar and smoke rises, every piece of equipment must perform flawlessly to protect those on the front lines. Among personal protective equipment, the fire hood, governed by EN 13911, is of critical importance. This standard sets a benchmark for ensuring these hoods protect firefighters from the intense heat, radiant flames, and convective fire hazards they encounter during operations.
The EN 13911 standard is a cornerstone of firefighter safety and has been harmonized under EU Directive 2016/425 on personal protective equipment to certify equipment that meets demanding performance criteria.
This standard was developed to address a specific vulnerability, such as the exposure of firefighters' heads and necks to extreme thermal threats. Traditional helmets provide basic skull protection, but areas such as the neck, ears, and upper shoulders remain at risk without additional protection. Fire hoods, typically made from flame-retardant fabrics, extend this barrier, providing a seamless seal against smoke, embers, and superheated gases.
This standard applies only to fire hoods used in structural fire suppression and related rescue operations. Most importantly, it requires that hoods be considered as part of an integrated whole. These include:
This holistic approach ensures compliance and prevents potentially fatal protection gaps. The EN 13911 standard does not cover standalone use; it is designed for situations where radiant heat exceeds 10 kW/m2 and convective heat transfer is a primary concern, such as building fires or vehicle rescues.
All tests are conducted in accredited laboratories, simulating real-world conditions.
These requirements are derived from incident data showing that up to 15 percent of thermal injuries in firefighters originate from unprotected neck areas.
For many years, our organization, with its competent and experienced staff, has been understanding the needs of its clients, providing the advanced testing services they require, and assisting them in the establishment, implementation, and improvement of management systems. Within this framework, we also provide testing services in accordance with the EN 13911 standard.
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