EN 13087-7 Protective Helmets - Test Methods - Part 7: Flame Resistance

The European standard “EN 13087-7 Protective helmets - Test methods - Part 7: Flame resistance” describes test methods for protective helmets. The purpose of these tests is to ensure that the helmet's performance is evaluated as specified in the appropriate helmet standard . The EN 13087-7 standard includes test methods for flame resistance.

Protective helmets (i.e. helmets) reduce the amount of force delivered to the head from an impact, but they do not provide complete head protection from severe impact and penetration. Helmets are designed to provide limited protection against small objects. Protective helmets must be manufactured in accordance with national and international standards. These helmets must be tested for signs of deterioration and defects before they are offered to consumers. The main hazards to the head are impact, falling, electric shock, getting caught in obstacles and fire.

Simply put, flame resistance is the property of a material that will not continue to burn after the heat source is removed. Flame-resistant protective helmets are helmets manufactured with built-in flame-resistant fabrics that will not catch fire when exposed to extreme heat.

There are strict test criteria to determine whether protective helmets can be defined as flame resistant in order to protect consumers. The EN 13087-7 standard is one of them. In these tests, a helmet flame resistance tester manufactured in accordance with the "NFPA 1971 Standard for Protective Suits for Structural Fire Fighting" standard is used. This device is designed to evaluate the flame resistance performance of a protective helmet exposed to a Bunsen burner flame, a radiant heat source or both. The flame resistance tester consists of a test chamber, a radiant heat source, a Bunsen burner, a gas supply system, a heat flux meter, a flame calibration device and a control system. The heating elements of the radiant heat source are stainless steel rods that can provide radiant heat up to 10 kW/m2. The heating elements are controlled by a control device with a resolution of 0.1 degrees. The device is equipped with a pneumatic heat insulation shield, which is automatically removed when the test starts. The standard Bunsen burner meeting NFPA 1971 requirements provides flame temperatures in the range of 1100 to 1300 degrees.

In short, flame resistance is the property of a fabric or equipment to resist ignition and to self-extinguish if ignited. Typically, such equipment is made of fabric woven from fibers that are naturally fire resistant.

Employee safety is always a primary concern for employers when considering employee equipment. If an employee is exposed to a fire due to the equipment they are using, or is exposed to sparks or very hot tools that could cause a fire if left in close proximity for an extended period of time, it is very important to provide them with a hard hat that will protect them.

The length of time a protective helmet will protect the wearer from sustained fire exposure depends on the level of protection provided. It is necessary to consider the conditions in which workers typically work. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provides a guide to flame-resistant and flame-retardant equipment, which is classified differently to help employers protect industrial personnel from short-term fire exposure. These hazard risk categories are listed from Category 1 to Category 4. The higher the category, the more protection is provided over a longer period of time.

Safety helmets can be made of fiberglass reinforced plastic or thermoplastic according to requirements. Normally, fiberglass safety helmets have excellent chemical and hydrocarbon resistance. Thermoplastic type fire safety helmets have great resistance to wear and tear, will not crack or break.

Among the numerous tests, measurements, analyses and evaluation studies carried out for businesses in various sectors, our organization also provides testing services defined in the “EN 13087-7 Protective helmets - Test methods - Part 7: Flame resistance” standard with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment.