Overview
EN ISO 14116:2015 (CEN adoption of ISO 14116:2015) sets minimum performance requirements for limited flame spread of materials, material assemblies and protective clothing. Its purpose is to reduce the risk that garments or their components will ignite or continue to burn after brief, occasional contact with small flames. The standard defines test, classification and labelling requirements to help manufacturers, specifiers and buyers assess flammability performance for protective garments not intended to provide full heat or prolonged flame protection.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and intent: Applies to all materials, material assemblies and garments intended to limit flame spread when exposed briefly to small flames. It is not intended where heat hazards require full thermal protection (see Related Standards).
- Classification system: Materials, assemblies and garments are assigned a limited flame spread index (Index 1, 2 or 3) based on testing, with increasing performance expectations between indices. Tests follow ISO 15025, Procedure A.
- Flame testing: Procedures for assessing flame spread, afterflame and afterglow, flaming debris and hole formation are included.
- Mechanical property tests: Requirements and test methods for tensile strength, tear strength, burst strength (woven and knitted), and seam strength to ensure durability in service.
- Sampling, pre-treatment and ageing: Rules for sampling and conditioning, including pre-treatment for single‑use garments and ageing related to washing or other maintenance (manufacturer-specified limits).
- Design and construction: Design requirements (e.g., overlaps), hardware and accessory testing (labels, badges, retro-reflective materials), and restrictions to reduce flammability risk.
- Marking and information: Requirements for marking of materials, assemblies and finished garments and the information that manufacturers must supply (performance index, care/cleaning, limitations).
- Measurement uncertainty and classification rules: Normative annexes define uncertainty of measurement and procedures for determining property values used in rating.
Applications
- Selection and specification of protective clothing for industries where incidental brief flame contact is possible (e.g., light industrial work, certain maintenance, utility and service tasks).
- Product development and quality control by textile and PPE manufacturers to demonstrate limited-flame-spread performance.
- Procurement and compliance checks where reduced flammability is required but full heat/flame protection (e.g., ISO 11612) is not necessary.
Who uses this standard
- PPE manufacturers and textile converters
- Safety managers and procurement officers
- Test laboratories and conformity assessors
- Regulatory and certification bodies in CEN member states
Related standards
- ISO 15025 - Test method for limited flame spread (Procedure A is used for classification)
- ISO 11612 - For garments providing protection against heat and flame (when heat hazards are present)
- ISO/TR 2801 - Guidance on selection, use and maintenance of protective clothing against flame
Keywords: EN ISO 14116:2015, protective clothing, limited flame spread, ISO 15025, flammability testing, material assemblies, classification Index 1/2/3.
