Overview
EN ISO 15027-2:2012 - Immersion suits - Part 2: Abandonment suits, requirements including safety - specifies performance and safety requirements for abandonment immersion suits used in emergency situations during work and leisure activities. The standard covers both dry and wet abandonment suits and sets minimum performance levels to protect users from the effects of cold water immersion such as cold shock and hypothermia, including protection for the head, hands and feet. Constant-wear suits are excluded (see ISO 15027-1); test methods are provided in ISO 15027-3.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and purpose: Defines minimum performance requirements so abandonment suits provide effective thermal protection long enough for rescue.
- Thermal protection: Specifies minimum insulation levels and the associated water-temperature guidance to delay hypothermia (thermal protection times are expressed relative to suit and clothing systems).
- Ergonomics and safety: Requirements to avoid impediment, snagging hazards and interference with other life‑saving equipment.
- Buoyancy and flotation: Requirements for foam flotation materials and interaction with lifejackets to help maintain a face‑up position.
- Conspicuity and marking: Visibility features, colorfastness, consumer labelling, manufacturer information and identification marking requirements.
- Accessories and buddy lines: Requirements for attachments, restraint of snagging parts and buddy-line specifications to aid group rescues.
- Leakage and water ingress: Performance limits for leakage to control water entry in wet suits and manage thermal performance.
- Material performance: Requirements on fabrics, components, flammability, ageing and temperature cycling to ensure durable and safe operation.
- Information & labelling: Manufacturer-supplied documentation, consumer information at point of sale and required product labelling.
- Compliance & conformity: Relationship to PPE essential requirements (e.g., EU Directive 89/686/EEC as noted in Annex ZA for European application).
Applications and practical users
- Marine and offshore industries (crew abandonment procedures, emergency preparedness)
- Small craft and recreational boating manufacturers and suppliers
- PPE procurement teams, safety officers and regulatory inspectors
- Suit designers and manufacturers developing abandonment suits to meet market and regulatory requirements
- Training organisations assessing user fit, maintenance and emergency procedures
Practical use: EN ISO 15027-2:2012 guides selection, testing and labelling of abandonment suits to ensure users receive predictable thermal protection in cold-water incidents. It is used when specifying PPE for vessels, offshore platforms, work-at-height over water and recreational equipment.
Related standards
- ISO 15027-1:2012 - Constant wear suits, requirements including safety
- ISO 15027-3:2012 - Test methods for immersion suits
- EN 340 - Protective clothing - General requirements
Keywords: EN ISO 15027-2:2012, immersion suits, abandonment suits, cold water immersion, hypothermia protection, marine safety, PPE, ISO 15027, ISO 15027-3.
