UNI EN 15614
Forest Fire Protection

The UNI EN 15614 standard generically describes test methods and minimum performance requirements that accident prevention clothing designed to protect the body (except head, hands and feet) from forest and/or vegetation fires and associated activities must have. The standard also addresses the minimum performance level for the materials used and the test methods for determining these levels. These garments do not protect during fire entrapment.

Who should wear forest fire clothing

UNI EN 15614-certified workwear is made for use by qualified personnel, such as firefighters, in hazardous operations such as forest firefighting. Durante queste operazioni il soggetto è sottoposto a molteplici rischi:

• Burns through exposure to radiant heat;
• Heat strokes;
• Inhalation of toxic substances and breathing difficulties;
• Risk of crushing if weights are dropped.

It is important that the clothing be certified so that it provides the right protection from risk.

Scope of application

Protective clothing with the EN 15614 standard is used by qualified personnel such as firefighters, mainly against two types of fire: grazing or crown fire.
Grazing fire is the most common and affects the forest understory. It spreads by burning dry grass, bushes, branches or logs and can spread in meadows or pastures.

Crown fire is less common but more dangerous. It propagates from tree top to tree top and is fed by the leafy part of both alpine and coastal pine forests.

The fight against vegetation fires takes place mainly in the summer period, due to the high temperatures and the resulting dry conditions that can cause the fires themselves.

General requirements

Forest fire protection and work clothing, must have precise characteristics:

• It must be a lightweight garment to allow it to be worn for many hours without causing thermal stress;
• The head should provide protection for the neck, arms (including wrists) and legs (including ankles);
• The head collar should remain upright when closed;
• If pockets are present, they must have a protective flap at least 2cm wider than the pocket opening;
• The outer fabric must be lightweight and single-layer (165-220 g/sqm), to allow for quick movement and reduce thermal stress. Beyond this layer, differentiated protection zones can be integrated (add one or more layers of thermal barriers or liners);
• The yarn should not melt at temperatures below 260°C;
• The use of supplemental PPE must not interfere with the protective capabilities of the garment.

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