UNI EN 14058
Protective clothing for cold environments
The UNI EN 14058 standard outlines the requirements and testing methods for individual items of safety clothing designed to protect against the effects of environments with temperatures ranging from -5°C to 10°C. Garments manufactured in accordance with this standard must offer protection not only from low air temperatures but also from humidity and air velocity.
Headgear, footwear, or gloves intended to prevent localised cold exposure are not covered by this standard.
A cold environment is defined by the interplay of wind, humidity, and temperature. It is crucial to shield oneself from these environmental conditions to prevent harm to one’s physical well-being and to concentrate fully on the task at hand.
Scope of application
According to the UNI EN 14058 standard, some examples of workplaces with a cold climate include:
- Unheated warehouses and sheds;
- Chilled warehouses, such as those used by food companies;
- Areas for loading and unloading goods;
- Construction sites;
- Road construction sites;
- Airports;
- Railway sector (if the garment includes reflective bands);
- Agricultural sector;
- Food companies.
General Requirements for Safety Clothing in Cold Environments
The UNI EN 14058 standard sets forth the requirements for protective clothing in cold environments. Each test conducted must be accompanied by the corresponding pictogram. Specifically:
- Thermal resistance (Rct): This is measured across all layers of the fabric and indicates the amount of dry heat that can pass through the fabric.
| Thermal Insulation | Rct in m2.K/W |
|---|---|
| Class 1 | 0,06 < Rct < 0,12 |
| Class 2 | 0,12 < Rct < 0,18 |
| Class 3 | 0,18 < Rct < 0,25 |
If the value exceeds 0.25, the EN 342 standard is applicable. On the label, this value is represented by the highest top number (a).;
- Air permeability:The fabric’s permeability is measured and categorised into three classes, with class 3 offering the highest protection. This value is optional. When indicated, it is placed below the Rct value (b);
- Water impermeability: This pertains to the impermeability of the fabric and seams, classified into two categories.
| Water resistance | WP in pa |
|---|---|
| Class 1 | 8000 < WP < 13000 |
| Class 2 | WP > 13000 |
This value is optional (c). If specified, it is also necessary to determine the water vapour transmission coefficient, which must not exceed 55.
- Thermal insulation:This optional test can be conducted in two ways, with a moving manikin (Icler, d value) and with a stationary manikin (Icler, e value).
When a garment has not undergone all the tests, an “X” is indicated in place of the value.
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