Until recently, protective clothing certified according to EN 471: 2001 + A1: 2007 apply. This has now been superseded by the ISO 20,471th a comparison of the two standards makes the changes clear.
In scope of the additional “high risk situations” was recorded – which is particularly relevant for the emergency services. Advanced were primarily the requirements for the design of the clothing. To apply for reflective materials on sleeves new design requirements, while reflective stripes on the collar of the overalls were no longer counted for the detection of the total areas of reflective material. Florescent background material must enclose in a minimum width of 50 mm torso, sleeves or pant legs; there are allowed on sleeves and legs more than two reflective strips.
The demands on the fluorescent material have also increased. So a minimum tensile strength of 100N is required regardless of the weight. The tear strength should be at 20N (formerly 25N). This figure has emerged from another method, meaning no limit reduced.
Furthermore, the burst strength must be adapted to existing textile standards. The requirements of perspiration were increased. What has not changed is this factor: In single or multilayer clothing constructions of water vapor resistance must not exceed 5 be m²Pa / W. but was specified: If the latter is higher, the water vapor resistance must be determined and must not be greater than 0.15.
For greater design freedom of passage ensures: coverings with different fluorescent background colors can be certified.
Important changes also affect the maintenance requirements of the protective clothing. Thus the manufacturer should always dictate the care instructions, and the fluorescent materials must be checked after the wash to the color values.
Reflective for best visibility
The legislature has thus the requirements for protective clothing increases with reflective materials, which means extra safety for the wearer. Yet 471 certified protective clothing does not apply to EN by the new ISO of a sudden as potentially unsafe. All certificates before July 2010 continue unlimited validity. Certificates after July 2010 shall be valid for five years. The manufacturer of protective clothing in the long term, however, switches to the new ISO to guarantee the institutions the best possible visibility.
Especially in the dark retro-reflective materials are essential for the safety of the emergency services staff. While around 90 percent of the traffic-related information on the day are recorded and registered by the human eye, the visual acuity of the human eye drops at night to about five percent of the daily value. Retro reflective materials enhance the conspicuousness in the dusk and dark.
The principle of retro-reflection functions as follows: The incident light beam is redirected by mirror-coated glass spheres and reflected back toward the light source. The reflective strips from 3M, for example, are equipped with 30,000 glass beads per square centimeter. These beads directing the incident light to the reflector and then back to the “sender” of light.
Body Language concept ensures safety in the dark
However, technology alone is not enough as protection. Also important is the optimal placement of the reflective tape. Studies show that drivers react in a human different from a sign. While they take in a sign the clash sometimes in buying, try a person definitely avoids. Functioning warning clothing should therefore always trace the silhouette of people.
The reflective strips should be placed on the clothing that a 360-degree visibility of the person is given and this is also clearly visible in its typical posture. 3M calls this design concept “Body Language”. The reflective stripes are both sewn and glued.
Reflective tapes can support only protect if they are also cleaned properly. The consideration of the maintenance and cleaning cycles is essential, as they affect the life of reflective material crucial.