WHAT IS EN 407
The EN 407 standard specifies and frames a set of tests that define the performance levels relating to thermal resistance. According to these tests, EN 407 imposes a specific marking on protective gloves that provides clear and specific information on the level of protection expected by the user.
Safety gloves complying with the EN 407 standard are intended to protect the hands against thermal hazards other than cold, such as heat and/or fire. Personal protective equipment that complies with the EN 407 standard protects against the risks caused by radiant heat, contact heat, convective heat, molten metal splashes and flame. In order to control their level of performance and their excellent resistance, the heat-resistant gloves are subjected to several specific tests, in accordance with the EN 407 standard.
This standard was revised in 2020 to comply with the new EN ISO 21420 standard and the PPE regulation 2016/425. The testing methods for each test have been updated although the principles and results do not change.
What tests are carried out on EN 407 heat resistant gloves?
Flammability test.
The first test a work glove should be subjected to is flammability resistance. Exposed to fire and in contact with an open flame for at least 15 seconds, how long will it take the glove to stop burning? It is this time period that will determine the performance level of the protective glove, on a scale of 0 to 4; below 3, the glove’s performance is not sufficient to claim high levels of protection for the other tests.
Contact heat resistance test
En contact avec When in contact with a heat source between 100 and 500°C, at what temperature does the glove’s internal temperature increase by 10°C during the first 15 seconds? A glove with a level 2 rating guarantees perfect resistance to contact heat up to 250°C.
Convective Heat Resistance Test
This convective heat resistance test measures the time (in seconds) that heat is transferred from a flame to the inside of the glove. The longer the protective glove is able to delay the transfer of heat from the outside to the inside of the glove, the higher its resistance level. The highest level is level 4.
Radiant Heat Resistance Test
This is the exposure to heat by emission of heat rays. This test will measure the time required for the test sample to increase in temperature by 24°C inside the glove. This resistance is measured in levels from 1 to 4, the latter being the highest level for a radiant heat insulating glove.
Liquid Metal Splash Test
For this resistance test, a distinction is made between small and large molten metal splashes. For small splashes, we measure the amount of molten metal beads needed to raise the temperature of the glove by 40°C. The glove reaches its maximum performance level when more than 35 drops are required to raise its internal temperature. For resistance to large splashes of molten metal, the test consists of measuring the amount of molten metal required to damage the artificial skin inside the glove. The maximum level of performance is reached at 200g of molten metal.
Therefore, before purchasing a pair of heat protection gloves, it is important to be aware of the various markings on the equipment to ensure that it offers the highest level of performance and good thermal insulation against the risks involved.
Which professions are affected by the use of EN 407 gloves?
At work, when handling, hands are often the most exposed part of the body. It is therefore vital to equip yourself with protective gloves adapted to the risks encountered in order to work safely, while maintaining good dexterity and a good grip right down to the fingertips. The various European standards are valuable indicators to select the best protection according to your profession. For example, EN 407 gloves provide protection against heat for all professions that are exposed to heat. Several fields are concerned: glass & metal manufacturing, car bodywork, foundry, engineering industry, ironwork and steelworks. However, EN 407 protective gloves are not suitable or sufficiently effective for welding and fire-fighting work, which require very specific protection to avoid accidents.
