EN ISO 14116
Protection against brief contact with flames
Back to overviewProtection against brief contact with flames: EN ISO 14116 standard for workwear
EN ISO 14116 is the European standard for workwear that offers protection against brief contact with flames. This standard is intended for situations where there is a temporary risk of ignition, but where full heat protection according to EN ISO 11612 is not required.
The clothing limits flame spread, prevents the fabric from continuing to burn or melt, and reduces the risk of burns.
What does EN ISO 14116 entail?
The EN ISO 14116 standard describes the requirements and test methods for flame-retardant clothing that slows the spread of fire.
This concerns clothing that is used in situations involving brief contact with flames, for example during work where occasional ignition or sparks may occur.
Performance is assessed on the basis of three index classes, which indicate how well the fabric resists flames.
Symbol and technical requirements of EN ISO 14116
Clothing that complies with this standard can be recognized by the flame symbol with the designation EN ISO 14116 and the corresponding index class (1, 2, or 3).
The clothing is tested according to ISO 15025, whereby the fabric is exposed to a flat flame and a fringed flame.
Performance is divided into three index levels:
- Index 1 – limited protection
- The fabric must not ignite
- After-flame ≤ 2 seconds
- No melting droplets
- Must always be worn over other clothing (no direct skin contact allowed)
- Index 2 – medium protection
- No ignition
- After-flame ≤ 2 seconds
- No melting droplets
- May be worn directly on the skin
- Index 3 – highest protection
- No flame penetration or after-flame
- No melting or droplet formation
- Offers the best protection against brief flame contact
Combination with other standards
For situations where heat or spark protection is required in addition to flame contact, EN ISO 14116 is often combined with other standards, such as:
- EN ISO 11612 – protection against heat and flames
- EN 1149-5 – antistatic properties
- EN 13034 – protection against liquid chemicals
This provides complete protection against combined risks.
Where do you use EN ISO 14116 workwear?
This standard is intended for work environments where there are temporary or incidental flame risks, but no prolonged exposure to heat.
Common sectors and applications:
- Maintenance and technical services
- Laboratories and testing facilities
- Petrochemical and energy industries
- Logistics environments with temporary flame or spark hazards
EN ISO 14116 workwear offers reliable basic protection against brief contact with flames, without the clothing being too heavy or restrictive.
EN ISO 14116 test methods
The test method assesses:
- Flammability of the fabric
- After-flame and after-glow time
- Presence of melting droplets
- Possible flame penetration
Based on these results, the clothing is classified as index 1, 2, or 3.
Performance and design requirements of the standard
- The choice of fabric determines the degree of protection (the higher the index, the better the protection).
- The construction of the clothing must not contain any openings or seams that could allow the flame to pass through.
- Index 1 clothing must always be worn over other clothing.
- The fit must allow freedom of movement without reducing the level of protection.
Training EN ISO 14116: working safely in short-term flame contact
In the Hydrowear EN ISO 14116 training course, you will learn what limited flame spread means, when this standard applies, and how to choose the right clothing for your risk profile.
Ideal for safety experts, HSE managers, and health and safety coordinators who want to advise staff or customers properly on flame-retardant workwear.