Beat the Cold

New edition ANSI/ISEA 105-2024 outlines a new test method for determining cut scores and a revised scale from A1-A9. Click here for more information about the new testing standard.

The ANSI/ISEA 105-2024 blunt force puncture testing uses a probe to simulate a tear or burst hazard. The test measures the amount of force needed for a blunt probe to pierce through PPE material. Results are given in Newtons, which is converted into a 1-5 scale and spans from 10 newtons (Level 1) to 150+ newtons (Level 5) of puncture resistance.

The NFPA has identified the various FR hazardous risk category levels, which range from PPE 1 (which is low risk and requires AR clothing with a minimum arc rating of 4), up to PPE 4 (which is high risk and requires AR clothing with a minimum arc rating of 40). Each level, 1-4, is rated at a certain amount of flame resistance measured in cal/cm2.

EN 388 is a European Standard. Cut Level is determined by the number of cycles it takes a spinning circular blade, that is pulled across the material under a constant weight of 500 grams, to cut the fabric. As the number of cycles increase, so does the glove's ratings. Click here for more information about the EN 388 2016 standard.

The EN 511 standard specifies the requirements and performance levels of work gloves against cold as low as -50°C. Protective devices against: convective cold, contact cold and water penetration. Convective and contact tests are graded on a scale from 0 to 4, with 0 signifying that the glove failed the test, and 4 demonstrating it has achieved the maximum resistance in that specific area. Water permeation is grade on a scale of 0 to 1 where 0 indicates “water penetration after 30 minutes” and 1 indicates “no water penetration after 30 minutes”.

The EN 511 standard specifies the requirements and performance levels of work gloves against cold as low as -50°C. Protective devices against: convective cold, contact cold and water penetration. Convective and contact tests are graded on a scale from 0 to 4, with 0 signifying that the glove failed the test, and 4 demonstrating it has achieved the maximum resistance in that specific area. Water permeation is grade on a scale of 0 to 1 where 0 indicates “water penetration after 30 minutes” and 1 indicates “no water penetration after 30 minutes”.

The EN 511 standard specifies the requirements and performance levels of work gloves against cold as low as -50°C. Protective devices against: convective cold, contact cold and water penetration. Convective and contact tests are graded on a scale from 0 to 4, with 0 signifying that the glove failed the test, and 4 demonstrating it has achieved the maximum resistance in that specific area. Water permeation is grade on a scale of 0 to 1 where 0 indicates “water penetration after 30 minutes” and 1 indicates “no water penetration after 30 minutes”.