ISO 15383:2001

Protective gloves for firefighters — Laboratory test methods and performance requirements ISO 15383:2001

Publication date:   Sep 20, 2001

Scope

This International Standard specifies test methods and minimum requirements for protective gloves to be worn
during fire fighting and associated activities where there is a risk of heat and/or flame.
The purpose of this International Standard is to provide minimum performance requirements for protective gloves
designed to protect against injury in fire fighting operations.
This International Standard covers the general glove design, the minimum performance levels of the materials used
and the methods of test for determining these performance levels. With the exception of flame resistance and
ergonomic requirements, this International Standard establishes three levels of performance for all other
performance requirements. Type 3 gloves provide a higher level of thermal insulation and physical protection, and
require liquid penetration resistance (including synthetic blood) as compared to Type 2 gloves. Type 1 gloves are
intended to provide minimum requirements for gloves in any fire fighting application, such as for wildland fire
fighting. Annex E provides a comparison of the performance requirements for all three glove types.
This International Standard does not cover special gloves for use in other high risk situations such as specialized
fire fighting. It does not cover protection for the head, torso, arms, legs and feet or protection of the hands against
other hazards, e.g. chemical, biological, radiation and electrical hazards, except for limited, accidental exposure to
fireground chemicals and contaminated blood or body fluids (Type 3 gloves). These aspects may be dealt with in
other standards.
Selection of the appropriate system of clothing, including gloves, is dependant on carrying out an effective risk
assessment which identifies the hazards to be faced, evaluates the likelihood of those hazards and provides the
means of reducing or eliminating these hazards. Guidelines for conducting a risk assessment and some factors for
consideration are included in annex D.