EN407 | Thermal Risk | Work Gloves
EN407 standard is designed to protect your hands against thermal hazards. There are six different thermal test within EN407 which include burning behavior, contact heat, convective heat, radiant heat, small and large splashes of molten. There are other EN standard references to EN388 and EN420 / EN ISO 21420 which may be required based on performance.
The latest release of this glove standard is EN407:2020.
Limited Flame Spread
This test is based on a piece of material from the glove which continues to burn and glow after the source of ignition is stopped. The work glove fails if the seam comes apart after an ignition time of 15 seconds. The key is the material will burn slowly enough for the wearer to recognise and safely remove gloves.
Contact Heat
The contact heat resistance test is based on the temperature range of 100 to 500°C at which the user will feel pain for at least 15 seconds. When a glove obtains a Level 3, it should record at least a Level 3 in the flammability. If this is not, the maximum contact heat level is must be 2 rated.
Convective Heat
This tests the amount of time its takes for the heat of the flame to transfer through the glove material. The ideal material prevents/slow down heat transfer. The glove is never exposed to the naked flame. To claim convective heat resistance the glove must performance to level 3 or 4 with the flammability test.
Radiant Heat
This tests the amount of time it takes for extreme radiant heat to pass through the glove materials. To claim radiant heat resistance the glove must performance to level 3 or 4 with the flammability test.
Small Splashes Of Molten
This measures small drops of molten metal onto the glove material. As the number of drops increases, this increases the performance level. To claim resistance to small splashes of molten metal, this the glove must performance to level 3 or 4 with the flammability test.
Large Splashes Of Molten
This test is to determine how the skin would be affected inside the glove. The innermost layers of the glove must not show any sign of melting or holes. Different weights of molten metal are used within the test to define the performance.
