What is BS EN 342-Ensembles and garments for protection against cold about?
BS EN 342 discusses protective clothing. BS EN 342 is a European standard that provides requirements and test methods for ensembles and garments to ensure protection against cold.
BS EN 342 specifies requirements and test methods for the performance of clothing ensembles (i.e., g two-piece suits or coveralls) for protection against the effects of cold environments equal to or below −5°C. These effects comprise not only low air temperatures but also humidity and air velocity.
BS EN 342 is published to achieve a common basis in Europe for requirements and test methods for protective clothing ensembles and garments against cold in the interest of manufacturers, test institutes, and end-users.
Note: The protective effects and requirements of footwear, gloves, and separate headwear are excluded from the scope of BS EN 342.
Who is BS EN 342-Ensembles and garments for protection against cold for?
BS EN 342 on ensembles and garments for protection against cold is useful for:
- Ensembles and garments manufacturers
- Ensembles and garments test personnel
- Occupational health and safety departments
- Risk assessment authorities
- Quality assurance departments
Why should you use BS EN 342-Ensembles and garments for protection against cold?
Thermal insulation is the most important property, and it is measured by using a full-sized thermal manikin with the ensemble or garment and accompanying standard clothing to account for the effect of layers, fit, drape, coverage, and shape.
BS EN 342 provides you with performance assessment and requirements, general requirements and innocuousness, mechanical and physical properties, pre-treatment, test methods, Marking and care, labeling, and much more.
The requirements and test methods provided by BS EN 342 assist in improving the performance of the ensembles and garments and ensure reducing the risk of hypothermia, respiratory system failure due to cool environments.
BS EN 342 provides a common basis for manufacturing and evaluating ensembles and garments to make them more efficient and effective. By adopting BS EN 342 you can enhance the quality of ensembles and garments and produce a standardized product.
What is changed since the last update?
BS EN 342:2017 supersedes EN ISO 11092, which is withdrawn. BS EN 342:2017 has made some technical changes compared to the previous edition EN ISO 11092 These include:
- Information on ergonomics and innocuousness is given
- Test for tear strength, the flexibility of coated or laminated material, dimensional change due to cleaning and bursting strength is added
- Tables in the Annexes are revised and adapted to the state of the art and additional tables added
- Minimum values on Icler have been adjusted from serial (0,310 m2K/W) to parallel insulation (0,265 m2K/W) calculation, model
