ISO 11999-4:2024

Overview

ISO 11999-4:2024 - PPE for firefighters - Part 4: Gloves - defines minimum design and performance requirements and test methods for gloves used by firefighters exposed to high levels of heat and/or flame in structural firefighting. This second edition (2024) updates the earlier 2015 version and is part of the ISO 11999 series addressing firefighter personal protective equipment. The standard covers specification, sampling, pretreatment, testing and manufacturer information necessary to assess glove suitability for thermal, mechanical and ergonomic hazards.

Key Topics

• Glove design requirements: body length, wristlet/cuff design, sizing, innocuousness and other essential design features.
• Sampling and pretreatment: sampling levels for testing and compliance, laundering/dry‑cleaning, dry and wet conditioning before tests.
• Thermal performance: flame resistance, heat transfer under flame, radiant and conductive exposure, heat resistance and thread heat resistance.
• Mechanical performance: abrasion, cut, tear, burst strength and puncture resistance requirements.
• Moisture barrier performance: water and liquid penetration resistance (including runoff methods), whole‑glove integrity and viral penetration resistance tests.
• Ergonomic performance: dexterity, grip, liner inversion, ease of donning and doffing.
• Test methods: detailed procedures such as whole glove integrity, grip, liner inversion and donning/doffing tests; reporting requirements.
• Marking and manufacturer information: labeling, user instructions and documentation to support safe use and procurement.
• Compatibility: considerations when gloves are used with other PPE.

Applications

ISO 11999-4:2024 is intended for practical use in:

• Glove and PPE manufacturers - design validation, performance benchmarking and product development for structural firefighting gloves.
• Independent test laboratories - establishing consistent sampling, conditioning and test procedures for certification and compliance testing.
• Certification and regulatory bodies - assessing conformity with international minimum requirements.
• Procurement teams and safety managers - creating technical specifications and selecting gloves that meet demonstrable thermal, mechanical and ergonomic needs.
• Fire service decision-makers and trainers - understanding performance limits and integrating glove selection into operational safety programs.

Related Standards

• Part of the ISO 11999 series on PPE for firefighters (other parts cover different garment elements and test methods).
• The document contains normative references and aligns with ISO/TC 94 (Personal protection) work. For specific regional or complementary requirements, users may consult other national or industry standards.

Keywords: ISO 11999-4:2024, PPE for firefighters, firefighter gloves, glove test methods, thermal protection, glove performance requirements.