ISO 16073-6:2021

Overview

ISO 16073-6:2021 specifies minimum performance requirements, design constraints and test methods for wildland firefighting footwear. It covers footwear intended for prolonged wildland firefighting operations where lightweight, flexible PPE is needed to limit heat stress while providing protection from heat and flame. The standard excludes structural firefighting PPE, CBRN protection, rescue-specific PPE and footwear requiring reflective outer surfaces; related standards are referenced for those applications.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and design: Footwear must be leather or other non–all-rubber/non–all-polymeric materials and conform to approved designs (ankle boot, half-knee boot, knee-height boot). Low shoes are not allowed for wildland firefighting use.
• Performance areas:
  • Thermal behaviour - insulation against heat, resistance to radiant heat and flame resistance requirements.
  • Water resistance - minimum water performance criteria for field use.
  • Component durability - laces, threads, eyelets, studs and attachments require specific strength and heat-resistance evaluations.
  • Innocuousness - materials must not present harmful effects to the wearer.
  • Slip resistance - guidance provided in informative annex.
• Test methods and sampling:
  • Sampling and conditioning follow ISO 20344 procedures.
  • Radiant heat testing references ISO 6942.
  • Flame spread testing references ISO 15025.
  • Whole-footwear and component tests for heat resistance, thread strength and attachment integrity are specified.
• Marking and user information: Requirements for labeling and information to be supplied to purchasers and wearers, including guidance for wearer assessment and laboratory reporting (informative annexes).

Applications and who uses this standard

• Footwear manufacturers designing wildland firefighting boots to meet recognized safety and performance benchmarks.
• Test laboratories conducting performance and conformity tests (radiant heat, flame resistance, component strength).
• Procurement officers and safety managers specifying PPE for wildland fire agencies, forestry services and land-management organizations.
• Regulators and standards committees aligning national requirements with international PPE norms.
• Training and maintenance teams that need to understand limitations, care and selection of wildland firefighting footwear.

Related standards

• ISO 16073 series (other parts covering firefighter PPE)
• ISO 6942 (radiant heat test)
• ISO 15025 (limited flame spread)
• ISO/TR 19591 (definitions for firefighter PPE)
• ISO 20344 / ISO 20345 (footwear test methods and safety footwear)
• EN 15090, ISO 11999 series, ISO 18639, ISO 15538 (for structural, rescue, chainsaw and reflective-surface requirements)

Keywords: ISO 16073-6, wildland firefighting footwear, PPE footwear standard, flame resistance, radiant heat, water resistance, test methods, safety footwear, sampling and conditioning, slip resistance.