ISO 16073-7:2019

Overview

ISO 16073-7:2019 - "Wildland firefighting personal protective equipment - Requirements and test methods - Part 7: Face and eye protection" defines minimum performance requirements and test methods for face and eye personal protective equipment (PPE) used in wildland firefighting. The standard addresses design, materials, optical and mechanical performance, marking and manufacturer information for eye protectors intended for extended wear during wildland operations. It explicitly excludes protection for fire entrapment, structural firefighting, CBRN hazards and uses requiring reflective outer surfaces.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and intent: Minimum performance requirements and test methods for PPE face and eye protection for wildland firefighting; not for entrapment or structural/CBRN scenarios.
• Design & manufacturing:
  • Eye protectors must be free of projections or sharp edges and use skin‑compatible materials.
  • Headbands used as the main retention must be adjustable/self‑adjusting and at least 10 mm wide where contacting the head.
  • Compatibility with helmets and other PPE is emphasized.
• Optical performance:
  • Defined field of vision requirements tied to EN 168 headforms and specific test placements.
  • Refractive power (spherical, astigmatic, prismatic) measured per EN 167.
  • Transmittance: non‑filter oculars/cover plates require a luminous transmittance greater than 74.4% (EN 167 measurement conditions). Filters must meet EN 170/EN 172 as applicable.
  • Limits on transmittance variations across the lens and between left/right oculars.
• Types & tests:
  • Separate requirements and test schedules for non‑mesh eye protectors and mesh visors/face protectors.
  • Performance tests cover physical, optical and mechanical properties (see ISO 18526 series for test methods).
• Ancillary requirements:
  • Anti‑fogging performance, marking and labelling, legibility, conformity marking and manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Annex A addresses thermal stability of eyewear at elevated temperatures.

Practical applications - who uses this standard

• PPE manufacturers and designers - to design and validate wildland eye/face protectors that meet minimum safety and comfort levels.
• Test laboratories and certification bodies - to perform standardized optical, mechanical and thermal tests.
• Fire service procurement and safety managers - to specify compliant eye protection for crews and to assess product suitability during risk assessment.
• Standards committees and technical services - for harmonizing requirements, interoperability with helmets and training guidance.

Related standards and references

• ISO 16073 series (other parts for wildland PPE)
• ISO 18526-2 / ISO 18526-3 (eye/face test methods)
• EN 167, EN 168, EN 170, EN 172 (optical and test methods)
• ISO 11999 series (structural firefighting PPE) and ISO 15538 (reflective surfaces)

Keywords: ISO 16073-7, wildland firefighting PPE, face and eye protection standard, eye protectors, test methods, optical transmittance, field of vision, mesh visors, PPE certification.