ISO 18639-1:2018

Overview

ISO 18639-1:2018 - "PPE ensembles for firefighters undertaking specific rescue activities - Part 1: General" defines the structure, principles and general requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE) designed to protect firefighters and rescue workers during specific rescue tasks (notably road traffic crash (RTC) and urban search and rescue (USAR)). It sets out how the ISO 18639 series is organised, the relationship between individual item standards and ensemble performance, and mandatory requirements for marking and manufacturer’s instructions. This part excludes PPE for high-risk fire exposures and routine chemical/biological protection (except short-term accidental exposures during rescue).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Series structure and scope: Describes how Parts 2+ are to be written and how individual item standards combine into ensemble requirements. Annex A/B explain series organisation and drafting approach.
• Design & performance principles: Establishes that PPE selection should be risk-based and that items must meet minimum design and performance requirements appropriate to identified hazards.
• Ensembles vs combinations:
  • Ensemble = complete set of PPE items providing whole-body protection and tested to meet ensemble requirements.
  • Combination = two or more individual items meeting their relevant part requirements but not classed as a full ensemble.
• Compatibility: Items claiming compatibility must be assessed to interface tests per ISO/TS 11999-2.
• Marking: Conforms with ISO 13688 and additional ISO 18639 rules. Required label content includes product standard reference (ISO 18639-X:YYYY), manufacturer identification and model number; printed characters must be at least 1.5 mm high.
• Manufacturer’s instructions: Minimum user information, care, limitations and compatibility guidance; Annex C provides guidance on carrying out risk assessments.
• Technical indices/abbreviations: Common metrics used in the series (examples listed in the standard) include HTI, RHTI, TTI, retroreflection coefficient R’, and water absorption (w).

Applications and users

• Fire & rescue services selecting PPE for RTC, USAR and other rescue operations based on formal risk assessment.
• PPE manufacturers designing and certifying firefighter helmets, suits, gloves, boots and ensemble compatibility.
• Procurement officers, safety managers and standards bodies who need consistent, performance-based PPE specifications.
• Test laboratories and conformity assessors performing compatibility and marking verification.

Related standards

• ISO/TS 11999-2 (compatibility test methods for firefighter PPE ensembles)
• ISO 13688 (protective clothing - general requirements)
• EN 1149-3 / EN 1149-5 (electrostatic properties)
• ISO/TR 21808 (guidance referenced by SC 14)

Keywords: ISO 18639-1:2018, PPE ensembles, firefighters, rescue activities, RTC, USAR, PPE compatibility, marking, manufacturer’s instructions, risk assessment, performance requirements.