ISO 18639-3:2018

Overview

ISO 18639-3:2018 - "PPE ensembles for firefighters undertaking specific rescue activities - Part 3: Clothing" defines test methods and minimum performance requirements for protective clothing worn by firefighters during specified rescue operations. The standard addresses design, material performance and test procedures for garments used in scenarios such as Road Traffic Crash (RTC) and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR). It is focused on rescue-related accidental exposure (including limited contact with some chemicals and contaminated blood/body fluids) and explicitly does not cover firefighting turnout gear or dedicated head, hand and foot protection.

Key Topics and Requirements

• Design requirements: general garment design, size designation, closures, pockets, padding, collars, integrated PPE compatibility and conspicuity/visibility features.
• Sampling and pre-treatment: protocols for specimen selection, cleaning and conditioning before testing.
• Performance requirements: classified by rescue activity (see RTC and USAR subclauses). Main performance areas include:
  • Thermal protection - flame resistance, radiant heat transfer and contact heat test methods (references to ISO test methods are specified).
  • Mechanical protection - tensile strength, tear strength, abrasion resistance and dimensional stability.
  • Environmental resistance - surface wetting, water vapour resistance, electrostatic properties.
  • Biological/chemical - resistance to penetration by blood-borne pathogens (limited scope) and limited accidental chemical exposure.
• Visibility: high-visibility and conspicuity requirements for rescue scenarios.
• Marking and manufacturer information: mandatory labelling and user information requirements to ensure safe selection, use and maintenance.

Applications and Users

ISO 18639-3:2018 is intended for:

• PPE manufacturers and material suppliers developing clothing for firefighter rescue teams.
• Procurement and specification teams in fire and rescue services who select garments for RTC, USAR and other defined rescue roles.
• Testing laboratories and conformity assessors performing the standardized tests and validating compliance.
• Safety officers, trainers and risk assessors who must match PPE performance to operational hazards and user training.

This standard helps ensure garments are fit for rescue tasks, interoperable with other ensemble elements, and clearly labelled with performance and care information.

Related Standards

• ISO 18639-1 (general guidance for PPE for specific rescue activities)
• ISO 14116, ISO 15025 (flame protection tests)
• ISO 16604 (blood-borne pathogen resistance)
• ISO 20471 (high-visibility clothing)
• ISO/TS 11999-2 (PPE compatibility for high heat/flame exposures)

Keywords: ISO 18639-3, PPE ensembles, firefighters, protective clothing, rescue activities, performance requirements, test methods.