ISO 18639-5:2018

Overview

ISO 18639-5:2018 - "PPE ensembles for firefighters undertaking specific rescue activities - Part 5: Helmet" defines principles, test methods and minimum performance requirements for helmets used by firefighters during specific rescue activities (for example road traffic crash (RTC) and urban search and rescue (USAR)). The standard addresses helmet design, material performance and test methods to verify protection levels for incident‑type and hazard‑specific rescue helmets. It is intended to support selection of appropriate head protection based on an effective risk assessment and is not a replacement for full firefighting helmets or whole‑body PPE.

Key topics and technical requirements

ISO 18639-5:2018 organizes helmet requirements and tests into practical sections that include:

• Design and materials: Guidance on general helmet shell construction, projections, retention systems and accessories.
• Sampling and pre‑treatment: Procedures for sample selection and conditioning (e.g., thermal plus/minus, wet, normal).
• Performance requirements: Hazard‑specific performance categories such as RTC and USAR, plus general criteria.
• Impact and shock absorption: Crown impact and lateral impacts (front, rear, side) requirements and test approaches.
• Penetration resistance: Methods to evaluate resistance to sharp objects.
• Retention system strength: Tests to confirm chinstrap and retention durability.
• Flame and thermal resistance: Shell and accessory flame tests and thermal resistance/convective heat tests.
• Lateral crushing and conductive headform testing: Mechanical crushing and electrical/thermal conductive considerations.
• Optional tests: Protection against high‑speed particles.
• Marking and user information: Required product marking and user care/maintenance instructions.
• Annexes: Normative conditioning/testing schedules and an informative example of failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA).

Normative references used include ISO 17493 and multiple EN helmet test methods (EN 13087 series, EN 16473, EN 166, EN 960).

Applications and users

This standard is relevant for:

• Helmet manufacturers and designers developing technical rescue helmets for firefighters (RTC, USAR).
• Test laboratories and conformity assessors performing conditioning and performance testing.
• Procurement teams and safety managers specifying helmet performance for rescue operations.
• Standards committees and regulatory bodies aligning national/regional PPE requirements.
• Fire and rescue services for informed procurement and risk‑based PPE selection.

Note: ISO 18639-5:2018 does not cover special firefighting helmets intended for active fire suppression or comprehensive body protection against chemical, biological, electrical or radiation hazards beyond limited accidental exposure.

Related standards

• ISO 18639‑1 (general guidance for PPE ensembles for specific rescue activities)
• ISO 17493 (thermal test methods)
• EN 13087 series (protective helmets test methods)
• EN 16473 (firefighters helmet - technical rescue)

Keywords: ISO 18639-5:2018, firefighter helmet standard, PPE ensembles, technical rescue helmets, RTC helmet, USAR helmet, helmet testing, shock absorption, penetration resistance, flame resistance, thermal resistance.