EN ISO 18640-1:2018 PDF

Overview - EN ISO 18640-1:2018 (sweating torso test)

EN ISO 18640-1:2018 is a CEN-endorsed ISO test method for assessing the physiological impact of firefighter protective clothing by measuring coupled heat and moisture transfer using a laboratory “sweating torso.” The standard describes a controlled protocol to characterise essential thermo‑physiological properties of fabric assemblies or complete garments during a series of simulated activities and ambient conditions. Results support material selection, ensemble design and risk assessment elements - but do not directly predict heat stress in real fire incidents.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope & purpose
  • Measurement of dry thermal insulation, cooling properties during average metabolic activity, moisture management (dry and wet heat transfer) and drying behaviour.
  • Applies to fabric samples, and optionally to complex ensembles (underwear, air layers) or ready‑made garments.
• Apparatus and setup
  • Sweating torso with heated cylinder, thermal guard sections, temperature control and simulated perspiration.
  • Climatic chamber and fan system to control ambient conditions and airflow.
  • Computerised control and data acquisition for reproducible test cycles and recording.
  • Sweat water supply with gravimetric or controlled delivery, wicking layer and balance torso weight.
• Specimen preparation & testing
  • Defined sample sizes, conditioning and dressing procedures for repeatability.
  • Series of simulated activity phases under specified ambient conditions.
  • Calculated outputs include thermal resistance, evaporative heat transfer, drying rates and coupled heat/moisture fluxes.
• Quality control
  • Requirements for calibration, maintenance and optional validation against standard fabrics.
  • Test report content and specimen identification requirements.

Applications and who uses this standard

• PPE manufacturers - optimise fabric choices, layer combinations and garment design for thermo‑physiological comfort and safety.
• Independent test laboratories - perform reproducible performance assessments for certification, development and benchmarking.
• Fire and rescue services / procurement - compare ensemble options on measurable physiological metrics to inform procurement and risk assessments.
• Research institutions - study heat/moisture transfer, garment systems and human thermal response modelling.
• Standards committees and regulators - incorporate laboratory data into broader PPE evaluation frameworks.

Related standards

• ISO 18640‑2 - complementary part describing additional procedures or reporting for thermo‑physiological impact.
• Relevant committees: ISO/TC 94 (personal safety) and CEN/TC 162 (protective clothing).

Keywords: EN ISO 18640-1:2018, sweating torso, protective clothing for firefighters, physiological impact, heat and moisture transfer, thermo-physiological assessment, fabric assemblies, PPE testing.