ISO 18639-4:2018 PDF

Overview

ISO 18639-4:2018 defines principles, test methods and minimum performance requirements for protective gloves used by firefighters undertaking specific rescue activities (not primary firefighting). Part 4 of the ISO 18639 series focuses on gloves for specialist rescue scenarios such as road traffic crash (RTC)/motor vehicle accidents (MVA) and urban search and rescue (USAR). It covers glove design, material performance and test methods to ensure hands are protected during non-fire rescue operations while noting limitations (e.g., it does not replace full firefighting gloves or certify protection against chemical, biological, radiation or electrical hazards beyond limited accidental exposures).

Key topics and requirements

The standard addresses practical, testable elements of glove performance, including:

• Design & sizing: hand dimensions, minimum sizing, glove body length, wristlet/cuff and labelling requirements.
• Pre-treatment and conditioning: inspection, specimen selection, laundering and conditioning procedures before testing.
• Heat & flame considerations: flame resistance and heat transfer tests covering flame, radiant and conductive exposure; heat resistance criteria are specified without prescribing firefighting-level protection.
• Mechanical performance: abrasion, cut, tear and puncture resistance to support rescue tasks involving sharp edges and debris.
• Liquid penetration: optional tests for resistance to blood, body fluids and limited liquid exposure.
• Whole-glove integrity: tests to ensure seams, closures and materials retain protection during use.
• Ergonomics & usability: dexterity, grip performance, donning tests and label legibility to ensure operational effectiveness.
• Material safety: checks such as leather chromium(VI) content where applicable.
• Documentation & marking: manufacturer information, marking and annexes (normative grip, donning and integrity tests; informative marking guidance).

Practical applications

ISO 18639-4:2018 is intended for:

• PPE manufacturers designing and certifying rescue-specific gloves (RTC, USAR).
• Testing laboratories conducting performance assessments and conformity tests.
• Procurement and safety managers specifying glove requirements for fire and rescue services.
• Firefighters and trainers evaluating glove selection based on task-specific risk assessments.

Using this standard helps ensure gloves balance protection, dexterity and durability for non-fire rescue tasks while clarifying limitations and integration in a broader PPE ensemble.

Related standards

• ISO 18639-1 (general guidance for PPE ensembles for specific rescue activities)
• Referenced test standards cited within ISO 18639-4, e.g., ISO 6942, ISO 9151, and textile/procedure standards used for conditioning and abrasion testing.

Keyword focus: ISO 18639-4:2018, PPE ensembles, firefighters gloves, RTC, USAR, glove performance, heat resistance, abrasion resistance, whole glove integrity, PPE risk assessment.