Tag: Fire tests

New BS EN 397 2012 Edition on Industrial Safety Helmets

EN 397, ” Industrial Safety Helmets,” was released in a new revision recently and the official English language edition, BS EN 397:2012, is now available from Document Center Inc.   This European Standard specifies physical and performance requirements, methods of test, and marking requirements for industrial safety helmets.

The mandatory requirements of BS EN 397 apply to helmets for general use in industry in the European Union as mandated by 89/686/EEC for personal protective equipment. Additional optional performance requirements are included to apply only where specifically claimed by the helmet manufacturer.

Industrial safety helmets (also known as headgear) are intended primarily to provide protection to the wearer against falling objects to avoid brain injury and skull fracture.

EN 397:2012 is written by Technical Committee CEN/TC 158 on “Head protection.”  Countries in Europe are expected adopt it as a national standard, either by publication of an identical text or by endorsement, by July 2012, as well as withdrawing conflicting national standards at the same time.

Since EN standards are not published as stand-alone documents, they are available from Document Center  in the many adoptions from the various countries in Europe.  Normally we suggest using the official English language editions, the BS EN documents.  You’ll find them on our website, www.document-center.com.  Please feel free to contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com) should you have questions or prefer to order off-line.

New BS EN 71-2 2011 Edition, Safety of toys – Flammability

BS EN 71-2, “Safety of toys.  Flammability,” has just been released as the new 2011 Edition.  It replaces BS EN 71-2:2006+A1:2007, which is now obsolete.  This official English edition specifies the categories of flammable materials which are prohibited in all toys sold in Europe, and requirements concerning flammability of certain toys when they are subjected to a small source of ignition.

The test methods described in Clause 5 are used for the purposes of determining the flammability of toys under the particular test conditions specified. The test results thus obtained cannot be considered as providing an overall indication of the potential fire hazard of toys or materials when subjected to other sources of ignition.

BS EN 71-2:2011 includes general requirements relating to all toys and specific requirements and methods of test relating to the following toys, which are considered as being those presenting the greatest hazard: – toys to be worn on the head: beards, moustaches, wigs, etc. made from hair, pile or material with similar features; masks; hoods, head-dresses, etc.; flowing elements of toys to be worn on the head, but excluding paper novelty hats of the type usually supplied in party crackers; – toy disguise costumes and toys intended to be worn by a child in play; – toys intended to be entered by a child; – soft-filled toys.

NOTE Additional requirements for flammability of electric toys are specified in BS EN 62115.

This standard and all BS documents are available from Document Center Inc. through our website, www.document-center.com.  Or contact us at 650-591-7600, by fax at 650-591-7617, or by email at info@document-center.com.  We’re available from 8 am to 5 pm California time to assist you with your standards needs.