ISO TR 21808-2024 PDF

Full title and description

ISO/TR 21808:2024 — Best practices on the selection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) designed to provide protection for firefighters. This technical report gives guidance and practical recommendations for selection, use, care and maintenance of PPE used by firefighting personnel across a range of activities, including structural and wildland firefighting, hazardous-material incidents, vehicle incidents and urban search and rescue.

Abstract

This technical report describes best practices for selecting and using firefighters' PPE and highlights the main areas a fire service should consider when providing PPE to members. It is intended to supplement product-specific PPE standards and includes advisory bullet lists (non-exhaustive) that cover considerations such as selection criteria, fitting, training, storage, inspection and end-of-life. The report also cross-references standards covering cleaning, inspection and repair.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: January 2024 (Edition 3 published 09 January 2024 / 2024-01).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: Protective clothing; ICS 13.340.10.
• Edition / version: Edition 3 (2024).
• Number of pages: 60 pages (technical report).

Scope

ISO/TR 21808:2024 provides best-practice guidance on the selection, use, care and maintenance of PPE intended to protect firefighters while performing duties across multiple operational contexts (structural firefighting, wildland firefighting, hazardous-material incidents, vehicle incidents, urban search and rescue, etc.). It is written to be used alongside product-specific PPE standards rather than as a replacement for performance requirements.

Key topics and requirements

• Selection criteria for PPE types and ensembles appropriate to different firefighting operations (hazard assessment, matching protection to task and environment).
• Fit, sizing and ergonomic considerations to maintain protection while allowing mobility and task performance.
• Training and competence requirements for correct donning, doffing, use and limitations of PPE.
• Storage, inspection, cleaning, repair and end-of-life management — with cleaning/inspection/repair specifically cross-referenced to ISO 23616.
• Record keeping, traceability and organizational processes for PPE provision, replacement and quality assurance.

Typical use and users

Primary users include fire and rescue services, safety managers, procurement officers, PPE program coordinators, trainers and test houses involved in firefighter equipment selection and fleet management. The report is also useful for standards developers and manufacturers as guidance to align products with practical operational needs.

Related standards

ISO/TR 21808:2024 is a technical report that complements product-specific PPE standards and other guidance documents. Cleaning, inspection and repair of firefighters' PPE are covered in ISO 23616. Earlier editions of this technical report were published in 2009 and 2021 (now withdrawn and superseded by the 2024 edition). The report was prepared under ISO/TC 94/SC 14 (Protective clothing).

Keywords

firefighter PPE, personal protective equipment, selection, use, care, maintenance, inspection, cleaning, repair, protective clothing, ISO/TC 94/SC 14.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/TR 21808:2024 is a technical report providing best-practice guidance on the selection, use, care and maintenance of personal protective equipment intended to protect firefighters. It is advisory in nature and meant to be used alongside performance standards for PPE.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers considerations for selecting appropriate PPE for different firefighting activities, fitting and ergonomic issues, training and operational use, storage and lifecycle management, and links to procedures for cleaning, inspection and repair. The document's lists are guidance-only and not exhaustive.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Fire and rescue services, procurement and safety officers, PPE program managers, trainers, manufacturers and standards developers use this report to inform PPE policies and procurement decisions.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Current — ISO/TR 21808:2024 (Edition 3, published January 2024) is the latest published edition. It supersedes earlier editions (ISO/TR 21808:2021 and ISO/TR 21808:2009), which have been withdrawn.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of ISO's suite of guidance and standards for protective clothing and PPE under the work of ISO/TC 94/SC 14; it should be used alongside related ISO standards (for example ISO 23616 for cleaning/inspection/repair) and product-specific PPE standards.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords include firefighter PPE, protective clothing, selection, use, care, maintenance, inspection, cleaning, repair, and lifecycle management.