Overview
ISO 11999-6:2016 - “PPE for firefighters - Part 6: Footwear” specifies minimum design and performance requirements and test methods for firefighter footwear used where there is risk of exposure to high levels of heat and/or flame in structural firefighting. The standard complements ISO 11999 parts for other PPE items and is intended to ensure consistent thermal protection, durability and safety of boots and shoes used by firefighting professionals.
Key topics and technical requirements
ISO 11999-6 covers classification, design, performance and testing. Key technical topics include:
- Classification: two material classes - Class I (leather and mixed materials) and Class II (all-rubber or all-polymeric footwear).
- Design options: acceptable designs include half-knee, knee-height and thigh boots (designs C–E), with guidance on extendable uppers.
- Performance levels: two thermal performance levels, A1 and A2; thermal requirements differ and items intended to be used together should match level.
- Sampling and conditioning: sampling rules and conditioning in standard atmosphere per ISO 20344 are required before testing.
- Thermal behavior tests: insulation against contact heat, exposure to radiant heat, and flame resistance tests to assess protection from high thermal loads.
- Chemical resistance: degradation and permeation resistance checks for exposure to hazardous liquids.
- Electrical properties: requirements for electrically insulating and antistatic footwear types.
- Water resistance and outsole performance: cleat design/height, heel breast, and guidance for slip resistance.
- Zipper (slide fastener): construction and mechanical strength (puller attachment and lateral strength).
- Marking and information: mandatory marking and user information, including performance level, electrical properties, and insock/penetration-resistant insert data.
- Annexes: lab and wearer assessment, performance summaries, slip resistance guidance and test methodology references.
Applications and who uses it
ISO 11999-6 is used by:
- Firefighter PPE manufacturers - to design and validate boots that meet international safety benchmarks.
- Testing laboratories - to perform standardized tests (thermal, flame, chemical, electrical, slip).
- Procurement officers and fire services - to specify compliant footwear for structural firefighting operations.
- Safety engineers and compliance managers - to assess PPE selection, compatibility with other ISO 11999 items, and maintain regulatory conformity.
- Standards bodies and certification agencies - for conformity assessment and marking guidance.
Related standards
- ISO 11999 (other parts: Part 1 General, Part 3 Clothing, Part 4 Gloves, Part 5 Helmets, Part 9 Fire hoods)
- ISO 20344 / ISO 20345 (footwear test methods and safety footwear)
- ISO 6942, ISO 15025 (radiant heat and flame test methods)
- EN 13832 series (chemical-resistant footwear)
Keywords: ISO 11999-6, firefighter footwear, PPE standards, thermal protection, flame resistance, footwear test methods, safety footwear.