Overview
EN ISO 15011-4:2018 (ISO 15011-4:2017) provides standardized laboratory methods for characterizing welding fume to produce fume data sheets. The standard specifies requirements for determining the fume emission rate and the chemical composition of welding fume generated by arc welding processes. It applies to filler materials used in manual, partly mechanized and fully automatic arc welding that deposit unalloyed steel, alloyed steel and non‑ferrous alloys.
Keywords: EN ISO 15011-4:2018, welding fume, fume data sheets, welding safety, fume emission rate, occupational hygiene, arc welding, laboratory method.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Purpose: Define test conditions and reporting for laboratory sampling of fumes and gases so consistent, comparable fume data sheets can be produced.
- Scope of materials/processes: Manual metal arc (MMA), gas‑shielded metal arc welding with solid wires, metal‑cored and flux‑cored wires, and self‑shielded flux‑cored wires.
- Core measurements:
- Determination of fume emission rate (quantity of fume produced under specified laboratory conditions).
- Chemical analysis to determine principal and key components of the welding fume.
- Procedure elements:
- Defined test conditions and generic parameters to ensure reproducibility.
- Specific testing guidance for different consumable types (electrodes, solid and cored wires).
- Requirements for reporting of results, including standardized content for a fume data sheet (Annex A normative).
- Validation and data handling: Provisions for validation of fume data sheets, retesting, transitional arrangements and data sharing.
- Informative annexes: Examples of performance data, uses of fume data, principal components, classification examples and sample fume data sheets.
Practical applications and users
- Occupational hygienists and safety professionals use the fume data to assess potential exposures and select controls (ventilation, PPE, process changes).
- Welding consumable manufacturers prepare standardized fume data sheets for product information and regulatory compliance.
- Testing laboratories apply the laboratory method to generate reproducible emission and composition data.
- Health & safety regulators and industry auditors reference the data to set or verify workplace limits and control measures.
Related standards
- ISO 15011-1 (determination of fume emission rate and collection for analysis)
- ISO/TR 25901-2 and ISO/TR 25901-3 (vocabulary - safety/health and welding processes)
- EN 1540, EN/TR 14599 (terminology and welding terms)
EN ISO 15011-4:2018 supports consistent, comparable information on welding fume emissions-essential for risk assessment, product information and occupational hygiene practice.