Overview
EN ISO 15831:2004 - Clothing: Measurement of thermal insulation by means of a thermal manikin defines requirements and a test procedure for measuring the thermal insulation of clothing ensembles using a thermal manikin. The standard quantifies how clothing, together with the boundary air layer, reduces heat loss from the wearer in a relatively calm environment. Results support physiological assessments of clothing performance for different climate and activity scenarios and can be used for product development, lab testing and regulatory conformity.
Key Topics and Technical Requirements
- Manikin design and segmentation
- Anatomically formed adult manikin with at least 15 independently controlled body segments (head, chest, abdomen, back, buttocks, arms, hands, legs, feet).
- Body height (1.70 ± 0.15) m and surface area (1.7 ± 0.3) m².
- Surface temperature control
- Mean skin surface temperature maintained at 34.0 ± 0.2 °C (area-weighted per segment).
- Segment temperature sensors must not protrude more than 0.5 mm and must be thermally bonded.
- Heating and power measurement
- Each segment equipped with independent heating; power measurement accuracy within ±2 % of average power per segment.
- Movement and resultant insulation
- For resultant thermal insulation (Itr), manikin performs (45 ± 2) double steps/min and (45 ± 2) double arm movements/min.
- Stride length (63 ± 10) cm; arm movement span (53 ± 10) cm.
- Climatic chamber conditions
- Chamber size at least 2 m × 2 m × 2 m.
- Spatial and temporal limits on air temperature, relative humidity and air speed (e.g., air temperature spatial variation ±1.0 °C; temporal ±0.5 °C).
- Air temperature sensors with overall accuracy ±0.15 °C recommended.
- Measurement outputs and models
- Calculates total thermal insulation (It) for stationary manikin and resultant total thermal insulation (Itr) for moving manikin.
- Includes calculation approaches (surface-area weighted/serial and parallel models).
Applications
- Product R&D for thermal clothing, outdoor wear, workwear and protective garments.
- Laboratory testing and quality control of insulation performance.
- Input to physiological models (thermal comfort, heat stress) and environmental/occupational risk assessments.
- Demonstrating conformity with regulatory requirements for protective clothing (supports EU Directive 89/686 as noted in Annex ZA).
Who Uses This Standard
- Textile and protective-clothing manufacturers
- Accredited testing laboratories and certification bodies
- Ergonomists, occupational health specialists, and thermal comfort researchers
- Designers of cold-weather, military, sports and industrial garments
Related Standards
- ISO 15831 was prepared by ISO/TC 38 (Textiles) in collaboration with CEN/TC 162 (Protective clothing) and links to EU Directive 89/686 (PPE) via Annex ZA.
Keywords: EN ISO 15831:2004, thermal manikin, thermal insulation measurement, clothing thermal insulation, physiological effects, climatic chamber, protective clothing testing.