ISO 17493-2016 PDF

Full title and description

Clothing and equipment for protection against heat — Test method for convective heat resistance using a hot air circulating oven. This International Standard specifies a laboratory test method to evaluate convective heat resistance of protective clothing materials, items and equipment by exposure in a hot-air circulating oven; it is intended to record visible physical changes (including shrinkage) at defined exposure temperatures and provides different procedures depending on material or item type.

Abstract

ISO 17493:2016 describes a test method for evaluating the heat resistance of protective clothing materials or items and equipment when exposed in a hot-air circulating oven. The method is intended to evaluate physical changes in a material at a given exposure temperature; materials are assessed for defined visible changes and for dimensional change (shrinkage). Different procedures are given according to the type of protective clothing material or item tested.

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed following systematic review).
• Publication date: 2016-12-06 (Edition 2, 2016).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 13.340.10 (Protective clothing).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2016).
• Number of pages: 10.

Scope

This standard specifies a laboratory test for convective heat resistance using a hot-air circulating oven to determine visible physical changes and dimensional change (shrinkage) of materials and items intended for protection against heat. It applies to protective clothing materials and items where convective (hot air) exposure is relevant; it does not replace tests for other heat exposures such as radiant heat, flame spread, molten metal splash or contact heat where other specific standards apply.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of test apparatus: hot-air circulating oven conditions and calibration.
• Specified exposure temperatures and exposure durations for evaluating material behaviour under convective heat.
• Procedures for assessing visible physical changes (discolouration, char, melting, deformation).
• Measurement of dimensional change (shrinkage) before and after exposure.
• Different test procedures/arrangements depending on material type or garment construction.
• Requirements for reporting test conditions, observations and measured changes.

Typical use and users

Manufacturers of protective clothing and components, test laboratories and conformity assessment bodies use ISO 17493:2016 to evaluate material performance under convective heat exposure. Health & safety professionals, purchasers of industrial protective garments, and research organizations assessing material durability and behaviour at elevated air temperatures also reference the standard when specifying or validating heat-protective products.

Related standards

ISO 17493 sits within the family of standards on protective clothing developed by ISO/TC 94/SC 13. Closely related documents include ISO 11612 (protective clothing — protection against heat and flame) which addresses performance requirements and tests for convective, radiant and contact heat as well as flame spread, and ISO/EN standards for limited flame spread (e.g., ISO/EN 14116) and welding protective clothing (EN ISO 11611). These standards are typically used together when specifying full protective performance against different types of heat hazards.

Keywords

convective heat resistance; hot-air circulating oven; protective clothing; heat-protective equipment; shrinkage measurement; test method; ISO/TC 94/SC 13.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 17493:2016 is an International Standard that specifies a laboratory test method to assess convective heat resistance of protective clothing materials and items using a hot-air circulating oven.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers test apparatus, exposure conditions, procedures for observing visible physical changes and measuring dimensional change (shrinkage), and reporting requirements for materials and items exposed to convective (hot air) heat.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers of heat-protective clothing, independent test laboratories, conformity assessment bodies, purchasers/specifiers of PPE, and safety researchers use this standard to evaluate material behaviour under convective heat exposure.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 17493:2016 (Edition 2) is the current published version; the previous 2000 edition was withdrawn when the 2016 edition was published. The 2016 edition was reviewed and confirmed in 2021, and remains current unless formally withdrawn or revised by ISO.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the body of standards developed by ISO/TC 94/SC 13 on protective clothing and equipment; it is used alongside other standards that address flame spread, radiant heat, molten metal splashes and welding/firefighting-specific protective clothing (for example ISO 11612, ISO 14116 and EN ISO 11611).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Convective heat, hot-air circulating oven, protective clothing, heat resistance, shrinkage, test method.