EN 407 Standard Explained: Heat & Flame Protection for Safety Gloves
In high-temperature, welding, foundry, or open-flame environments, standard work gloves can quickly burn, melt, or cause severe injuries. The EN 407 European standard specifies requirements and test methods for protective gloves against thermal risks (heat and/or fire).
When selecting heat-resistant PPE, look for the EN 407 flame pictogram accompanied by a 6-digit performance code (or X if not tested).
Code Structure & The 6 Performance Parameters
The 6-digit code beneath the EN 407 pictogram follows a fixed order, representing protection against specific thermal hazards:
| Position | Performance Parameter | Rating Range | Testing Focus / Description |
| 1st (A) | Limited Flame Spread | 1 – 4 | Measures ignition time and how long the material burns or glows after the flame source is removed (Level 4 requires after-flame time $\le 2\text{s}$). |
| 2nd (B) | Contact Heat | 1 – 4 | Insulation against direct contact with hot objects (Level 1 = $100^\circ\text{C}$, Level 4 = $500^\circ\text{C}$; must hold temperature for at least 15s without inner temperature rising $>10^\circ\text{C}$). |
| 3rd (C) | Convective Heat | 1 – 4 | Ability to delay heat transfer from ambient hot air/gas streams. |
| 4th (D) | Radiant Heat | 1 – 4 | Resistance to intense radiant heat sources (e.g., furnaces or kilns). |
| 5th (E) | Small Splashes of Molten Metal | 1 – 4 | Number of molten metal droplets required to raise inner temperature (e.g., welding sparks; Level 4 requires $\ge 35$ drops). |
| 6th (F) | Large Quantities of Molten Metal | 1 – 4 | Thermal insulation against large splashes or pours of liquid metal (e.g., foundry pouring). |
Real-World Example
If a high-temperature safety glove displays the following code:
It provides the following certified capabilities:
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4: Maximum flame resistance (self-extinguishes quickly without dripping).
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2: Protects against direct contact heat up to $250^\circ\text{C}$.
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3: High thermal insulation against convective heat streams.
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X: Not tested for radiant heat.
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4: Maximum resistance against small molten metal splashes (ideal for heavy-duty welding).
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X: Not tested for large molten metal pours.
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