ISO 18639-4:2018/Amd 1:2023
(Amendment)PPE ensembles for firefighters undertaking specific rescue activities — Part 4: Gloves — Amendment 1
PPE ensembles for firefighters undertaking specific rescue activities — Part 4: Gloves — Amendment 1
Équipements de protection personnelle pour pompiers entreprenant des activités de sauvetage particulières — Partie 4: Gants — Amendement 1
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 02-Mar-2023
- Technical Committee
- ISO/TC 94/SC 14 - Firefighters' personal equipment
- Drafting Committee
- ISO/TC 94/SC 14/WG 5 - Non-fire rescue incidents (Rescue)
- Current Stage
- 6060 - International Standard published
- Start Date
- 03-Mar-2023
- Due Date
- 28-Sep-2023
- Completion Date
- 03-Mar-2023
Relations
- Effective Date
- 01-Jan-2022
Overview
ISO 18639-4:2018/Amd 1:2023 is an amendment to the international standard for personal protective equipment (PPE) ensembles for firefighters involved in specific rescue activities, with a particular focus on gloves. Published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), this amendment updates requirements for firefighter gloves to address enhanced flame resistance, liquid penetration resistance, and tear resistance. These updates reflect ongoing efforts to improve firefighter safety and performance in hazardous rescue situations.
Key Topics
Flame Resistance
The amendment clarifies and strengthens flame resistance requirements for firefighter gloves. Testing methods have been refined to ensure no layer suffers hole formation, no flaming or molten debris is produced, and after-flame times are minimized. Ensuring gloves meet these criteria is crucial for firefighter protection during high-temperature exposures.Liquid Penetration Resistance
An updated, optional requirement addresses resistance to hazardous liquids, including strong acids and solvents. Gloves must resist penetration from chemicals commonly encountered in road traffic crashes and urban search and rescue (USAR) scenarios, such as sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and o-xylene.Tear Resistance
To improve durability, the amendment mandates rigorous tear resistance testing of glove materials before and after laundering. This ensures continued protection even after repeated use and cleaning, making gloves more reliable in the field.Updated Testing Methods and Normative References
The amendment introduces references to standards such as ISO 23388:2018 for mechanical risks and ISO 15025 for flame resistance testing, ensuring alignment with the latest technical practices.
Applications
The updates in ISO 18639-4:2018/Amd 1:2023 have direct, practical implications for a range of stakeholders:
- Fire Departments and Emergency Services: Ensures the gloves provided to firefighters meet advanced performance criteria for multiple hazards, improving occupational safety.
- PPE Manufacturers: Must align glove design, material selection, and testing protocols with the revised requirements, helping them produce compliant, globally recognized products.
- Certification and Testing Laboratories: Provides updated testing benchmarks for certifying the safety and durability of gloves, ensuring that products are reliably assessed before entering service.
- Procurement Officials: Offers clear criteria when sourcing firefighting gloves, ensuring products meet the latest international safety standards.
Related Standards
Several key standards support and complement ISO 18639-4:2018/Amd 1:2023:
- ISO 18639 Series: Covers all components of PPE ensembles for firefighters, including boots, helmets, and other protective garments.
- ISO 23388:2018: Specifies methods for testing protective gloves against mechanical risks, ensuring base mechanical protection.
- ISO 15025: Describes test methods for flame spread in protective clothing, referenced for the flame resistance testing of gloves.
- ISO 13994:2005: Specifies procedures for testing chemical penetration in protective clothing, now applicable to firefighter gloves.
By aligning with these and other related standards, organizations can ensure a comprehensive approach to firefighter safety and PPE compliance.
ISO 18639-4:2018/Amd 1:2023 represents a significant step forward in enhancing the protection, durability, and functionality of firefighter gloves, providing clear guidance for manufacturers, certifiers, and end users worldwide.
Get Certified
Connect with accredited certification bodies for this standard
CIS Institut d.o.o.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) certification body. Notified Body NB-2890 for EU Regulation 2016/425 PPE.

Kiwa BDA Testing
Building and construction product certification.
Kmetijski inštitut Slovenije
Agricultural Institute of Slovenia. Soil testing, plant health, agricultural product analysis.
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Frequently Asked Questions
ISO 18639-4:2018/Amd 1:2023 is a standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Its full title is "PPE ensembles for firefighters undertaking specific rescue activities — Part 4: Gloves — Amendment 1". This standard covers: PPE ensembles for firefighters undertaking specific rescue activities — Part 4: Gloves — Amendment 1
PPE ensembles for firefighters undertaking specific rescue activities — Part 4: Gloves — Amendment 1
ISO 18639-4:2018/Amd 1:2023 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 13.340.40 - Hand and arm protection. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ISO 18639-4:2018/Amd 1:2023 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ISO 18639-4:2018. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ISO 18639-4:2018/Amd 1:2023 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 18639-4
First edition
2018-11
AMENDMENT 1
2023-03
PPE ensembles for firefighters
undertaking specific rescue
activities —
Part 4:
Gloves
AMENDMENT 1
Équipements de protection personnelle pour pompiers entreprenant
des activités de sauvetage particulières —
Partie 4: Gants
AMENDEMENT 1
Reference number
ISO 18639-4:2018/Amd.1:2023(E)
ISO 18639-4:2018/Amd.1:2023(E)
© ISO 2023
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
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ii
ISO 18639-4:2018/Amd.1:2023(E)
Foreword
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electrotechnical standardization.
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described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
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expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to
the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 94, Personal safety — Personal protective
equipment, Subcommittee SC 14, Firefighters' personal equipment.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
iii
ISO 18639-4:2018/Amd.1:2023(E)
PPE ensembles for firefighters undertaking specific rescue
activities —
Part 4:
Gloves
AMENDMENT 1
Normative references
Add the following International Standard:
ISO 23388:2018, Protective gloves against mechanical risks
6.2. Table 1
The requirements for liquid penetration resistance (optional) were changed as follows:
Road traffic crash Urban search and rescue
Requirements
(RTC) (USAR)
Liquid penetration resistance No penetration of any liquid f
...




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