The heat and flame jacket: an essential PPE for thermal environments
Protection dedicated to thermal risks and projections
Working in contact with intense heat, flames or molten metal projections exposes the body to serious risks. The heat and flame jacket is the first line of defence against these dangers for the upper body. It acts as a technical textile barrier between the wearer and their work environment, insulating the wearer from thermal energy before it reaches the skin.
It is important to be precise about the nature of this protection: a heat and flame jacket is a flame retardant. It slows the spread of fire, limits burns and gives the wearer time to reach safety. This distinction is essential to properly understand its role in the prevention of thermal risks.
An indispensable piece of equipment for the upper body
The torso, arms and shoulders are the most exposed zones in welding, foundry and industrial maintenance activities. A spark projection on an unprotected sleeve can cause a severe burn in just seconds. The heat and flame jacket covers all these critical zones, integrating into a complete PPE outfit alongside flame-retardant trousers, protective gloves and a face shield.
For complete lower body protection, pair this jacket with heat and flame resistant pants certified EN ISO 11612.
The EN ISO 11612 standard: the reference for thermal protective clothing
What does EN ISO 11612 certification guarantee?
The EN ISO 11612 standard sets out the minimum requirements that all protective clothing against heat and flames must meet. It imposes a series of tests that evaluate the textile's resistance across several types of thermal exposure. An EN ISO 11612 certified jacket provides the guarantee that its performance has been measured and validated according to strict protocols, independently of the manufacturer.
For employers, this certification is not optional. All PPE provided to workers exposed to thermal risks must comply with the European regulation (EU), the PPE regulation, and meet the standards applicable to the workstation. An uncertified jacket, however robust it may appear, does not constitute PPE in the regulatory sense of the term.
The performance levels of the standard
The EN ISO 11612 standard evaluates garments against several criteria identified by letter codes. Each code corresponds to a type of thermal risk and the accompanying numbers indicate the performance level achieved. Here are the main parameters evaluated:
- Code A: limited flame spread, mandatory criterion for all certification
- Code B: resistance to convective heat, i.e. heat transmitted by hot air
- Code C: resistance to radiant heat, such as that emitted by a furnace or an incandescent source
- Code D and E: resistance to molten metal projections (small and large projections)
- Code F: resistance to contact heat
For welding and boilermaking workstations, codes D and E are particularly important. For maintenance in high radiant temperature environments, code C. For welding and boilermaking workstations, codes D and E become a priority.
Trades and sectors concerned
Welding, boilermaking and metalwork
The welder and the boilermaker are simultaneously exposed to multiple risks: sparks, molten metal projections, radiant heat from the arc or flame, and the risk of clothing ignition. The heat and flame jacket addresses these combined risks, provided that the certification covers codes D and E of the EN ISO 11612 standard. The jacket design also plays a role: closures must limit projection infiltration zones and cuffs must close hermetically.
Industrial maintenance and energy industries
In power plants, refineries, steel mills and heavy maintenance sites, thermal risks are permanent but variable. A maintenance technician may work in a low thermal risk zone in the morning and face an intense heat source in the afternoon. The heat and flame jacket provides baseline protection that covers these different situations, without requiring a change of outfit between interventions.
In these contexts, the jacket's compatibility with other PPE is also an important criterion. It must be wearable with a fall arrest harness, respiratory protective equipment or a high-visibility vest depending on the work zones.
How to choose your heat and flame jacket?
The level of protection suited to the workstation
The first question to ask before purchasing a heat and flame jacket is that of the actual risk level of the workstation. A documented risk assessment helps identify the types of thermal exposure the worker will face and select the necessary performance codes. An over-specified jacket in terms of protection will often be heavier and less comfortable. An under-specified jacket will not provide sufficient protection.
What material quality for a durable flame-retardant jacket?
How to reconcile thermal protection and daily comfort?
An uncomfortable PPE ends up being poorly worn, which negates its protective function. The heat and flame jacket must leave the arms free for technical gestures, not constrain the shoulders and offer good breathability to limit body overheating. Closure systems, cuffs and back panels play an important role in this equation. Also check that the jacket is compatible with other protective equipment worn simultaneously.
Cepovett Safety heat and flame jackets
Cepovett Safety designs EN ISO 11612 certified heat and flame jackets for professionals in thermal risk industries. Each model is developed taking into account real field constraints: freedom of movement, durability through industrial washing and compatibility with other PPE. Discover the full Heat and flame resistant clothing line to equip your teams according to their level of exposure.
For workstations requiring full-body protection without coverage discontinuity, Cepovett Safety also offers heat and flame suits certified EN ISO 11612, which cover the entire body in a single piece.
How to maintain a flame-retardant jacket to preserve its performance?
The maintenance of a heat and flame jacket cannot be improvised. A few fundamental rules help preserve its flame-retardant properties over time. Fabric softener must never be used, as its residues can form a flammable film on the fibres. The washing and drying temperatures indicated by the manufacturer must be strictly followed. Any repair with an uncertified part (patch, seam, closure) can compromise the garment's compliance.
A thermal protective garment must be inspected regularly. Tears, fabric thinning, excessive discolouration or seam deterioration are warning signs that justify immediate replacement, even if the guaranteed number of washes has not yet been reached.
