EN 14058 and EN 342 - Protection against cool and cold conditions
When working in winter time or cold working environments such as a cold store or freezer room it is important that you stay warm to do your work properly. It is therefore useful to purchase work clothing that meets the correct standard for your working conditions so you can be sure that you stay nice and warm. EN 14058 and EN 342 are related but EN 14058 is suitable for cool conditions higher than -5°C and EN 342 for cold and low temperatures below -5°C. It is also important to use a 3-layer system with this clothing, with the outer layer meeting the EN 14058 or EN 342 standards.
- EN 14058 is protective clothing in cool conditions higher than -5°C
- EN 342 is protective clothing against cold and low temperatures lower than -5°C
- Applying it 3-layer system helps you stay warm
EN 14058: Protective clothing against cool conditions
The EN 14058 standard specifies requirements and test methods for garments that provide protection against cool conditions. Testing is carried out at cold temperatures (above -5°C) for the performance of thermal resistance, air permeability, resistance to water penetration and thermal insulation. This standard is intended for environments with temperatures higher than -5°C.
This standard has an ice crystal in the pictogram as a symbol. Five values can be displayed next to the icon. From the top down:
a) Rct : the thermal resistance class, which is measured on all fabric layers together. There are 3 levels. Clothing containing material with an RCT value higher than 0.25 is in principle designed for use in the cold (see EN 342) and falls outside the scope of EN 14058.
b) (Optional) Air permeability : this is measured on all fabric layers together. There are 3 levels of air permeability.
c) (Optional) Water resistance : there are 2 levels of water resistance.
d) (Optional) Thermal insulation using a moving mannequin (Icler).
e) (Optional) Thermal insulation using static mannequin (Icle).
EN 342: Protective clothing against cold and low temperatures
The EN342 standard specifies requirements and test methods for garments and clothing ensembles (e.g. coveralls or two-piece suits) that provide protection against a cold environment characterized by a combination of humidity, wind and an air temperature below -5°C.
This standard has an ice crystal as its symbol. In addition, four values are indicated. From the top down:
a) (u) Icler; resulting basic thermal insulation (m2k/W). Measured on a 'moving' mannequin (+ type of reference underwear).
b) (u) Icler; resulting thermal insulation (m2k/W). Measured on a static mannequin.
c) air permeability class (3 levels)
d) Water penetration resistance class (2 levels)
The 3-layer system keeps you perfectly warm
The 3-layer system consists of building your cold-resistant clothing in three specific layers:
- The first layer is thermic underwear
- The second layer is a insulating intermediate layer which mainly applies to the upper body, such as a fleece jacket or sweater
- The third layer is the protective outer layer , this is the clothing standardized by EN342 or EN14058
Layer 1: Base layer
The base layer consists of (thermal) undergarments or underwear that keeps you dry and comfortable and helps to remove excess heat and perspiration.
Layer 2: Insulating intermediate layer
The insulating middle layer helps keep you extra warm at low temperatures. The clothing helps keep your body at the right temperature and provides maximum comfort. Sweaters and fleece jackets or fleece sweaters are very suitable as an insulating intermediate layer.
Layer 3: Protective outer layer
The outer layer is standardized clothing (EN342 or EN14058) that protects you against wind, rain, snow and cold but also allows excess moisture (sweat) to escape and evaporate. View work clothing here that serves as a protective outer layer and meets the EN342 or EN14058 standard, such as winter work jackets, winter work trousers and winter overalls