Northrock PPE Catalogue

RAIN PROTECTION

EN343 PROTECTION AGAINST RAIN

EN 343

EN343 protection against rain sets out the requirements for clothing, materials and seams to protect against rain, and also snowflakes, fog and ground humidity. The standard uses 2 performance parameters: water resistance and breathability. There is an optional rain tower test (EN 14360) where clothing is exposed to the impact of high energy droplets (450litres/m²/hr).

The performance is shown as e.g., EN343 Class 4:4:X , where 4 is the water resistance, 4 the breathability and X indicates the optional rain tower test was not undertaken.

4

3

X

WATER RESISTANCE LEVEL

BREATHABILITY LEVEL

RAIN TOWER TEST (EN14360)

ENTRY

ENTRY

1.

1.

INDICATED BY THE LETTER R OR X WHEN NOT UNDERTAKEN

INTERMEDIATE

INTERMEDIATE

2.

2.

4:4:X

HIGH

HIGH

3.

3.

HIGHEST

HIGHEST

4.

4.

MM

WATERPROOF LEVEL

Waterproof ratings are measured in millimetres (mm), ranging from 800mm to 20,000mm. For example 10,000mm indicates that a fabric can withstand the pressure of a 10 metre tall column of water pushing on it before it starts to let any water through.

10,000 MM - 20, 000 MM

20, 000 MM - 20,000+

3,000 MM - 10,000 MM

The minimum rating for a garment to be called waterproof, suitable for working in light to moderate rain.

Will withstand moderate to heavy rain but may soak through if subjected to pressure such as kneeling in very wet conditions.

Suitable for those working outdoors in extreme weather conditions, wind and heavy rain.

MVP is Moisture Vapour Permeability expressed as g/m²/24 hours, it is the number of grams (g) of water vapour that can pass through a square metre (m²) of fabric from the inside to the outside in 24 hours. The larger the number, the more breathable the fabric.

MVP

BREATHABILITY LEVEL

3,000 - 10,000 g/m²/24hrs

10,000 - 20,000 g/m²/24hrs

20,000+ g/m²/24hrs

Suitable for light physical activity, which causes minimal perspiration.

Suitable for moderate to heavy physical activity, where breathable rainwear is necessary to maintain a comfortable body temperature.

Suitable for heavy physical activity, which results in significant perspiration, where breathable rainwear is necessary to maintain a comfortable body temperature.

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