EN 343
Protective clothing against rain.
It´s the standard that specifies the (requirements/necessities) and test methods applicable to the materials and seams of protective garments against the effects of precipitation (e.g. Rain, Snow ...), fog and soil moisture.
Requirements: Resistance to water penetration (Wp) in Pascal (Pa): It measures the level of impermeability of the garment. When subjected to the test in accordance with point 5.1 of the EN 343 standard, the resistance to water penetration in the external coating material must be in accordance with the following (leaflet/prospectus) (divided into three classes -from 1 to 3- from the least impermeable even the most waterproof):
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Class |
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Resistance to water penetration Wp |
1 |
2 |
3 |
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Test : - Material before treatment - Material after treatment (ref. Points 5.1.3.2 / 5.1.3.5 of the EN 343 standard) |
Wp> 8 000 Pa Test not required |
Test not required a) Wp> 8 000 Pa |
Test not required a) Wp≥ 13 000 Pa |
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- Seams before treatment |
Wp> 8 000 Pa |
Wp> 8 000 Pa |
Wp> 13 000 Pa |
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a) Test not required because the worst situation for class 2 and 3 is verified after treatment. |
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Water vapor resistance (Ret) in (m2.Pa)/Wp : Measures the level of breathability of the garment. When tested in accordance with point 5.2 of the EN 343 standard, the resistance to water vapor of all the layers of the clothing item must comply with the following leaflet (divided into three classes -from 1 to 3- of the least breathable to the most breathable):
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Class |
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Resistance to water vapour (Ret) |
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1 a) |
2 |
3 |
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m2 x Pa / W |
Ret < > 40 |
20 < Ret < ≤ 40 |
Ret < ≤ 20 |
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a) Class 1 has a limited usage time |
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