Protection against rain
EN 343 - PROTECTION AGAINST RAIN
Protective clothing certified according to EN 343 protects the wearer against the risk of body cooling due to getting wet. The standard sets requirements including the garment’s waterproofness and breathability.
Water penetration resistance is measured from the outside of the garment. The test is performed exposing materials and seams to water pressure. The result is obtained in Pascal (Pa) or mm water column (mm H2O).
| Water penetration resistance WP | Class | |||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| Specimen to be tested | ||||
| - material before pre-treatment | WP ≥ 8000 Pa ≈ 800 mm H₂O | X | X | X |
| - material after each pre-treatment | X | WP ≥ 8000 Pa ≈ 800 mm H₂O | WP ≥ 13 000 Pa ≈ 1 300 mm H₂O | WP ≥ 20 000 Pa ≈ 2 000 mm H₂O |
The breathability is measured from the inside of the garment and indicates the garment’s ability to let water vapour through. Good breathability contributes to better comfort as sweat and moisture can be transported from the body.
| Water vapour resistance Ret | Class | |||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| m² · Pa W | Ret > 40 | 25 < Ret ≤ 40 | 15 < Ret ≤ 25 | Ret ≤ 15 |
There are recommendations regarding the wearing time, not to risk overheating. These are based on the garment’s breathability and the ambient temperature.
| Class | ||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| Temperature of working environment | Ret > 40 m²Pa/W | 25 < Ret ≤ 40 m²Pa/W | 15 < Ret ≤ 25 m²Pa/W | Ret ≤ 15 m²Pa/W |
| 25° C | 60 | 105 | 180 | - |
| 20° C | 75 | 250 | - | - |
| 15° C | 100 | - | - | - |
| 10° C | 240 | - | - | - |
| 5° C | - | - | - | - |
| meaning: no limit for wearing time | ||||
The function of the readymade garment can be tested in a rain tower and is an optional evaluation of the garment’s design.
The protection class is advised in connection with the pictogram;
A. Class water penetration (1-4 where 4 gives most protection)
B. Class water vapour resistance (1-4 where 4 breathe the most)
C. Rain tower test (optional test of readymade garment)
License for using the standard
This text is an interpretation of the content in the Standard concerned, reproduced with the requisite authorization for Blåkläder from the Swedish Institute for Standards, which is the owner and copyright holder of the Standard and also sells the complete Standard at www.sis.se
