Energy Absorption of the Residence Area (ISO 20344, §5.14)

The ISO 20344 standard has been designed by the International Standards Organization (ISO) to describe the characteristics and test methods of footwear, which are among personal protective equipment. This standard has been published in our country by the Turkish Standards Institute (TSE) with the following title: TS EN ISO 20344 Personal protective equipment - Test methods for footwear.

This standard describes a number of methods for testing footwear of personal protective equipment. Among the test methods in the standard that are valid for all protective shoes, clause 5.14 is for determining the energy absorption of the sitting area.

Clause 5.14 of the said standard is arranged as follows:

• 5.14 Determining the energy absorption of the sitting area
• 5.14.1 Apparatus
• 5.14.2 Procedure

Safety shoes in this category have a number of advantages that protect against a variety of risks. Shoes, one of the personal protective equipment, must meet the requirements under specific standards according to the field of activity in which they will be used.

Here are a few of these standards:

• ISO 20345 Personal protective equipment - Safety shoes
• ISO 20346 Personal protective equipment - Safety shoes
• ISO 20347 Personal protective equipment - Professional shoes
• ISO 17249 Chainsaw cut resistant safety shoes
• EN 13832 Chemical protection shoes
• EN 15090 Footwear for firefighters
• EN 50321 Electrically insulated shoes for work in low voltage installations
• EN ISO 13634 Protective footwear for motorcycle riders - Requirements and test methods

In addition, the ISO 20344 standard describes procedures for testing individual components rather than testing the entire shoe.

During tests of the energy absorption of the seat area, the energy absorbed by the heel area when 5000 N is applied to the back of the shoe is determined. A dynamometer is used for these measurements.

Within the framework of foot protection equipment testing services, our organization also provides energy absorption (ISO 20344, §5.14) testing services for the sitting area.