EN 14360 Rain Protective Clothing - Test Method for Apparel

EUROLAB, with its state-of-the-art accredited laboratories and expert team, provides precise and fast testing services within the scope of EN 14360 testing. This European Standard specifies a test method for determining the rain tightness of clothing for protection against rain using a static dummy exposed to artificial rain.

It can be applied to the testing of jackets, trousers, coats and one- or two-piece suits. This standard does not apply to the testing of clothing to withstand other weather conditions such as snow, hail or strong winds.

The mannequin, in the shape and size of an adult wearing long underwear made of absorbent fabric, is dressed in the clothes to be tested and exposed to artificial rain for a certain period of time. After exposure, the underwear and the inside of the garment are visually inspected for wet areas. Additionally, sensors on the dummy can be used to detect the timing of water ingress into individual zones.

The test method in EN 14360 includes the following steps:

• Dressing preparation: The suit is prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Test setup: The suit is placed on a mannequin or a human, and the test setup is arranged to simulate exposure of the suit to high-energy water droplets falling from above.
• Water spray: The garment is subjected to a spray of water droplets at a constant flow rate and pressure with the number of droplets per square centimeter specified in the standard.
• Evaluation of penetration: After the water spray, the suit is checked for water penetration using a hydrostatic head tester that measures the water pressure required to force water through the suit material.
• Evaluation of performance: The garment is assigned a performance rating based on the observed level of water permeability, and higher ratings indicate better resistance to water penetration.

In general, the EN 14360 test method is used to evaluate the ability of rain protective clothing to withstand exposure to high-energy droplets falling from above and to provide users with reliable protection from rainwater. Test results can help buyers and users make informed decisions about choosing protective clothing for specific applications.

EUROLAB assists manufacturers with EN 14360 test compliance. Our test experts, with their professional working mission and principles, provide you, our manufacturers and suppliers, the best service and controlled testing process in our laboratories. Thanks to these services, businesses receive more effective, high-performance and quality testing services and provide safe, fast and uninterrupted service to their customers.