EN 1486 covers specialised clothing with an aluminised surface that reflects radiant heat away. An ordinary firefighting suit (EN 469) absorbs and delays heat; an aluminised one returns it, which is decisive under intense radiation.
Where it is used
- Aviation fires — large volumes of burning fuel.
- Petrochemical sites — tank fires.
- Metallurgy — work near molten metal.
- Closing off a burning gas jet.
Limitations
The aluminised surface is very sensitive: a scratch, dirt, soot or paint sharply reduces its reflectance. A dirty suit may deliver less than half its declared protection, so cleaning and storage matter as much as the quality of the garment itself.
The suit is normally worn over EN 469 clothing rather than instead of it, and always in conjunction with breathing apparatus (EN 137).