EN 14126 in PPE: A Standard for Testing Fabric in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
EN 14126 is a standard that tests the fabric of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to ensure its ability to protect against pathogens in high-risk environments. However, there are other factors to consider as well.
Today, Glovetex Will Guide You on How to Read Standards and Make the Right Selection
In these times, many people are concerned about healthcare workers and are showing their support by donating large quantities of PPE suits and N95 masks. However, doctors and nurses are hesitant to use them due to concerns about their effectiveness in protecting against COVID-19, which may not meet the required standards. Today, Glovetex will guide you on how to identify PPE that meets the EN 14126 standard, so healthcare workers can use safe protective equipment.
Medical PPE Suits are Divided into 3 Levels, Differentiating Protection in Environments with Varying Levels of Airborne Contaminants, Ranked from Level 1 to 3 (Highest to Lowest Risk):
(Table Showing Equivalent PPE Standards That Can Be Used in Hospitals)
- Level 1: Used in ICU and pressure-controlled rooms with critical patients requiring intubation. This level uses suits that meet Type 6 standards (protecting against liquid splashes, such as blood contaminated with viruses).
- Level 2: Used in areas where infections are present, such as doctors examining COVID-19 patients in hospitals. This level uses suits that meet the EN 14126 standard (tested for protection against biological/infectious agents).
- Level 3: Used in areas with a 50-50% risk, such as inspecting locations with suspected cases or monitoring infections in communities, including during emergency medical services.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the quality of coveralls, a part of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), in response to the Ebola virus outbreak in 2014. The testing measures are known as “EN 14126,” which includes five additional sub-standards, comprising:
- ISO 16603: Testing for resistance to synthetic blood pressure
- ISO 16604: Testing for resistance to synthetic blood pressure contaminated with viruses
- ISO 22610: Testing for resistance to liquid contaminated with bacteria
- ISO 22611: Testing for protection against airborne bacterial droplets
- ISO 22612: Testing for resistance to contaminated particles
Choosing the appropriate PPE type depends on the job and the concentration of pathogens in the area. If working closely with patients who are coughing or sneezing frequently, or in an ICU, it is recommended to use PPE Type 3-B or higher, or equivalent standards such as GB19082.
Additionally, it is important to check other physical characteristics of the suit, such as tensile strength, tear resistance, puncture resistance, and abrasion resistance. The strength of the seams and the overall performance of the suit should also be assessed.
In summary, to determine if a PPE suit provides adequate protection against pathogens, consider the following three factors:
- EN 14126 is a standard for the protection against biological hazards and infection (preliminary).
- Additionally, observe the relevant ISO standards based on the actual working environment to determine which type is resistant to pathogens.
- Observe the letter “B” (indicating protection against pathogens) in the images above. For example, the letter “B” may appear in various icons, such as the showerhead symbol, which represents protection against liquid splashes containing pathogens, or the icon with scattered small circles, which indicates protection against small particles carrying pathogens that could enter the body.
For those interested in purchasing PPE for donation to healthcare workers or related staff, please click the image to contact us for inquiries, place an order, or request a quote.
