GB 46309-2025 Protective clothing—Selection, use and maintenance of protective clothing against flame and heat English, Anglais, Englisch, Inglés, えいご
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ICS 13.340.10
CCS C73
People's Republic of China National Standard
GB 46309-2025
Protective clothing — Selection, use and maintenance of protective clothing against flame and heat
Issued on August 29, 2025
Implemented on September 1, 2026
Issued by
State Administration for Market Regulation
Standardization Administration of China
Contents
Foreword
Introduction
1 Scope
2 Normative references
3 Terms and definitions
4 Selection of flame and heat protective clothing
5 Use of flame and heat protective clothing
6 Maintenance of flame and heat protective clothing
Appendix A (Informative) Main characteristics and key technical information of various flame and heat protective clothing in workplaces
Appendix B (Informative) Typical work categories involving flame and heat hazard factors in workplaces and possible types of accident injuries
Appendix C (Informative) Precautions for selection, use and maintenance of flame and heat protective clothing
References
Protective clothing — Selection, use and maintenance of protective clothing against flame and heat
1 Scope
This document specifies the requirements for employers to select, use and maintain flame and heat protective clothing.
This document is applicable to the selection, use and maintenance management of flame and heat protective clothing by employers.
2 Normative references
The following documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute essential provisions of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies; for undated references, the latest edition (including any amendments) applies.
GB 8965.1 Protective clothing — Flame retardant clothing
GB 8965.2 Protective clothing — Welding clothing
GB 8965.3 Protective clothing — Protective clothing against molten metal splash
GB 8965.4 Protective clothing — Arc flash protective clothing
GB 38453 Protective clothing — Heat protective clothing
3 Terms and definitions
The following terms and definitions apply to this document.
3.1 Selection
The process of determining the appropriate category, protection level and structural suitability of protective clothing for workers.
3.2 Use
The process of correctly wearing protective clothing to protect workers, based on full consideration of the protective characteristics, applicable work scope and functional limitations of the protective clothing.
3.3 Maintenance
Work performed to maintain good protective performance of protective clothing and avoid performance degradation.
Note: Usually includes cleaning, decontamination, storage, inspection, upkeep, repair and other procedures.
3.4 Flame and heat protection
The process of preventing workers from being injured by exposure to hazards such as open flames, heat sources or high-temperature substances at the workplace through wearing and using protective clothing and other personal protective equipment.
Note: Includes but not limited to protection against hazards such as open flames, short-term flame flashover, splashing molten metals, arc thermal energy release, high-temperature objects and heat sources.
3.5 Flame retardant protective clothing
Protective clothing that can prevent itself from being ignited, flaming and smoldering within a certain time after contact with flames and hot objects, and has certain flash fire protection performance.
3.6 Protective clothing for welders
Protective clothing used to protect welders from possible molten substances and thermal injuries.
3.7 Protective clothing against molten metal splash
Clothing used to protect against injuries caused by splashing molten metals during work processes.
Note: The protective capabilities of clothing and fabrics vary for different types of molten substances. Molten aluminum has characteristics such as low temperature, low surface energy and high heat capacity. Samples that pass molten aluminum tests can generally be used for protection against molten aluminum bronze and molten minerals. Molten iron has characteristics such as high temperature, high surface energy and low heat capacity. Samples that pass molten iron tests can generally be used for protection against molten copper, molten tin phosphor bronze and molten brass. Clothing for protection against molten cryolite (sodium cryolite or potassium cryolite) must be verified effective through molten cryolite tests before use.
3.8 Arc flash protective clothing
Protective clothing used to protect the torso and limbs of personnel who may be exposed to arc flashes or related thermal hazards.
Note: The main forms of injury caused by arc energy to the human body are instantaneous energy release and related thermal injuries.
3.9 Heat protective clothing
Work clothing made in specified styles and structures for the purpose of avoiding or reducing injuries caused by contact heat, convective heat and thermal radiation during work processes.
4 Selection of flame and heat protective clothing
4.1 General principles
For all work environments with flame or heat hazards, risk assessments should be conducted, and appropriate flame and heat protective clothing should be selected for workers. The classification and applicable standards of flame and heat protective clothing are listed in Table 1.
Note 1: Workplaces should first consider using engineering controls and management measures to eliminate hazards. When engineering controls and management measures cannot be implemented or hazard assessment confirms that hazards cannot be eliminated, suitable flame and heat protective clothing should be selected based on full identification and assessment of hazards and protective performance of clothing.
Note 2: Appendix A lists the main characteristics and some key technical information of various flame and heat protective clothing in workplaces for reference by employers.
Table 1 Classification and applicable standards of flame and heat protective clothing
(Continued) Table 1 Classification and applicable standards of flame and heat protective clothing
4.2 Requirements for matching protective equipment
For all personnel in work environments with flame or heat hazards, in addition to selecting suitable flame and heat protective clothing, other personal protective equipment appropriate for the work environment should be considered as needed.
Note: Other personal protective equipment includes head protection equipment, eye and face protection equipment, hand protection equipment, foot protection equipment, respiratory protection equipment, hearing protection equipment, fall protection equipment, etc.
4.3 Identification and assessment of flame and heat hazards
4.3.1 Principles for identifying and assessing flame and heat hazards
The principles for identifying and assessing flame and heat hazards should at least include:
a) Based on national laws, regulations, standards and professional knowledge, identify possible flame and heat hazards according to the characteristics of different workplaces, production processes and work environments;
b) Conduct systematic analysis of various factors in production and operation activities, including personnel, equipment and facilities, materials used, process methods, environmental conditions, management systems, etc. The analysis should include not only flame and heat hazards in normal production operations, but also possible flame and heat hazards that may arise from changes in technology, materials, processes, equipment failures or malfunctions, and human operational errors.
Note: Appendix B lists some typical work categories involving flame and heat hazards and possible types of accident injuries for reference by employers.
4.3.2 Scope of identifying and assessing flame and heat hazards
The identification and assessment of flame and heat hazards should be sufficient and comprehensive, covering at least the following:
a) All routine and non-routine work environments:
.Flammable and explosive workplaces, such as petrochemical workshops, gas stations, flammable areas, dust explosion hazardous areas, etc.;
.High-temperature heat contact or thermal radiation workplaces, such as in front of metallurgical blast furnaces, foundry workshops, near glass melting furnaces, open-pit and underground mining areas, etc.;
.Welding areas, such as metal processing workshops, pipeline cutting and welding sites, etc.;
.Molten metal splash areas, such as metal hot working, aluminum casting, steel pouring operation areas, etc.;
