scope:

This standard establishes classification requirements for occupational apparel items worn in cold environments. The apparel items specified in this standard are insulated so as to reduce heat loss from the body to a cold environment.

Specific criteria are included for thermal insulation (in units of clo) and thermal transport properties. The resistance to the deterioration of these properties due to laundering may be optionally assessed and classified accordingly. The standard also includes garment care and labeling requirements and provides guidance on the selection of the apparel items based on given environments and activity levels.

Specific apparel covered by this standard includes insulated or shell jackets, parkas, vests, coveralls, pants and insulated flame-resistant occupational wear, as well as combinations thereof.

This standard does not address gloves, headwear, and footwear, although these items should be included in the prescribed cold weather ensemble in order to achieve functional protection.

Apparel items which are actively heated or use phase change materials (PCMs) to regulate body temperature of the wearer by actively generating, adding, or releasing heat are not included in this standard.

Purpose

The standard is intended to be a tool to assist selectors or specifiers in determining appropriate apparel items for cold ambient environments based on temperature and the activity of the wearer. The basis of this determination is the quantification and classification of the relative insulative effectiveness of the apparel items, the apparel's appropriateness for the scenario, and optionally its durability in the use environment. It is also intended to assist manufacturers to balance material selection and performance of said apparel items (See Appendix A).