ISO 15025-2016 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 15025:2016 — Protective clothing — Protection against flame — Method of test for limited flame spread. This International Standard specifies test procedures for assessing the limited flame‑spread behaviour of vertically oriented flexible materials (single or multicomponent fabrics, coated or multilayer assemblies) when exposed to a small defined flame.

Abstract

ISO 15025:2016 defines two principal procedures (surface/superficial ignition and bottom‑edge/edge ignition) to determine flame spread properties of vertically oriented specimens. The standard records outcomes such as whether flame reaches specimen edges, after‑flame and after‑glow times, formation of debris or holes, and other observations relevant to limited flame spread. It excludes situations with restricted air supply or exposure to large intense heat sources and is not appropriate for materials that undergo extensive melting or shrinkage.

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed).
• Publication date: December 2016.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 13.340.10 (Protective clothing).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2016).
• Number of pages: 21 pages (ISO publication information).

(General information from the ISO bibliographic record for ISO 15025:2016.)

Scope

Specifies a laboratory test method for assessing limited flame spread of vertically oriented flexible materials and assemblies (including coated, quilted and multilayer constructions) using two procedures: Procedure A (surface/superficial ignition) and Procedure B (bottom‑edge/edge ignition). The method applies a small defined flame for a specified time (normally 10 s) and records after‑flame, after‑glow, debris, hole formation and whether flame reaches specimen borders. The standard is intended for materials where limited flame spread behaviour is of concern and is not appropriate for tests under restricted air supply, large heat sources, or materials that extensively melt or shrink.

Key topics and requirements

• Two test procedures: Procedure A — surface/superficial ignition; Procedure B — bottom‑edge/edge ignition (vertical specimens).
• Fixed flame application time (typically 10 seconds) and defined burner geometry and positioning.
• Recorded outcomes: whether flame reaches specimen edges, after‑flame time, after‑glow time, spread of after‑glow, formation of debris or flaming debris, and hole formation (damaged length optional in edge procedure).
• Applicability: single‑layer and multilayer assemblies; surface tests may be performed on both sides; edge tests allow testing individual layers or full assemblies.
• Exclusions and limits: not suitable for restricted‑air conditions, exposure to large intense heat sources, or materials showing extensive melting/shrinkage.
• Health and safety considerations for laboratory operators (smoke and toxic gases require adequate ventilation/extraction).

These topics and requirements are summarised from the ISO test method and associated guidance.

Typical use and users

Used by textile and protective‑clothing manufacturers, independent test laboratories, PPE certifying bodies, procurement/specification engineers, and standards committees. Typical applications include classification of materials for garments and assemblies where occasional brief contact with small flames may occur (workwear, industrial protective clothing, some firefighter and specialist garments as referenced in product standards). Test houses and R&D teams also use ISO 15025 to screen materials and finishes for limited flame‑spread behaviour.

Related standards

ISO 15025 is commonly referenced alongside and used with other standards addressing protective clothing and textile flammability, for example ISO 14116 (limited flame‑spread materials, assemblies and clothing), ISO 11612 (clothing to protect against heat and flame), ISO 6940 / ISO 6941 (textile burning behaviour and flame‑spread/ignition tests), and regional/adopted versions such as EN ISO 15025. These related documents define complementary performance requirements, alternative test methods, or garment‑level classifications.

Keywords

limited flame spread, protective clothing, flammability test, vertical test, surface ignition, edge ignition, after‑flame, after‑glow, PPE, textile burning behaviour.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 15025:2016 is an international test method standard that specifies laboratory procedures to evaluate the limited flame‑spread behaviour of vertically oriented flexible materials and material assemblies used in protective clothing.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers two procedures (surface and bottom‑edge ignition) with defined burner geometry and exposure time (commonly 10 s), and requires recording of outcomes such as flame reaching specimen borders, after‑flame and after‑glow times, debris and hole formation. The standard also specifies specimen preparation, conditioning, apparatus and safety considerations. It does not cover tests under restricted air supply or exposure to large heat sources and is not suitable for materials that extensively melt or shrink.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Material and garment manufacturers, independent testing laboratories, PPE conformity assessment bodies, product designers and procurement/specification teams use ISO 15025 to assess and document limited flame‑spread performance for materials and assemblies intended for protective clothing.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 15025:2016 (Edition 2) is the current published version; the ISO bibliographic record indicates publication in December 2016 and that the publication was reviewed/confirmed (maintained) in subsequent ISO reviews. Users should verify the status with the official ISO catalogue or their national standards body for the latest confirmation or amendments.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the set of ISO standards addressing protective clothing and textile burning behaviour. ISO 15025 is used together with related standards such as ISO 14116 (limited flame‑spread classification), ISO 11612 (heat and flame protective clothing requirements), and textile burning tests ISO 6940 / ISO 6941. Product standards for specific garment types often reference ISO 15025 as the laboratory test method for limited flame spread.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Limited flame spread; vertical flame test; protective clothing; surface ignition; edge ignition; after‑flame; after‑glow; specimen assembly; flammability classification.