EN 15090:2012
Firefighter Footwear
When the ground beneath you is burning, unstable, or contaminated, the right footwear makes the difference between safety and severe risk. EN 15090:2012 sets the European standard for firefighter footwear, ensuring boots meet strict performance requirements for fire suppression, rescue operations, and hazardous emergencies. This standard supersedes EN 15090:2006 and defines minimum requirements and test methods for three categories of protective footwear.
When the ground beneath you is burning, unstable, or contaminated, the right footwear makes the difference between safety and severe risk. EN 15090:2012 sets the European standard for firefighter footwear, ensuring boots meet strict performance requirements for fire suppression, rescue operations, and hazardous emergencies. This standard supersedes EN 15090:2006 and defines minimum requirements and test methods for three categories of protective footwear.
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Application
EN 15090:2012 applies to:
It does not cover highly specialized PPE for extreme high-risk scenarios.
- Fire suppression in buildings, vehicles, ships, and open areas
- General-purpose rescue and property conservation
- Emergency situations involving hazardous materials
It does not cover highly specialized PPE for extreme high-risk scenarios.
Classifications
The standard distinguishes between footwear materials:
- Class I – Leather or other materials (excluding all-rubber and all-polymeric footwear)
- Class II – Fully rubber, fully polymeric, or hybrid polymer footwear
Footwear Types
EN 15090 defines three distinct types of footwear.
| Feature | Type 1 | Type 2 | Type 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Use case | Outdoor fire suppression in vegetative fuels (forests, fields, grass, crops) | Structural firefighting and rescue (buildings, vehicles, vessels) | Hazardous materials + structural firefighting (aircraft, ships, buildings, vehicles) |
| Toe protection | Optional | Required | Required |
| Penetration resistance | Optional | Required | Required |
| Chemical resistance | Optional | Not required | Required |
| Suitable environments | Vegetation fires, farmland | Enclosed structures, vehicles, vessels | Hazmat sites, aircraft, high-risk environments |
This table provides an at-a-glance overview of the protection level each type offers.
Detailed Footwear Type Descriptions
-
Type 1 – General Rescue and Fire Suppression
- Suitable for fires in vegetation, farmland, forests, or grass
- No mandatory toe protection, penetration resistance, or chemical protection (optional)
-
Type 2 – Structural Firefighting and Rescue
- Designed for enclosed spaces: buildings, vehicles, vessels
- Includes toe protection and penetration resistance
- No mandatory chemical protection
-
Type 3 – Hazardous Materials and High-Risk Emergencies
- For incidents involving hazardous chemicals and environments
- Mandatory toe protection, penetration resistance, and chemical protection
- Suitable for fire suppression and rescue in all environments, including aircraft and ships
Symbols and Markings
Certified footwear carries symbols that indicate protective properties:
Type-Specific Symbols
- Type 1 – F1A (antistatic), F1PA (penetration resistance + antistatic), F1I (electrical insulation)
- Type 2 – F1PI (penetration resistance + insulation), F2AI (antistatic), F2I (electrical insulation)
- Type 3 – F3A (antistatic), F3I (electrical insulation)
Additional Symbols
- HI1/HI2/HI3 – Heat insulation (from 150°C to 250°C exposure)
- T – Toe cap protection (200 J impact, Type 1 only)
- R – Toe puff rigidity (Type 1 only)
- P – Penetration resistance
- I – Electrically insulating
- A – Antistatic
- CI – Cold insulation
- CH – Chemical resistance
- AN – Ankle protection
- M – Metatarsal protection
Slip Resistance
Slip, Trip, and Fall Prevention
Slip, trip, and fall prevention is essential in firefighting environments. EN 15090 footwear is tested under three slip-resistance conditions:
- SRA – Ceramic surface with detergent solution
- SRB – Steel surface with glycerol
- SRC – Meets both SRA and SRB
Importance of EN 15090
Applications Beyond Firefighting
While designed for firefighters, EN 15090-certified boots are highly relevant for other high-risk sectors:
- Maritime & Offshore – Reliable protection in onboard fires and hazardous deck conditions
- Petrochemical – Resistance against chemical spills, flames, and heat exposure
- Construction – Safety against falling objects, sharp surfaces, and unpredictable fire hazards
Frequently asked questions
Is EN 15090:2012 the latest version?
Yes. It replaced EN 15090:2006 and remains the current European standard for firefighter footwear.
What is the difference between Type 1, 2, and 3?
Type 1 is for outdoor fire suppression, Type 2 for structural firefighting, and Type 3 for hazardous material emergencies.
What do HI1, HI2, and HI3 mean?
They indicate the footwear’s heat insulation performance: HI1 for 150°C, HI2 for 250°C/20 minutes, HI3 for 250°C/40 minutes.
Do EN 15090 boots protect against chemicals?
Only Type 3 footwear requires chemical resistance. Type 1 and 2 may have this as an optional feature.
Are these boots suitable for industrial sectors outside firefighting?
Yes. The properties of EN 15090 footwear are relevant for maritime, offshore, petrochemical, and construction safety.