The EN 15090 standard specifies the minimum requirements and test methods for the performance of three types of footwear used by firefighters for rescue purposes. Footwear for firefighters and, in general, for risks deriving from firefighting has the purpose of protecting the user's feet and legs from injuries or damage that may be caused during operations: crushing of the toes; impact of heavy objects on the toes; foot puncture for trampling on sharp objects; impacts in the heel area; contact with hot surfaces; contact of feet and legs with water and moisture; radiant heat; flames.
Standard EN 15090 sets forth three different types of footwear:
Type 1
Footwear suitable for external operations, forest fires; no protection against puncture, no toe protection, no protection against chemical risks. Footwear suited for generic rescues, firefighting involving plant fuel such as forests, shrubs, crops and grass.
Type 2
Footwear suitable for all fire and rescue operations where protection against puncture and toe protection is required, but no protection against chemical risks. Footwear suitable for firefighting, fire suppression, checking the stability of structures and buildings, vehicles, ships and structures involved in fires or emergency situations.
Type 3
Footwear suitable for all fire and rescue operations where protection against puncture and toe protection is required, including protection against chemical risks. Footwear suitable for emergencies involving the release, even potential, of dangerous chemicals into the environment which may cause loss of human life, personal injury or damage to facilities and the environment.
Also suitable for fire rescue, fire suppression and consolidation of structures in aircraft, buildings, closed structures, vehicles, ships or similar structures that are involved in a fire or emergency situation (valid only for class II footwear made entirely of rubber or polymer). Firefighters footwear is marked with a specific pictogram and indication of the Type.
