Air permeability (AP)
AP, an acronym for "Air Permeability," describes the degree to which air can flow through a material, particularly concerning textiles. This is a crucial factor for evaluating clothing items in terms of their thermal properties and resulting comfort.
Application in EN 342 Standard:
Within the EN 342 standard, which defines the cold protection of clothing items, air permeability plays a central role. The standard classifies the air permeability of textiles used in cold protective clothing into three classes. Class 1 represents the lowest, and Class 3 represents the highest air permeability. A higher class means that more air can circulate through the material, potentially leading to increased heat loss but also improved breathability.
Practical Significance:
For workers operating in extremely cold environments, the correct choice of air permeability class can be crucial for their comfort and safety. In some situations, a higher AP value (Class 3) may be preferred to avoid overheating during heavy physical work. In other scenarios where heat loss needs to be minimized, a lower class (Class 1) would be ideal.
Application in EN 342 Standard:
Within the EN 342 standard, which defines the cold protection of clothing items, air permeability plays a central role. The standard classifies the air permeability of textiles used in cold protective clothing into three classes. Class 1 represents the lowest, and Class 3 represents the highest air permeability. A higher class means that more air can circulate through the material, potentially leading to increased heat loss but also improved breathability.
Practical Significance:
For workers operating in extremely cold environments, the correct choice of air permeability class can be crucial for their comfort and safety. In some situations, a higher AP value (Class 3) may be preferred to avoid overheating during heavy physical work. In other scenarios where heat loss needs to be minimized, a lower class (Class 1) would be ideal.