The rain tower test refer to the EN 14360 European test standard. If you are looking for a rain tower test system for waterproof garments for military, Wewon Environmental Chambers Co., Ltd. is a good garments waterproofness test system manufacture for you. In the past 10 years, We have a lot of rich experience in this field. EN 14360:2004 European Test Standard Protective Clothing Against Rain – Test Method For Ready Made Garments – Impact From Above With High Energy Droplets.
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The test sample is positioned on the manikin and the water supply is started. It shall be waited until the tub is filled, i.e. until the overflow pipe is active.
Test Procedure
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Then allow raindrops to fall down on to manikin. If not specified, the test duration shall be 1 h. Of course, The time when the raindrops fall on the mannequin can be negotiated with the customer. Some customers have stricter requirements on clothing fabrics, and the time for raindrops to fall will be relatively extended to 2 hours or longer.
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After the test duration time, allow the test garment to drain for 2 min. Remove the test garment carefully avoiding drops contacting the underwear. This requirement and steps are very clearly specified and explained in the EN 14360 test standard. In order to ensure the authenticity of the test data, please respect the execution !
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Examine the inner face of the test garment. Measure the surface of all wetted areas on the underwear and determine the total wetted area in cm.
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A minimum of two separate specimens per type of garment shall be tested. If one specimen fails, then a third specimen shall be tested. Therefore, it is a wise choice to provide 4 or 5 independent samples to the testing center. EN 14360 specifies a minimum of 2 samples for successful testing.
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If only one test garment is available, the same test garment shall be tested twice. The test garment shall be dried and conditioned as indicated above before the next test starts.
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The product standard may specify a greater number of tests. A repetition rain test of the same specimen can influence the test results.
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Normally the second test of the same specimen shows a greater water ingress due to the worse repellency. This is an indisputable fact. Therefore, the data of the first test and the second test are different, we must admit and accept and understand the actual situation.︱Rain Tower Test System (EN 14360) Garments Waterproofness Test
For the purposes of this European Standard- EN 14360, Rain tower test system the following term and definition apply.
Definitions
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Garment: Individual component of a clothing ensemble, the wearing of which provides protection to the part of the body that it covers
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A manikin with the shape and size of an adult person wearing long underwear made of absorbent fabric is dressed in the garments to be tested and exposed to artificial rain for a specific period. After the exposure the underwear and the inner side of the garment are visually inspected for wet areas.
Principle
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In addition, sensors on the manikin may be used in order to detect the timing of water ingress at individual sites.
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This EN 14360 European standard specifies a test method for determining the rain tightness of clothing for protection against rain, using a static manikin exposed to artificial rain. It is applicable to the testing of jackets, trousers, coats and one or two piece suits.
Scope
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This EN 14360 test standard for rain tower test is not applicable to the testing of garments for resistance to other weather conditions, e.g. snow, hail, or strong winds.
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The test report shall include the following information｜Rain Tower Test System (EN 14360) Garments Waterproofness Test
Test Report
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a) the number of this European Standard
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b) identification/description of the test garment
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c) size of the garment｜Garments Waterproofness Test Using Rain Tower System
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d) test temperature, pre-treatment if relevant
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e) for each sample tested, the location of wet areas on the inner side of the garment. The total wet area on the underwear and details of the size and location of wet areas. Wet areas should preferably be indicated by shading on diagrams of a human figure (front and back views) or by photographs of the front and back of the manikin
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f) details of the timing of water ingress obtained from the humidity sensors, if available
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g) date of testing｜Waterproofness Tower Test
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h) any deviations from the method given in this standard
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i) any qualifying remarks and observation (e.g. the pocket filled with water, visible changes in water repellency)
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j) any areas covered with plastic bags (hood etc.)
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k)the number of samples tested.
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1 Rain tower, comprising a circular tub at least 1000 mm in diameter supported at least 5000 mm above the floor, and supplied with water from an inflow pipe.
Test Device
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The base of the tub shall be fitted with approximately 682 nozzles with a hole diameter of 0,6 mm placed at 34 mm centres to deliver water droplets over a circular area with a diameter of 932 mm at a density of approximately 1000 droplets /rn. The tub shall have an overflow pipe placed so as to maintain a water depth of (45 ± 5) mm in the tub.
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NOTE 1 The diameter of the water droplets correspond to those described in EN 29865 (app. 5 mm). The amount of water is (450 ± 50) l/(m2h). This is a little difference compare with EN 14360 rain tower test.
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NOTE 2 To prevent water from the atmosphere condensing inside the garment the water temperature should be the same as the air temperature in the room in which the test is conducted within± 5 °C.
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NOTE 3 To prevent a blockage of the nozzles, water with low calcium content should be used by rain tower test system.
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2 Thermometers, one in the room in which the test is to be carried out to measure the air temperature and one immersed in the tub to measure the temperature of the water.
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3 Manikin, with the shape of an adult person, (1 820 ± 40) mm tall and with a chest girth of (1 000 ± 60) mm, comprising a head, torso, abdomen, buttocks, arms, hands, straight legs and feet. The arms shall be moveable to make putting on the garment easier.
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NOTE: It is possible to use alternative manikin sizes (children or female) with the appropriate garment size.
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4 Underwear to fit manikin, comprising a undershirt with long sleeves and underpants with long legs. For testing of jackets with a hood, the undershirt shall have a hood. The underwear shall be made of water absorbent fabric (e.g. washed cotton). When the underwear is tested in accordance with Annex B, the mean time for the drops to be wicked into the fabric shall be not greater than 2 seconds.
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5 Optionally humidity sensors, connected to a recording system. The humidity sensors shall be placed either on the manikin at convex places or on the underwear. The most critical locations are: shoulders, chest, wrist, back, abdomen (zipper) and shoulder blade.
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During the waterproofness tower test, If only a single piece is to be tested, the manikin has to be fully dressed:
Dressing and Positioning the Manikin
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a) Jacket testing in combination with any appropriate water tight trousers.
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b) Trousers testing in combination with any appropriate water tight jacket. The manikin shall be dressed with the underwear (5.4) and the garments of a size adequate to the manikin.
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Any zippers, fastening elements and pockets shall be closed. The draw-cord at the hem of the jacket, if fitted, shall be pulled tight.
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If the jacket has a hood this shall be put on the manikin’s head in the normal wearing position, with any draw-cord pulled tight.
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If the jacket does not have a hood, the head of the manikin shall be covered with a plastic bag in order to prevent water wicking through the collar inside the jacket.
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The plastic bag shall not cover the seams in the neckline. If during testing it is found that there is water ingress around the face or through the hood, additional tests shall be carried out with the head and hood covered by plastic bag.
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If the lower ends of the trouser legs are adjustable they shall be adjusted to the tightest position.
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The hem area of sleeves and body of the undershirt and the legs of the underpants shall be adjusted to finish about 45 mm above the ends of the jacket and trouser legs, respectively, to prevent water wicking into the underwear at the wrists or ankles.
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Manikin shall be adjusted so that it is leaning backwards at an angle of (5 ± 2)° to the vertical.
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Garments Waterproofness Test｜This is because the critical area of a jacket with regard to water ingress is normally the zipper fastener.
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One arm shall be angled backwards and the other arm shall be angled forwards, rain tower test at an angle of (25 ± 5 degree) to true vertical.
