Choosing heat resistant gloves in Singapore goes beyond a “feels hot” assessment. First, the standard. EN 407:2020 measures six independent heat hazards on a scale of 1 to 4: flame contact, contact heat, convective heat, radiant heat, small splashes of molten metal, and large splashes. As a result, a glove rated 4-3-3-3-X-X protects against direct flame for 20+ seconds but offers no rating against molten metal. Therefore, you must read the rating, not the marketing.
The six EN 407 numbers explained
- Flame (1–4) — how long the glove resists ignition. 4 means 20+ seconds of after-flame.
- Contact heat (1–4) — surface temperature in °C the glove withstands for 15 seconds without inside-temperature rise of 10 K. 4 = 500 °C.
- Convective heat (1–4) — heat transfer index. 4 = 18 seconds before the inside reaches dangerous temperature.
- Radiant heat (1–4) — for furnace work and arc welding splashback.
- Small molten splash (1–4) — number of solder-sized droplets the glove deflects before damage.
- Large molten splash (1–4) — mass of molten iron the glove deflects before second-degree burn underneath.
Match the glove to the foundry job
For aluminium die-casting at 700 °C, you need contact heat 4, large splash 3+, and a long cuff. For brazing and soldering at 350 °C, contact heat 3 with small splash rating is enough. Steel foundry tap-out work above 1,400 °C demands aluminised outer layers plus aramid liners — standard PPE here is two-glove with a leather over-mitt. In addition, never use cotton liners under heat-resistant gloves; sweat-soaked cotton scalds skin in seconds.
Polyco heat-resistant range
Phil Industries supplies the Polyco heat-rated lines for Singapore foundries, including aramid-knit gloves, leather-aramid composites, and aluminised radiant-heat gauntlets. Each one ships with the EN 407 rating printed on the packaging. As a result, your safety officer can match glove to job at a glance. Furthermore, all Polyco heat gloves carry the EN 388 cut-and-abrasion rating too — foundry work rarely involves heat alone.
Care and inspection routine
First, inspect every heat glove before each shift for charring, hardening, or crack lines. Next, retire any glove that shows shiny “glazed” patches on the palm; the resin has melted and the protective layer is compromised. Then store gloves on open hooks, not in lockers, so trapped moisture cannot wick steam burns onto skin. Above all, do not wash heat-resistant gloves — aramid loses up to 20% strength after one industrial wash cycle.
Reference: EN 407 and ISO 17493
For deeper specifications, the ISO 17493 contact-heat method underpins the EN 407 contact rating. Therefore, your auditor can trace every claim to a recognised test method.
Phil Industries: heat-glove specialist
Phil Industries stocks the full Polyco Healthline glove range with same-week delivery to Singapore foundries and metal shops. For a free heat-glove fit-test and EN 407 audit pack, message our engineer on WhatsApp at +65 8127 1274 or use our contact page. In short, heat resistant gloves in Singapore are picked by the EN 407 rating — choose by hazard, not by hunch.
