Safco Italia S20 Heat Resistant Glove, 40 cm Para-Aramid

A para-aramid five-finger glove for contact heat

The Safco Italia S20 is a five-finger heat resistant glove made of 85 % para-aramid and 15 % polyamide fabric combined with a felt of 50 % viscose FR and 50 % chlorofiber, lined in fire retardant TNT fabric. The sheet names the fibre as para-aramid (Kevlar).

Unlike the S40 and S50, the S20 carries no aluminized layer. It is supplied in one size (10), with cuff lengths of 35, 40, 45, 50 or 60 cm, and is PPE of category III.

Technical specifications

When to choose the S20

The S20 is the simplest glove in the Safco Italia heat range and the choice when the main need is protection against contact heat rather than radiant heat. Its EN 407 string 4 3 3 2 4 X reads, in the standard order, as flammability 4, contact heat 3, convective heat 3, radiant heat 2, small splashes of molten metal 4, and an X for large splashes (not tested or not reported).

For radiant heat from furnaces or fire fronts, compare the aluminized S40 and S50 gloves, which carry a reflective outer layer.

Use and care

General engineering note (not from the sheet): keep heat resistant gloves dry, replace them when the fabric is thinned, glazed or damaged, and do not use them beyond their tested levels. Other options are grouped under Hand Protection.

The code table above shows an unusual numbering pattern in which the 50 and 60 cm cuffs carry codes in the 80.0103 series, while the shorter cuffs are in the 80.0301 series. This is as printed on the manufacturer sheet, and is reproduced exactly so that the codes can be quoted back to the maker. The reference code on this page is the 40 cm cuff, 80.0301.003.

The sheet does not state a temperature limit in degrees, a contact time, or the weight of the glove. The EN 407 string is the only heat performance data printed, so please use it as your basis for suitability.

The glove is a one-size model (size 10) and is supplied as a pair. In practice the cuff length decides most of the choice: the 35 cm cuff leaves the wrist and lower forearm bare, while the 50 and 60 cm cuffs cover the forearm for work at furnace openings, ovens or hot piping. State the cuff length, the quantity and whether you need to compare it with the aluminized S40 or S50 in the same quotation, and the sheets for those gloves can be sent together.

Contact heat level 3 in practice

In EN 407 the contact heat digit is linked to a test temperature: level 1 is 100 °C, level 2 is 250 °C, level 3 is 350 °C and level 4 is 500 °C, and in each case the inside of the glove must stay below a 10 °C rise for at least 15 seconds. The S20 is rated level 3, which places it in the 350 °C test class. This is the standard definition of the level, not an extra rating from the maker. It does not mean the glove can be held on a 350 °C surface for long; contact time in real work should stay short and within your risk assessment.

The EN 388 string 2 5 4 2 C X reads, in the standard order, as abrasion level 2, blade cut level 5, tear level 4, puncture level 2, ISO 13997 cut level C and no impact rating. The high blade cut and tear levels come from the para-aramid fabric, which is useful when handling hot parts with sharp edges such as castings or sheet metal.

Typical tasks

General engineering note (not from the sheet): para-aramid heat gloves of this type are common in maintenance workshops, welding and cutting bays, glass and metal handling, and for removing hot covers or flanges during plant shutdowns. They are not a replacement for an aluminized glove where the main hazard is radiant heat from a fire or open furnace, because the S20 has radiant heat level 2 only.

Choosing the cuff length

The five cuff lengths from 35 to 60 cm let the glove reach over the sleeve of a heat resistant jacket. A 35 or 40 cm cuff suits bench work; 50 or 60 cm cuffs are chosen when the forearm is close to the heat source. The 40 cm cuff (80.0301.003) is the reference code of this page.

For a quotation, list the cuff length, the quantity per size code and the task, so that the right option in the heat range can be confirmed.

Other gloves in the same range

The S20 sits at the base of the heat glove range of the manufacturer. For more radiant heat protection the range continues with the S50, which keeps a para-aramid palm but adds an aluminized back and cuff, and the S40, which is aluminized over the whole glove. For fire crossing work the S208 five-finger and S201 three-finger crossing gloves are worn with aluminized suits. Comparing the EN 407 strings of these gloves side by side is the quickest way to see which one matches the heat sources in a given workshop or plant area.

Workshops often keep the S20 for routine hot handling and a smaller number of aluminized gloves for tasks near furnaces or flames.

Documents and quotation

The manufacturer sheet (English) is attached. Please give the cuff length you need so the quotation lists the correct code. Please also tell us the task, such as oven loading or hot pipework, and the quantity and delivery location, so that the quotation names the right cuff code and sheet.