Fibre-Metal by Honeywell 4178IRUV5 IR/UV Shade 5.0 Faceshield Window

Honeywell 4178IRUV5 Uvex Fibre-Metal by Honeywell 4178IRUV5 IR/UV Face Shield Review

Impact protection and splash protection are different tests. ANSI Z87.1 rates spectacles for impact, but only a device marked for splash (D3) is evaluated against a chemical splash hazard; safety glasses with open sides do not qualify, and a face shield is a secondary protector worn over primary eye protection rather than instead of it.

The Honeywell 4178IRUV5 is an IR/UV Shade 5.0 replacement face-shield window for torch work and cutting — not for arc welding. Built with optical-grade lens material, it provides full-face coverage from brow to below the chin line — protecting the face, cheeks, and jaw from hazards that safety glasses and goggles cannot address alone. It is designed for use with compatible face shield headgear assemblies. Fiber-Metal face shield windows are injection molded from propionate, which is superior to other window.

Construction and Materials

The lens window is constructed from hard-coated optical-grade material providing impact resistance and surface durability. Package Dimensions: 11.43 H x 33.528 L x 20.32 W (centimeters). The lens window extends coverage across the full frontal face profile, with side flanges or curved geometry providing lateral protection beyond the direct forward field. The construction meets ANSI Z87.1 basic-impact requirements for general industrial use.

Compliance and Ratings

Rated to ANSI Z87.1 and OSHA 1910.133 for eye and face protection in welding and thermal cutting operations. ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 is the governing standard for eye and face protective devices in U.S. workplaces; OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133 mandates its use in workplace environments where eye or face hazards exist. For welding operations, additional compliance with ANSI Z49.1 (Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes) is required; the lens shade number must be appropriate for the welding process and amperage in use.

Performance

In welding environments, the shield protects against optical radiation, spatter, and slag ejection. The lens shade rating determines the protection level for specific welding processes — lower-amperage TIG welding requires a lighter shade than high-amperage MIG or plasma cutting. Ensure the shade number meets ANSI Z49.1 recommendations for the specific welding amperage range in use. Country of Origin : Mexico. Maintaining lens cleanliness and replacing lenses when scratched preserves visibility quality critical for precision work.

Strengths

• Hard-coated lens provides ANSI Z87.1 impact-rated protection for welding applications
• Optical-grade lens material maintains visibility clarity without distortion at working distances
• Compatible with standard face shield headgear assemblies for flexible deployment
• Window only — requires a compatible Fibre-Metal F400/F500 crown (sold separately) for crew-level deployment
• Full-face coverage from brow to below the chin protects areas not covered by eyewear alone
• Single-unit design simplifies inventory and procurement

Limitations

• Face shields do not provide complete eye protection as standalone devices against chemical splash or fine particle hazards — OSHA 1910.133 requires appropriate safety glasses or welding helmets underneath the face shield in chemical and grinding environments
• Lens scratching from abrasive contact degrades optical clarity over time; replacement lenses should be sourced when transmission quality decreases
• One-size-fits-most headgear may not accommodate all head sizes or hard hat combinations; verify compatibility with the helmet platform before crew-scale procurement

Recommended Use Cases

gas welding and oxy-fuel cutting glare at the Shade 5.0 band. Not for arc welding or plasma cutting (OSHA minimum shade 8).

Verdict

The Honeywell 4178IRUV5 face shield delivers ANSI Z87.1-compliant protection for welding applications in a hard-coated construction suited for industrial and occupational environments. Buyers should confirm the specific model matches their headgear platform and application requirements before crew-scale procurement. For alternative face shields options across brands and protection levels, or for paired eye protection — safety glasses and welding helmets — explore the full WC Safety protective equipment range.

The trade-offs behind this choice are worked through in amber vs clear lens safety glasses, anti fog safety glasses guide, anti fog vs anti scratch safety glasses, best face shields, best face shields for welding grinding and cutting.

The rest of the range sits in 3m safety glasses, 3m virtua safety glasses, anti fog safety glasses.

Written by Steven Eaton, WC Safety editor. WC Safety is an independent PPE review site, holds no inventory and sells nothing directly; Amazon links are affiliate links that earn a commission at no cost to you and never affect the assessment. This page is not medical, legal or regulatory advice.

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Alternatives at the same protection level are listed in bifocal safety glasses, clear lens safety glasses.

Researching this model? Read our detailed Fibre-Metal 4178IRUV5 Window review.