Arc Flash & Textile Testing for PPE
ASTM F2675 has been revised and published as a 2019 edition with significant updates. All references to ASTM D120 for rubber insulating gloves and ASTM F696 for leather protectors have been removed. This change allows rubber gloves and leather protectors to be rated independently of those product conformance standards. Arc ratings were previously limited in […]
The newest version of ASTM F887-18 for Fall Protection was recently published and is now available for purchase. A few updates were made relevant to Section 22 on Electric Arc Performance: Harness designs with both frontal and dorsal attachments now require 12 drops (previously 8), which means additional arc exposures will be required on these […]
ASTM F18 voted by 92% to allow testing of ASTM D120 and ASTM F696 gloves for arc ratings. Many had been tested, but few manufacturers would label the gloves because the committee had included a statement in the scope to exclude D120 and F696 gloves from arc testing. While the statement was intended to prevent […]
NFPA 70E Electrical Safety in the Workplace made a change in 2018 that directly affects PPE and how conformity may be determined. The mandatory requirement is a little different from the previous versions in the following ways: The standard now requires that the level of conformity be issued by the manufacturer; it can be level […]
In May of 2019, a new version of IEC 61482-1-1 (2.0) is expected be published. It will include a new, more conservative, type of arc rating for materials called the Incident Energy Limit Value (ELIM). Arc Ratings are calculated using at least 20 data points and a logistic regression to determine the incident energy level […]
In terms of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), what is the difference between Flame Resistance, Flame Retardants and “Rated” materials and garments? These are words commonly seen in the industrial AR and FR market–so what do they mean, and what hazard can you expect “flame resistant” clothing to protect from? Defining the Terms Flame Resistance– “The property […]
ANSI/ISEA 203-2018 Secondary Single-Use Flame Resistant Protective Clothing for Use Over Primary Flame Resistant Protective Clothing has been published. The document is a self-declaration standard for secondary, disposable apparel intended to be worn over compliant flame resistant primary clothing. Clothing appropriate for this standard may be used in industrial settings and the methods are intended […]
ASTM F1506-18 Standard Performance Specification for Flame Resistant and Electric Arc Rated Protective Clothing Worn by Workers Exposed to Flames and Electric Arcs has been published with substantial changes to small-scale testing as summarized below: Testing for dimensional change and colorfastness may be performed and documented per the garment manufacturer instructions. If testing at a […]
NFPA 2112 is open for public comment for the 2023 revision cycle of the standard. The window for public comments will close on June 30, 2020. If there is a change you’d like to see considered for the next edition, you can create a free account at www.nfpa.org, and view NFPA 2112, Standard on Flame-Resistant Clothing […]
If you are making industrial flame resistant and arc rated PPE products, the wide range of trades shows for safety professionals can be overwhelming. Which trade shows will give the most bang for your buck and provide access to the safety and technical resources needed to pitch your innovations? Many fabric and garment manufacturers attend […]