Arc Flash & Textile Testing for PPE
ASTM F2621 has been revised with a title change and broadened scope to evaluate non-arc rated products. ASTM Committee F18 on Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers has recently revised its standard F2621/F2621M, Standard Practice for Determining Response Characteristics and Design Integrity of Arc Rated Finished Products and Evaluating other Products in an Electric Arc Exposure. […]
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 […]
ASTM F1506-17a published with changes to title, scope, and use: New title: “Standard Performance Specification for Flame Resistant and Electric Arc Rated Protective Clothing Worn by Workers Exposed to Flames and Electric Arcs“ The scope now specifically excludes hand protection, which is appropriately tested to arc flash using the ASTM F2675 standard References to ASTM […]
ASTM F1506-17 published with new information on garment repairs: Repairs to critical seams must be made with inherently FR thread Patches to repair rips smaller than 0.5″² must be FR fabric, and patches to repair rips larger than 0.5″² must be AR fabric with an arc rating equal to or greater than the fabric used […]
Q: What are the retest requirements for arc flash PPE? A: This is a question we get a lot, and we hear it from both manufacturers and end users. Read on to learn when arc testing should be repeated. MANUFACTURERS Garments In the U.S., there is currently no requirement to retest for arc ratings in ASTM […]
Read our article in Incident Prevention Magazine to learn ways to maximize arc rated gear. Selection, application, comfort, and care are discussed, as well as specific PPE products like hoods and gloves. Questions? Contact us!
2016 brought a lot of activity for the technical committees that develop FR and AR industry standards. The staff at ArcWear is proud to participate on technical committees for standard development and to relay a summary of what we know to our readers. If you missed the OH&S Webinar presented by Hugh Hoagland last week, read […]
Did you miss the ASTM F23 Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment Symposium in January? Want to learn more about the effects of bleach on cotton-rich FR fabric? The selected technical papers presented in San Antonio have been published! You can purchase articles ($25) on various topics relevant to the Performance of Protective Clothing and Equipment. […]
“The main thing that I would say to anybody doing electrical switching or electrical work is PPE works if you use it….” An arc flash accident can happen to anyone–listen in for Brian’s firsthand account and his message, brought to you by e-Hazard.
Similar but different – How do you tell the difference Between Arc Rated (AR), Flash Fire Rated (FFR), and Flame Resistant (FR)? In 2012, NFPA 70E changed the terminology referencing personal protective equipment (PPE); what was formerly referred to as FR (flame resistant) clothing is to be called Arc Rated or AR, according to the […]