Frequently Asked Questions

What is arc flash testing, and what types of products can be evaluated?

Arc flash testing, to obtain an arc rating, is an important tool used to evaluate the response of fabric to an arc flash event and facilitate electrical safety. Knowing the response of a material can minimize burn injury, or even death, in the unlikely event of an arc flash accident. Data from arc flash testing arms customers with the information necessary to provide safe clothing for workers that may have exposure to the hazard. Knowing the arc rating of any material you purchase assures you can comply with NFPA 70E, CSA Z462, AU NEMS-09, OSHA 1910.269, and other applicable OSHA regulations. ArcWear provides arc flash testing, arc ratings, full specification testing, and third party certification to ASTM F1506, ASTM F1891 and IEC 61482-2 with our partners Kinectrics, BTTG, and SEI. Third party testing and certification assists companies in meeting the conformity assessment requirements of NFPA 70E.

Many types of PPE products can be evaluated by a standard test (clothing, fabrics, hoods, eye protection, gloves, arc flash protective blankets, and fall protection). While standards do not exist for every type of product, we can evaluate many items with the test set up. If you have a product you would like to evaluate that is not covered by a test method, contact us.

The scientists on our team have consulted and collaborated with manufacturers to create many of the inventions which protect from arc flash, including the arc flash shield, goggles, face shields, rainwear, racking shields, specialized vented shirts, flame resistant inks, arc tested ear protection, safety glasses, cold weather battings, amongst many other products. However, ArcWear takes no financial interest in these innovations. The experts at ArcWear regularly contribute to journals on arc flash and flame resistant textiles. When Dr. F. Selcen Kilinc, senior researcher at the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), was looking for an expert on arc flash to write for the Handbook of Fire Resistant Textiles, she chose ArcWear president Hugh Hoagland to author the chapter.

 
I want to send my product in for testing; where do I start?
Complete our test form and email it to [email protected]. Refer to the sample requirements tab to learn what we need from you.
Where should I send the materials for testing?

Textiles, garments and gloves come to the ArcWear office. Hoods, face shields, goggles and harnesses are shipped directly to the testing lab.

Textiles, Garment and Gloves should be shipped to:

ArcWear
3018 Eastpoint Parkway
Louisville, KY 40223
United States

Hoods, Face Shields, Goggles and Harnesses should be sent to the lab:

Kinectrics Inc.
Attn: Andrew Haines/Hugh Hoagland
800 Kipling Ave, Bldg KL
Toronto, Ontario M8Z-5G5
Canada

When you prepare the documentation for shipping, list replacement value (not market) value and indicate that they are samples for destructive testing. Please ship DDP (Delivered Duty Paid). You will be responsible for customs/duty charges if there are any.

What is the Difference between ATPV and EBT Arc Ratings?
Arc Thermal Performance Value (ATPV) is the incident energy on a material that results in a 50% probability of sufficient heat transfer to predict a 2nd degree (sunburn) burn injury. Energy Breakopen Threshold (EBT) is the incident energy on a material that results in a 50% probability of breakopen. Read more about the differences between ATPV and EBT ratings.
I need to have dielectric testing performed on my gloves; can you help?

We do not do dielectric testing for gloves. We’ve provided links below that provide sources for dielectric testing of rubber gloves:

 

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