Proposed ASTM Flash Fire Hand Test Method
NFPA 2112 First Public Draft includes this method for testing gloves many customers are now testing to use our NEW proposed test method to evaluate thermal performance of gloves.
ArcWear, a Division of Kinectrics is the first independent third-party flame and thermal lab to receive this instrument for development.
Developed by Thermetrics alongside the Flash Fire Cylinder, together with ArcWear’s Brian Shiels, the Flash Fire Hand provides an innovative new approach to testing gloves for thermal insulation from flash fire. The standard bench-scale HTP test requires 6”x 6” flat specimens and the full-scale manikin test does not have sensors in the hands. Both pose issues in accurately assessing protective properties of gloves.
With 10 sensors evenly distributed (3 palm, 3 back of hand, 4 on wrist/forearm), a precise picture of overall glove performance can be produced with a single bench-scale test. Particularly when evaluating whole-knitted gloves, manufacturers must provide similar knitted material for testing. The Flash Fire Hand allows for testing of finished, as-sold, products. No need for “close enough”.
Unlike HTP, the Flash Fire Cylinder will illustrate real-world impact of flame shrinkage during an exposure. The software also allows us to precisely control exposure times, while continuing to collect data well after the exposure to measure delayed transfer of thermal energy through the glove.
ArcWear staff serves as Technical Contact and Subcommittee Chair for the ASTM group developing the standard Test Method (WK70964). The apparatus and procedure have also been included in the First Draft of the 2023 edition of NFPA 2112 Standard on Flame-Resistant Clothing for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Short-Duration Thermal Exposures from Fire.
The device can also be fitted with a cylinder to investigate the flash fire thermal performance of garment fabrics. Please see our page on Flash Fire Cylinder for more information (link to Cylinder page).
To gather more data to support the Standardization efforts, ArcWear is offering its clients a special introductory rate for R&D projects utilizing the Flash Fire Cylinder.