FLAME RESISTANT FAQ
DEFINITIONS FOR FLAME RESISTANT APPAREL
Frequently Asked Questions & Concerns
The ANSI/ISEA 107 standard has provided requirements for labeling garments as Flame Resistant (“FR”).
For the ANSI label to state “FR”, the material shall comply with the requirements of at least one of the methods listed in the ANSI/ISEA 107 standard. If the material used on the garment does not comply with any of the methods listed; the ANSI label must state “Not FR”.
Standards and Specifications referenced in the ANSI/ISEA 107 are:
- ASTM F1506-19, Standard Performance Specification for Flame Resistant and Electric Arc Rated Protective Clothing Worn by Workers Exposed to Flames and Electrical Arcs
- ASTM F1891-19, Standard Specification for Arc and Flame Resistant Rainwear
- ASTM F2302-19, Standard Performance Specification for Labeling Protective Clothing which Provides Resistance to Incidental Exposures to Heat or Open Flame
- ASTM F 2733-17, Standard Specification for Flame Resistant Rainwear for Protection Against Flame Hazards
- NFPA 1977, Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Firefighting, 2016
- NFPA 2112, Standard on Flame-Resistant Clothing for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Short Duration Thermal Exposures from Fire, 2018
Definitions
Flame Resistant vs. Flame or Fire Retardant
Resistant in this context is defined as a material that is inherently resistant to igniting/burning and does not melt or drip when exposed directly to extreme heat or fire.Textiles that meet this description include: Modacrylic, Nomex®, and Indura® FR materials.Retardant is defined as a material that has been chemically treated to self-extinguish when the ignition source is removed. Polyester is most commonly used material used in high visibility safety apparel. When exposed to fire or heat, polyester melts and drips as a molten polymer. Molten polyester could cause additional injury to a worker wearing a polyester chemically treated vest exposed to arc flash.The main consequence of these differences is that “Retardant” or “Self Extinguishing” vests are not compliant with any of the flame resistant standards referenced by the ANSI/ISEA 107 Standard and are therefore not permitted.
Characteristics of Flame-Resistant Clothing
- Maintains a barrier
- Insulates the wearer from heat
- Resists breaking open
- Reduces burn injury and increases chances of survival
Arc Flash
An arc flash is the light and heat produced from an electrical arc supplied with sufficient electrical energy to cause substantial damage, harm, fire or injury.
With increased awareness of the dangers of arc flash, FR materials are tested for their ability to resist arc flash. The arc rating is the maximum incident energy resistance demonstrated by a material prior to break open (a hole in the material) or necessary to pass through and cause with 50% probability a second degree burn. Among the best fabrics for protection against electrical arc flash are the Modacrylic-cotton blends.
Arc Rating
As defined in ASTM 1506-19, Arc rating is the value attributed to materials that describes their performance to exposure to an electrical arc discharge. The arc rating is expressed in cal/cm2 and is derived from the determined value of Arc Thermal Performance Value (APTV) or Energy Breakopen Threshold (EBT). A garment’s arc rating can be found on the interior garment label.
Most manufacturers incorporate an exterior label that indicates its corresponding Arc Flash PPE Category (formerly Hazard Risk Category (HRC) value), making a garment’s protective levels obvious at all times.
NFPA70E®
NFPA 70E®, titled Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace®, is a standard of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA®).
The document covers electrical safety requirements for industrial personnel (for example: electricians, maintenance workers, operators).
NFPA 70E® was developed by NFPA® at the request of OSHA to “help companies and employees avoid workplace injuries and fatalities due to shock, electrocution, arc flash, and arc blast, and assists in complying with [sections of the standards] OSHA 1910… and OSHA 1926″
As the NFPA® website states, the standard “encompasses safety-related work practices, safety-related maintenance requirements, and safety requirements for special equipment. The Standard includes guidance for making hazard identification and risk assessments, selecting appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), establishing an electrically safe work condition, and employee training.
This comprehensive standard is available from NFPA.org
High-Viz under NFPA 70E®
NFPA 70E® covers many different subjects. Our focus here is the integration of NFPA 70E® into the ANSI/ISEA 107 standard as follows:
General Requirements
Garments must:
Meet a minimum ATPV (Arc Thermal Performance Value) rating in accordance with the PPE Category (CAT level) required for the job.
Retain a minimum ATPV rating after laundering, for the life of the garment.
Meet ASTM F1506
Zippers must be flame resistant when used.
Labeling Requirements
Labels must:
Must have a tracking ID number
Must show the garments ATPV rating
Must indicate it meets ASTM F1506-18
Shows Manufacturer, Size and Care instructions
Arc Thermal Performance Value (ATPV)
ATPV stands for Arc Thermal Performance Value, which is a value attributed to materials that describes their performance to exposure to an electrical arc discharge expressed in cal/cm2. The higher the ATPV Value, the more protection against electrical arc flash. The same applies to the PPE Category for FR clothing.
