| After a 15 years of arc flash testing, | | | | - Clothing -- ASTM F1506 or IEC 61482 |
| investigations and replications with electric arcs, a | | | | - Rainwear -- ASTM F1891 |
| few lessons have emerged as critical in Personal | | | | - Hoods and Face Shields -- ASTM F2178 |
| Protection Equipment (PPE) programs: | | | | - Fall Protection Exposed to Electric Arc -- ASTM |
| 1. PPE has to be worn? | | | | F887 |
| Whether it's because of a lack of training the | | | | - Gloves -- ASTM D120 |
| importance or a policy saying, "Wear it when it's | | | | - Flash Fire Clothing -- NFPA 2112, CGSB 155.20 |
| needed," or if the right garment wasn't picked for | | | | 3. Using FR Rainwear rather than Arc-Rated |
| the job. PPE is no good if it isn't worn. Most | | | | Rainwear. |
| accidents happen when the worker believes they | | | | Make sure you have the right rainwear. Only |
| need no protection. If the employer buys the the | | | | rainwear that meets ASTM F1891, F2733, or |
| least expensive garments they will have poor | | | | NFPA 2112 will not melt in arc or flash fire |
| compliance to their policy. Another reason why | | | | conditions. Arc-rated rainwear is usually built on |
| PPE isn't worn is that the company believes more | | | | DuPont's Nomex® or Kevlar® or a blend. |
| is better and provides heavy, uncomfortable PPE. | | | | Nylon or polyester, even if labeled "FR" are not |
| If it is worn all the time, less can be best. The | | | | acceptable in rainwear exposed to arc flash or |
| greatest difference in clothing for the arc flash is | | | | flash fire. |
| the difference between non-FR and FR. To be | | | | 4. Using non-FR winter wear over FR and thinking |
| concerned about the difference between a 100 | | | | you are protected. |
| cal/cm² suit and a 40 cal/cm² suit is | | | | An FR shirt under a flammable jacket will not |
| to miss the point. Many companies will provide 100 | | | | protect. Winterwear that does not meet ASTM |
| cal/cm² suits, which are not worn. It is best | | | | F1506 is dangerous in an arc flash. In two |
| to have a worker in an 8 cal/cm² shirt and | | | | accidents I have investigated, a non-FR winter |
| an arc rated jean than in 100% cotton because it | | | | jacket burned workers under FR clothing over |
| arc rated clothing will not ignite. | | | | 50% of their body. Many winter liners are now |
| Cheaper suits are often heavier but if workers | | | | available which keep workers warm and |
| are wearing them for a short time they are a | | | | protected. Try Westex's Indura(TM) |
| good value. If workers are working in arc flash | | | | ModaQuilt(TM) or the the new 3M FR Thinsulate |
| hoods more than 20 minutes per day consider a | | | | or many other options which do not melt and |
| lightweight suit, which is at least 40 cal/cm². | | | | have F1506 testing. |
| Some of the 40 cal/cm² suits are one half | | | | 5. No training on undergarments. |
| the weight of others.Adding venting to a hood | | | | In order the meet the NFPA 70E standard, |
| may add $200 to the cost of the hood but it can | | | | workers are required to wear non-melting natural |
| make a huge difference in worker comfort. Field | | | | fiber undergarments or arc rated underwear. |
| trial the options choices to see real world | | | | Flame resistant bras and other undergarments are |
| performance.Considering cost and comfort | | | | available. Avoid any wickable material which can |
| increases compliance. | | | | melt. These materials should not be worn as |
| 2. Flame Resistant in the label doesn't mean | | | | underwear in arc flash or flash fire exposures. |
| anything. | | | | Plain cotton, wool and silk are all good options for |
| FR Acrylic, nylon and polyester are not really | | | | winter undergarments or arc rated t-shirts made |
| flame resistant for practical purposes. These | | | | from materials like Indura UltraSoft® Knits, |
| materials should use another name because | | | | Springfield's FireWear®, ITI's EMC(TM), SSM's |
| "flame resistant" by definition gives the user the | | | | ProC FR(TM), DRIFIRE, FR Wickers wool or |
| wrong impression. They may be fine for a | | | | various Nomex® Knits are acceptable. |
| worker who has little or no flame exposure but | | | | Simplifying an arc flash PPE program by using daily |
| they are dangerous in electric arc and flash fire | | | | wear with 8 cal/cm² protection and adding |
| conditions where these products melt into the | | | | an arc flash rainsuit, or an additional coverall or a |
| skin. Products you choose should meet the right | | | | lightweight flash suit with a flash suit hood makes |
| standards. | | | | a well rounded program easier to live with and |
| Here are the standards to specify: | | | | work in. |