Sources
A Brief Overview of Flame Resistant Clothing Standards and Practices
amerisafegroup.com
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1
Flame Resistant (FR) Clothing General Standards | Tyndale USA
tyndaleusa.com
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2
Flame Resistant (FR) Clothing Standards & Test Methods
tyndaleusa.com
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3
eTool : Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution
www.osha.gov
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4
Answer
Flame-resistant (FR) clothing is governed by several key industry standards to ensure worker safety in hazardous environments. Here are the main standards for FR clothing:
OSHA 1910.269 requires employers to ensure that workers exposed to electric arc or flame hazards wear appropriate FR clothing1. This standard applies specifically to workers in electric power generation, transmission, and distribution.
NFPA 2112 is a key standard that specifies minimum requirements for FR fabrics and garments designed to protect industrial personnel against short-duration thermal exposures from fire5. To comply with NFPA 2112, garments must pass specific testing requirements, including limiting body burn injury to less than 50% when exposed to a standardized fire test.
ASTM F1506 outlines performance specifications for textile materials used in FR clothing for electrical workers exposed to momentary electric arc and thermal hazards3. This standard ensures the fabric meets minimum requirements for flame resistance and arc thermal performance.
ISO 11612 provides minimum performance requirements for protective clothing against heat and flame hazards5. It specifies different performance levels based on the intensity of heat exposure (radiant, convective, or contact heat) and includes optional testing for protection against molten metal splashes.
NFPA 2113 complements NFPA 2112 by providing standards for the selection, use, care, and maintenance of FR garments5. It emphasizes the importance of proper hazard assessment and quantifying energy levels for various work tasks.
ASTM F1449 provides guidelines for the industrial laundering of FR clothing to maintain its protective properties23. This standard is crucial for ensuring FR garments retain their effectiveness over time.
In addition to these primary standards, there are several others that may apply depending on the specific industry or hazard, such as NFPA 70E for electrical safety, ASTM F1891 for arc-resistant rainwear, and ASTM F1930 for evaluating FR clothing using an instrumented manikin3.
It's important to note that proper selection of FR clothing should be based on a thorough hazard assessment of the specific work environment and tasks performed15. Employers are responsible for providing appropriate FR clothing at no cost to employees when required by these standards1.
References
1. A Brief Overview of Flame Resistant Clothing Standards and Practices2. Flame Resistant (FR) Clothing General Standards | Tyndale USA3. Flame Resistant (FR) Clothing Standards & Test Methods4. eTool : Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution5. Norms & regulations for heat & flame protection - DuPont UK
Author: WorkriteFR
Key insights
- The most important criterion for selecting an FR garment is the integrity of its flame-resistant properties.
- The focus is on providing key information and criteria in an objective and straightforward manner to help companies select protective apparel that meets their own criteria of comfort, protection, and overall value.
- 🩹 Second and third-degree burns can be fatal and result in scarring and a very long recovery period.
- FR clothing will put itself out when removed from the thermal source, unlike regular street clothes that can continue to burn and cause more severe injuries.
- ️ Implementing an FR program requires identifying workplace hazards, knowing applicable regulations, and understanding testing data for evaluating clothing protection levels.
- Employers need to conduct a hazard assessment to determine the potential level of exposure and the appropriate protective equipment required, including FR clothing.
- ASTM, NFPA, and OSHA are key organizations in developing standards and test methods for worker protection in the industry.
- ️ OSHA can cite companies for failing to follow reasonable precautions to keep their workers safe, emphasizing the importance of adhering to safety standards.