Choosing the right FR fabric for your program depends on knowing the hazards your workers face — plus the industry consensus standards established for the exposure. Take three basic steps to help ensure you’re doing a proper evaluation of different FR fabric types.
Hazards have vastly different characteristics—test results or field performance related to each hazard do not directly correlate. Therefore, do not substitute results from flash fire testing for electric arc flash testing when evaluating products. Be wary of fiber and/or fabric producers that attempt to draw comparisons between the hazards.
Different industry standards have been developed for electric arc flash and flash fire testing. For electric arc flash, ASTM has developed F1959, which produces an arc rating. NFPA 2112 was created for employees that work in environments where a potential flash fire hazard exists.
Taking this step will help ensure that unbiased and scientifically valid data is being produced. Companies with vested interest in the FR business may conduct helpful and interesting tests. Ultimately, though, there is no substitute for information generated at an independent laboratory.
By identifying the likelihood and severity of all relevant hazards on the job, teams can better focus their safety approach and determine which protective fabric can be the life-saving difference.
The intense energy and short duration of an electric arc represents a unique exposure — one that requires flame-resistant garments...
A type of short-duration fire that spreads by means of a flame front rapidly through a diffuse fuel, such as...
The primary consensus standard (NFPA 652), the key NFPA standard governing PPE use in combustible dust environments, states employers “shall...
Workers in labs face dangerous liquid chemicals and/or solvents at atmospheric pressures, such as corrosive liquids, toxic liquids and absorption...
For more than 40 years, heavyweight flame-resistant cotton fabrics have been utilized by the steel industry as secondary protective clothing...
Construction, utility, police, emergency medical services, fire fighters and other workers are routinely exposed to the hazards of low visibility...
Exceeding industry standards is essential to our global commitment to delivering superior flame-resistant and arc-rated (FR/AR) protective fabrics. Around the world, Westex goes above and beyond requirements for unplanned exposure to hazards. This overview is not intended to replace those standards but rather serve as brief descriptions. We encourage you to view the full standards on the respective organization’s website.
NFPA 2112 is meant to provide the specifications for the minimum design, performance, testing and certification requirements and test methods...
NFPA 70E is meant to provide a practical, safe working area for employees relative to the hazards that arise from...
ANSI 107 is used as a guide for the design, performance specifications and use of high-visibility and reflective apparel, like...
CGSB 155.20 a national standard of Canada states the minimum requirements and test methods for performance of protective workwear worn...
CSA Z96 specifies performance requirements for color, retroreflection, and minimum areas as well as the configuration of materials of high-visibility...
ISO 11611:2015 specifies minimum basic safety requirements and test methods for protective clothing including hoods, aprons, sleeves, and gaiters that...
This European standard specifies material and design requirements for electrostatic dissipative protective clothing, including hoods and caps, used as part...
This part of IEC 61482 specifies test method procedures to test materials and garments intended for use in heat and...
This international standard specifies requirements for high visibility clothing that’s visually capable of signaling a user’s presence. This clothing is...
This British standard specifies the minimum performance requirements for limited use and re-useable limited chemical protective clothing against liquid chemicals...
This standard specifies the technical requirements, test methods, inspection rules, marking, etc., of electrostatic protective clothing used in places where...
This international standard specifies the classifications, requirements, test methods, inspection rules, marking, packaging and storage of flame-resistant protective clothing used...
This Australian/New Zealand standard specifies the photometric, colorimetric and physical property requirements for high-visibility materials for outdoor daytime use, or...
This Australian/New Zealand standard is intended to provide manufacturers, purchasers and users with minimum performance requirements for wildland firefighters’ protective...
The purpose of this code is the practical safeguarding of persons, utility facilities, and affected property during the installation, operation...
CAN/ULC-s801-14 is meant to provide safety performance requirements for electric utilities, workers and employers who are involved on or near...
This international standard provides the minimum performance requirements for clothing to protect the wearers’ bodies (except for their hands) against...