At G&L Clothing we understand the importance of safety on the jobsite. This is why we offer a large selection of Flamer resistant and high visibility clothing and safety toe boots. However, deciding which safety gear fits your needs can be a daunting task. Below are some frequently asked questions regarding flame-resistant clothing. If you have questions regarding high visibility clothing visit our high visibility clothing blog post here and as always feel free to contact us with any questions.
1) Who is Flame Resistant Clothing (FRC) designed for?
Carhartt flame-resistant clothing is designed for electricians and workers in the utility, oil, gas and petrochemical fields who are at risk of exposure to electric arc and flash fires, which could cause severe or fatal burn injuries. Some typical candidates for flame-resistant clothing include: electric linemen, pipeline and refinery workers, as well as industrial electricians.
2) How Does Carhartt Flame-Resistant Clothing Help Protect Against Burn Injury?
Wearing flame-resistant clothing will provide thermal protection, which if exposed to electric arcs or flash fires, will self-extinguish after the source of ignition is removed, limiting the degree of burn and body burn percentage. The flame-resistant fabrics are impregnated with chemicals that extinguish flames and help char the fabric. It is not designed to be flame proof; however, it is flame-resistant.
3) Can the Flame-Resistant Chemicals be Washed Out?
No. Carhartt flame-resistant clothing is guaranteed to be flame-resistant for the useful life of the garment; regardless of the number of washings (servicings) in either the home or industrial laundering, provided the garment care instructions are followed.
4) Will Non-Treated 100% Cotton and Other Natural Fibers Help Protect Against Possible Burn Injury?
Non-treated cotton and wool are flammable fibers. If exposed to electric arcs and flash fires, these materials will continue to burn causing possible severe injury and death.
5) What is NFPA70E?
The National Fire Protection Agency's (NFPA) 70E is the Standard for Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces. NFPA70E requires employees to wear flame resistant protective clothing wherever there is a possible exposure to electric arc flash. Although it is a voluntary standard, NFPA70E is considered a "generally accepted industry standard" and thus OSHA will fine companies under the general duty clause, which requires employers to take the appropriate steps to protect workers. NFPA70E is widely accepted throughout general manufacturing as well as the electrical industries.
NFPA 70E requires employers to perform a flash hazard analysis to determine the flash protection boundary distance. The standard is designed to protect employees working inside these flash protection boundaries by requiring protective clothing for the corresponding Hazard/Risk Category (HRC) that has an arc thermal performance value (ATPV) of a least the value listed in the "Protective Clothing Characteristics" section of the standard.
6) What is ATPV?
Arc Thermal Performance Value (ATPV) is a rating assigned to FRC indicating the level of protection provided. Higher fabric weights typically have higher ATPV's and provide increased protection as does the layering of flame-resistant clothing. ATPV is measured in calories per centimeter squared (cal/cm2).
7) What is HRC?
Hazard Risk Category (HRC) is a rating range directly related to ATPV. There are 5 HRCs ranging from 0 to 4, with a hazard risk of 0 presenting the least risk and a hazard risk of 4 being the greatest risk.
8) What is OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) 29 CFR1910.269 covers the operation and maintenance of electric power generation, control, transformation, transmission and distribution lines and equipment. Part (l) (6) (iii) states: "The employer shall ensure that each employee who is exposed to the hazards of flames or electric arc does not wear clothing that, when exposed to flames or electric arcs, could increase the extent of the injury that would be sustained by the employee." This is the only federal law relating to FR clothing for electrical purposes. It is currently being rewritten and is expected to closely mirror NFPA70E. Once approved, flame-resistant clothing requirements would become law.
9) Who Should Determine ATPV/HRC Category an FR User Should be Wearing?
The ATPV/HRC protection level worn by an FR user should be determined by the user's employer. The employer must do a hazard risk assessment for the user's job and inform them of the protection level needed. This should never be determined by the apparel manufacturer (Carhartt) or the retailer.
Source; Carhartt.com 3/26/08