Got Arc Flash issue? FR issues? Log on and register for this Webinar by National Safety Apparel, one of the top FR clothing manufacturers.
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Flame Resistant hi-visibility garments by National Safety Apparel – Get Noticed, Stay Protected! |
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If you are involved with electrical work you need to check out the arcadvisor.com blog at http://arcadvisor.blogspot.com/
It focuses exclusively on arc flash, its dangers, prevention, etc… Additionally, they’ve got a free beta version of an arc flash calculation software that you can download free in exchange for feedback.
Arcad, the company that provides this blog and free software “helps facilities create safer working environments for individuals who service electrical systems by providing On-Line and PC based software tools for Short Circuit and Arc Flash Hazard Analysis. NFPA requires that any panel likely to be serviced by a worker be surveyed and labeled. ARCAD service includes resources and tools allowing plant and facility managers and personnel to perform short circuit, incident energy, arc flash protection boundary, level of PPE calculations, and create customized arc flash warning labels themselves drastically reducing the cost of getting in compliance with OSHA & NFPA 70E”
Have a look around (It’s a Canadian company but the information applies here in the U.S. as well), and download the free software. Don’t forget to go back and give them feedback, it’s the least you can do to thank them for the free download.
You’d have to be living somewhere in upper Mongolia in a cave for the past decade not to know about the new standards and safety measures concerning Flame Retardant clothing that have been enacted and which are still in the works.
Being aware of the changes and standards is one thing, understanding them properly is quite another. I’m referring specifically to the issue of FR underclothing.
Many people don’t realize that, when dealing with arc flash, it isn’t enough to wear FR outerwear only. In case of the type of electrical power involved in an arc flash, your underclothing is just as much an issue as your outerwear. The outerwear may not catch fire and/or continue burning but the energy will go through to the underclothing. If you are wearing cotton or polyester under the outerwear, especially right up against the skin, these garments can ignite and/or melt and cause serious burns.
For this reason, it is important to dress appropriately if you are dressing to protect against arc flash.
Fortunately, there are FR underclothing options. Clothing such as the 5 cal flame retardant 2nd Skin by Benchmark is a great, comfortable solution to the problem.
There are also FR bras available online for the ladies.
With FR clothing, its about protection all the way down, through all the layers, not just the outerwear.
An arc flash is the sudden release of electrical energy through the air when a high-voltage gap exists and there is a breakdown between conductors. An arc flash gives off thermal radiation (heat) and bright, intense light that can cause burns. Temperatures have been recorded as high as 35,000 °F. High-voltage arcs can also produce considerable pressure waves by rapidly heating the air and creating a blast. This pressure burst can hit a worker with great force and send molten metal droplets from melted copper and aluminum electrical components great distances at extremely high velocities.
This video is available for viewing on the NIOSH website.
View the 25 minute video here.
For more information download our “The Basics of Arc Flash Protection” document.
Are you in the market for Flame Retardant safety vests or garments for yourself or for your workers?
There is something important to be aware of before you make your purchase because not all FR ratings are created equal. What you will often find when you look at the label of the garment is that the FR rating referenced is NFPA 701.
You might be asking “So what? Why is this a problem? It’s NFPA isn’t it?” The reason that it’s a problem is because NFPA 701 is a standard that was developed years ago to test hotel draperies and curtains, not clothing! Check it out on the NFPA website.
The problem is that this standard isn’t strict enough to apply to clothing. Some Clothing manufacturers, however, are using it to sell polyester garments. All polyester will melt and drip. You do not want to be wearing polyester if you are going to be exposed to flames, no matter what the manufacturer tries to tell you about its FR properties.
At issue is the fact that other fibers that have inherent FR qualities are more expensive than polyester and, in the battle to sell more FR vests and garments, cheaper often wins the bid, particularly when the buyer doesn’t know the difference between the various standards.
So before you purchase a FR garment, make sure you know what standard is being referenced. It makes a world of difference!
If you have FR clothing at your facility than you have probably faced the question about whether or not it made sense to have a laundry service provide these garments for you.
In order to properly answer this question it is important to understand how a laundry service functions and makes a profit.
A laundry service will provide your company with the garments that you need in exchange for a contract on the washing of the clothing. It usually only takes a few washes before the garment is paid for. Once the cost of the garment is offset, the laundering service is making a lot more profit each time that they wash it.
Because of the higher cost of FR garments, laundering services have been hesitant to add them to the apparel that they provide. Because the demand has grown, however, they have been forced to get on board and provide it for all the companies who need it. The problem, of course, is that it takes a lot longer to offset the cost of the garment.
This can mean any number of things:
This is not to say that all laundering services are engaging in these practices. There are many ethical and honest laundering services that understand the importance of making sure that the FR garments that they provide keep their flame resistance and strive to provide a quality product.
What this does mean is that, if you decide to go with a laundering service, you need to make sure that all these issues are properly addressed. Sit down with the laundering service and make sure that the following questions are addressed before you sign any contract:
Once all these concerns have been properly addressed, once you have looked into the difference in the cost between laundering services and ownership, then you will be in a position to make the proper decision.
In Summary
Photo courtesy of Hugh Hoagland www.arcwear.com
REMEMBER
An Exposure Energy of 1 to 2 cal/cm2 Will Cause a 2nd Degree Burn on Human Skin
Select Required “FR Clothing” & “PPE” Based on Specific Hazard Present Within Flash Protection Boundary
Wear the appropriate protection when working on or around energized equipment!
What Types Of Arc Protective Flame Resistant Garments Are Available?
Basic FR Clothing Options
Cold and Inclement Weather FR Clothing Options
Category 1 Category 2 Category 2
Category 3 and 4
Special situations:
A. Use written permit system for planning & conducting work in these situations
B. Use the appropriate tools for voltage and current levels when performing all electrical work
NFPA 70E – Key PPE Steps
