Benchmark FR - IMEX-Solutions

Match your PPE to the Threat
Quick Code Reference
Four important things to know about flame resistant garments:
1. They will not completely prevent injury; rather they prevent the extent of the injury.
2. FR is considered a “secondary” personal protection equipment, just like a hard hat or
steel toe boots, they are a last line of defense.
3. Threats range from temperatures that are 4x the heat required to broil a steak (flash
fire) to electrical threats generating heat with more than 4x the surface temperature of
the sun (arc flash).
4. Properly match your FR clothing to the threat. This is where governing codes
offer guidance.
Match Your Protection to the Threat…
35,000˚
FR for Life
Benchmark voluntarily performs tests to measure the char length and flame resistant
properties on Benchmark FR fabric after 200 washes. This is twice the number of washes
required by the most stringent industry testing for industrial flame resistant garments.
Tests are performed by a third-party laboratory. The Benchmark FR fabric was washed and
dried 200 times using a permanent wash cycle, standard detergent, a wash temperature of
120 degrees and a permanent press dry cycle.
The Standard Test Method for Flame Resistance of Textiles (ASTM D6413) is used to measure
the fabric’s properties new and after 200 washes.
Vertical Flame Test Results
Allowed by Code Unwashed 200 Washes
After Flame 5 seconds, max 0 seconds 0 seconds
After Glow --- 0 seconds 0 seconds
Char Length (warp) 6 inches, max 3.2 inches 2.7 inches
Char Length (weft) 6 inches, max 3.4 inches 3.2 inches
Melting None None None
Dripping None None None
Electrical threats can
generate temperatures
up to 4x the surface
of the sun, or 35,000
degrees Fahrenheit,
and normally involve a
violent explosion.
OSHA
Not Voluntary
Requires employees
are protected against
the dangers of arc
flash and flash fire.
2,000˚
NFPA 70E
Voluntary
Accepted as the
“how to comply”
guide for electrical
related threats.
NESC 2007
Voluntary
Used as a practical
guide for workers
who cannot deenergize,
for
example utilities.
Flash fires are most often
associated with the oil &
gas industry. By definition
they involve a fast moving
flame front lasting less than
three seconds, generating
temperatures up to 2,000
degrees Fahrenheit.
NFPA 2112
Voluntary
A standard which
addresses flash fire.
Benchmark believes
this standard should
not allow up to 50%
body burn.
Char Length
Vertical Flame Test Results: Char Length
6”
5”
4”
3”
2”
1”
1½” flame
applied for 12
seconds
Fail
Pass
3.2”
Unwashed
2.7”
200 Washes
Fabric Warp (Length)
Char length decreases
after 200 washes
Unwashed
ASTM 1506 Requirement
3.4”
3.2”
200 Washes
Fabric Weft (Width)
Conclusion
After 200 washes, not only did
the Benchmark FR fabric remain
flame resistant, but the char length
and flame resistant properties
actually improved.
Guarantee
Benchmark guarantees the flame
resistant properties for the useful
life of its FR garments, regardless
of the number of wash and wear
cycles, provided simple laundry
instructions are followed.
40 | benchmarkFR.com
benchmarkFR.com | 41