VOL. 10 - Red Kap Work Clothes, Uniforms, & Coveralls

introduction to fr apparel
and standards
treated fibers treated fabric
Are there special requirements for arc
and Flame-Resistant rainwear?
ASTM Standard Specification F1891, Arc and Flameresistant
Rainwear, establishes applicable test methods,
minimum physical and thermal performance requirements,
a suggested sizing guide, and suggested purchasing information
for rainwear for use by workers who may be exposed to
thermal hazards of electrical arcs and open flames.
This standard establishes a requirement that the FR rainwear
material have a trapezoidal tear resistance greater than
6 pounds, withstand 30 PSIG water pressure without leaking,
and seams must demonstrate a hydrostatic resistance
of 3 psi for 2 minutes. All fabrics, trim, and findings used to
manufacture rainwear must be electrically non-conductive.
If electrically conductive items, such as fasteners or zippers
are used, they must be covered with a layer of the FR
rainwear material. Markings and reflective trim attached to
rainwear must not degrade the protective performance of
the rainwear.
The rainwear material must not melt and, drip, or have
more than 2.0 seconds Afterflame or 6.0 inches Char Length
when tested as received and after 5 cleanings by the manufacturer’s
care instructions. Testing for flame resistance is in
accordance with ASTM Test Method D 6413. The rainwear
material is also tested for thermal resistance to an electric
arc by ASTM Test Method F1959 to determine the arc rating
and heat attenuation factor (HAF).
The arc rating is expressed in cal/cm 2 and is derived from
the Arc Thermal Performance Value (ATPV) or Breakopen
Threshold Energy (E BT
). The arc rating must be equal to or
greater than 5.0 cal/cm 2 . Response characteristics of the
rainwear material: afterflame time, breakopen, charring,
electric arc ignition, embrittlement, melting and shrinkage
are determined and reported at exposures equal to the arc
rating and also no dripping is permitted at exposures twice
the arc rating.
Garments conforming to the requirements of F 1891 must
be labeled with a statement that the garments conform to
this specification, the manufacturer’s name, style designation,
size information, care instructions and fiber content,
and the arc rating (ATPV) or (E BT
) of the base material.
BLENDS OF TREATED &
INHERENTLY FR FIBERS
» FAST FACTS
quilted lining systems INHERENTLY FR FIBERS
ASTM F 1891 for FR Rainwear
u Material must withstand 30 PSIG water pressure without leaking.
u Seam hydrostatic resistance 3 psi/ 2 minutes.
u No melt and drip or more than 2.0 seconds Afterflame or 6.0 inches
Char Length in flame resistance testing.
u The Arc Rating either ATPV or EBT must be equal to or greater than
5.0 cal/cm 2 .
u Rainwear material response characteristics are evaluated at the arc
rating and no dripping is permitted at twice the exposure level of the
arc rating.
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