AS/NZS 4836:2001, Safe Working on Low-voltage Electrical Installations, recognised that electrical workers, working on or near exposed energised conductors, are required to wear flame resistant clothing covering their full body. This document lists standards which apply to eye protection, footwear, gloves, noise protection, helmets and safety belts and harnesses, however there is no actual standard for protective workwear.

Whilst a protective workwear standard has not yet been adopted in Australia for electrical workers and or workers exposed to possible flash fire, it’s critical that you demand independent testing and certification when selecting your protective clothing.

The following international performance standards have been adopted overseas and they set the benchmark for the selection of protective workwear.

NFPA 70E:2009
- Electrical Safety in the Workplace
As described in 70E, an arc flash is “when an electric current passes through air between ungrounded conductors and grounded conductors, the temperatures can reach 35,0000 F (19,000 C)”. The quick and intense energy of an electric arc flash can burn skin and cause ignition of clothing made from non FR fabrics.

The US National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E states “Employees shall wear FR clothing wherever there is possible exposure to an electric arc flash above the threshold incident level for second degree burn, (1.2 cal/cm²).

Hazard/risk categories are described by the NFPA standard 70E. The higher the electrical environment, the stronger the level of protection is required by the PPE to withstand an arc flash. Many organisations have decided to simplify compliance to NFPA 70E by introducing everyday uniforms using Indura UltraSoft® garments that meet the requirement of NFPA 70E Hazard Risk Categories (HRC) 2, as a single layer. This can alleviate employer concerns about leaving the difficult decision of determining whether a specific routine electrical task is HRC 0, 1 or 2, in the hands of the employee.

Environments with a higher risk category HRC 3 or HRC 4, require a greater level of protection, which can consist of arc-flash suits and hoods in a double layer combinations.

NFPA 2112:2007 – Flame Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire
A flash fire can occur in an environment where fuel and air become mixed in adequate concentrations to combust. Flash fire has been defined as a heat flux of approximately 84 kW/m² for relatively short periods of time, typically less than three seconds.

The threat of flash fire exposures necessitates the use of flame resistant clothing (FR). Non FR clothing can ignite in a flash fire which can dramatically add to the burn injury percentage and severity, well beyond that of the initial exposure.

NFPA 2112 provides minimum performance criteria and sets clear guidelines for testing on instrumental thermal mannequins. The standard calls for flash fire testing to be conducted at three seconds with a pass/ fail rate of 50% maximum total body burn under ASTM F1930.

When evaluating a fabric to comply with NFPA 2112, Indura UltraSoft® range of fabrics is an excellent option. Their market proven technology, guarantees flame resistance for the life of the garment.

ISO 11612:2010 – Protective Clothing To Protect Against Heat and Flame
This international standard specifies performance requirements for garments made from flexible materials, which are designed to protect the wearer’s body, except the hands, from heat and/or flame.

The standard provides the minimum performance requirements for protective clothing worn in situations where users may be exposed to radiant, convective or contact heat, flames, arc flashes and molten metal splashes.

This standard separates the performance of protective clothing against heat and flame by specific threats and levels A, B, C, D, E and F.

A – resistance to flame spread,
B – performance against convective heat,
C – performance against radiant heat,
D – performance against molten aluminum,
E – performance against molten iron splash and
F – performance against contact heat.

Each of these threats are rated accordingly to levels i.e. 1, 2 or 3, with level 3 being the highest performance level.

This means that the wearer is protected against brief contacts with a flame to the level indicated as well against convective heat, radiant heat, contact heat and small amounts of molten metal splash.

AS/NZS 4824:2006 – Protective clothing for firefighters - Requirements and test methods for protective clothing used for wildland firefighting
This standard sets out the performance requirements and test methods associated with protective clothing used for wildland firefighting. It applies to the design of the garment, the minimum performance levels for the materials and the test methods to establish these performance levels.

Wildland firefighting involves exposure to summer temperatures for extended periods of time, therefore the assessment of the thermal properties of the protective clothing is critical.

The testing involves flame spread (after 50 washes @ 60ºC), heat transfer (radiant), heat resistance tests as well as specific fabric comfort tests to ensure suitability for hot weather operations.

Indura UltraSoft® is a market proven performance fabric. A trusted product which surpasses strict flame resistant testing and meets crucial electrical arc and flash fire standards.

Indura UltraSoft® meets many performance requirements including AS4824, AS2919, OSHA 1910.269, ASTM 1506, NFPA 70E, NFPA 2112, NFPA 1977, EN 470, EN 531 and CSGB 155.20.

For ultimate peace of mind, specify the fabric first – choose Indura UltraSoft®

Nigel Parsons. F.R. & Tech. Support, Charles Parsons & Co. P/L., B.Sc.(Textile Tech.), Grad.Dip. Qual. Mgmt. issue 2.2