Functionality
Arc Flash Protection
Simply put, Arc Flash Protection clothing is flame retardant, but not all flame-retardant clothing provides Arc Flash protection. This is why understanding the capabilities of every piece of PPE clothing you purchase and how it protects you and your team is crucial.
What is an arc flash?
An arc flash occurs when a discharge passes through the air, releasing a burst of intense energy (similar to the lightning commonly seen during thunderstorms in nature). It can cause severe harm to individuals, making adequate arc flash protection essential.
Arc flash happens when a discharge or short circuit moves through the air. Arc flash temperatures can exceed 10,000 degrees Celsius, causing severe burns to the skin and clothing of workers within five meters in just one second.
Arc flash also generates explosive pressure waves, throwing workers across the room through a blast of sound, potentially rupturing eardrums. Its incredibly bright flash can also lead to temporary or even permanent blindness.
How do I know if my team is at risk?
The most common scenario is that arc flash risks are associated with personnel working in the industrial electrical sector, as high-voltage and low-voltage electricity is used in these sectors. One of the primary causes of arc flash incidents is cable accidents. Workers in industries such as power generation, railways, and petrochemicals also face the risk of arc flash accidents.
European Flame Retardant Standards
In Europe, flame protection is measured according to two key standards - EN ISO 11612 and EN ISO 14116. It's important to note that these standards do not cover continuous exposure to high temperatures and flames.
Clothing that complies with these EN standards is considered flame retardant (FR) clothing, evaluated based on its ability to resist limited flame spread.
Requirements for Arc Flash Clothing
Arc flash protective clothing is more complex, subjected to more rigorous testing based on its rated energy tolerance (cal) to prove that it can protect personnel from experiencing no or only minor injuries if briefly exposed to intense high temperatures and arc flashes. While FR clothing may be suitable, they are not specifically designed and manufactured to withstand arc flash events and cannot guarantee the necessary level of protection.
Arc flash protective clothing is intended to shield personnel from arc flash events, certified through open arc testing methods or box arc testing methods to ensure compliance with IEC 61482 standards. It is through these tests that the significant differences between FR and Arc-rated clothing are validated.
Another key difference is that Arc flash protective clothing is tested as a complete garment assembly. This tests whether the clothing structure remains unchanged after an arc flash explosion. Fasteners like buttons, zippers, and Velcro should still function to prevent further harm to the wearer through melting or heat transfer.
What is an arc flash?
An arc flash occurs when a discharge passes through the air, releasing a burst of intense energy (similar to the lightning commonly seen during thunderstorms in nature). It can cause severe harm to individuals, making adequate arc flash protection essential.
Arc flash happens when a discharge or short circuit moves through the air. Arc flash temperatures can exceed 10,000 degrees Celsius, causing severe burns to the skin and clothing of workers within five meters in just one second.
Arc flash also generates explosive pressure waves, throwing workers across the room through a blast of sound, potentially rupturing eardrums. Its incredibly bright flash can also lead to temporary or even permanent blindness.
How do I know if my team is at risk?
The most common scenario is that arc flash risks are associated with personnel working in the industrial electrical sector, as high-voltage and low-voltage electricity is used in these sectors. One of the primary causes of arc flash incidents is cable accidents. Workers in industries such as power generation, railways, and petrochemicals also face the risk of arc flash accidents.
European Flame Retardant Standards
In Europe, flame protection is measured according to two key standards - EN ISO 11612 and EN ISO 14116. It's important to note that these standards do not cover continuous exposure to high temperatures and flames.
Clothing that complies with these EN standards is considered flame retardant (FR) clothing, evaluated based on its ability to resist limited flame spread.
Requirements for Arc Flash Clothing
Arc flash protective clothing is more complex, subjected to more rigorous testing based on its rated energy tolerance (cal) to prove that it can protect personnel from experiencing no or only minor injuries if briefly exposed to intense high temperatures and arc flashes. While FR clothing may be suitable, they are not specifically designed and manufactured to withstand arc flash events and cannot guarantee the necessary level of protection.
Arc flash protective clothing is intended to shield personnel from arc flash events, certified through open arc testing methods or box arc testing methods to ensure compliance with IEC 61482 standards. It is through these tests that the significant differences between FR and Arc-rated clothing are validated.
Another key difference is that Arc flash protective clothing is tested as a complete garment assembly. This tests whether the clothing structure remains unchanged after an arc flash explosion. Fasteners like buttons, zippers, and Velcro should still function to prevent further harm to the wearer through melting or heat transfer.
