Who is Carhartt flame-resistant clothing designed for?
How does Carhartt flame-resistant clothing help protect against burn injury?
Can the flame-resistant chemicals be washed out?
Will non-treated 100% cotton and other natural fibers help protect against possible burn injury?
Does Carhartt flame-resistant clothing meet protective clothing standards?
Can Carhartt flame-resistant clothing be used for wildland fire fighting?
Is Carhartt flame-resistant clothing recommended for welding?
Can Carhartt Flame-Resistant Clothing be repaired?
Is flame-resistant thread required for embroidery applications?
Who is Carhartt Flame-Resistant Clothing designed for?
Carhartt flame-resistant clothing is designed for electricians and workers in the utility, oil, gas and petrochemical fields who are at risk of exposure to electric arc and flash fires, which could cause severe or fatal burn injuries. Some typical candidates for flame-resistant clothing include: electric linemen, pipeline and refinery workers, as well as industrial electricians.
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How does Carhartt flame-resistant clothing help protect against burn injury?
Wearing flame-resistant clothing will provide thermal protection, which if exposed to electric arcs or flash fires, will self-extinguish after the source of ignition is removed, limiting the degree of burn and body burn percentage. The flame-resistant fabrics are impregnated with chemicals that extinguish flames and help char the fabric. It is not designed to be flame proof; however, it is flame-resistant.
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Can the flame-resistant chemicals be washed out?
No. Carhartt flame-resistant clothing is guaranteed to be flame-resistant for the useful life of the garment; regardless of the number of washings (servicings) in either the home or industrial laundering, provided the garment care instructions are followed.
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Will non-treated 100% cotton and other natural fibers help protect against possible burn injury?
No. Non-treated cotton and wool are flammable fibers. If exposed to electric arcs and flash fires, these materials will continue to burn causing possible severe injury and death.
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What is NFPA 70E?
The National Fire Protection Agency's (NFPA) 70E is the Standard for Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces. NFPA70E requires employees to wear flame resistant protective clothing wherever there is a possible exposure to electric arc flash. Although it is a voluntary standard, NFPA70E is considered a "generally accepted industry standard" and thus OSHA will fine companies under the general duty clause, which requires employers to take the appropriate steps to protect workers. NFPA70E is widely accepted throughout general manufacturing as well as the electrical industries.
NFPA 70E requires employers to perform a flash hazard analysis to determine the flash protection boundary distance. The standard is designed to protect employees working inside these flash protection boundaries by requiring protective clothing for the corresponding Hazard/Risk Category (HRC) that has an arc thermal performance value (ATPV) of a least the value listed in the "Protective Clothing Characteristics" section of the standard.
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What is NESC?
The National Electric Safety Code (NESC) is the standard used by electric utilities to implement safety procedures for utility workers. Although not a law, NESC is a voluntary consensus standard, and the standard OSHA cities when enforcing electrical safety in the utility industry.
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what is NFPA 2112?
NFPA 2112 is the Standard for Flame-Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire, and is published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The standard is targeted towards workers who are at risk of flash fires, primarily in the pertochemical industries. NFPA 2112 is a voluntary consensus standard, and the starndard OSHA cies when enforcing electrical safety in the utility industry.
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What is ATPV?
Arc Thermal Performance Value (ATPV) is a rating assigned to FRC indicating the level of protection provided. Higher fabric weights typically have higher ATPV's and provide increased protection as does the layering of flame-resistant clothing. ATPV is measured in calories per centimeter squared (cal/cm2).
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What is EBT?
Like ATPV, Breakopen Threshold Energy (EBT) is a rating assigned to FRC indicating the level of protection provided. EBT is used when ATPV cannot be measured due to flame-resistant fabric breakopen. EBT is also measured in calories per centimeter squared (cal/cm2).
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What is an HRC?
An ARC or Hazard Risk Category is a rating for Flame-Resistant clothing that indicates the level of protection. There are 5 HRCs ranging from 0 to 4, with a hazard risk of 0 representing the least protection, and an HRC of 4 representing the most protection. The NFPA 70E consensus standard assigns these categories based on the electrical maintenance task to be performed, and each HRC correlates to a specific range of ATPVs. For example, HRC1 would include ATPVs greater than 5cal/cm2 but less than 8cal/cm2.
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What is ASTM F1506?
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) developed F1506, the Standard Performance Specification for Flame Resistant Textile Material for Wearing Apparel for Use by Electrical Workers Exposed to Momentary Electric Arc and Related Thermal Hazards. This is a pass/fail standard that requires a sample of flame-resistant fabric to self extinguish with a < 2 second afterflame and a < 6" char length. The FR fabric must also stand up to these requirements after 25 washes/dry cleaning. All Carhartt flame-resistant garments meet the ASTM F1506 requirement.
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Does Carhartt flame-resistant clothing meet protective clothing standards?
Yes, Carhartt flame-resistant clothing meets the requirements of ASTM F1506, NFPA-70E and OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269.
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Who should determine what Arc Thermal Performance Value/Hazard Risk Category an FR user should be wearing?
Can Carhartt flame-resistant clothing be used for wildland fire fighting?
Carhartt flame-resistant clothing has not been tested to meet the requirements of NFPA 1977, The Standard for Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting,therefore, Carhartt flame-resistant clothing is not recommended for this use.
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Is Carhartt flame-resistant clothing recommended for welding?
Carhartt does not make any garments that are specifically designed to be worn while welding, or performing similar jobs that involve exposure to spark and flames. Our flame-resistant clothing will protect better than our 100% cotton or synthetic garments, because the fabric is self-extinguishing. However, flame-resistant garments are susceptible to holes and fabric burns created by sparks and metal debris generated by activities such as welding.
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Can Carhartt Flame-Resistant Clothing be repaired?
Yes. Carhartt FR Clothing can be repaired, but repairs must be made with fabrics and sewing threads that have at minimum the same flame-resistant properties as the original garment. Jobs like replacing zippers should be done in our facilities. Please call our customer service department at 800-358-3825 to make arrangements for repairs.
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Is flame-resistant thread required for embroidery applications?
None of the current regulations governing the use of FR clothing specifically require the use of FR thread for embroidery applications. However, Carhartt recommends the use of flame-resistant thread for embroidery or emblem attachments.
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