Arc Flash & Flame Resistant Arc Flash & Flame Resistant Clothing – Albury Sep. 2012Clothing – Albury Sep. 2012

70E HRC 2 Arc Flash (480v)70E HRC 2 Arc Flash (480v)

What does an Arc Flash look like?What does an Arc Flash look like?

What is an Arc Flash?What is an Arc Flash?

Dangerous release of energy created by an electrical fault

Release will contain:

• Thermal energy

• Acoustical energy

• Pressure wave

• Debris

Arc Flash EventsArc Flash Events

• Arc temp can reach 35,000 F • Fatal burns can occur at >10

feet• Majority of hospital admissions

due to electrical accidents are from arc flash burns, not from shock

• Over 2000 people admitted to burn centers yearly with severe arc flash burns

Arc Energy BasicsArc Energy Basics

• Exposure energy expressed in cal/cm2Exposure energy expressed in cal/cm2

• ½ to 1 cal/cm2 = hottest part of lighter in 1 sec½ to 1 cal/cm2 = hottest part of lighter in 1 sec

• An exposure of only 1-2 calories will cause second An exposure of only 1-2 calories will cause second degree burn on human skin degree burn on human skin

• Typical non-FR workwear can ignite @ 2 cals/cm2Typical non-FR workwear can ignite @ 2 cals/cm2

• Arcs typically release 5-30 cals, and energies of Arcs typically release 5-30 cals, and energies of 30-60 cals are not uncommon 30-60 cals are not uncommon

Arc Thermal Protection ValueArc Thermal Protection Value

• ASTM F1959 Test Method Defines Fabric Performance in Electrical Arc Flash.

• IEC 61482-1-1A equivalent european test method

• ATPV – Incident energy (cal/cm2) that results in 50% likelihood of onset of 2nd degree burn under fabric

ATPV TestingATPV Testing

• Fabric panels are subjected to electric arcs

• Calorimeters measure heat transfer through fabric

• Voltage, amperage, gap and distance are held constant

• Duration (cycles) are varied to achieve higher and lower energies

The U.S ExperienceThe U.S Experience..

• 1999 improved fatality data

• 80% fatalities burn related.

• Complications from high % body burn.

• NFPA 70E first published in 2000

• OSHA clamping down, making sure employers comply since BP’s Oil platform disaster in Carribean.

•

The US Experience – contd.The US Experience – contd.

• Fatal burns >10 feet

• Majority of hospital admissions are arc flash burns, not shock!

• 30,000 arcs, 7000 burn injuries per year

• Over 2000 people admitted to burn centers yearly with severe arc flash burns.

• Over 400 fatalities a year

BASICS OF NFPA 70EBASICS OF NFPA 70EU.S. STANDARD FOR ELECTRICAL SAFETY

HRC CATEGORY CLOTHING DESCRIPTION

REQ. MIN. ARC ATPV CAL/CM2

SIMPLIFIED FR CLOTHING SYS.

EVERYDAY WORK CLOTHING ARC RATING >= 8

O NON MELTING, FLAMMABLE FABRIC

N/A INDURA ULTRA SOFT SINGLE LAYER S301 SHIRT/COVERALL

S451 PANT/COVERALL,

S130 T-SHIRT/HENLEY/POLO

ALL MEET HRC 0,1,& 2

1 FR SHIRT/FR PANTS OR FR COVERALL

4

2 COTTON U/WEAR + FR SHIRT/PANTS

8

ELECTRICAL “SWITCHING” CLOTHING, ARC RATING > 40

3 COTTON U/WEAR + FR SHIRT/PANTS PLUS FR COVERALL,OR COTTON U/WEAR + 2 FR COVERALLS

25 INDURA ULTRA SOFT S801 OVER S341 MEETS HRC’S 3&4

4 COTTON U/WEAR + FR SHIRT/PANTS PLUS MULTILAYER FLASH SUIT

40

Current Situation in AustraliaCurrent Situation in Australia

• 100% cotton drill (Non FR) – NENS 09-2006

• New draft including FR has been circulated to members

– yet to be returned for board approval?

• SF-004-06 “Protective Clothing for Electrical Workers”

is not active.

• No draft at this stage – time schedule unknown?

• Objective – to add flame retardant protection as well as

arc protection to limit body burn injuries.

• AS4836 – 2011 “Safe Working on L.V. installations”

Other Australian & International Standards

• American/Australian/EuropeanElectrical workers;• NFPA 70E / AS???? (NENS 09) / EN 61482Wildlands Firefighting;• NFPA 1977 / AS4824 / EN 15384 Structural Firefighting;• NFPA 1971 / AS 4967 / EN 469

Protection against Flash Fire;• NFPA 2112 / AS???? (AS4824) / ISO 11612• ISO 11612 (EN 531)- Protection against Heat & Flame• ISO 11611 (EN 470)– Protection against Welding spatter

100% COTTON IS NOT F.R.100% COTTON IS NOT F.R.

POLY/COTTON IS NOT F.R.POLY/COTTON IS NOT F.R.

BUT THIS IS – EVEN AFTER 100 I/L’SBUT THIS IS – EVEN AFTER 100 I/L’S

What Is a Burn?What Is a Burn?

• A chemical process which progressively injures skin; severity relates to depth

• 1st : redness, pain – not permanent

• 2nd: blistering – skin will regenerate

• 3rd: total skin depth destroyed. Will not regenerate – requires grafting

• 4th : Underlying muscle damaged

Survival FactorsSurvival Factors

• Survival odds fall with increasing % burn

• Survival odds fall dramatically over 50% body burn

• Odds of survival fall as age increases

Why is FR Needed?

• Most severe burns injuries and fatalities are caused by non-flame resistant clothing igniting and continuing to burn

• Flame resistant clothing will self-extinguish, thus limiting the injury

• Body area under non-FR clothing is often burned more severely than exposed skin

What is Flame Resistant Clothing?

• Clothing made from fabrics that self-extinguish

• Fabrics may be natural or synthetic

• Designed to limit (not eliminate) burn injury

• Survival, extent of injury, recovery time and quality of life are all dependent on FRC performance

Keys to Choosing a Successful Program

Protection

ValueComfort

What hazard's are present?

What performance standards are available for the hazard?

What product options are available that protect to the level of our hazard's?

What is the maximum level of protection that our personnel will voluntarily wear?

What choices can we allow?

Purchase, Lease or Rent?

What options will have reasonable durability at their comparative price?

What fabric offer the best value equation combining performance, comfort & durability?

Inherent vs. Treated Flame Resistant FabricsInherent vs. Treated Flame Resistant Fabrics

Really just a marketing term used to differentiate competitive products.

• All Flame Resistant fabrics have been engineered to be Flame Resistant – its just that it can be engineered at different stages in the fabric manufacturing process;

• At the fibre stage, eg. FR modacrylic vs Nomex • At the yarn stage, eg. PFZ wool• At the fabric stage, eg. UltraSoft, Proban, Pyrovatex

Flame resistance must be durable to launderings, wear, the environment, etc. for the service life of the garment.

Look for proven products!

PYROVATEX PROBAN ULTRASOFT NOMEX/KERMEL TECGEN TECASAFE

100% Cotton & Cotton rich

100% Cotton & Cotton rich

88%Cotton/ 12% HT nylon

100% Aramid ???Carbonised fibre/Aramid???

45%fr-modacrylic/35% lyocell /20% aramid

F.R. System Treated Treated Treated Inherent Inherent/ blend Inherent/flamm-able blend

Advantage Colour Range 50 wash Q.A. FR guaranteed FR guaranteed FR guaranteed FR guaranteed

Price Price Soft handle High performance High performance Soft handle

Good durability High durability

75 °C wash

Range of weights.

Colourfast

Inc. arc rating

Cotton comfort

Local stock

Market proven

Excellent value

Disadvantage Stiff handle - Poor comfort Poor seam slip Poor colourfastness

Low durabilility Low durability Can be UV sensitive

Limited colours – limited information

Appearance retention/pilling

- No stock supply No stock supply No stock supply

Lack of Q.A. Not market proven Poor performance QFS/NSW

No Acid Sour - Expensive Expensive Not for flash fire

Hydrolysis

STOP,DROP & ROLL !STOP,DROP & ROLL !

WHICH BANK?WHICH BANK?