Arc Flash

Arc Flash can kill from 10 feet away

When an electric current passes through air between ungrounded conductors and grounded conductors, the temperatures can reach over 25,000°F. Exposure to these extreme temperatures both burn the skin directly and cause ignition of clothing, which adds to the burn injury. The majority of hospital admissions due to electrical accidents are from the arc flash burns, not from shock. Each year more than 2,000 people are admitted to burn centers with severe arc-flash burns. Arc flash can and will kill at distances of 10 ft.

  • NFPA 70E Annex K.3

Stanco offers Protective Apparel and Accessories that meet:

  • NFPA 70E – 2178 Certified
  • ASTM F1506 Specifications

NFPA 70E

NFPA 70E states, “employees shall wear FR clothing wherever there is a possible exposure to an electric arc flash.” This requires employees working on or near energized parts and equipment to wear flame resistant clothing that meets the requirements of ASTM F1506 and is appropriate to the potential energy of the hazard. Employers are required to perform a flash hazard analysis to determine the potential energy of the hazard and the flash protection boundary.

Note: Arc Rating can be either ATPV (Arc Thermal Performance Value) or EBT (Energy of break open threshold) and is defined in ASTM F 1959. It is reported as either ATPV or EBT, whichever is the lower value.

Temp Test Arc Protection by Stanco

Standard for Electrical Safety Employee Workplaces

WTable 130.7 (C)(11) Protective Clothing Characteristics

Hazard/Risk
Category
Clothing Description Required Minimum Arc
Rating of PPE cal/cm2
0 Non-melting, flammable materials (i.e. untreated cotton, wool, rayon, or silk, or a blend of those materials) with a fabric weight of at least 4.5 oz/yd2 N/A
1 Arc-Rated FR Shirt and FR Pants or FR Coveral 4
2 Arc-Rated FR Shirt and FR Pants or FR Coverall 8
3 Arc-Rated FR Shirt and FR Pants or FR Coverall, and arc flash suit selected so that the system arc rating meets the required minimum 25
4 Arc-Rated FR Shirt and FR Pants or FR Coverall, and arc flash suit selected so that the system arc rating meets the required minimum 40