Update: ASTM F1506-20a Published
ASTM F1506-20a adds flame-resistant cloth face coverings (FRCFCs) to the scope. The FRCFCs are allowed reduced labeling requirements. Read more details on this Arcwear blog.
With this change, companies can meet NFPA 70E and OSHA 1910.269.
ArcWear provides preliminary guidance for manufacturers and end users.
IF a mask isn’t labeled with an arc rating, ask the manufacturer if the fabric meets ASTM F1506.
This link also contains the CDC guide.
Neither ArcWear nor e-Hazard sells or promotes specific brands of PPE. If you have ANY questions, don’t hesitate to contact ArcWear or e-Hazard. Helping workers keep safe from arc flash and flash fire has been our mission since our founding in 1997.
See this blog, Can I Wear an N95 or Other Respirator in an Arc Flash Exposure, for guidance on using N95 Masks when needed. See ArcWear Testing for State of CA and DOE.
Click Here for a PDF of our presentation on AR/FR CFC’s and Arc Flash Exposure.
https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf
Big thanks to ASTM for offering all their COVID-19 related standards for FREE during this pandemic to assist in proper manufacturing (even though this is their main source of income as a not-for-profit).
List of Arc-Rated Cloth Face Coverings Suppliers
(e-Hazard and ArcWear do NOT sell or promote any products but are offering this as a service in the crisis).
AGO
Website | (519) 452-3780
Berne Apparel
Website | (800) 843-7657
Bulwark
Website | (800) 223-3372
Chapman (CarbonX)
Website | (801) 415-0023
Chicago Protective
Website | (847) 674-7900
DRIFIRE
Website | (866) 266-4035
Elliot Australia
Website | +61(7) 3265 2944
ErgoDyne
Website | 800-225-8238
LAPCO
Website | (800) 385-5380
Majestic Fire Apparel Inc.
Website | (610) 377-6273
Ask about the Rhino Brand for utilities.
MWG Apparel
Website | (204) 774-2561 (Canada)
NSA
Website | (800) 553-0672 x2
PGI Industries
Website | (800) 558-8290
ProGARM
Website | +44 (0)1482 679600
Revco
Website | (800) 527-3826
Skanwear
Website | +44 (0) 1302 890390
Stanco Manufacturing
Website | (800) 348-1148
True North Gear
Website
Tyndale
Website | (800) 356-3433
This article aims to emphasize the ideology of always assessing the risk; even when solutions appear to be perfect, there are always caveats or rules that should be considered.
Have a question about electrical safety and standards?
So is there any supplier who has FR/AR face masks available now? We are looking for this PPE for our electrical team.
Here is the article that has the list. We will update this as we learn more.
Many may not have them listed on their website easy to find so call if you don’t seem them online.
/arcwear-publishes-guidance-for-fr-ar-cloth-face-coverings-as-astm-ballots-a-permanent-solution/
I am linking to all the known Arc Rated Cloth Face Coverings that we know of to this article.
Thanks Pam.
Hugh
Good information and badly needed guidance during this current crisis that caught everyone off guard.
Our company has 200 masks made from Vinex coming from a local supplier. I doubt if they are labeled yet, but it is the same material as our class 2 daily wear. It is also molten metal rated, so our casting production folks can use it also
Thanks again for the info and eHazard forward thinking. Just received my order of 100 masks after a one month lead time. They are appropriately marked with HRC # and cal/cm2. Since the group of folks these are purchased for are in oil and gas which requires field clothing must be FR, my concern is wearers may now think the mask is a substitute for a balaclava. Shouldn’t be needed for the well-informed but perhaps a “not 70E compliant” on the label or packaging might be prudent. These masks do say they are 70E compliant. True that for “nothing inside the arc-flash boundary” that may melt, etc. but not covering the side and back of the head and “all parts of the body inside the AFB when needed would make them non-compliant. Understand all PPE is not for all tasks but the labeling as it is now may confuse. Another point to add to the training content. Guaranteed we are going to start seeing workers replace masks for balaclavas due to comfort and view masks as just something else in their arsenal to choose for electrical protection due to its marking. Appreciate all you are doing.