ASTM F2621/F2621M-22
(Practice)Standard Practice for Evaluating Response Characteristics of Safety Products in an Electric Arc Exposure
Standard Practice for Evaluating Response Characteristics of Safety Products in an Electric Arc Exposure
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This practice can be used for a range of purposes including incident replication, development of improved arc rated protective products, and the determination of the response characteristics and design integrity of new or used arc rated finished products intended for use as protection for workers exposed to electric arcs.
5.1.1 In-service garments can have very different wash and wear histories. Caution must be used when applying test results from a particular used garment. Factors to consider include the garments’ wear histories, work environments, and tasks for which the garments were worn; the methods and facilities for garment maintenance; the number of launderings or processings the garments have been subjected to; and other factors that could impact the protective performance of different garments. Test results from specific used garments should be considered only an approximation of results that might be obtained from other used garments of the same type.
5.1.2 When using the practice for evaluating flame resistance, great care should be taken since ignition by electric arc is a statistical phenomenon. An exposure of 20 cal/cm2 has been consistently shown to evaluate most ignitable materials but some may require higher energy to reach the breakopen point of the fabric depending on coatings or specific fiber types. Consider using a vertical flame test such as Test Method D6413 to evaluate for ignition and use this practice for illustration.
5.2 This practice maintains the specimen in a static, vertical position and does not involve movement except that resulting from the exposure.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice identifies protocols for use in conducting arc testing on finished products intended for use as thermal protection by workers who may be exposed to electric arc hazards.
1.1.1 The practice is also used for other components which can be exposed to electric arc, but which do not require an arc rating.
1.1.1.1 If items are tested and they do not meet the appropriate standard, it is the responsibility of the specimen submitter to provide this information for indication in the test report.
1.2 Arc Rated protective items are typically tested using this practice to evaluate the performance of the interface area between the product and the other arc flash PPE or to evaluate zippers and other findings.
1.3 This practice does not establish an arc rating for any product. Other ASTM test methods are to be used when applicable such as ASTM F1959/F1959M, F2178, and F2675.
1.4 This practice is not intended to produce an arc rating and does not replicate in all types of arc exposures.
1.5 This practice is used with the following standards:
1.5.1 Protective fabric materials receive arc ratings from Test Method F1959/F1959M.
1.5.2 Face protective products receive arc ratings from Test Method F2178.
1.5.3 Gloves receive arc ratings from Test Method F2675.
1.5.4 Rainwear materials, findings and closures are specified by Specification F1891.
1.5.5 Garments are specified by Specification F1506.
1.6 The test specimens used in this practice are typically in the form of arc-rated finished products. These arc-rated finished products may include, but are not limited to, single layer garments, multi-layer garments or ensembles, cooling vests, gloves, sleeves, chaps, rainwear, balaclavas, faceshields, and hood assemblies with hood shield windows. Non-arc rated finished products may be included when part of a flame-resistant system, or for evaluating heat transmission through the finished product for incident reenactment, or for evaluation of products needed but not available as arc rated (such as respirators, etc.)
1.7 The arc rated finished product specimens are new products as sold or products which have been used for the intended purpose for a designated time.
1.8 This practice is used to determine the response characteristics or design integrity of arc-ra...
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This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F2621/F2621M − 22
Standard Practice for
Evaluating Response Characteristics of Safety Products in
1
an Electric Arc Exposure
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF2621/F2621M;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyear
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope hood assemblies with hood shield windows. Non-arc rated
finished products may be included when part of a flame-
1.1 This practice identifies protocols for use in conducting
resistant system, or for evaluating heat transmission through
arc testing on finished products intended for use as thermal
the finished product for incident reenactment, or for evaluation
protection by workers who may be exposed to electric arc
of products needed but not available as arc rated (such as
hazards.
respirators, etc.)
1.1.1 The practice is also used for other components which
can be exposed to electric arc, but which do not require an arc
1.7 The arc rated finished product specimens are new
rating.
products as sold or products which have been used for the
1.1.1.1 If items are tested and they do not meet the appro-
intended purpose for a designated time.
priate standard, it is the responsibility of the specimen submit-
1.8 This practice is used to determine the response charac-
ter to provide this information for indication in the test report.
teristics or design integrity of arc-rated materials, products, or
1.2 ArcRatedprotectiveitemsaretypicallytestedusingthis
assemblies in the form of finished products when exposed to
practice to evaluate the performance of the interface area
radiant and convective energy generated by an electric arc
between the product and the other arc flash PPE or to evaluate
under controlled laboratory conditions.
zippers and other findings.
1.9 This practice can be used to determine the integrity of
1.3 This practice does not establish an arc rating for any
closures and seams in arc exposures, the protective perfor-
product. Other ASTM test methods are to be used when
mance of arc-rated products in areas where garment overlap
applicable such as ASTM F1959/F1959M, F2178, and F2675.
occursorwhereheraldryreflectivetrimorotheritemsareused,
and response characteristics such as afterflame time, melting,
1.4 Thispracticeisnotintendedtoproduceanarcratingand
dripping, deformation, shrinkage, ignition, or other damage, or
does not replicate in all types of arc exposures.
combination thereof, of fabrics, systems of fabrics, flammable
1.5 This practice is used with the following standards:
undergarments when included as part of a system, sewing
1.5.1 Protective fabric materials receive arc ratings from
thread, findings, and closures.
Test Method F1959/F1959M.
1.10 This practice can be used for incident reenactment,
1.5.2 Face protective products receive arc ratings from Test
Method F2178. training demonstrations, and material/design comparisons.
1.5.3 Gloves receive arc ratings from Test Method F2675.
1.11 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
1.5.4 Rainwear materials, findings and closures are speci-
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
fied by Specification F1891.
each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to
1.5.5 Garments are specified by Specification F1506.
ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be
1.6 The test specimens used in this practice are typically in used independently of the other, and values from the two
the form of arc-rated finished products. These arc-rated fin- systems shall not be combined.
ished products may include, but are not limited to, single layer
1.12 This standard shall not be used to describe or appraise
garments, multi-layer garments or ensembles, cooling vests,
the fire hazard or fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies
gloves, sleeves, chaps, rainwear, balaclavas, faceshields, and
under actual fire conditions. However, results of this test may
be used as elements of a fire assessment, which takes into
account all of the factors, which are pertinent to an assessment
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F18 on Electrical
of the fire hazard of a particular end use.
Protective Equipment for Workers and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
F18.65 on Wearing Apparel.
1.13 This standard does not purport to describe or appraise
Current edition approved April 1, 2022. Published May 2022. Originally
the effect of the electric arc fragmentation explosion and
approved in 2006. Last previous edit
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F2621/F2621M − 21 F2621/F2621M − 22
Standard Practice for
DeterminingEvaluating Response Characteristics and
Design Integrity of Arc Rated Finished Products and
Evaluating other Products of Safety Products in an Electric
1
Arc Exposure
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2621/F2621M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice identifies protocols for use in conducting arc testing on finished products intended for use as thermal protection
by workers who may be exposed to electric arc hazards.
1.1.1 The practice is also used for other components which can be exposed to electric arc, but which do not require an arc rating.
1.1.1.1 If items are tested and they do not meet the appropriate standard, it is the responsibility of the specimen submitter to
provide this information for indication in the test report.
1.2 Arc Rated protective items are typically tested using this practice to evaluate the performance of the interface area between
the product and the other arc flash PPE or to evaluate zippers and other findings.
1.3 When evaluating arc rated PPE with non-arc rated PPE for due diligence (such as respirators, etc.), this This practice does not
result in establish an arc rating for non-arc rated components or products shall be clearly indicated as havingany product. Other
ASTM test methods are to be used when applicable such as ASTM F1959/F1959Mno, F2178arc rating., and F2675.
1.4 This practice is not intended to produce an arc rating and does not replicate in all types of arc exposures.
1.5 This practice is used with the following standards:
1.5.1 Protective fabric materials receive arc ratings from Test Method F1959/F1959M.
1.5.2 Face protective products receive arc ratings from Test Method F2178.
1.5.3 Gloves receive arc ratings from Test Method F2675.
1.5.4 Rainwear materials, findings and closures are specified by Specification F1891.
1.5.5 Garments are specified by Specification F1506.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F18 on Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F18.65
on Wearing Apparel.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2021April 1, 2022. Published December 2021May 2022. Originally approved in 2006. Last previous edition approved in 20192021 as
F2621 – 19.F2621 – 21. DOI: 10.1520/F2621_F2621M-21.10.1520/F2621_F2621M-22.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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F2621/F2621M − 22
1.6 The test specimens used in this practice are typically in the form of arc-rated finished products. These arc-rated finished
products may include, but are not limited to, single layer garments, multi-layer garments or ensembles, cooling vests, gloves,
sleeves, chaps, rainwear, balaclavas, faceshields, and hood assemblies with hood shield windows. Non-arc rated finished products
may be included when part of a flame-resistant system, or for evaluating heat transmission through the finished product for incident
reenactment, or for evaluation of products needed but not available as arc rated (such as respirators, etc.)
1.7 The arc rated finished product specimens are new products as sold or products which have been used for the intended purpose
for a designated time.
1.8 This practice is used to determine the response characteristics or design integrity of arc-rated materials, products, or assemblies
in the form of finished products when exposed to radiant and convective energy generated by an electric arc under controlled
laboratory conditions.
1.9 This practice can be used to determine the integrity of closures and seams in arc exposures, the protective performance of
arc-rated products in areas where garment overlap occurs or where heraldry reflective trim or other items are used, and response
characteristics such as afterflame time, melting, dripping, deformation, shrinkage, ignition, or other damage, or combination
thereof, of fabrics, systems of fabrics, flammable undergarments when included as part of a system, sewing thread, findings, and
closures.
1.10 This practice can be used for incident reenactment, training demonstrations, and material/design comparisons.
1.11 The values stated
...
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