ASTM F1959/F1959M-23
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determining the Arc Rating of Materials for Clothing
Standard Test Method for Determining the Arc Rating of Materials for Clothing
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is intended for the determination of the arc rating of a material, or a combination of materials.
5.1.1 Because of the variability of the arc exposure, different heat transmission values may be observed at individual sensors. Evaluate the results of each sensor in accordance with Section 12.
5.2 This test method maintains the specimen in a static, vertical position and does not involve movement except that resulting from the exposure.
5.3 This test method specifies a standard set of arc exposures performed under controlled laboratory conditions. Different exposure conditions have the potential to produce different results. In addition to the standard set of exposure conditions, other conditions representative of the expected hazard may be used and shall be documented in the reporting of the testing results.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is used to determine the arc rating of materials intended for use as flame resistant clothing for workers exposed to electric arcs that would generate heat flux rates of approximately 2100 kW/m2 [50 cal/cm2s] using an open air arc.
1.2 This test method will determine the arc rating of materials which meet the following requirements: less than 150 mm [6 in.] char length and less than 2 s afterflame when tested in accordance with Test Method D6413.
1.2.1 It is not the intent of this test method to evaluate non flame-resistant materials.
1.3 The materials used in this test method are in the form of flat specimens.
1.4 This test method shall be used to measure and describe the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response to convective and radiant energy generated by an electric arc under controlled laboratory conditions.
1.5 The values stated in SI units shall be regarded as standard except as noted. Within the text, alternate units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents therefore alternate systems must be used independently of the other. Combining values from the systems described in the text may result in nonconformance with the method.
1.6 This test method does not apply to electrical contact or electrical shock hazards.
1.7 This standard shall not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies 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 of the fire hazard of a particular end use.
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautions, see Section 7.
1.9 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.
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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: F1959/F1959M − 23
Standard Test Method for
1
Determining the Arc Rating of Materials for Clothing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1959/F1959M; 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 responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
1.1 This test method is used to determine the arc rating of
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
materials intended for use as flame resistant clothing for
For specific precautions, see Section 7.
workers exposed to electric arcs that would generate heat flux
2 2 1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-
rates of approximately 2100 kW/m [50 cal/cm s] using an
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
open air arc.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1.2 This test method will determine the arc rating of
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
materials which meet the following requirements: less than
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
150 mm [6 in.] char length and less than 2 s afterflame when
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
tested in accordance with Test Method D6413.
1.2.1 It is not the intent of this test method to evaluate non 2. Referenced Documents
flame-resistant materials.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.3 The materials used in this test method are in the form of D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
flat specimens.
D1776 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles
D4391 Terminology Relating to The Burning Behavior of
1.4 This test method shall be used to measure and describe
Textiles
the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response
D6413 Test Method for Flame Resistance of Textiles (Ver-
to convective and radiant energy generated by an electric arc
tical Test)
under controlled laboratory conditions.
E457 Test Method for Measuring Heat-Transfer Rate Using
1.5 The values stated in SI units shall be regarded as
a Thermal Capacitance (Slug) Calorimeter
standard except as noted. Within the text, alternate units are
F1494 Terminology Relating to Protective Clothing
shown in brackets. The values stated in each system may not be
3
2.2 ANSI/IEEE Standard:
exact equivalents therefore alternate systems must be used
Standard Dictionary of Electrical and Electronics Terms
independently of the other. Combining values from the systems
4
2.3 AATCC Standard:
described in the text may result in nonconformance with the
AATCC Method 135-2001 Dimensional Changes in Auto-
method.
matic Home Laundering of Woven and Knit Fabrics
1.6 This test method does not apply to electrical contact or
3. Terminology
electrical shock hazards.
3.1 Definitions:
1.7 This standard shall not be used to describe or appraise
3.1.1 ablation, n—in electrical arc testing, a physical re-
the fire hazard or fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies
sponse evidenced by significant erosion or the formation of one
under actual fire conditions. However, results of this test may
or more large holes in a layer of a multilayer system.
be used as elements of a fire assessment which takes into
3.1.1.1 Discussion—Any layer in a specimen (other than the
account all of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment
innermost layer) is considered to exhibit ablation when the
of the fire hazard of a particular end use.
2 2
material removal or any hole is at least 16 cm [2.5 in. ] in area
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F18 on Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers and is the direct responsibility of the ASTM website.
3
Subcommittee F18.65 on Wearing Apparel. Available from Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE),
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2023. Published October 2023. Originally 445 Hoes Ln., P.O. Box 1331, Piscataway, NJ 08854-1331.
4
approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 2022 as F1959/F1959M – 22. Technical Manual of the American Association of Textile Chemists and
DOI: 10.1520/F1959_F1959M-23.
...
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: F1959/F1959M − 22 F1959/F1959M − 23
Standard Test Method for
1
Determining the Arc Rating of Materials for Clothing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1959/F1959M; 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 test method is used to measuredetermine the arc rating of materials intended for use as flame resistant clothing for workers
2 2
exposed to electric arcs that would generate heat flux rates from 84 kWof approximately⁄m to 25 120 2100 kW/m [2 to 600 [50
2
cal/cm s]. s] using an open air arc.
1.2 This test method will measuredetermine the arc rating of materials which meet the following requirements: less than 150 mm
[6 in.] char length and less than 2 s afterflame when tested in accordance with Test Method D6413.
1.2.1 It is not the intent of this test method to evaluate non flame-resistant materials except where used as under layers in
multiple-layer specimens.materials.
1.3 The materials used in this test method are in the form of flat specimens.
1.4 This test method shall be used to measure and describe the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response to
convective and radiant energy generated by an electric arc under controlled laboratory conditions.
1.5 The values stated in SI units shall be regarded as standard except as noted. Within the text, alternate units are shown in
brackets. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents therefore alternate systems must be used independently
of the other. Combining values from the systems described in the text may result in nonconformance with the method.
1.6 This test method does not apply to electrical contact or electrical shock hazards.
1.7 This standard shall not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies 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 of the fire hazard of a particular end use.
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautions, see Section 7.
1.9 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.
1
This test method 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 Dec. 1, 2022Oct. 1, 2023. Published January 2023October 2023. Originally approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 20142022 as
ɛ1
F1959/F1959M – 14F1959/F1959M – 22. . DOI: 10.1520/F1959_F1959M-22.10.1520/F1959_F1959M-23.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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F1959/F1959M − 23
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
D1776 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles
D4391 Terminology Relating to The Burning Behavior of Textiles
D6413 Test Method for Flame Resistance of Textiles (Vertical Test)
E457 Test Method for Measuring Heat-Transfer Rate Using a Thermal Capacitance (Slug) Calorimeter
F1494 Terminology Relating to Protective Clothing
3
2.2 ANSI/IEEE Standard:
Standard Dictionary of Electrical and Electronics Terms
4
2.3 AATCC Standard:
AATCC Method 135-2001 Dimensional Changes in Automatic Home Laundering of Woven and Knit Fabrics
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 ablation, n—in electrical arc testing, a physical response evidenced by significant erosion or the formation of one or more
large holes in a layer of a multilayer system.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—
Any layer in a specimen (other than the innermost layer) is considered to exhibit ablation when the materia
...
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