ASTM F2733-09

Standard Specification for Flame Resistant Rainwear for Protection Against Flame Hazards

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This specification covers the minimum performance criteria for flame resistance and other requirements for rainwear used by workers with the potential to be simultaneously exposed to wet weather conditions and either hydrocarbon or petrochemical industrial fires.
The purchaser has the option to perform or have performed any of the tests required by this specification in order to verify the performance of the rainwear.
This specification for rainwear shall not be construed as a requirement for the use of any particular rainwear material.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification establishes applicable test methods, minimum physical and thermal performance criteria, a suggested sizing guide, and suggested purchasing information for rainwear for use by workers who are potentially exposed to industrial hydrocarbon fires or other petrochemical fire hazards.
1.1.1 This specification does not apply to rainwear used for thermal electric arc flash hazards. Specification of rainwear for these electric arc flash hazards are addressed in Specification F 1891.
1.2 The objective of this specification is to prescribe function and performance criteria for rainwear that meets a minimum level of thermal and physical performance when exposed to a laboratory-simulated fire exposure.
1.3 This specification is not intended to serve as a detailed manufacturing or purchasing specification, but can be referenced in purchase contracts to ensure that minimum performance requirements are met.
1.4 Controlled laboratory tests used to determine compliance with the performance requirements of this specification shall not be deemed as establishing performance levels for all situations to which wearers of this protective clothing are potentially exposed.
1.5 This specification does not attempt to establish in-service care and use of this flame resistant rainwear.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in brackets are mathematical conversions to inch-pound or other units that are commonly used for thermal testing.
1.7 The following safety hazards caveat pertains to Sections 7 and 9 of this specification. 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2009
• ICS: 13.340.10 - Protective clothing
• Technical Committee: F23 - Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment
• Drafting Committee: F23.80 - Flame and Thermal

Relations

• Referred By: ASTM F2302-22 - Standard Performance Specification for Labeling Protective Clothing Which Provides Resistance to Incidental Exposures to Heat or Open Flame
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2009
• Referred By: ASTM F1494-23 - Standard Terminology Relating to Protective Clothing
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2009

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:F2733 −09
Standard Specification for
Flame Resistant Rainwear for Protection Against Flame
Hazards
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2733; 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 establish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1 This specification establishes applicable test methods,
minimum physical and thermal performance criteria, a sug-
2. Referenced Documents
gested sizing guide, and suggested purchasing information for
2.1 ASTM Standards:
rainwear for use by workers who are potentially exposed to
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
industrial hydrocarbon fires or other petrochemical fire haz-
D751 Test Methods for Coated Fabrics
ards.
D1117 Guide for Evaluating Nonwoven Fabrics (Withdrawn
1.1.1 This specification does not apply to rainwear used for
2009)
thermal electric arc flash hazards. Specification of rainwear for
D1388 Test Method for Stiffness of Fabrics
these electric arc flash hazards are addressed in Specification
D3393 Specification for Coated Fabrics—Waterproofness
F1891.
D3776 Test Methods for Mass Per Unit Area (Weight) of
1.2 The objective of this specification is to prescribe func-
Fabric
tion and performance criteria for rainwear that meets a mini-
D3786 Test Method for Bursting Strength of Textile
mum level of thermal and physical performance when exposed
Fabrics—Diaphragm Bursting Strength Tester Method
to a laboratory-simulated fire exposure.
D4391 Terminology Relating to The Burning Behavior of
Textiles
1.3 This specification is not intended to serve as a detailed
D6413 Test Method for Flame Resistance of Textiles (Ver-
manufacturing or purchasing specification, but can be refer-
enced in purchase contracts to ensure that minimum perfor- tical Test)
E96/E96M Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of
mance requirements are met.
Materials
1.4 Controlled laboratory tests used to determine compli-
F1494 Terminology Relating to Protective Clothing
ance with the performance requirements of this specification
F1891 Specification for Arc and Flame Resistant Rainwear
shall not be deemed as establishing performance levels for all
F1930 TestMethodforEvaluationofFlameResistantCloth-
situations to which wearers of this protective clothing are
ing for Protection Against Fire Simulations Using an
potentially exposed.
Instrumented Manikin
1.5 This specification does not attempt to establish in-
2.2 Federal Specifications:
service care and use of this flame resistant rainwear.
FTMS 191A, Method 5516
FTMS CCC-T-191b, Method 5204
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
2.3 AATCC Standards:
standard. The values given in brackets are mathematical
AATCC 135 Dimensional Changes Automatic Home Laun-
conversions to inch-pound or other units that are commonly
dering of Woven and Knitted Fabrics
used for thermal testing.
1.7 The following safety hazards caveat pertains to Sections
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
7 and 9 of this specification. This standard does not purport to
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to
the ASTM website.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org.
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4,
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F23 on Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098, http://
Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment and is the direct responsibility of www.dodssp.daps.mil.
Subcommittee F23.80 on Flame and Thermal. Available from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
Current edition approved July 1, 2009. Published August 2009. DOI: 10.1520/ (AATCC), P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, http://
F2733-09. www.aatcc.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2733−09
AATCC 127 Water Resistance: Hydrostatic Pressure Test 3.1.8 dripping, n—in testing thermal protective material, a
2.4 NFPA Standards: response evidenced by flowing of the fiber polymer.
NFPA 2112 Standard on Flame-Resistant Garments for
3.1.8.1 Discussion—In testing thermal protective materials,
Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire,
coated fabrics or laminates, dripping is a response evidenced
2007 Edition
byflowingofthefiberpolymer,thefabriccoating,orthefabric
laminates, and the evidence of droplets from the flowing
3. Terminology
material.
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.9 embrittlement, n—the formation of a brittle residue as
3.1.1 afterflame,n—persistentflamingofamaterialafterthe
a result of pyrolysis or incomplete combustion.
ignition source has been removed.
3.1.10 flame resistance, n—the property of a material
3.1.2 afterflame time, n—the length of time for which a
whereby flaming combustion is prevented, terminated, or
material continues to flame after the ignition source has been
inhibited following application of a flaming or nonflaming
removed.
source of ignition, with or without subsequent removal of the
3.1.2.1 Discussion—Duringsimulatedlaboratoryfiretesting
ignition source.
of clothing, the length of time for which a specimen continues
to exhibit a visible flaming as determined by a time display
3.1.11 fire exposure, n—in laboratory-simulated fire testing
video recording or visual observation of the specimen during
of clothing, a fuel rich fire generated with non-stoichiometric
testing.
amounts of propane and oxygen in air leading to incomplete
combustion of the propane. The fire exposure is a propane-air
3.1.3 break-open, n—in laboratory-simulated fire testing of
diffusion flame with a controlled heat flux engulfing the
clothing, a material response evidenced by the formation of a
manikin for a controlled duration.
hole in the test specimen during the thermal exposure that
results in the exposure energy in direct contact with the heat
3.1.12 garment ignition, n—in laboratory-simulated fire
sensor, the manikin surface or an undergarment.
testing of clothing, the initiation of combustion of a garment
3.1.3.1 Discussion—The specimen is considered to exhibit
specimen that does not self extinguish for at least 10 seconds.
breakopen when a hole is produced as a result of the thermal
2 2 3.1.13 heat energy exposure, n—in laboratory-simulated
exposure that is at least 3.2 cm (0.5 in. ) in area or at least 2.5
fire testing of clothing, the total heat energy received at a
cm (1.0 in.) in any dimension. Single threads across the
surface as a direct result of a laboratory simulated fire.
opening or hole do not reduce the size of the hole for the
3.1.13.1 Discussion—As related to heat energy exposure,
purposes of this test method.
2 2
the energy in J/cm (cal/cm ), that is transferred to the material
3.1.4 burn injury, n—burn damage which occurs within
surface is determined by multiplying the heat flux of the
human skin at various depths as a function of temperature and
laboratory simulated flash fire by the duration of the laborato-
time and which can be described mathematically in a burn
ry–simulated flash fire.
injury model.
3.1.14 melting, n—a material response evidenced by soften-
3.1.4.1 Discussion—Burn injury in human tissue occurs
when the tissue is heated above a critical temperature. The ing of the polymer.
degree of burn injury-first, second or third degree-depends
3.1.14.1 Discussion—In testing flame resistant rainwear,
upon the level above the critical temperature, the duration
melting is additionally defined as the liquefaction of material
above the critical temperature and the depth in the skin layers.
under the influence of heat.
3.1.5 char length, n—in measuring flame resistance of
3.1.15 rainwear, n—a garment which provides protection
textiles, the distance from the fabric edge which was directly
from precipitation for the head, limbs and body of the user.
exposed to the flame to the furthest point of visible fabric
3.1.16 shrinkage, n—a decrease in one or more dimensions
damage after a specified tearing force has been applied.
of an object or material.
3.1.6 charring, n—the formation of carbonaceous residue as
3.1.17 thermal exposure, n—the intensity of heat energy to
the result of pyrolysis or incomplete combustion.
which a fabric is exposed.
3.1.7 design test, n—for flame resistant rainwear, one made
on a sample as representative of a commercial product; these 3.1.18 thermalprotection,n—thepropertythatcharacterizes
tests will not generally be repeated in quantity production. the overall performance of a garment or protective clothing
3.1.7.1 Discussion—Perform the design test only when a ensemble relative to how it prevents the transfer of heat that is
new or modified rainwear material, substrate, coating or sufficient to cause burn injury.
adhesiveisusedtomanufacturerainwear.Achangeinrainwear
3.1.18.1 Discussion—Thermal protection of a garment or
material includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
ensemble and the consequential predicted burn injury (second-
The material composition, weight, coating, laminate, adhesive,
degree and/or third-degree), is quantified from the response of
or the supplier of the material, substrate, coating, laminate, or
manikin test thermal energy sensors. In addition to the calcu-
adhesive.
lated results, the physical response and degradation of the
garment or protective ensemble is an observable phenomenon
useful in understanding garment or protective clothing en-
Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch
Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471, http://www.nfpa.org. semble thermal protection.
F2733−09
NOTE 1—In limited testing, it has been found some uncovered closures
3.1.19 thermal resistance, n—the reciprocal of thermal
melt and fuse. Constructing the closures so that they are covered as
transmittance.
described above is designed to mitigate the melting and fusing observed
3.1.20 thermal material response, n—in laboratory-
with uncovered closures.
simulated fire testing of clothing, the effects that are observed
concurrent and subsequent to thermal exposure, which can
7. Physical Performance Testing Procedures
include phenomena such as breakopen, charring,
7.1 Test rainwear material for physical performance charac-
embrittlement, melting, shrinkage, etc.
teristics initially as manufactured or as received from the
3.1.20.1 Discussion—The thermal material response is a
manufacturer and after five cleaning and drying cycles unless
result of exposure to the radiant and convective energy of the
otherwise indicated.
laboratory-simulated fire.
7.1.1 Clean and dry in accordance with care instructions
3.1.21 thermal transmittance, n—unidirectional heat trans-
from the rainwear manufacturer.
fer per unit area, in the steady-state, between parallel planes,
7.1.1.1 If no cleaning instructions are provided by the
per unit difference of temperature of the planes.
rainwear manufacturer, clean and dry in accordance with
AATCC Method 135 (3, IV A iii)
3.2 For definitions of other textile terms used in this
7.1.2 For limited use or disposable rainwear with care
specification refer to Terminology D123, D4391, and F1494.
instructionsindicatingtherainwearisnottobecleaned,testthe
4. Significance and Use
rainwear material sample only as received or as manufactured.
4.1 This specification covers the minimum performance
7.2 Weight and Weight Uniformity— Rainwear Material
2 2
criteria for flame resistance and other requirements for rain-
7.2.1 Determine the average weight in g/m (oz/yd)ofthe
wear used by workers with the potential to be simultaneously
rainwear material sample submitted for the material testing in
exposed to wet weather conditions and either hydrocarbon or
7.3, 7.4, and 7.5 (optional) in accordance with Test Method
petrochemical industrial fires.
D3776, Option B. If a single sample of rainwear material is
used for all of the designated tests, one average weight
4.2 The purchaser has the option to perform or have
determination shall be done. If a different rainwear material
performed any of the tests required by this specification in
sample is used for one or more of the tests, a separate average
order to verify the performance of the rainwear.
weight determination shall be done for each rainwear material
4.3 This specification for rainwear shall not be construed as
sample.
a requirement for the use of any particular rainwear material.
7.2.1.1 Determine the average weight of each rainwear
material sample initially as received and after five cleaning and
5. Ordering Information
drying cycles as described in 7.1.
5.1 It is useful for the purchaser to consider the following
7.2.2 Determine weight uniformity across the width of the
items when buying rainwear under this specification. Include
rainwear material sample as received using the same tempera-
these items, as necessary, in purchasing documents:
ture and humidity preconditioning as required for D3776,
5.1.1 Type of material,
Option B.
2 2
5.1.2 Fabric weight, g/m (oz/yd ),
7.2.2.1 For each as received rainwear material sample for
5.1.3 Type and material of fasteners (buttons, snaps, zippers
which the average weight was determined in accordance with
or hook and loop fasteners),
7.2.1, take five specimens, each consisting of a circle of
5.1.4 Reflective material sections (optional),
rainwearmaterial89mm(3.5in.)indiameteratapproximately
5.1.5 Style and design or catalog number,
equal spaced intervals diagonally across the width of the
5.1.6 Hood design (attached or detachable),
rainwear material sample.
5.1.7 Sizes,
2 2
7.2.2.2 Determinetheweighting/m (oz/yd )ofeachofthe
5.1.8 Color,
five specimens.
5.1.9 Special identification markings (optional),
7.3 Leak Resistance—Rainwear Material and Seams:
5.1.10 Jacket length, trouser length (if applicable), trouser/
7.3.1 Test the rainwear material in accordance with Speci-
jacket overlap (if applicable), and
fication D3393 at a water pressure of 207 kPa (30 psig).
5.1.11 Notation of conformance to this specification.
7.3.2 Test the seams of the rainwear material in accordance
6. Materials and Manufacture
with AATCC 127 test method at a water pressure of 20.7 kPa
(3 psig) for 2 min.
6.1 The rainwear shall be designed and manufactured using
...