ASTM F1506-98
(Specification)Standard Performance Specification for Textile Materials for Wearing Apparel for Use by Electrical Workers Exposed to Momentary Electric Arc and Related Thermal Hazards
Standard Performance Specification for Textile Materials for Wearing Apparel for Use by Electrical Workers Exposed to Momentary Electric Arc and Related Thermal Hazards
SCOPE
1.1 This performance specification covers the flame resistance of textile materials to be used for wearing apparel for use by electrical workers exposed to momentary electric arc and related thermal hazards.
Note 1—This performance specification does not cover coated fabrics commonly used in rainwear.
Note 2—At present, a bench scale arc test for laboratory use is not available. It is the intent of the committee to continue the search for an acceptable laboratory test based on either an electric arc exposure or an acceptable alternative, which will form the basis of a modification of this specification.
1.2 Materials used for basic protection levels are covered.
1.3 Protective properties relate to thermal exposure from momentary arc and associated exposure to open flame and radiant heat. (See Appendix X1.)
1.4 This performance specification covers wearing apparel design characteristics that relate specifically to protection from exposure to momentary electric arc and that relate to the utility of the wearing apparel.
Note 3—A number of other thermal test methods are under consideration and development and, when evaluated and proved effective by Committee F18, will be incorporated in either this specification or an appropriate alternative test method or specification.
1.5 This standard should be used to evaluate and describe the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions. It should not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions
1.5.1 The results of this evaluation may be used as elements of a fire-risk assessment that takes into account all of the factors that are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a particular end use.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.7 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test methods portion, Section 8, of this performance 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
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: F 1506 – 98
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Performance Specification for
Textile Materials for Wearing Apparel for Use by Electrical
Workers Exposed to Momentary Electric Arc and Related
Thermal Hazards
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1506; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.7 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the
test methods portion, Section 8, of this specification: This
1.1 This performance specification covers the flame resis-
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
tance of textile materials to be used for wearing apparel for use
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
by electrical workers exposed to momentary electric arc and
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
related thermal hazards.
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
NOTE 1—This performance specification does not cover coated fabrics
tions prior to use.
commonly used in rainwear.
NOTE 2—At present, a bench scale arc test for laboratory use is not
2. Referenced Documents
available. It is the intent of the committee to continue the search for an
2.1 ASTM Standards:
acceptable laboratory test based on either an electric arc exposure or an
D 123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
acceptable alternative which will form the basis of a modification of this
specification.
D 434 Test Method for Resistance to Slippage of Yarns in
Woven Fabrics Using a Standard Seam
1.2 Materials used for basic protection levels are covered.
D 1424 Test Method for Tear Resistance of Woven Fabrics
1.3 Protective properties relate to thermal exposure from
by Falling-Pendulum (Elmendorf) Apparatus
momentary arc and associated exposure to open flame and
D 1682 Test Methods for Breaking Load and Elongation of
radiant heat. (See Appendix X1.)
Textile Fabrics
1.4 This performance specification covers wearing apparel
D 2262 Test Method for Tearing Strength of Woven Fabrics
design characteristics that relate specifically to protection from
by the Tongue (Single Rip) Method (Constant-Rate-of-
exposure to momentary electric arc and that relate to the utility
Traverse Tensile Testing Machine)
of the wearing apparel.
D 2724 Test Methods for Bonded, Fused and Laminated
NOTE 3—A number of other thermal test methods are under consider- 2
Apparel Fabrics
ation and development and when evaluated and proved effective by
D 3786 Test Method for Hydraulic Bursting Strength of
Committee F-18 will be incorporated in either this specification or an
Knitted Goods and Nonwoven Fabrics: Diaphragm Burst-
appropriate alternative test method or specification.
ing Strength Tester Method
1.5 This standard should be used to evaluate and describe
F 1449 Guide for Care and Maintenance for Flame Resis-
the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response 5
tant and Thermal Protective Clothing
to heat and flame under controlled laboratory condition. It
2.2 AATCC Test Methods:
should not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or
Method 61 Colorfastness to Washing, Domestic and Laun-
fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire
dering, Commercial: Accelerated
conditions.
Method 132 Colorfastness to Dry-Cleaning
1.5.1 The results of this evaluation may be used as elements
Method 135 Dimensional Changes Automatic Home Laun-
of a fire-risk assessment which takes into account all of the
dering of Woven and Knitted Fabrics
factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard
Method 158 Dimensional Changes on Drycleaning in Per-
of a particular end use.
chloroethylene: Machine Method
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
2.3 Federal Standard:
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
Federal Test Method Standard (FTMS) No. 191A
only.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.01.
1 3
This performance specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee Discontinued; see 1991 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.01.
F-18 on Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers and is the direct responsibility Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.02.
of Subcommittee F18.65 on Wearing Apparel. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.03.
Current edition approved April 10, 1998. Published November 1998. Originally AATCC Technical Manual, available from American Association of Textile
e1
published as F 1506–1994. Last previous edition F 1506–1994 . Chemists and Colorists, PO Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709.
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
F 1506
Method 5903.1, Flame Resistance Cloth Vertical 5.1.1 Material tests may be performed on samples taken
from finished garments.
3. Terminology
5.2 Lot size for the initial (without laundering) flammability
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of textile terms used in this test shall be 4572 m (5000 yd) of manufactured fabric or the
manufactured yardage, whichever is less. One sample of 1.0 m
specification refer to Terminology D 123.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: shall be taken from each lot.
5.3 Lot size for all other tests except design tests shall be 45
3.2.1 basic protection level—the level of protection pro-
vided by flame-resistant materials that do not continue to burn 720 m (50 000 yd) or at least every three months, whichever is
more frequent. One sample of 4.0 m shall be taken from each
after exposure to and removal of a source of ignition. (See 7.6.)
3.2.2 basic protection level wearing apparel—clothing in- lot.
5.4 Design tests shall be run on the original and when
tended for continuous wear for work activities in designated
locations in which exposure to momentary electric arc and changes are made to flame resistant textile materials, for
example, fiber type, yarn type, weaving style, fabric weight,
related radiant heat and open-flame sources is possible.
3.2.3 findings—miscellaneous fabrics in garments such as dyeing, finishing procedure.
zipper tapes, linings, pockets, waistbands, and facings.
6. Requirements
3.2.4 momentary electric arc—a discharge of electricity
through a gaseous media, normally characterized by a voltage
6.1 Thread, findings, and closures used in garment construc-
drop in the immediate vicinity of the electrodes approximately
tion shall not contribute to the severity of injuries to the wearer
equal to the ionization potential of the gaseous media.
in the event of a momentary electric arc and related thermal
3.2.5 radiant heat—heat communicated by energy propa-
exposure.
gated through space and transmitted by electromagnetic waves.
6.2 The properties of materials for basic protection level
3.2.6 thermal hazard—the heat energy sufficient to cause
wearing apparel shall conform to the specifications in Table 1
burn injury to human tissue subjected to a momentary electric
and Table 2, when evaluated in accordance with Section 7.
arc.
NOTE 4—Physical characteristic tests and values in Section 7 and Table
3.2.7 user—the employer or entity purchasing the equip-
1 and Table 2 are based on experience from woven and knit fabrics
ment to be utilized by workers for their protection; in the
currently in use and may not be applicable to other fabric types.
absence of such an employer or entity, the individual purchas-
NOTE 5—Characteristics (for example, clothing ensembles, design, and
ing and utilizing the protective equipment.
laundry maintenance) of protective garments for basic protection level
wearing apparel should be guided by the information contained in
4. Significance and Use
Appendix X1.
4.1 This specification provides performance properties for
6.3 Garments shall be labeled with the following informa-
textile materials used in wearing apparel that represent initial
tion:
minimum requirements for basic protection levels.
6.3.1 Tracking identification code system;
4.1.1 The performance properties have been selected based
6.3.2 Meets requirements of ASTM F1506;
on materials in use and take into consideration durability
6.3.3 Manufacturer’s name;
requirements for specific apparel.
6.3.4 Size and other associated standard labeling; and
4.2 At the present time, the basic protection level for
6.3.5 Care instructions and fiber content.
exposure to momentary electric arc and related thermal hazards
is defined by a vertical flame-resistance test. (See 7.6 and the
7. Test Methods
other tests listed in Section 7.)
7.1 Breaking Load—Determine the breaking load in accor-
4.3
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