A R C - F L A S H P R OT E C T I V E C L OT H I N G F O R N F PA 7 0 E
NFPA 70E is the national consensus
standard for electrical safety in the
workplace.
The scope of this standard is to address safety-related work
practices for the practical safeguarding of employees relative
to the hazards associated with working around electrical
energy. It specifically covers those electrical work practices
performed by electricians and maintenance workers within
a facility.
Nearly all industries fall under the practices outlined in
NFPA 70E. Manufacturing industries using high-voltage
electrical equipment, such as aerospace, automotive,
food processing, pulp and paper, industrial equipment,
electronics, pharmaceuticals, and many others, are all
covered by NFPA 70E. However, NFPA 70E does not cover
electrical work performed outside of the facility that is under
the exclusive control of an electric utility. This industry is
covered by the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC).
Many state OSHA agencies use NFPA 70E as their guideline
for evaluating the protection of electrical workers. Those
companies not protecting their employees from electric
arc-flash hazards as described by this standard are at risk
for potential fines should a safety inspection take place or
an accident occur. So compliance with NFPA 70E not only
protects workers but reduces the risk of OSHA fines.
This informational guide will give you a brief overview of the
NFPA 70E sections related to arc-flash protective clothing
and other personal protective equipment (PPE).
Arc- Flash Protective Clothing FOR NFPA 70E – 1
NFPA 70E
Article 130 – Work Involving Electrical Hazards
Section 130.5 Arc-Flash Risk Assessment
This is the section within NFPA 70E that addresses the
conditions under which PPE is required and the type and
level of protection needed for various work conditions.
It starts by stating, “Energized electrical conductors and
circuit parts…shall be put into an electrically safe work
condition before an employee performs work…”With that
said, the standard goes on to state that“ energized work
shall be permitted where the employer can demonstrate that
de-energizing introduces additional hazards or increased
risk.” It also states that “energized work shall be permitted
where the employer can demonstrate that the task to be
performed is infeasible in a de-energized state due to
equipment design or operational limitations.”
A critical piece of the hazard assessment is performing an
arc-flash hazard analysis. This analysis is required in order
to establish the arc-flash boundary, the incident energy at
the working distance and the PPE that people within the
arc-flash boundary shall use.
PLUS: Equipment operating at less than 50 volts is not
required to be de-energized.
This section allows for the selection of the protective
clothing and other PPE to be established by either
performing an incident energy analysis or by using the
PPE tables established in the standard. You can determine
the PPE category by comparing the desired job with
common tasks found in NFPA 70E table 130.7 (C)(15) (A) (b).
Once the task has been identified on the table, one of five
PPE category numbers will be identified as appropriate
for that task. Each of these categories requires garments
with the minimum associated arc rating and other PPE
to be worn.
Hazard Assessment
In order to determine the proper type and protection level of
PPE, a hazard assessment must be performed. In addition,
federal OSHA requires employers to conduct hazard
assessments in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.132(d). If an
arc-flash hazard is present, OSHA deems the employer to be
in compliance if NFPA 70E is the basis of determining the
arc-flash protection boundary and the necessary PPE.
Fig. 1
ARC FLASH BOUNDARY =
The distance at which the
incident energy equals 1.2
cal/cm². This is the energy
level that will generate a
second-degree burn on
exposed skin.
Energized Component
Flash Boundary
2 – Workrite Uniform Company, Inc.
Within the flash boundary, a person
could receive at least a second-degree
burn from an arc flash.
70E Arc-Flash Hazard PPE Categories for Alternating Current (ac) Systems
Table 130.7 (C)(15)(A)(b)
PPE
Category
Arc-Flash
Boundary
Panelboards or other equipment rated 240V or below. Maximum of 25kA
short-circuit current available; maximum of 0.03 sec (two cycles) fault clearing time;
working distance 455 mm (18 in.).
1
485 mm
(19 in.)
Panelboards or other equipment rated > 240V and up to 600V.
Parameters: Maximum of 25kA short-circuit current available; maximum of 0.03 sec
(two cycles) fault clearing time; working distance of 455 mm (18 in.).
2
900 mm
(3 ft.)
2
1.5m
(5 ft.)
4
12m
(40 ft.)
Equipment
Other 600 V class (277 V through 600 V, nominal) equipment.
Parameters: Maximum of 65 kA short-circuit current available; maximum
of 0.03 sec (two cycle) fault clearing time; minimum 18 in. working distance.
Metal-clad switchgear, 1kV through 15 kV. Parameters: Maximum if 35 kV shirt-circuit
current available; maximum of up to 0.24 sec (15 cycles) fault clearing time; working
distance 910 mm (36 in.).
Once the HRC number has been identified from the task table, the PPE table 130.7 (C)(16) (see page 4) shall be used to
determine the requirements for the specific protective clothing and other PPE based on that HRC number. HRC 1 and 2 are
typically standard work clothes that have been arc rated from between a minimum of 4 cal/cm² for HRC 1, and a minimum
of 8 cal/cm² for HRC 2. When the incident energy potential reaches 25 cal/cm², HRC 3 is required; at 40 cal/cm² and greater,
HRC 4 garments are required.
Arc- Flash Protective Clothing FOR NFPA 70E – 3
70E Hazard/Risk Category Classification Table (Cont.)
Table 130.7 (C)(16)
PPE
Category
1
Clothing & PPE Description
Arc-Rated Clothing: Arc-rated long-sleeve shirt and pants or arc-rated coverall,
arc-rated face shield or arc-flash suit hood, arc-rated jacket, parka, rainwear or hard
hat liner as needed
Minimum
Arc Rating
4 cal/cm²
Protective Equipment: Hard hat, safety glasses or goggles, hearing protection,
leather gloves, leather footwear
2
Arc-Rated Clothing: Arc-rated long-sleeve shirt and pants or arc-rated coverall, arcrated face shield and arc-rated balaclava or arc-flash suit hood, arc-rated jacket, parka,
rainwear or hard hat liner as needed
8 cal/cm²
Protective Equipment: Hard hat, safety glasses or goggles, hearing protection,
leather gloves, leather footwear
3
Arc-Rated Clothing: Arc-rated long-sleeve shirt, arc-rated pants, arc-rated coverall,
arc-rated flash suit jacket, arc-rated flash suit pants, arc-rated flash suit hood, arc-rated
gloves, arc-rated jacket, parka, rainwear or hard hat liner as needed
25 cal/cm²
Protective Equipment: Hard hat, safety glasses or goggles, hearing protection,
leather gloves, leather footwear
4
Arc-Rated Clothing: Arc-rated long-sleeve shirt, arc-rated pants, arc-rated coverall,
arc-rated flash suit jacket, arc-rated flash suit pants, arc-rated flash suit hood, arc-rated
gloves, arc-rated jacket, parka, rainwear or hard hat liner as needed
Protective Equipment: Hard hat, safety glasses or goggles, hearing protection,
leather gloves, leather footwear
4 – Workrite Uniform Company, Inc.
40 cal/cm²
Section 130.7 Personal and Other Protective
Equipment
This is the section that provides specific requirements for
those employees working in areas where electrical hazards
are present. Those employees are required to be provided
with and use protective equipment designed for the specific
part of the body to be protected at the incident energy level,
as established in the arc hazard analysis or as specified in
the HRC tables.
The specific parts of the body required to be protected
include:
Head, Face, Neck and Chin (Head Area) Protection
Non-conductive head protection whenever there is a danger
from shock, contact burns or flying objects from electrical
explosions. The face, neck and chin shall be protected from
exposure to electric arcs or flashes and flying objects. If
hairnets or beardnets are used, they must be arc-rated.
Eye Protection
Eye protection when there is a danger from electric arcs,
flashes or flying objects.
Hearing Protection
Hearing protection whenever working within the arc-flash
boundary.
Body Protection
Arc-rated clothing whenever there is a possibility of
exposure to an electric arc flash above an incident energy
level of 1.2 cal/cm².
Hand and Arm Protection
Hand and arm protection as appropriate for either shock
and/or arc flash as detailed in other sections.
Factors in Selection
The specific factors in the selection of protective clothing
are stated as: “If arc-rated clothing is required, it shall
cover associated parts of the body as well as all flammable
apparel.” It goes on to state that “garments that are not
arc-rated shall not be permitted to be used to increase the
arc rating of a garment or of a clothing system.”
Layering, Coverage and Fit
General non-melting, flammable fiber garments are
permitted to be used as under layers in conjunction with
arc-rated garments for added protection. The arc rating of
the system must be sufficient to prevent break-open of the
innermost arc-rated layer.
Outer Layers
The outermost layer, such as jackets or rainwear, must be
made of arc-rated material.
Under Layers
Meltable fibers such as acetate, nylon, polyester,
polypropylene and spandex are not permitted in fabric under
layers (underwear) next to the skin.
Coverage
Clothing must cover potentially exposed areas as completely
as possible. Shirts and coverall sleeves shall be fastened
at the wrist, shirts shall be tucked into pants, and shirts,
coveralls and jackets should be closed at the neck.
Fit
Tight-fitting clothing should be avoided. Loose-fitting
clothing provides additional insulation because of air spaces.
Interference
The garment should have the least interference with the
task but still provide the necessary protection.
Arc- Flash Protective Clothing FOR NFPA 70E – 5
Simplified Choices with Two Clothing Sets
Though different clothing is specified for each arc-rating minimum, many companies simplify their needs by choosing just
two sets of clothing for their people to handle all electrical tasks:
(a) A garment set with an arc rating of at
least 8 cal/cm² for the more routine tasks
of PFE category 1 and 2
(b) A garment set with an arc rating of at
least 40 cal/cm² for more specialized
tasks of PFE category 3 and 4
Standards on Protective Equipment
Table 130.7(C)(14) lists the various performance standards, to which the protective clothing and PPE needs to conform.
PPE Type
Apparel – Arc-Rated
Eye and Face – General
Document Number
Document Title
ASTM F1506
Standard Performance for Flame-Resistant and Arc-Rated Textile
Materials for Wearing Apparel for Use by Electrical Workers
Exposed to Momentary Electric Arc and Related Thermal
Hazards
ANSI/ASSE Z87.1
Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face
Protection
Face – Arc-Rated
ASTM F2178
Standard Test Method for Determining the Arc Rating and
Standard Specification for Face Protective Products
Gloves – Leather Protectors
ASTM F696
Standard Specification for Leather Protectors for Rubber
Insulating Gloves and Mittens
Gloves – Rubber Insulating
ASTM D120
Head Protection – Hard Hat
ANSI/ISEA Z89.1
Rainwear – Arc-Rated
6 – Workrite Uniform Company, Inc.
ASTM F1891
Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Gloves
Personal Protection – Protective Headwear for Industrial
Workers
Standard Specification for Arc- and Flame-Resistant Rainwear
So What Role Can Arc-Rated Clothing Play?
• Clothed areas can be burned more severely than skin that
is exposed directly to the arc flash, because the initial
exposure is of a short duration while the burning clothing
continues to apply heat to the skin until it either goes out
or is removed
Arc-rated clothing:
• Does not ignite or continue to burn
• Provides a protective barrier against the arc flash
• The long-term cost of a single burn injury can exceed
the cost of an entire FR clothing program
• Insulates the wearer from heat
Why is this important?
• Most severe burns are caused by ignited clothing rather
than by the original hazard
• Rehabilitation for burn injuries can be extremely long
and painful
Arc-rated clothing is worn as insurance. In the unlikely event of an arc flash, these garments:
• Minimize or reduce burn injury
• Increase chances of survival
Surviving a Burn Injury
Burn Survival Rate
100
% Survival
75
25% Body Burn
50
50% Body Burn
75% Body Burn
25
0
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
Age Groups
Summary
Each year, more than 2,000 employees are admitted to burn centers with severe burns resulting from arc-flash accidents.
Manufacturing facility workers within the arc-flash boundary are at risk of being exposed to an arc-flash event while
performing common electrical work on energized parts or equipment. Because of that, being in compliance with the NFPA
70E safety standard not only protects those workers but reduces the risk of fines to the company should an accident occur.
Arc- Flash Protective Clothing FOR NFPA 70E – 7
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Oxnard, California 93030
1.800.521.1888 / 805-483-0175
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