A Hazmat Responder's
Guide to Flash Fire
Protective Clothing
Susan Lovasic
DuPont Protection Technologies
May 30, 2015
Session: 710
Saturday | 3:50 – 5:20 PM
© DuPont 2015
2
Outline
• Hazard assessments – Dual chemical
and fire hazards
• What does “FR” mean?
• Burn injury overview
• NFPA standards to assess “FR” properties
of chemical protective clothing
• NFPA “FR” test methods reviewed
•
Flammability
 Thermal Insulation
•
Thermal Shrinkage
 Heat Stability
•
Garment Flame
Engulfment
 Garment Integrity
•
After Exposure
Body Burn Assessment
• Summary
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3
Chemical & Fire Dual Hazards Are Common
ACADEMIC LABS
INDUSTRY
TRAIN SHIPMENTS
LAW ENFORCEMENT
TRUCK SHIPMENTS
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Hazard Assessment Considerations @ Scene
•
Possible Fuel sources:
•
Flammable Liquids
•
Flammable Gases
•
Combustible Dusts
GHS Label Elements for Flammable (and Combustible) Liquids
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What if you saw this at a response site?
vinyldimethylchlorosilane
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Examples of Chemicals with Dual CR/FR Hazards
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Formaldehyde (gas)
Hydrogen Sulfide (gas)
Hydrazine (liquid)
Toluene (liquid)
Acetone (liquid)
Methanol (liquid)
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Examples of Chemicals with Dual CR/FR Hazards
CR and FR Hazard at the site may be
in the same molecule… or not….
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Formaldehyde (gas)
Hydrogen Sulfide (gas)
Hydrazine (liquid)
Toluene (liquid)
Acetone (liquid)
Methanol (liquid)
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Choose Appropriate “CR” / “FR” PPE Based on the Hazards
Chemical Barrier
Protection?
Use Permeation
Data, etc. and Select
Garment Design
YES
NO
ASK
Flame or Electric Arc
Protection Only?
Chemical Barrier Protection and
Flame Resistance?
YES
YES
Traditional
“FR” PPE
Special Dual Protection
“CR/FR” PPE
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NO
Traditional
“CR” PPE
9
Why Consider “FR” Characteristics of Your HazMat Suit?
•
Most materials used in traditional chemical resistant (CR) clothing are flammable
and meltable.
•
Most materials used in traditional flame resistant (FR) clothing
offer no chemical protection.
•
If heat/flame and chemical hazards are present,
•
•
Do not wear a traditional CR suit over a traditional FR suit
•
Do not wear a traditional CR suit under a traditional FR suit
HazMat response scenarios often can involve materials that
are considered “flammable”.
•
Concentration above LFL (consider enclosed spaces)
•
May or may not be of concern for its corrosive or toxic nature
•
The flammable and toxic/corrosive hazards don’t have to be in
same molecule – just the same vicinity.
•
Risk assessments should consider likelihood of chemicals
igniting (or reacting) when personnel are present.
•
Several NFPA standards for PPE can assess response to flame exposure to
predict PPE’s ability to aid the wearer to escape with minimal harm.
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the
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What Does the Term “FR” Mean to You?
Does it mean that the (chemical) suit will …
• not ignite when exposed to a flame?
• ignite when exposed to a flame, but will
quickly self-extinguish with minimal
damage once the flame source is removed?
• not melt and drip?
• remain intact and provide thermal insulation to protect the
wearer’s skin to reduce likelihood of thermal burn injury?
• remain intact and continue to holdout remaining
chemical hazards (vapor or liquid)?
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Burn Injuries
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NFPA Performance Standards for Consideration
Standard
“CR”
“FR”
NFPA 1991
Yes – Vapor
(and Liquid)
Baseline Requirement
Plus
Optional Requirements
NFPA 1992
Yes – Liquid Splash
Optional Requirements
NFPA 1994
Yes – CBRN
None
NFPA 2112 *
None
Mandatory
•
•
PPE can be certified to more than one NFPA standard
NFPA requires 3rd party certification
* NFPA 2112 has a companion SUCAM Document (NFPA 2113)
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Long Duration
Thermal
Exposure
Flashfire
Escape
Slow Burn
or SelfExtinguish
Stop, Drop
& Roll
FR & Thermal Performance
Ranges - Chemical and Flame/Thermal Protection
Structural
Firefighting Gear
With NFPA 1992 and 2112
NFPA
2112
NFPA 1992 with FF Option
NFPA 1991
with FF Option
No garments or ensembles are
certified to NFPA 1992 with the
Flash Fire Escape Option.
Secondary FR
Traditional CR Suits
Chemical Barrier Performance
No Liquid
Barrier
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Liquid
Barrier
Acids &
Bases
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Many
Organics
Most
Chemicals
14
“Primary” vs. “Secondary” FR Garments
•
Primary FR garments can be expected to protect the
wearer from heat/flame.
•
•
“Stand-alone” FR garment
e.g. Garment certified to NFPA 2112
•
Secondary FR garments are meant to be worn over
Primary FR garments to keep those garments clean and
to extend wear life.
•
Secondary FR garments should not be worn alone or
over everyday (flammable) garments in an area needing
flame resistant PPE clothing based on a hazard
assessment.
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NFPA Standards
•
•
NFPA performance standards to verify that the PPE can provide
ESCAPE TIME from an unintended fire exposure.
•
NFPA 1991 with flash fire escape option certification
•
NFPA 1992 with flash fire escape option certification
•
NFPA 2112 certification
But even these suits are not appropriate for entry into a burning
room, structural fire fighting, proximity fire fighting, etc.
•
Other NFPA standards exists for PPE for these types of hazards
•
Primary Flame Resistant PPE is designed to reduce burn injury
and increase the wearer’s chances of survival.
•
However, burn injuries can occur in spite of the use of Primary
FR clothing.
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Not all NFPA standards relate
to protective clothing
NFPA 701: “Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Flame
Propagation of Textiles and Films, 2015 Edition”
•
•
Cited by some suit manufacturers to infer “FR” clothing.
•
NOT appropriate to assess “FR” performance of clothing.
Only appropriate for textile materials used in furnishings like
curtains, draperies or window treatments or for decorative
purposes or awnings, tents, tarps and banners.
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NFPA 2112
“Standard on Flame-Resistant Garments for
Protection of Industrial Personnel Against
Flash Fire, 2012 Edition”
•
Specifies minimum performance requirements for flame-resistant
fabrics and components;
and
•
Specifies the design and certification requirements for garments to
be used in areas at risk from flash fires.
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High Level Comparison – “FR” Tests
Test Evaluates
Flammability
Thermal Insulation
NFPA 1991
Base
NFPA 1991 w/
FF Option
NFPA 1992 w/
FF Option
NFPA 2112







Thermal Shrinkage

Heat Stability

Garment Flame
Engulfment


Garment Integrity
After Exposure



Body Burn
Assessment

Component Testing
(thread, zippers, etc)

Glove, Visor, Boot
Testing

*
* NFPA 1992 permits certification of a garment or an ensemble
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Flammability Requirements
Test Methods
Flammability
ASTM F1358
NFPA 1991
Base
NFPA 1991 w/
FF Option
NFPA 1992 w/
FF Option
NFPA 2112







ASTM D6413

ASTM F1358
•
•
“Standard Test Method for Effects of Flame
Impingement on Materials Used in Protective
Clothing Not Designated Primarily for Flame
Resistance”
Tests material with flame impinging on a
folded edge
•
Each NFPA standard has a different
pass/fail criteria
•
NFPA 2112 requires the same flammability
performance for the material as received
and after 100 industrial wash/dry cycles.
•
Note that the NFPA 1991 “base”
flammability requirement does not imply
protection from open flame or other severe
heat exposure.
• Intended to minimize the hazard for
incidental contact with flame.
ASTM D6413
•
“Standard Test Method for Flame Resistance
of Textiles (Vertical Test)”
•
Tests material with flame impinging on
cut edge
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Glass Door
Flammability
Test Unit
(Closed During Test)
Timer
Fabric
Specimen
in Holder
Used for
ASTM F1358
and
ASTM D6413
Bunsen
Burner
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Vertical Flammability Test
Flammable Fabric
ASTM D6413
RESULT:
Flammable fabric
ignited and
continued to burn
after the burner
flame turned off.
Entire 12 inch
length of fabric
was consumed.
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Vertical Flammability Test
Flame Resistant Fabric
ASTM D6413
(passes NFPA 2112 criteria)
RESULT:
FR fabric
self-extinguished
after the burner
flame turned off.
Only a short
length of fabric
was damaged.
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24
ASTM F1358
Note flame impingement
is on folded bottom edge
Image Source: “NFPA Standards on Chemical Protective Clothing – History,
Evolution and Current Criteria” - 22 July 2013
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NFPA Standard
NFPA 1991 Base
Requirements
Flame Exposure Time
• 3 sec flame exposure
THEN
• 12 sec flame exposure
•
•
•
•
•
≤10 sec afterflame
≤4 inches char damage
No melting / dripping
• 3 sec flame exposure
THEN
• 12 sec flame exposure
•
•
No ignition
≤1 sec afterflame
•
•
•
≤2 sec afterflame
≤4 inches char damage
No melting / dripping
• 3 sec flame exposure
THEN
• 12 sec flame exposure
•
•
No ignition
≤1 sec afterflame
•
•
•
≤2 sec afterflame
≤4 inches char damage
No melting / dripping
•
•
•
•
≤2 sec afterflame
≤4 inches char damage
No melting / dripping
ASTM F1358 (fold)
NFPA 1991 Optional
Flash Fire Escape
ASTM F1358 (fold)
NFPA 1992 Optional
Flash Fire Escape
ASTM F1358 (fold)
NFPA 2112
12 sec flame exposure
ASTM D6413 (edge)
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Pass/Fail Criteria
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No ignition
≤1 sec afterflame
------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------
26
Thermal Insulation Requirements
Test Methods
NFPA 1991
Base
NFPA 1991 w/
FF Option
NFPA 1992 w/
FF Option
NFPA 2112





Thermal Insulation
ASTM F2700 (HTP)
ISO 17492 (TPP)

•
ASTM F2700 “Standard Test Method for
Unsteady State Heat Transfer Evaluation
of Flame Resistant Materials for Clothing
with Continuous Heating”
•
ISO 17492 “Clothing for protection against
heat and flame - Determination of heat
transmission on exposure to both flame
and radiant heat”
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•
Both test methods measure the thermal
insulation properties of the material and
determine the exposure time required for
a 2nd degree skin burn (blister) to occur
•
Neither method accounts for stored heat
causing additional burn injury
•
A copper calorimeter (sensor) is used to
measure heat transfer through the
material
•
Each NFPA standard has different
pass/fail criteria
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Thermal Protective Performance (TPP*) Test Unit
Conditions:
• 2 cal/cm²s Heat Flux
•
•
50/50 Balance of Radiant/Convective Energy
Spacer (0.25 inches)
–Used for Spaced Test
–Omitted for Contact Test
* Same for HTP
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Thermal Protective Performance
(TPP or HTP) Test Operation
28
Note: FF turnout
gear fabric was
used to extend
length of test
for video.
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Thermal Insulation Requirements
NFPA Standard
NFPA 1991 Optional
Flash Fire Escape
Pass/Fail Criteria
• Contact
≥12 cal/cm2
• Contact
≥12 cal/cm2
• Contact
• Spaced
≥3 cal/cm2
≥6 cal/cm2
ISO 17492
NFPA 1992 Optional
Flash Fire Escape
ASTM F2700
NFPA 2112
ASTM F2700
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Thermal Shrinkage & Heat Stability Requirements
Test Methods
NFPA 1991
Base
NFPA 1991 w/
FF Option
NFPA 1992 w/
FF Option


Thermal Shrinkage
NFPA Method


Heat Stability
NFPA Method
Same Method for Both
•
•
NFPA 2112
5 minute exposure in a 260C (500F) oven
Test suit material and components (zippers, etc.)
BEFORE
Pass / Fail Criteria
Shrinkage: ≤10% shrinkage in any dimension
Stability: Shall not melt and drip, separate, or ignite;
and shall remain functional.
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AFTER
31
Garment Flame Engulfment Requirements
Test Methods
NFPA 1991
Base
NFPA 1991 w/
FF Option
NFPA 1992 w/
FF Option
NFPA 2112
Garment Flame
Engulfment



NFPA Method


ASTM F1930
Garment Integrity
After Exposure


Body Burn
Assessment
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

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NFPA 1991/1992 Method - Overall Ensemble Flash Test
•
Ensemble* (suit, gloves, footwear) is placed on a mannequin
in a test chamber
•
6.5’ x 6.5’ x 8.0’ with “open” roof
•
Chamber is filled with 99% purity propane
•
Propane is permitted to mix for 30 seconds
•
Ignition source is activated remotely
•
Resulting flash fire must last 7 seconds ± 1 second
•
Heat intensity is not measure or specified
•
Afterflaming time noted and recorded
•
Suit is permitted to cool then removed from
mannequin
•
Integrity testing is conducted
•
Only one suit is tested to determine pass/fail
* NFPA 1992 permits certification of a garment or an ensemble
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NFPA 1991/1992 Method - Overall Ensemble Flash Test
Image Source: “NFPA Standards on Chemical Protective
Clothing – History, Evolution and Current Criteria” - 22 July
2013
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NFPA 1991/1992 Method - Overall Ensemble Flash Test
NFPA Standard
Pass/Fail Criteria
NFPA 1991 Optional
Flash Fire Escape
•
NFPA 1992 Optional
Flash Fire Escape
•
≤2 sec afterflame
After ensemble cools
• Gas Tight Integrity checked (ASTM F1052)
- Must hold ≥0.5 inches H2O pressure
• Visor Visual Acuity
- Must be at least 20/100
≤2 sec afterflame
After ensemble cools
• Liquid Tight Integrity checked (ASTM F1359)
- Must pass 20 minute shower test exposure
• Visor Visual Acuity*
- Must be at least 20/100
* NFPA 1992 garments are permitted to not include a visor
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NFPA 2112 Instrumented Thermal Manikin Test
• ASTM F1930 – “Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Flame
Resistant Clothing for Protection Against Fire Simulations Using an
Instrumented Manikin”
• Standard pattern coverall made with test fabric is used
• Basic pattern – no pockets, slim fit, no hood, etc
• Not actual commercial garment style used for NFPA 2112 certification
• Tested over cotton T-shirt and briefs
• Test conditions:
• Heat Flux = 2 cal/cm²s with 3.0 seconds exposure time
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Thermal Manikin ASTM F1930
• “Jet” fire exposure chamber
• Mannequin is engulfed by flames
• Fire of specific intensity / duration
• Burn injury predicted for garment(s)
• Developed in 1970’s by U.S. Military
& DuPont
• Three lab facilities in North America
• DuPont (Richmond, VA)
•
•
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North Carolina State University
University of Alberta, Canada
37
F1930 (Thermo-Man®) Information Example
6 oz/yd2 Nomex® IIIA coverall worn over
cotton T-shirt and briefs
Burn Injury Timeline
Predicted Survival
Degree, Location and Total Level of Potential Burn Injuries of Specific Garment System
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Everyday vs Flame Resistant Clothing
Left Side
Shirt / Pants
are FR
3.5 seconds
exposure
Note how
Polyester /
Cotton fabric
on right
burns and
melts/drips
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Traditional CR Suits vs Special CR/FR Suit
Non-FR
Tychem®
Tychem®
ThermoPro
Non-FR
Competitor
worn over
Primary FR Coverall
worn over
Cotton Underwear
worn over
Primary FR Coverall
% Body Burn
> 55%
% Body Burn
< 12%
% Body Burn
> 75%
All are Chemical
(CR) Suits
Middle Suit is
Special CR/FR
3.0 seconds
exposure
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Flame Resistant (FR) Clothing
Certified to NFPA 2112 Criteria
•
Does not ignite and / or continue to burn
when flame source is removed
•
•
Does not melt and drip
Maintains a thermal barrier
• Insulates the wearer from heat
• Resists breaking open
•
•
Provides valuable escape time
Reduces Burn Injury and
Increases Chances of Survival
Burn injuries can occur in spite of FR clothing use.
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Summary – NFPA Standard “FR” Assessments
•
These NFPA performance standards are meant to verify that
the PPE can provide ESCAPE TIME from an unintended fire
exposure.
•
NFPA 1991 with flash fire escape option certification
•
NFPA 1992 with flash fire escape option certification
•
NFPA 2112 certification
•
But these suits are not appropriate for entry to a burning
room, structural fire fighting, proximity fire fighting, etc.
•
Primary Flame Resistant PPE is designed to reduce burn
injury and increase the wearer’s chances of survival.
•
However, burn injuries can occur in spite of the use of FR
clothing.
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© DuPont 2015
42
Long Duration
Thermal
Exposure
Flashfire
Escape
Slow Burn
or SelfExtinguish
Stop, Drop
& Roll
FR & Thermal Performance
Ranges - Chemical and Flame/Thermal Protection
Structural
Firefighting Gear
With NFPA 1992 and 2112
NFPA
2112
NFPA 1992 with FF Option
NFPA 1991
with FF Option
No garments or ensembles are
certified to NFPA 1992 with the
Flash Fire Escape Option.
Secondary FR
Traditional CR Suits
Chemical Barrier Performance
No Liquid
Barrier
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Liquid
Barrier
Acids &
Bases
© DuPont 2015
Many
Organics
Most
Chemicals
43
Summary – Chemical and Flame Exposure PPE
•
•
•
Hazard assessments should consider the likelihood of any nearby chemicals
igniting or reacting when personnel are present.
•
Most materials used in traditional chemical resistant (CR) clothing are
flammable and meltable.
•
Most materials used in traditional flame resistant (FR) clothing offer no
chemical protection.
•
Several NFPA standards for PPE can assess response to fire exposure
to predict the PPE’s ability to aid the wearer in escaping with minimal
harm.
•
Hazard assessments should verify that both the “CR” properties and
“FR” properties of the chosen PPE fully match the identified hazard(s).
When heat/flame hazards are present along with
chemical hazards,
•
Do not wear a traditional CR suit over a traditional FR suit
•
Do not wear a traditional CR suit under a traditional FR suit
Make sure the suit manufacturer fully states the level
of CR and the level of FR performance to expect.
Check and understand the performance data.
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44
THANK YOU
Susan Lovasic
Principal Investigator
DuPont Protection Technologies
Phone:
(804) 383 - 5060
E-mail:
Susan.L.Lovasic@dupont.com
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This information corresponds to our current knowledge on the subject and may be subject to revision as
new knowledge becomes available. It is your responsibility to investigate other sources of information
on this issue that more appropriately addresses your product and its intended use. This information is
not intended for use by you or others in advertising, promotion, publication or any other commercial use.
DUPONT MAKES NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND REGARDING THIS INFORMATION AND
ASSUMES NO LIABILITY WHATSOEVER IN CONNECTION WITH ANY USE OF THIS INFORMATION.
This information is not a license to operate under, or intended to suggest infringement of, any existing
trademarks or patents.
Copyright © 2015 DuPont. All rights reserved. The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont™, The
miracles of science™, ThermoMan®, Tempro®, Tychem® and Reflector® are registered
trademarks or trademarks of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company or its affiliates.
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