Any employees who work in an industry that presents a risk of fire knows the importance of understanding NFPA 70E and 2112 standards. Should a burst or fire occur, these workers need to be protected from the flames. Therefore, wearing fire-resistant clothing is important. In instances when a fire has harmed a worker, most of the damage was found on areas covered by non-fire-resistant clothing. Essentially, wearing non-fire-resistant clothing is more damaging than wearing nothing at all in some cases. Understanding what exactly NFPA 70E and NFPA 2122 standards are can have life-changing effects on an industry worker’s safety.
Understanding NFPA 70E And NFPA 2122
NFPA 70E—the Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace—is an electrical standard put into effect to safeguard employees working in hazardous situations that could include an arc flash. OSHA defines an arc flash as a flash of electric current that leaves its intended path and travels through the air from conductor to conductor or to the ground. This process is often violent, and it can lead to injury or death. The NFPA 70E focuses on fabric, specifically in gloves, sleeves, footwear, and face and eye protection.
NFPA 2122—the Standard on Flame-Resistant Clothing for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Short-Duration Thermal Exposures from Fire—provides the criteria for clothing to protect against flash fire. NFPA 2122 products must be tested by a certified third party. This standard was put in place for protection against industrial flash fire hazards. Flash fire is a sudden and intense fire that’s short in duration but that has the potential to be severely dangerous.
What Not To Wear
Working in a field where explosions are a risk means wearing flame-resistant PPE is essential. Wearing something made from untreated cotton could lead to serious injury if the material caught on fire, because cotton burns quickly. Untreated polyester and nylon are also hazardous. Polyester and cotton together is the worst combination because they’ll quickly ignite.
What To Wear
Understanding NFPA 70E and 2112 standards can save an individual from harm and even death, so avoiding flammable materials and opting for fire-resistant clothing is the safest option. At FR Outlet, we can meet all your fire-resistant clothing needs, including fire-resistant clothing, boots, and outerwear. Our fire-resistant pants feature 100% fire-resistant cotton, ultrasoft blends, and ripstop features. In addition, our fire-resistant pants feature DuPont’s Nomex thread to hold your clothing together when a flash, an arc, or heat is present.
Here at FR Outlet, we care about you and your safety. Think of us as your one-stop shop for all things fire-resistant. We offer a large selection of fire-resistant clothing is all sizes, including regular, big, tall, and long. We also offer a variety of well-known brands at the lowest possible cost. We are here to help you do your job safely, so come check us out at FR Outlet for all your safety needs.