Overview of NFPA 70E: NFPA 70E is not a law, but a “voluntary consensus standard” referenced by the National Electric Code for safety requirements and has been cited by OSHA under the General Duty Clause. Within every organization, there are a number of maintenance workers, electricians, machine operators, or HVAC personnel who are at risk of an electric arc flash and need FR clothing protection as specified by NFPA 70E. In fact, many industries where employees work on or near electrical equipment are affected by NFPA 70E.
An important change to NFPA 70E could result in increased sales for you!
In the past, a worker could use a non-FR undergarment, layered with an FR garment that was rated HRC 1 to achieve HRC 2 protection. This is no longer the case.
With the new NFPA 70E - 2009 revision, you can still wear cotton or natural fiber undergarments, however you cannot use non-FR garments to layer with an FR garment to increase the HRC rating.
What does this mean to you? You can now offer several solutions for NFPA 70E dailywear.
Here are 2 choices you can provide that will allow a wearer to achieve HRC 2 protection:
1. You can sell a single layer, stand alone garment that is rated HRC 2. Fabric choices vary, from DuPont Protera, Westex Indura Ultrasoft wovens and knits, as well as several other fabrics.
2. If your customer is wearing an HRC 1 rated garment, you can provide them with our FR Performance Wear T-Shirt, allowing the wearer to layer both garments to achieve proper HRC 2 protection.
If you would like additional support, please contact the NSA Regional Sales Manager in your area. Click here for NSA’s Territory Map.
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