Hazard > Electric Arc Flash Protection > ASTM 1506

ASTM F1506

The intense energy and very short duration of an electric arc flash represents a very unique exposure. Everyday work clothes made from regular cotton or poly/cotton fabrics, regardless of weight, can be readily ignited at some exposure level and will continue to burn adding to the extent of injury sustained from the arc alone. In addition ASTM F1506 (Standard Performance Specification for Textile Materials for Wearing Apparel for Use by Electrical Workers Exposed to Momentary Arc and Related Thermal Hazards) was developed to give minimum performance specifications for protective clothing. The major requirement of this specification was that the fabric is flame resistant, determined by using the standard vertical flame test.

ASTM F-1506 provides some minimum performance criteria both for fabrics and for garments. Fabrics and garments that meet the requirements of ASTM F1506 are compliant and acceptable for use for NFPA 70E and OSHA 1910.269.

Fabrics designed for use in garments in the electric industry have two main requirements:

1. That when tested to ASTM D6413 (The Vertical Flame Test) there is a maximum six inch char length requirement. The Vertical Flame test is a good indicator if a fabric is flame resistant or not, but does not predict the protective properties of a fabric.
2. Fabrics must be tested to ASTM F1959; Standard Test Method for determining the Arc Thermal Performance Value (ATPV) of Materials for Clothing. ASTM F1959 test method provides an ATPV or Arc Rating of a fabric which is the amount of energy in calories/cm2 predicting a 50% of a second degree burn.

Garments must meet the following requirements under ASTM F1506:

1. Components of the garment must be flame resistant.
2. Metal components can not be exposed to the wearer.
3. Labels requiring the manufactures name, cut number and date of manufacturing.
4. Labels must state the garment meets ASTM F1506.
5. Labels must indicate the Arc Rating of the garment either as a single layer or combination.
6. FR Thread must be used in the construction of the garment.