Committee on NFPA 2113

Transcription

1 Committee on NFPA 2113 M E M O R A N D U M TO: FROM: NFPA Technical Committee on Flash Fire Protective Garments Jeanne Moreau DATE: March 9, 2010 SUBJECT: NFPA 2113 A11 ROP Letter Ballot The ROP letter ballot for NFPA 2113 is attached. The ballot is for formally voting on whether or not you concur with the committee s actions on the proposals. Reasons must accompany all negative and abstention ballots. Please do not vote negatively because of editorial errors. However, please bring such errors to my attention for action. Please complete and return your ballot as soon as possible but no later than Tuesday, March 23, As noted on the ballot form, please submit the ballot to Jeanne Moreau-Correia, to jmoreaucorreia@nfpa.org or fax to The return of ballots is required by the Regulations Governing Committee Projects. Attachment: Proposals

2 Log #3 Roger F. Parry, The DuPont Company Delete text as follows: Standard on Selection, Care, Use, and Maintenance of Flame-Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire. "Flash fires",or vapor cloud fires, are a very small subset of actual fire types experienced in industrial environments with fire hazards. The potential fires that exist can be in the form of pressurized flammable line breaks (jet fires), flammable liquid spills (pool fires), and fireballs (from Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosions or flammable material container BLEVE). The purpose of this standard is to provide minimum specification requirements to address all of these industrial thermal hazards. This goal is better served with the single term "fire", which encompasses all of the noted hazards. Revise title to read as follows: Standard on Selection, Care, Use, and Maintenance of Flame-Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire. The TC recognizes that the scope of NFPA 2113 is to prevent improper selection or misuse of flame resistant garments for industrial personnel, and is not necessarily limited to flash fire. 1

3 Log #CP11 Review entire document to: 1) Update any extracted material by preparing separate proposals to do so, and 2) review and update references to other organizations documents, by preparing proposal(s) as required. 2.2 NFPA Publications. National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA NFPA 2112, Standard on Flame-Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire, 2007 edition. 2.3 Other Publications ASTM Publications. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, P.O. Box C700,West Conshohocken, PA ASTM F 1449, Standard Guide for Industrial Laundering Care and Maintenance of Flame-Resistant and, Thermal, and Arc Resistant Protective Clothing, ASTM F 2757, Standard Guide for Home Laundering Care and Maintenance of Flame, Thermal and Arc Resistant Clothing, CSA Publications Spectrum Way, Suite 100, Mississauga, Ontario, L4W 5N6 Canada. CSA Z96, High-Visibility Safety Apparel, ISEA Publications. International Safety Equipment Association, 1901 North Moore Street, Arlington, VA ANSI/ISEA 107, American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear, References for Extracts in Mandatory Sections. NFPA 1851, Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Structural Fire Fighting Protective Ensembles, edition. NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, 2007 edition. NFPA 1975, Standard on Station/Work Uniforms for Fire and Emergency Services, edition. NFPA 1983, Standard on Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services, 2006 edition. NFPA1999, Standard on Protective Clothing for Emergency Medical Operations, edition. C.1.1 NFPA Publications. National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA NFPA 704, Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response, 2007 edition. NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, 2007 edition. NFPA 1977, Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting, 2005 edition. NFPA 1991, Standard on Vapor-Protective Ensembles for Hazardous Materials Emergencies, 2005 edition. NFPA1992, Standard on Liquid Splash-Protective Ensembles and Clothing for Hazardous Materials Emergencies, 2005 edition. NFPA1999, Standard on Protective Clothing for Emergency Medical Operations, edition. NFPA 2112, Standard on Flame-Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire, 2007 edition. C.1.2 Other Publications. C AATCC Publications. American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC AATCC 8, Colorfastness to Crocking: AATCC Crockmeter Method, Evaluation Procedure, AATCC 16e, Colorfastness to Light (Option 3), AATCC 61, Colorfastness to Laundering, Home and Commercial: Accelerated, AATCC 132, Colorfastness to Dry Cleaning, AATCC 135, Dimensional Changes of Fabrics After Home Laundering in Automatic Home Laundering of Woven and Knit Fabrics, C ASTM Publications. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, P.O. Box C700,West Conshohocken, PA ASTM D 1424, Standard Test Method for the Tearing Strength Resistance of Woven Fabrics by Falling Pendulum Type (Elmendorf) Apparatus, ASTM D 1683a, Standard Test Method for Failure in Sewn Seams of Woven Apparel Fabrics, ASTM D 3776, Test Methods for Mass Per Unit Area (Weight) of Woven Fabric, ASTM D 3787, Standard Test Method for Bursting Strength of Textiles Knitted Goods: Constant-Rate-of-Transverse (CRT) Ball Burst Test,

4 ASTM D 5034, Standard Test Method for the Breaking Strength Force and Elongation of Textile Fabrics (Grab Test), ASTM D 6413, Standard Test Method for Flame Resistance of Textiles (Vertical Test), ASTM F 1930, Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Flame Resistant Clothing for Protection Against Flash Fire Simulations Using an Instrumented Manikin, 1998 (Reaffirmed 2008). C CMA Publications. Chemical Manufacturers Association (now American Chemistry Council), 1300 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA Assessing Flame-resistant Clothing Use, CMA Manager s Guide, July C GSA Publications. U.S. General Services Administration, Specifications Activity, Printed Materials Supply Division, Building 197, Naval Weapons Plant, Washington, DC Federal Test Method Standard 191A, Textile Test Methods, July 20, C U.S. Government Publications. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part , Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens, Final Rule. Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part , Personal Protective Equipment - General Requirements. C.2 Informational References. C.2.1 NFPA Publications. National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA NFPA 471, Recommended Practice for Responding to Hazardous Materials Incidents, 2002 edition. NFPA 472, Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents, 2008 edition. NFPA 473, Standard for Competencies for EMS Personnel Responding to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents, 2008 edition. NFPA 1975, Standard on Station/Work Uniforms for Fire and Emergency Services, edition. NFPA 1983, Standard on Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services, 2006 edition. C.2.2 Other Publications. C AATCC Publications. American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC AATCC Evaluation Procedure 8, AATCC 9-Step 9, Step Chromatic Transference Scale, C ACGIH Publications. American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, 1330 Kemper Meadow Drive, Cincinnati, OH TLVs and BEIs, C ASTM Publications. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, P.O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA ASTM D 6431, Standard Guide for Using the Direct Current Resistivity Method for Subsurface Investigation, 1999 (Reaffirmed 2005). ASTM F 2757, Standard Guide for Home Laundering Care and Maintenance of Flame, Thermal and Arc Resistant Clothing, 2009 C U.S. Government Publications. U.S. Government Printing Office,Washington, DC NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, C Other Publications. Sax, Irving N., Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials, New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. C.3 References for Extracts in Informational Sections. NFPA 2112, Standard on Flame-Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire, 2007 edition Agents Biological Agents. Biological materials that are capable of causing an acute disease or long-term damage to the human body. [1991, 2005] [1999, 2003] Radiological Agents. Radiation associated with x-rays, alpha, beta, and gamma emissions from radioactive isotopes, or other material in excess of normal background radiation levels. [1999, 2003] Fit. The quality, state, and or manner in which the length and closeness of clothing, when worn, relates to the human body. [1851, 2001] * Flash Fire. A fire that spreads rapidly through a diffuse fuel, such as dust, gas, or the vapors of an ignitible liquid, without the production of damaging pressure. [921, 2008] Hazardous Materials Emergencies. Incidents involving the release or potential release of hazardous materials into the environment that can cause loss of life, personnel injury, or damage to property and the environment. [1971, 2007] Interlining. Any textile that is intended for incorporated ion into any garment article of wearing apparel as a layer 3

5 between outer and inner layers. [1975, ] To conform to the NFPA Regulations Governing Committee Projects. NFPA 471 was withdrawn and the material incorporated into NFPA 472 and NFPA 473. The following extract tags can be updated editorially: Care Certification/Certified Certification Organization Compliance/Compliant Melt ASTM 2757 is added to chapter 2 in accordance with Proposal (Log #2). 29 CFR is added to annex C.1 in accordance with Proposal (Log #7). ANSI/ISEA 107 and CSA Z96 are added in accordance with Proposal (Log #10). 4

6 Log #4 Roger F. Parry, The DuPont Company Delete text as follows: (Apply to all occurances within the NFPA 2113 standard) "... flash fire... " "Flash fires", or vapor cloud fires, are a very small subset of actual fire types experienced in industrial environments with fire hazards. The potential fires that exist can be in the form of pressurized flammable line breaks (jet fires), flammable liquid spills (pool fires), and fireballs (from Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosions or flammable material container BLEVE). The purpose of this standard is to provide minimum specification requirements to address all of these industrial thermal hazards. This goal is better served with the single term "fire", which encompasses all of the noted hazards Industrial Personnel. Workers who might be exposed to flash fire. 4.1(2) An evaluation of flame-resistant garment designs and characteristics to determine the type of flame-resistant garments suitable for protecting workers from flash fire The hazard assessment shall be performed based on a review of the facility to determine if flammable materials are present in quantities that will generate a flash fire present a fire hazard and endanger a person Factors in determining if flame-resistant garments are required shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) Proximity of the work to be performed to a hazard presenting a flash fire potential fire hazard 4.2.6* The initial review of a facility shall determine if flammable materials are present in quantities necessary to generate a flash fire present a fire hazard and endanger a person * Garments shall be selected that contain primary closure systems that do not melt function after exposure to a flash fire hazard, and that avoid meltable closure systems (e.g., non flame-resistant hook-and-loop) Garments shall be selected to offer minimal interference and minimal hindrance to perform the work task required in the flash fire hazard zone. Revise text to read as follows: A The use of garments providing protection against flash fires should be incorporated into a proper safety program that also utilizes appropriate administrative and engineering controls in addition to proper, safe work procedures. Flame-resistant garments for protection against flash fire are available from a variety of manufacturers, in a range of items (coveralls, pants, shirts, vests, parkas, rainwear, disposable garments, aprons, etc.). Flame-resistant garments are made out of a variety of either inherently flame-resistant fabrics or fabrics that have been treated with a flame retardant. A Organizations and end users are cautioned that wearing overgarments or other PPE that are not flame-resistant over flame-resistant garments can compromise the performance of the flame-resistant garments. Clothing or items worn over flameresistant garments that are not flame-resistant, such as jackets, rainwear, and high-visibility vests, can ignite and transfer significant heat through the flame-resistant garment and to the exposed body areas such as the head and face, causing severe burn injuries. Undergarments should be melt-resistant. Certain synthetics or synthetic blends worn as undergarments can be inappropriate for use under flame-resistant garments, as the transferred heat from a flash fire could cause them to melt. Undergarments with melt-resistant properties are recommended (e.g., cotton, aramid, wool). A.7.4 Organizations should either destroy or mark retired flame-resistant garments in a manner that is clear to anyone picking up the garment that it cannot be used for protection 5

7 of industrial personnel against flash fire. Methods for ensuring this practice include cutting clothing into pieces or marking Do Not Use for Protection on the outside of the clothing. The TC recognizes that there are other types of fire-related incidents that may be considered when selecting flame-resistant garments. The TC updated the wording in some paragraphs to broaden the application of the document. The TC removed the definition for "Industrial Personnel" as it is clear from the context of the standard Log #CP1 The area of body above the waist and extending to the shoulder, including the arms and wrists but excluding the hands. [ 2007] Log #CP2 The physical removal of dirt and debris, which generally is accomplished with soap and water and physical scrubbing. [, 2005] The TC objects to the description starting with "generally" because the cleaning process described in NFPA 2113 can be laundering or drycleaning. 6

8 Log #CP3 Any material, part, or subassembly used in the construction of the protective ensemble or any element of the protective ensemble. [, 2007 Revise definition to read as follows: Component. Any material, part, or subassembly used in the construction of the compliant product garment necessary for meeting the requirements of this standard. [1971, 2007] The TC accepted the definition for component extracted from NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, in both NFPA 2112, Standard on Flame-Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire and NFPA Log #CP4 The process by which ensembles and ensemble elements are exposed to hazardous materials, body fluids, or CBRN terrorism agents. [, 2008] The TC rejects the extracted definition because the existing definition is more appropriate to the scope and context of NFPA 2112, Standard on Flame-Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire Log #CP5 The removal of unwanted radioactive substances from personnel, rooms, building surfaces, equipment, and so forth, to render the affected area safe. [, 2008] The TC rejects the extracted proposal because radioactive substances are specifically excluded from the scope of NFPA

9 Log #CP6 Shields, heraldry, or printing that designates a governmental entity or a specific organization; rank, title, position, or other professional status that is painted, screened, embroidered, sewn, glued, bonded, or otherwise attached in a permanent manner to station/ work uniform garments. [, 2009] NFPA 2113 is not limited to work/station uniforms, and therefore the additional text extracted from NFPA 1975, Standard on Station/Work Uniforms for Emergency Services, is not appropriate Log #CP7 The quality, state, and manner in which clothing and equipment, when worn, relate to the human body. [ 2008] Revise definition to read as follows: Fit. The quality, state, and or manner in which the length and closeness of clothing, when worn, relates to the human body. [1851, 2001] The TC modified the extracted definition because the scope of NFPA 2113 doesn't cover equipment. 8

10 Log #1 Glossary of Terms Technical Advisory Committee / Marcelo Hirschler, Revise text to read as follows: * Flame resistance (protective apparel). The property of a material whereby combustion is prevented, terminated, or inhibited following application of a flaming or non-flaming source of ignition, with or without subsequent removal of the ignition source. A Flame resistance. Flame resistance can be an inherent property of the textile material, or it can be imparted by specific treatment. It is important to have consistent definitions of terms within NFPA. The term flame resistance is widely used in the documents associated with protective apparel. NFPA definitions should be in a single sentence. Most NFPA definitions of flame resistance and uses of the term are in the documents associated with firefighters/first responders. In general, for other uses the term has been replaced and previous references to flame resistance are now being replaced by references to materials that meet the requirements of NFPA 701. It is likely that the documents associated with first responders would like to retain this concept and therefore the definition is being modified with a qualifier and with an annex note for the second sentence. Also, a recommendation is being made that NFPA 1500 be the primary document responsible. The definition is included in NFPA 1851, 1951, 1971, 1975, 1977, 2112 and The committee was created by NFPA Standards Council to provide consistency in terminology throughout the NFPA documents. The addition of the parenthetical reference to "protective apparel" does not clarify the definition in NFPA The definition refers to a material property, not specifically to apparel Log #5 Roger F. Parry, The DuPont Company Revise text as follows: A fire that spreads rapidly through a diffuse fuel, such as dust, gas, or the vapors of an ignitible liquid, without the production of damaging pressure. A rapid oxidation process, which is a chemical reaction resulting in the evolution of light and heat in varying intensities. [, 2008] "Flash fires", or vapor cloud fires, are a very small subset of actual fire types experienced in industrial environments with fire hazards. The potential fires that exist can be in the form of pressurized flammable line breaks (jet fires), flammable liquid spills (pool fires), and fireballs (from Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosions or flammable material container BLEVE). The purpose of this standard is to provide minimum specification requirements to address all of these industrial thermal hazards. This goal is better served with the single term "fire", which encompasses all of the noted hazards (with the definition taken from previously identified NFPA standard). The TC rejected the new definition for "fire" because the dictionary definition is adequate to meet the needs of NFPA

11 Log #CP8 Incidents involving the release or potential release of hazardous materials. [ 2007] Log #CP9 An electric charge that is significant only for the effects of its electric field component and that manifests no significant magnetic field component. [ 2007] The TC rejects the extracted definition because it doesn't include the means of generation, specifically triboelectric (rubbing with another material), which is relevant to the context of NFPA Log #CP10 The interface component of the protective element or item that provides limited protection to the protective coat/glove interface area. [ 2007] The TC rejected the extracted definition because wristlets, in the context of NFPA 2113, are not interface components between the garment and the glove. 10

12 Log #8 Roger F. Parry, The DuPont Company Add new text as follows: The organization shall reassess the hazard assessment of the work environment on an appropriate frequency to verify that the requirements for wearing or the levels of protection required from flame-resistant garments has not changed. The recognized best practice for maintaining a safe working environment is to validate at appropriate intervals that the basis used to select the level of protection needed has not changed (task requirements, fire hazards, escape times, etc.). Add text to read as follows: The organization shall reassess the hazard assessment at least every 5 years, or when a significant change is made to the work environment to verify that the requirements for wearing or the levels of protection required from flame-resistant garments has not changed. The TC modified the wording to insure that a reassessment is performed at least every 5 years Log #9 Roger F. Parry, The DuPont Company Revise text as follows: In addition to flame-resistant garments complying with NFPA 2112, of the organization shall consider factors in selecting flame-resistant garments including, but not limited to, the following: (1 )*Thermal protective characteristics of the fabric over a range of thermal exposures (e.g., to evaluate the effect of delayed egress, etc.) As written, it is unclear in the standard what thermal protective characteristics of a fabric should be additionally considered. The added text clarifies the intent of the identified recommendation. Revise text to read as follows: (1 )*Thermal protective characteristics of the fabric over a range of thermal exposures (e.g., to evaluate the effect of delayed egress, etc.) The TC rejected the change to the title of NFPA 2112 because it was rejected in the preparation of the NFPA 2112 Report on Proposals. 11

13 Log #10 Jeffrey O. Stull, International Personnel Protection, Inc. Revise text to read as follows: When garments are selected to provide daytime or nighttime visibility, garments shall also conform to the requirements of ANSI 107,. Reference should be made to ANSI 107 in Chapter 2. An appendix section should be developed that provides the latest information on visibility properties and use of supplement high visibility apparel. Garments intended to offer high visibility should meet minimum requirements established for this type apparel. If supplemental garments are worn, then these garments should be flame and heat resistant. Add text to read as follows: When garments are selected to provide daytime or nighttime visibility, garments shall also conform to the relevant requirements of ANSI/ISEA 107, or CSA Z96,. The TC added a reference to the corresponding Canadian standard for high-visibility garments Log #2 Barbara Fitzgeorge, Tyndale Company, Inc. Revise text as follows: 6.1.3* Flame-resistant garments shall be cleaned in accordance with manufacturer instructions. If cleaning instructions are not provided, protective garments shall be cleaned in accordance with the recommendations provided in ASTM F , or ASTM F1449, The standard as is written today does not account for recent changes to the ASTM standards. The submitted revision takes into account the new standard for home laundry of flame resistant apparel adopted by ASTM in October

14 Log #6 Roger F. Parry, The DuPont Company Revise text as follows: A fiash Fire is the result of combustion, or the chemical process of rapid oxidation (burning) that requires an ignition source, a flammable substance or fuel. and oxygen (usually from air). In an industrial environment. different types of fires may result from a variety of different events. "Jet" fires typically arise from line breaks or ruptures of pressurized flammable materials. These fires can create high velocity, directed "jets", which may project flames in any direction for considerable distances, depending on the characteristics of the source, and burn until the fuel is exhausted or the break is isolated. A pool. or running pool fire, arises from the ignition of spills and leaks of flammable liquids. The size and intensity is dependent on the amount of material involved and typically extends upward from the surface of the pool. These fires also continue until the fuel is exhausted and the source of the leak isolated. A flash, or vapor cloud fire arises from the release or presence of a hydrocarbon gas or an atmosphere containing combustible finely divided particles (e.g.; coal-dust or grain) having a concentration above the lower explosive limit of-the chemical. Both hydrocarbon and dust flash fires generate temperatures from 540 C to 1040 C (1000 F to 1900 F). The intensity of a flash fire depends on the size of the gas or vapor cloud. When ignited, the flame front expands outward in the form of a fireball. The resulting effect of the fireball's energy with respect to radiant heat significantly enlarges the hazard areas around the gas released. Additional information describing flash fires is provided in "Flash fires", or vapor cloud fires, are a very small subset of actual fire types experienced in industrial environments with fire hazards. The potential fires that exist can be in the form of pressurized flammable line breaks (jet fires), flammable liquid spills (pool fires), and fireballs (from Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosions or flammable material container BLEVE). The purpose of this standard is to provide minimum specification requirements to address all of these industrial thermal hazards. This goal is better served with the single term "fire", which encompasses all of the noted hazards. The proposed elaboration in annex adds additional clarity to the scope the term "fire" within the standard. Add text to read as follows: * A.4.2.5(1) Short-duration thermal exposures can arise from other fire types in industrial environments. These include, but are not limited to, jet flames, liquid fires (pool fires or running liquid fires), solids fires (fires of solid materials or dust fires), warehouse fires, fires associated with oxygen. The list of types of fires is extracted from Center for Chemical Process Safety document "Guidelines for the Consequence Analysis of Chemical Releases". The TC rejected modifications to A because the definition Proposal (Log #5) was rejected, therefore the current annex material is more appropriate. 13

15 Log #7 Roger F. Parry, The DuPont Company Revise text as follows: The flame-resistant garments addressed in NFPA 2112,, and in this standard provides a measure minimum level of protection against unplanned exposure to flash fire [testing done at an intensity of approximately 84 kw/m 2 (2.0 cal/cm 2 s) and cumulative energy of 6 cal/cm 2 ] for a relatively short periods of time, typically 3 seconds or less. This standard directs end users to conduct fire hazard assessments for the appropriate tasks and work environments prior to selecting flame resistant garments. The minimum protection identified in NFPA 2112 may not be appropriate for the thermal hazards faced or meet the PPE requirements of OSHA 29 CFR Flame-resistant garments could can serve to reduce the severity of burn injury as a result of a hydrocarbon flash fire but cannot completely prevent an injury. Testing of selected garments and material systems is recommended at the minimum and-maximum hazard levels identified in the fire assessment so that overall performance can be understood, especially in situations where escape times are approximate or the nature of the hazard may change. Note that garments that continue to burn after a flash fire incident are hazardous. NFPA 2112 was developed specifically to screen the use of inappropriate materials to minimize this hazard. NFPA 2112 specifies several requirements for flame-resistant garments in terms of flame resistance, heat resistance, thermal shrinkage, and flash fire performance. Descriptions of these performance requirements are provided in Annex B. One requirement that warrants additional explanation is the manikin test requirement. This test involves placement of a flame-resistant garment on a manikin with exposure to a 6 cal/cm 2 (of 3-second duration and 84 kw/m 2 intensity), simulated flash engulfment "jet" fire. The test is used as a qualification of garment fabric performance, not the garment design, since a standard garment design is used for evaluating the fabric. The standard garment is a coverall with a front zipper closure and five no pockets. Flame-resistant garments with different designs are not evaluated using this test. Organizations should judge the performance of their garment designs by comparing their design with that of the standard garment design or conduct independent testing. Garments that provide different areas of body coverage, have different closure systems, or have pockets in different locations can demonstrate lesser or better performance than the standard garment design. Flame-resistant garments should provide a good functional fit for maximum protection and comfort on the job. Users should be aware that the fit of the garment (that is, too tight or too loose) can have a direct influence on how much protection can be provided by a particular garment or garment system. The text in this section contains factual errors with respect to the scope and purpose of NFPA 2112 and NFPA NFPA 2112 is a minimum performance standard and does not purport to represent the protection required for any fire situation. NFPA 2113 does not specify the selection of a specific protection level- It is inappropriate to identify this within this standard. It is an OSHA requirement that the the end user, amongst other things, determine through a hazard assessment, the appropriate level of protection required for thermal protective PPE. NFPA 2113 should be viewed as an appropriate tool to assist in this assessment. In addition, the only way to establish the protective qualities of a selected system versus the end users hazard is through testing. Since all fires are different and prediction of escape times is approximate, it is prudent to recommend users evaluate selected garment solutions for appropriateness. Revise text to read as follows: The flame-resistant garments addressed in NFPA 2112,, and in this standard provide a measure level of protection against unplanned exposure to flash fire [testing done at an intensity of approximately 84 kw/m 2 (2.0 cal/cm 2 s) and cumulative energy of 252 kj/m 2 (6 cal/cm 2 )] for relatively short periods of time, typically 3 seconds or less. This standard directs end users to conduct hazard assessments for the appropriate tasks and work environments prior to selecting flame resistant garments. The protection identified in NFPA 2112 may not be appropriate for the thermal hazards faced or meet the PPE requirements of OSHA 29 CFR Flame-resistant garments could can serve to reduce the severity of burn injury as a result of a hydrocarbon flash fire but cannot completely prevent an injury. Testing of selected garments and material systems is recommended at the hazard levels identified in the hazard assessment so that overall performance can be understood, especially in situations where egress times are approximate or the nature of the hazard may change. 14

16 Note that garments that continue to burn after a flash fire incident are hazardous. NFPA 2112 was developed specifically to minimize this hazard. NFPA 2112 specifies several requirements for flame-resistant garments in terms of flame resistance, heat resistance, thermal shrinkage, and body burn prediction to a specific exposure flash fire performance. Descriptions of these performance requirements are provided in Annex B. One requirement that warrants additional explanation is the manikin test requirement. This test involves placement of a flame-resistant garment on a manikin with exposure to a 3-second duration, 84 kw/m 2 (2 cal/cm 2.s) intensity simulated flash engulfment "jet" fire. The test is used as a qualification of garment fabric performance, not the garment design, since a standard garment design is used for evaluating the fabric. The standard garment is a coverall with a front slide fastener (zipper) closure and five no pockets. Flame-resistant garments with different designs are not evaluated using this test. Organizations should judge the performance of their garment designs by comparing their design with that of the standard garment design or conduct independent testing. Garments designs that provide different areas of body coverage, have different closure systems, or have pockets in different locations can demonstrate lesser or better performance than the standard garment design * A Flame-resistant garments should provide a good functional fit for maximum protection and comfort on the job. Users should be aware that the fit of the garment (that is, too tight or too loose) can have a direct influence on how much protection can be provided by a particular garment or garment system. The TC reworded the proposal to improve clarity and readability. 15