ASTM F1506 for arc flash protection and NFPA 2112 for flash fire protection added provisions in 2020 to assure an easy means for cloth face coverings to be used in applications that required flame, arc or flash fire protection. These standards did not have fit, or viral protection testing for the devices but allowed proper labeling and testing requirements for the components of cloth face coverings meeting the design specifications from CDC.
At the same time the respiratory hazards Subcommittee in ASTM F23 developed and expedited a standard for barrier face coverings that included parameters to assure proper fit, particle filtration efficiency (i.e. viral protection), airflow resistance (i.e. breathability). When flame, arc flash, or flash fire protection are needed, the new standard points to the proper standard for those parameters too.
For more information on the new standard, ASTM is providing a free webinar
ASTM F3502-21 the Standard Specification for Barrier Face Coverings will be discussed in a public webinar Monday, February 22, 2021 from 1:00pm – 2:00pm EST. The technical contacts for F3502-21 Standard Specification for Barrier Face Coverings, Jon Szalajda (NIOSH/CDC) and Jeff Stull (International Personnel Protection, Inc.), will provide information on the new standard. This overview will explain the scope of the standard as applied to barrier face coverings, the application of the standard, and the specific requirements related to product design, performance, labeling, user information, and conformity assessment.
If you are interested to join the session, please register via the link below. Once your registration is complete you will receive a confirmation email that will allow you to add the session to your calendar.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TsxDMml3SEuOXCZ4c8s3ZA
The event is not limited to ASTM members.
ArcWear, a Kinectrics company provides PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) testing on ASTM F2100, NIOSH Type Respirator Testing and arc flash, flash fire and flame resistance testing and flash fire and arc flash certification with our test labs and PPE certification partners.
We are the only company providing arc rated cloth face covering or barrier face covering testing in a one-stop-shop. We also offer NFPA 2112 testing and ArcWear and Kinectrics are part of the UL TPDAP program for data acceptance and the ASTM International SEI data acceptance program.
