ASTM F2621: Standard Practice for Evaluating Response Characteristics of Safety Products in an Electric Arc Exposure
- Provides the procedural guidelines for conducting arc testing on finished protective products. This is a crucial step in ensuring the safety of workers who may be exposed to electric arc hazards.Key aspects of this standard include:
- Finished Product Testing: While other standards like ASTM F1959 determine the arc rating of a fabric material, ASTM F2621 is used to test the complete, finished garment or product (e.g., a jacket, coveralls, a hood, or even accessories like a respirator). This allows for the evaluation of the garment’s overall design integrity.
- Evaluating Design and Construction: The standard assesses how the product’s components—such as seams, closures (zippers, snaps), and reflective trim—perform under the intense heat and energy of an electric arc. It checks for issues like melting, dripping, shrinkage, or the failure of closures.
- Mannequin Testing: Arc-rated products are often tested on a mannequin (that is not instrumented with sensors) to simulate real-world use. The test’s primary purpose is to observe the garment’s response characteristics, such as whether it “breaks open” or ignites.
- Non-Arc-Rated Products: This standard can also be used to evaluate products that are not arc-rated but may be exposed to an arc flash, such as respirators or hard hats, to ensure they don’t pose a secondary hazard (like melting or ignition) in an arc event.
In summary, ASTM F2621 is a vital standard that goes beyond fabric testing to ensure the overall design and construction of arc-rated finished products provide the intended protection for electrical workers.
