| Standard | What It Tests |
|---|---|
ASTM F1506 |
Defines minimum design, labeling, and performance requirements for arc-rated and flame-resistant clothing |
ASTM F1959 |
Exposes fabric swatches to electric arc to determine the arc thermal performance |
ASTM F2621 |
Exposes complete garments (coveralls, jackets, hoods, accessories) to arc to assess integrity |
ASTM F2676 |
Exposes safety glasses, goggles, or face shields to arc energy |
ASTM F3272 |
Exposes face shields, arc flash hoods, helmet/visor systems to arc energy with sensors |
| Standard | Scope | What It Tests | Output/Result | PPE Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ASTM F1506 |
Fabric & garment specification | Defines minimum design, labeling, and performance requirements for arc-rated and flame-resistant clothing | Certified arc-rated garments with permanent labeling and laundering durability | FR/arc-rated shirts, pants, coveralls, outerwear |
ASTM F1959 |
Fabric testing | Exposes fabric swatches to electric arc to determine the arc thermal performance | Arc Rating (ATPV) in cal/cm² | Base fabrics for FR/arc-rated clothing |
ASTM F2621 |
Finished garment evaluation | Exposes complete garments (coveralls, jackets, hoods, accessories) to arc to assess integrity | Observed performance (ignition, melting, breakopen, closures, seams) | Finished clothing and accessories |
ASTM F2676 |
Eye & face protection performance | Exposes safety glasses, goggles, or face shields to arc energy | Pass/fail on structural integrity, optical clarity, ignition/melting | Eyewear and face shields |
ASTM F3272 |
Arc rating for face protection | Exposes face shields, arc flash hoods, helmet/visor systems to arc energy with sensors | Arc Rating value (ATPV for face PPE, cal/cm²) | Face shields & hoods (quantitative rating) |
Progression Across Standards
ASTM F1506 – Garment Specification Level
Defines the minimum performance, labeling, and design requirements for arc-rated clothing.
ASTM F1959 – Fabric Level
Establishes the arc rating (ATPV) of raw fabric materials before garment construction.
ASTM F2621 – Garment Evaluation Level
Tests the full garment or product to confirm real-world performance, focusing on design integrity (seams, closures, trim).
ASTM F2676 – Face/Eye Performance Screening
Qualitative evaluation of face and eye PPE to ensure products don’t melt, ignite, or fail dangerously under arc exposure.
ASTM F3272 – Face PPE Arc Rating
Provides a quantitative arc rating for face protection, aligning face shields/hoods with the same cal/cm² framework used for fabrics and garments.
How the Standards Work Together
NFPA 70E – Electrical Safety in the Workplace
Requires employers to perform an arc flash hazard assessment and provide PPE with arc ratings appropriate for the hazard.
• Uses ASTM F1959 (fabric), ASTM F2621 (garments), ASTM F2676 (eye/face performance), and ASTM F3272 (face PPE rating) as the technical basis for compliance.
• Establishes PPE Categories (CAT 1–4) that align with arc ratings in cal/cm².
CSA Z462 – Workplace Electrical Safety
The Canadian counterpart to NFPA 70E, with nearly harmonized requirements.
• Also requires hazard assessments, arc-rated PPE, and safe work practices.
• References the same ASTM test methods: ASTM F1959, ASTM F2621, ASTM F2676, and ASTM F3272.
• Provides equivalent guidance to NFPA 70E for Canadian workplaces, with some Canadian-specific references.
• Establishes PPE Categories (CAT 1–5) that align with arc ratings in cal/cm².
End User Protection Focus
Fabric level
ASTM F1959 provides the arc rating of fabrics; ASTM F1506 sets the specification for acceptable arc-rated fabrics → NFPA 70E, CSA Z462 require arc-rated fabric.
Garment level
ASTM F1506 defines minimum garment requirements; ASTM F2621 tests finished garments for design integrity → NFPA 70E, CSA Z462 require garments to meet these standards.
Eye/face level
ASTM F2676 screens performance; ASTM F3272 provides a quantitative arc rating → NFPA 70E, CSA Z462 require compliant face shields/hoods, now arc-rated quantitatively.
