Standard Performance Specification for Textile Material for Wearing Apparel for Use by Electrical Workers Exposed to Momentary Electric Arc and Related Thermal Hazards

This is the governing ASTM Standard for Flame Resistant Clothing.  The standard has two basic requirements:

• A sample of fabric must self extinguish with less than 2 second afterflame and less than 6" char length according to ASTM Test Method D6413.  This flammability test applies to an initial sample and after 25 washes / dry cleanings. 
• The fabric must be tested for Arc Thermal Performance according to ASTM Test Method F1959. The results of the Arc Thermal Performance testing must be reported to the end user as an Arc Rating on a garment label. 
• Different colors of the same fabric do not need to be tested separately.

A garment that meets ASTM F1506 complies with OSHA 1910.269, NESC, and NFPA 70E. ASTM F1506 is a pass/fail standard with requirements for reporting information not considered for the pass/fail criteria.  All garments that meet the requirements of ASTM F1506 must be labeled with a tracking code, a statement that the garment meets the requirements of ASTM F1506, the manufacturer’s name, size information, care instructions, fiber content and the arc rating. 

The standard can be purchased and downloaded from the ASTM website at http://www.astm.org/Standards/F1506.htm.