Our How it's Tested series explores safety standards and test methods for AR / FR garments and PPE. With Scott Margolin, Vice President of Technical as our guide, we examine many of the major tests to understand what they measure, how they measure it, and what that means to someone like you who is specifying or wearing the garment. Whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting out, explore all episodes in this series to make sure you are up to date on the latest information.
In any environment where you’re at risk of being exposed to a flash fire, you must always stay alert. Keeping aware of your environment, and knowing the flash fire protection standards can save your life in the event of a flash fire.
If you work alongside the risk of a flash fire, chances are you’ve heard of “The Manikin Test.” After all, it’s the most well-known of the tests in NFPA 2112 for flash fire protection. But do you know how it’s conducted, what it tells us, or why it’s so important?
Let’s join Scott Margolin, Tyndale’s Vice President of Technical, as he explains ASTM F1930, better known as the Flash Fire Manikin Test.
Let’s breakdown how this test is conducted:
To pass this test, the manikin must record less than 50% 2nd and 3rd-degree body burn overall.
You may be wondering:
ASTM F1930 is useful when evaluating various fabric types and fabric weights. Also, since this test uses a full coverall, we’re able to assess the complete coverall design, including:
As we have seen, the ASTM F1930 test is critical to understanding the protection a garment provides in a worst-case scenario flash fire. The manikin records key metrics which help us assess the fabrics and construction of coveralls, designed to keep you safe and save your life in the event of flash fire exposure.
NFPA 2112 is available for complimentary viewing online or can be purchased for download at: http://www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/AboutTheCodes.asp?DocNum=2112
There are several other tests in NFPA 2112 for flash fire protection that you should know. We will explore a new test each week, so please check back to learn more. Did you miss some of our How it’s Tested series, or want to know more about testing for AR / FR hazards? Visit our How It’s Tested hub to see the complete series of tests we’ve covered.