ASTM F2733

This specification establishes applicable test methods, minimum physical and thermal performance criteria, a suggested sizing guide, and suggested purchasing information for rainwear for use by workers who are potentially exposed to industrial hydrocarbon fires or other petrochemical fire hazards.  Performance requirements of ASTM F2733 are as follows:

• Flame Resistance: Rainwear material shall be flame resistant and shall not melt and drip when tested in accordance with ASTM D6413/D6413M and shall exhibit no more than a 2-second afterflame time and less than a 4” char length.
• Thermal Protection: Rainwear material shall be tested in accordance with ASTM F1930, a design test, after 1 washing and 1 drying. Testing parameters are set at heat flux of 84 2.0 +/- 0.05 cal/cm²and an exposure time of 3 +/- 0.1 seconds.
• Flash Fire Protection: Total body burn must be not more than 40%.
• Leak Resistance: Material must withstand water pressure of 30 psig without leaking. The seams of the rainwear must not exhibit any evidence of leakage when exposed to water at 3 psig for (2) two minutes.
• Tear Resistance: Material shall have a trapezoidal tear resistance of 6 lbs. in the warp direction and 6 lbs. in the fill direction.
• Moisture Vapor Transmission (Breathability): If the rainwear is advertised as being breathable, it must be tested.
• Markings and Reflective Materials: These materials attached to the rainwear shall be permanent and shall not degrade the performance of the rainwear.

The ASTM F2733 Standard was most recently updated in 2017. Changes in the 2017 edition include clarifications and revisions to several terminology definitions, as well editing to comply with ASTM style standards.

The standard can be purchased and downloaded from the ASTM website at http://www.astm.org/Standards/F2733.htm