Performance Guide to FR SMS disposables garments
8Pages

Technical Paper Disposable Flame Retardent / Chemical Protective Clothing Guide to the Performance of Pyrolon compared with FR SMS garments The properties of FR SMS coveralls compared to Lakeland Pyrolon Garments “The PRIMARY purpose of FR disposable garments is to provide liquid and/or dust protection… and to do so without compromising the thermal protection provided by the TPG worn beneath…” Pyrolon Plus 2, XT and CRFR disposable coveralls have been used for many years in industries such as petrochemical because of their combined chemical protection and flame retardent properties. Recent years however have seen an increase in the use of various garments based on polypropylene SMS nonwoven treated with FR chemicals. Such FR SMS garments have often been certified as Index 1 fabrics according to EN 533:1997… a standard now 15 years old and replaced by EN 14116:2008. More recently the bigger brands of FR SMS have been [apparently*] certified to EN 14116. Note that there are critical differences between the two standards. (see Page 3). * see independent testing - page 5 This Technical Document discusses:* Thermal properties of FR SMS fabric compared with Pyrolon * Independent flammability testing of FR SMS garments compared with Pyrolon * Thermal Mannequin Testing of FR SMS & Pyrolon garments to show the effect on TPG thermal performance …How can you assess the suitability of disposable FR coveralls for the task when worn over a Thermal Protective Garment?

There are two types of disposable FR garments available What is the Purpose of disposable FR garments? Fabric Viscose-based proprietary fabric specifically engineered for superior FR properties Intrinsically FR: fabric combusts or oxidises at a temperature lower than its ignition point. Thus the fabric will not ignite in any normal circumstance FR properties rely on FR treatment to increase speed A Thermoplastic spunbond of combustion and on / meltblown polypropylene thermoplastic tendency to SMS fabric with an FR shrink from a flame. Fabric chemical treatment may still ignite, melt and...

How is vertical flammability testing according to EN 14116 conducted? Vertical Flammability Testing according to EN 533 & EN 14116 The EN 533 standard assessed the suitability of FR fabrics according to three “index’s” (Index 1,2 and 3). Fabrics are tested according to the test method EN 532 in which a fabric sample is held vertically, a small flame applied to the centre and held in the same position for 10 seconds. “Index 1 materials do not spread flame but may form a hole on contact with a flame” According to the standard “Index 1 materials do not spread flame but may form a hole on...

Independent testing has confirmed problems for FR SMS garments in actually passing the vertical flammability requirements of EN 14116 There are an increasing number of FR SMS garments often at low prices - available on the market and variously certified to either the old EN 533 standard or in some cases to the new EN 14116 standard. How do these various garments actually perform in flammability testing? The effectiveness of the vertical flammability test for assessing the FR properties of a disposable FR fabric when used in conjunction with a TPG is questionable. The test was not designed...

The table below summarises the results from EN 14116 vertical flammability testing of market-sourced FR SMS garments compared with testing of Pyrolon garments The table summarises the specific FR requirements in the standard and shows where each sample passed or failed. Red denotes a fail; green a pass Pyrolon Samples FR SMS Samples Garment tested Test Date Pyrolon CRFR FR SMS Garment Market-sourced Garment Samples Flaming/molten debris Seam Parted? Comments Supplementary Comments 2 specimens flaming to edge / all specimens with flaming/molten debris / all seams parted All showed...

Testing shows FR SMS garments perform inconsistently in the vertical flammability properties required by EN 14116. Yet how do they perform in actual use… how do they effect Total Thermal Protection when worn over a Thermal Protective Garment? In a flash fire a standard disposable coverall will ignite and drip molten material, increasing body burn. Will an FR SMS perform differently? An assessment of an FR SMS disposable coverall should include its affect on total thermal protection when worn over a TPG. Thermal Mannequin Testing is provided as an option in European standards for thermal...

Thermal Mannequin Comparative Test results Lakeland has commissioned independent thermal mannequin testing of various disposable FR over-garments worn over Primary Thermal Protection aramid TPG’s to allow comparison of percentage predicted body burn in flash fire scenarios Total Body Burn 3�� Degree Burns? Total Body Burn 3�� Degree Burns? All tests were conducted with the test garment worn over an identical branded Aramid Thermal Protective Garment and with standard cotton underwear beneath Test parameters are according to ASTM 2112: Burn: 3 seconds / Heat Flux: 2.0cal/cm²/sec Data was...

Still using FR SMS? Independent EN 14116 flammability testing by a recognised Notified Body of multiple FR garments purchased in the open market shows they meet the requirements only intermittently at best… in fact in testing conducted NO FR SMS garment has successfully meet the EN 14116 vertical flammability requirements… … send your FR SMS suit for EN 14116 flammability testing and Lakeland will pay for it!* See Page 4 & 5 Verticle Flammability (EN 532) EN 14116 Vertical Flammability testing is neither designed nor effective in indicating FR performance characteristics when used for the...