report of the committee on technical committee on special ...€¦ · this report has been...

Report of the Committee on Technical Committee on

Fire and Emergency Services Protective Clothing and Equipment

Technical Correlating Committee

Richard M. Duffy, Chair Int'l Assn. of Fire Fighters, DC [L]

Rep. Int'l Assn. of Fire Fighters

Wayde B. Miller, Secretary Mine Safety Appliances Co., FL [M]

Rep. Compressed Gas Assn./Mine Safety Appliances Co.

Thomas G. Augherton, Safety Equipment Inst., VA [RT] Dennis W. Browner, Scott Aviation, NC [M]

Rep. Industrial Safety Equipment Assn. Robert H. Chiostergi, Southern Mills Inc., GA [M] Robert A. Freese, Globe Mfg. Co., NH [M] William L. Grilliot, Morning Pride Mfg., Co., OH [M]

Rep. Fire and Emergency Mfrs. and Services Assn., Inc. Virgil Hathaway, San Diego Fire Dept., CA [U]

Rep. Southern Area Fire Equipment Research James S. Johnson, Lawrence Livermore Nat'l Labs, CA [RT] Cy Long, Texas Commission on Fire Protection, TX [E] David G. Matthews, UK Fire Brigades Assn., England [SE]

Rep. Int'l Standards Organization Jim Minx, Oklahoma State Fireflghters Assn., OK [C] Bob Montgomery, Hoechst Celanese Corp., NC [M] Ted Putnam, USDA Forest Service, MT [E] Jeffrey O. Stull, Int'l Personnel Protection, Inc., TX [SE] Frank P. Taylor, Lion Apparel Inc., OH [M] Robert D. Tutterow, Jr., Charlotte Fire Dept., NC [U]

Rep. Fire Industry Equipment Research Organization Bruce H. Varner, City of Carrollton Fire Dept., TX [U]

Pep. Int'l Fire Service Training Assn. Harry Winer, U.S. Navy, MA [RT] Thomas L. Wollan, Underwriters Laboratories Inc., NC [RT]

Alternates

Janice c. Bradley, Industrial Safety Equipment Assn., VA [M] (A.lt. to D. W. Browner)

Mark B. Chambers, Texas Commission on Fire Protection, TX [E] (Alt. to C. Lon~ )

Nicholas J. Curus, Lion Apparel, Inc., OH [M] (Alt. to F. P. Taylor)

Robert Dahl, DuPont Spruance Plant, VA [M] (Air. to B. Montgomery)

Patricia A. Freeman, Globe Mfg. Co., NH [M] (Alt, to R. A. Freese)

Patricia A. Gleason, Safety Equipment Inst., VA [RT] (Alt, to T. G. Augherton)

William M. Lambert, Mine Safety Appliances Co., PA [M] (Alt. to W. D. Miller)

Daniel P. Ryan, Underwriters Laboratories Inc., NC [RT] (Alt. to T. L. Wollan)

Tricia Vogelpohl, Springs Industries, Inc., SC [M] (Alt. to R. H. Chiostergi)

Nonvoting

Don R. Forrest, United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, CA [L] Bryan C. Heirston, Oklahoma City Fire Dept., OK ILl

Rep. lnt'l Assn. of Fire Fighters Richard Mangan, USDA Forest Service, MT [RT] Kirk H. Owen, Piano Fire Dept., TX [U]

Rep. NFPA Fire Service Section Ray F. Reed, Dallas Fire Dept., TX

Committee Scope: This Committee shall have primary responsibility for documents on the design, performance, testing, and certification of protective clothing and protective equipment manufac- tured for fire and emergency services organizations and personnel, to protect against exposures encountered during emergency inci- dent operations. This Committee shall also have the primary responsibility for documents on the selection, care, and maintenance of such protective clothing and protective equipment by fire and emergency services organizations and personnel.

Special Operations Protective Clothing and Equipment

Don R. Forest, Chair United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, CA [L]

Jeffrey O. Stull, Secretary Int'l Personnel Protection, Inc., TX [SE]

Dean William Cox, Fairfax Fire & Rescue Dept., VA [U] Nicholas J. Curtis, Lion Apparel, Inc., OH [M] Hamid Ghorashi, Commonwealth Edison, IL [U] Kimberly Henry, Underwriters Laboratories Inc., NC [RT] Steve Hudson, Pigeon Monntain Industries, Inc., GA [M] Tod L. Jilg, Hoechst Celanese Corp., NC [M] James R. Lawson, U.S. Nat'l Inst, of Standards and Technology,

MD [RT] Kevin S. Malley, New York City Fire Dept.. NY [U] Michael L. Martin, Dayton Fire Dept. Headquarters, OH [U] H. Dean Paderick, Virginia Dept. of Fire Programs, VA [U] Jeffrey G. Scott, Altamonte Springs Fire/Rescue Dept., FL [U] Michael T. Stanhope, Southern Mills, Inc., GA [M] Harry Winer, U.S. Navy, MA [RT]

Alternates

Donald Aldridge, Lion Apparel, Inc., OH [M] (Alt. to N.J. Curtis)

William R. Baer, Altamonte Springs Fire Dept., FL [U] (Alt. to J. G. Scott)

Diane B. Hess, Hoechst Celanese Corp., NC [M] (/kit. to T. L. Jilg)

Stephen J. King, New York City Fire Dept., NY [U] (Alt. to K. S. Malley)

Denise N. Statham, Southern Mills, Inc., GA [M] (Alt. to M. T. Stanhope)

Robert Vettori, U.S. Nat'l Inst. of Standards and Technology, MD [RT] (Alt. to J. R. Lawson)

Thomas L Wollan, Underwriters Laboratories Inc., NC [RT] (Alt. to IL Henry)

Staff Liaison: Bruce W. Teele

Committee Scope: This Committee shall have primary responsibility for documents on special operations protective clothing and protective equipment, except respiratory equipment, that provides hand, foot, torso, limb, head, and interface protection for fire fighters and other emergency services responders during incidents involving special operations functions including, but not limited to, structural collapse, trench rescue, confined space entry, urban search and rescue, high angle/mountain rescue, vehicular extraction, swift water or flooding rescue, contaminated water diving, and air operations.

This committee shall also have primary responsibility for documents on station/work uniform garments that are not of them- selves primary protective garments but can be combined with a primary protective garment to serve dual or multiple fnnctions.

Additionally, this committee shall have primary responsibility for documents on the selection, care, and maintenance of special operations protective clothing and equipment by fire and emergency services organizations and personnel.

These lists represent the membershi~ at the time each Committee was balloted on the text of this edition. Since that time, changes in the mem- bership ma), have occurred. A key to ch~sifications is found at the back of this document.

The Report of the Committee on Fire and Emergency Services Protective Clothing and Equipment is presented for adoption.

This Report was prepared by tile Technical Committee on Spe, cial Operations Protective Clothing and Equipment, and proposes for adoption a complete revision to NFPA 1975, Standard on Sta- tion/Work Uniforms for Fire Fighters, 1994 edition. NFPA 1975- 1994 edition is published in Volume 9 of the 1997 National Fire Codes and in separate pamphlet form.

235

This Report has been submit ted to letter ballot of the Technical Committee on Special Operations Protective Clothing and Equipment , which consists o f 15 voting members and is report ing m 2 Segments.

Segment No. 1 consists of Proposals 1975-1 (Log #1), 1975-2 (Log #2) and 1975-7 (Log #CP1).

On Segment No. 1, all 15 voted affirmatively.

Segment No. 2 consists of the balance of Proposals 1975-3 (Log #6) through 1975-6 (Log #5).

On Segment No. 2, 7 voted affirmatively, 7 negatively after circula- tion of negative ballots (Messrs. Curtis, Ghorashi, Hess, Lawson, Paderick, Stull, Winer), and 1 abstained (Mr. Stanhope).

Please note that this segment did not achieve the reqnired two- thirds Technical Commit tee approval.

Mr. Curtis voted negatively stating: "4-1.1 It is inappropriate and design restrictive to specify "flame

resistant fabrics" or "cotton or wool" fabrics. Performance criteria should be nsed to de termine which textiles are suitable for sta- t ion/work uniforms, and if flame resistance is not a necessary function of these garments, then the standard should establish performance-based requi rements at a safe minimum level for all products, with flame resistant textiles available, ranch as "water resistant" garments are currently available beyond the required min imum per formance base.

4-1.2 Regardless of the flame resistance characteristics, or the level o f flame resistance, all uniforms should be constructed with thread meet ing a comnron, minimtnn performance requirement . Flame resistance of the thread is not a matter for concern; rather, the strength o f the thread in a garment seam, and its ability to resist melt ing u n d e r high heat, are critical safety factors.

5-1.1 Thermal shrinkage was previonsly set at 15 percent maxi- mum, because there was little concern that any fabrics which passed the 6 in. char length reqni rement would have a thermal shrinkage problem. The elimination of the flame resistance requ i rement dictates that the thermal shrinkage tolerance be improved to at least 10 percent maximnm.

5-2.1 The Thread Heat Resistance Test should be required for all thread, irrespective of the propert ies of the textiles.

Othenvise, the "alternate" revisions and the submitted proposals represent not only the widespread desires of the fire service, but also are practical at tempts to move the standard forward in terms of both acceptance by users and improved safety practices. Many depa r tmen t personnel cont inue to wear polyester garments (or high polyester content garments) because the requi rement for flame resistance in compliant uniforms is unsuppor ted by injury statistics, uncontfortable for daily wearing and inefficient under any type of cos t /benef i t analysis. The flame resistance requirements of NFPA 1975 are no longer necessary because of advances that have been made over the last ten years in terms of protective clothing standard for structural fire fighting, the clarification and acceptance of safe and proper usage through implementat ion of NFPA 1500, and the addit ion of standards which include flame resistance for wildlands fire fighting. The NFPA process has evolved o the r standards for o ther clothing to a level which should allow a practical adjustment in NFPA 1975 performance (reduced flame resistance, increased thermal shrinkage resistance.

Perhaps the discrepancies are minor, and can be corrected by the technical commit tee after receipt of public comments."

Mr. Ghorashi voted negatively stating: "Non-FR garments as s ta t ion/work uniforms would increase pos-

sibilities of skin burn and serious injuries. Allowing non-FR, puts us back in providing protection to our fireflghter."

Mr. Hess voted negatively stating: "At this time, I am not familiar with the flame resistance per-

formance of various print ing techniqnes, applicators, inks, silk screening, etc., that result in depar tment logos on 100 percent cotton T-shirts. There is the potential that even thongh the 100 percent cot ton garment will not melt or drip, but the logo could contribute.

Therefore , e i ther fur ther study of "logos', limiting the size of logo's and their placement , or specific testing requirements for tests o f logos (oven test) may be of benefit.

The elimination of polyester, n~lon, non natural (non-FR) fibers is o f u tmost importance and obviously has decreased significantly, increasing firefighter safety.

If tile allowance of 100 percent cotton wotdd even fnr ther de- crease snch non natural (non-FR) fibers, it could be of benefit.

But, the risk of logo's, printing, etc., is still a question in mind, especially since it is ira direct contact with skin."

Mr. Lawson voted negatively stating: "Please change my vote from affirmative to negative on Part 2.

The reason fox" this is that I generally agree with the comments provided by the negative votes."

Mr. Paderick voted negatively stating: "I feel that only FR-fabrics should be used for stat ion/work uni-

forms for fire service personnel because we continue to observe these people performing job fnnctions and duties without fnll protective clothing. Proper PPE as suggested and prescribed are ore r- looked far to often."

Mr. Stull voted negatively stating: "I would like to be recorded as changing my vote from

"affirmative" to "negative" on Part 2 of the Technical Committee on Special Operations Protective Clothing and Eqnipment ballot on 1975-98FM-ROP, Standard on Sta t ion/Work Uniforms (proposed 1998 edition). While it appears that a large propor t ion of the fire service does not desire or feel that they need flame-resistant sta- t ion/work uniforms (as based on fabrics demonst ra t ing acceptable afterflame, char length, and burning behavior to FTMS 191A,5903.1), it is my position that the fire service should be provided the option to select uniforms which are flame resistant, if desired, and that this option be presented in the form o f t standard alternative. This practice could be implemented as an op- tional protection requi rement (as currently done in NFPA 1991 and NFPA 1992) or throngh a separate standard. It is also my opinion that products which demonst ra te flame resistance accord- ing to the established criteria should be labeled as meet ing the flammability testing requirements of the standard.

Stat ion/work uniforms, while not protective clothing, can contribute to fire fighter injury, and it is up to the depar tment (the authority having jurisdiction) to de termine by their own hazard and risk assessment if a need exists for s tat ion/work uniforms which constructed of fabric which are flame resistant."

Mr. Winer voted negatively stating: "Having both FR and non-FR results in a dual s tandard which

has always been against NFPA procedures."

Mr. Stanhope abstained stating: "1. As the representative from a producer with considerable stake

in this issue I feel compel led to abstain on the alternate proposal. We hope that fire depar tments that wish to pnrchase flame resistant s tat ion/work garments will have an NFPA standard with guidelines specific to those garments, such as the cnr ren t rendit ion of NFPA 1975.

However, the alternative issue, whether to write the standard (or a second standard) a round non-flame resistant garments, mnst be de termined by fire service representatives. They are in the best position to assess the need for a s tandard describing non-flame resistant s ta t ion/work uniforms.

2. Should a separate document be written for non-flame resistant, but non-melt ing garments? This would at least allow fire depar tments with each view point to have guidelines for purchasing garm e n ts.

3. Rather than addressing this issue by changing NFPA 1975 per se, should it be addressed through NFPA 1500? We must remem- ber tbat NFPA 1975 simply gives gnidelines to those wishing to purchase a particular type of garment . It does not, in itself, require fire depar tments t opu rchase such garments.

4. As currently worded does the alternative Report on Proposals allow dual levels o f protection, i.e., "either flame resistant fabrics, o_.£r nominally 100 percent cotton...?"

This Report has also been submit ted to letter ballot of the Tech- nical Correlating Committee on Fire and Emergency Services Pro- tective Clothing and Equipment, which consists of 20 voting members; o f whom 19 voted affirmatively and 1 negatively after circnla- tion of negative ballots (Mr. Wollan).

Mr. Wollan voted negatively stating: "The reqnirements in Chapter 2 for certification or.ganization

accreditation to ANSI Z34.1 violate ANSI Z34.1 reqtnrements. In 2-1.2, the draft standard requires certification organization

accreditation in accordance with ANSI Z34.1, Standard for Third- Party Certification Program for Products, Processes, and Services. Paragraph 3.1 of ANSI Z34.1 states that the standards and specifica-

236

tions used for certification shall comply with ISO/IEC Guide 7. ISO/ IEC Guide 7 specifies that s tandards for use for conformity assessment "should be so written that they can be applied by any of the following:

1. a m a n u f a c t u r e r or suppl ier (first party); 2. a user or purchase r (second party); 3. an i n d e p e n d e n t body (third party). Since the draft s tandard manda tes accredited product certific a-

tion and m a n u f a c t u r e r ISO registration, it can not be applied by e i ther first or second parties.

Because the s tandard can not be used by first or second parties, it does not mee t the r equ i rements o f ISO/IEC Guide 7. Because it does not meet ISO/ IEC Guide 7, a product certifier that uses this s tandard does not meet the requ i rements of ANSI Z34.1."

Mr. Taylor voted affirmative with the following comments : "My positive vote on the action o f the Technical Commit tee , arid

fu r the rance o f the Report on Proposals is based on nay belief that the Technica l Commi t t ee will be successful ira finalizing a work- able s tandard following the public c o m m e n t stage. The re are only a few ques t ionable paragraphs or provisions which can surely be add ressed.

4-1.1 It is inappropr ia te and design restrictive to specify "flame resistant fabrics" or "cotton or wool" fabrics. Per fo imance criteria shou ld be used to de te rmine which textiles are suitable tbr sta- t i on /work uni forms, and if f lame resistance is no t a necessary fnnc t ion o f these garments , t hen the s tandard should establish per- fo rmance-based r equ i r emen t s at a safe m i n i m u m level for all products , with f lame resistant textiles available, m u c h as "water resistant" ga rmen t s are current ly available beyond the required m i n i m u m pe r fo rmanc e base.

4-1.2 Regardless of the f lame resistance characteristics, or the level of f lame resistance, all un i fo rms should be cons t ruc ted with th read mee t i ng a c o m m o n , m i n i m u m per fo rmance requi rements . Flame resistance o f the th read is no t a mat ter for great concern; rather, the s t rength o f the thread in a ga rmen t seam, and its ability to resist mel t ing u n d e r high heat, are critical safety factors.

5-1.1 T h e r m a l shr inkage was previously set at 15 percen t maxi- m u m , because there was little concern that any fabrics which passed the 6 ira. cha r length requ i rements would have a thermal shr inkage problem. T he e l iminat ion of the f lame resistance requ i r emen t s dictates that the thermal shr inkage tolerance be improved to at least 10 pe rcen t m a x i m u m .

5-2.1 The Th read Heat Resistance Test should be requi red for all thread, irrespective o f the proper t ies o f the textiles. Or, all seams shou ld be tested after a c o m m o n heat exposure . In any event, the m i n i m u m structural integrity o f the seams should not vary based upon ttle f lame or heat resistant characteristics of the textiles.

Othelavise, the "ahernate" revisions and tile submi t ted proposals represent not only the widespread desires o f the fire service, but also are practical a t tempts to move the s tandard forward in terms of both acceptance by users and improved safety practices. Many d e p a r t m e n t personnel con t inue to wear polyester ga rmen t s (or high polyester con ten t garments ) because the r equ i r emen t / ' o r flame resistance in compl ian t un i forms is u n s u p p o r t e d by injul-y statistics, uncomfor tab le for daily wearing and inefficient u n d e r any type of cos t /benef i t analysis. The f lame resistance requirements of NFPA 1975 are no longer necessary because of advances that have been made over the last ten years in terms of protective clothing s tandards t'or structural fire fighting, the clarification and acceptance of safe and proper usage th rough iml~lementation of NFPA 1500, and the addit ion of s tandards which include flame resistance for wildlands fire f ighting. The NFPA process has al- ready evolved o ther s tandards for o ther c lo thing to a level which should allow a practical ad jus tment in NFPA 1975 per fo rmance ( reduced flame resistance, increased tbermal shr inkage resistance). Fur thermore , if FR requ i rements evolve for technical rescue, there will be even less reason to include f lame resistance in daily work un i form standards.

The discrepancies are minor , and can be corrected by the Tech - nical Commi t t ee after receipt o f public comment s . "

2 3 7

N F P A 1 9 7 5 ~ F 9 8 R O P

(Log #1) 1975- 1 - (1-1.1): Reject SUBMITTER: Robert J. Post, Gwinnet t County Dept. of Fire Serv- ices RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows:

"This s tandard shall specify m i n i m u m general requi rements , m i n i m u m pe r fo rmance requ i rements , and test me t hods for textiles and o the r materials used in the const ruct ion o f all c o m p o n e n t s that comprise a typical s ta t ion /work un i form to be worn by members o f the fire service." SUBSTANTIATION: T he cu r ren t s tandard ONLY addresses uniform pants and shirts. T h e t rend in the fire service is to wear a t- shir t with the d e p a r t m e n t logo on the front and back dur ing the s u m m e r m o n t h s and a sweatshirt or work shir t dur ing the winter months . With this practice, a majority of the fire service is not af- forded the protect ion this s tandard was in tended to provide. The scope of the s tandard needs to be expanded to include c lothing i tems of this type. COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject. COMMITTEE STATEMENT: Noth ing in existing text restricts s t a t i o n / u n i f o r m s to only shirts and pants.

are safe ira that they will no t mel t or drip into a bu rn wotmd, they provide the insulat ing effect that any layer of fabric will provide, they wick water off of the firefigbter increas ing comfor t and reduc- ing heat stress, they accept dyes allowing any n u m b e r of colors to be used, and they are an inexpensive alternative to o the r NFPA 1975-compliant fabrics.

The Phoenix Fire Depa r tmen t has expe r imen ted with a n u m b e r of NFPA 1975-compliant fabrics for our uni forms. We have never been able to locate an acceptable alternative to the 100 percent cotton shirts that our member s have been wearing safely for the past fifteen years. The compl ian t fabrics that this Depar tmen t has tested have been unacceptable ira terms of appearance , comfort , heat stress, and expense.

On behal f of the Phoenix Fire Depar tment , I s trongly encourage the Technical Commi t tee on Fire Service Protective Clothing and Equ ipmen t to consider allowing 100 percen t cot ton fabrics to be used for many fire depar tments , inc luding ours, to full comply with the s tandard without compromis ing f irefighter safety. COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle. COMMITTEE STATEMENT: See Commi t t ee Action on Proposal 1975-5 (Log #3), 19754 (Log #4), and 1975-6 (Log #5).

(Log #2) 1975- 2 - (1-3 S ta t ion /Work Uniforms) : Accept ira Principle SUBMITTER: Rober t J . Post, Gwinnet t County Dept. of Fire Serv- ices RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows:

"Sta t ion/Work Uniforms. Nonpr imary protective garments that are i n t ended to be worn by m e m b e r s of the fire service while on duty and that are certified as compl ian t with this s tandard including t-shirts, sweatshirts, d en i m work shirts, sweat pants and gym type shorts but exc lud ing socks, underwear , dress uniforms, and ou te r jackets." SUBSTANTIATION: Members of the fire se~wice nat ion wide are now wear ing t-shirts and sweatshirts in lieu of the traditional un i- form shir t du r ing their duty tour. After hours , m e m b e r s are wearing gym shorts or sweat pants u n d e r their t u rnou t pants instead of the un i fo rm pant. T he presen t s tandard fails to address these i tems and their potential for cont r ibu t ing to bnrn injuries. COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.

I evise 1-3 S ta t ion /Work Uni forms to read: "Garments that are not pr imary protective garments , that are in-

t ended to be worn by m e m b e r s of fire and emergency services while on duty, and that are certified a compl ian t with this s tandard but exc lud ing c lo th ing i tems that are in tended for use as underwear, socks, dress uni~forms, and outerwear jackets." COMMITTEE STATEMENT: T h e Commi t t ee agreed with the submit ter ' s in tent and modif ied the defini t ion as shown but did not agree with listing the "include" itelns of s ta t ion/work uniforms.

The "including" list is too restrictive as the list would have to list every item or certain things could become excluded as they were not listed.

NOTE: Since the ballot on this Proposal did not conf irm the Commit tee Action, the Commit tee is solicit ing public c o m m e n t for review when the proposal is reconsidered by the Committee as a Public Comment .

(Log #6) 1975- 3 - (3-1): SUBMITTER: Kevin M Roche, Phoenix Fire Dept. RECOMMENDATION: T he primary area of the s tandard which may need a t tent ion in Section 3-1 (flame resistance). Ctmnges may also be needed ira Sections 3-3 ( thread heat resistance) and Section 3-4 (seam s t rength) in o rder to assure tha t commercial ly available t-shirts, polo shirts, work shirts, shor t patats, and trousers are compliant. SUBSTANTIATION: We propose that NFPA 1975, Standard on S ta t ion /Work Un i fo rms for Fire Fighters, be modif ied in its next edit ion to allow the use of 100 percen t cot ton uni form i tems such as t-shirts, polo shirts, work shirts, un i form shor t pants, and trousers.

NFPA 1975 has done a great deal to help assure that firefighter's work un i fo rms do not cont r ibute to the severity of burns ore o ther injuries that a f irefighter migh t receive in the line of" duty. In 1985, when NFPA 1975 was first issued, 100 percen t polyester f irefighter tmiforms were c o m m o n , the use of polyester in s ta t ion/work uniforms has dramatically decreased in the past ten years, substantially increasing the safety of firefighters. This improvemen t in safety is directly at tr ibutable to NFPA 1975.

In addit ion to e l imina t ing polyester and polyester blends as acceptable fabrics for s ta t ion /work imiforms, NFPA 1975 also elim i- na ted the acceptat~ility of 100 percent cotton fabrics. These fahtics

NOTE: Since the ballot on this Proposal did not conf irm the Committee Action, the Commit tee is solicit ing public c o m m e n t for review when the proposal is reconsidered by the Commit tee as a Public Comment .

(Log #4) 1975- 4 - (3-1.1): SUBMITTER: Glenn Benar ick, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Dept. RECOMMENDATION: Add a new paragraph as follows:

"Where fabrics for s ta t ion /work tmiforms are no t e i ther durably treated or inherent ly f lame resistant fabrics, the fabric shall be normally 100 percen t cot ton or wool." SUBSTANTIATION: The f lame resistance r equ i r em en t el iminates all non FR fabrics f rom being suitable for s ta t ion /work uni forms. The commit tee has stated that these un i fo rms are not "primary protective garments" and, therefore 100 percent natural fiber materials should be allowed for s ta t ion /work uni forms. Th e cost, availability and comfor t o f 100 pe rcen t cot ton c lothing a long with the reasonable level of thermal stability make these very desirable for the fire service. Many (most) fire depa r tmen t s ignore NFPA 1975 because the ga rmen t s that are compl iant with NFPA 1975 are costly and uncomfor table . The commit tee has no t demons t r a t ed any reason that 100 percent cotton garments are a dange r to fire fighters when used as "non-pr imary protective garments ." Th e hea t resistance per fo rmance in Section 3-2 and the test m e t h o d in Sec- tion 4-3 will discr iminate a m o n g fabrics that have poor thermal stability and keep them from being nsed in NFPA 1975 compl ian t s ta t ion /work uniforms. The proposal would limit the natural fabrics to 100 percent cot ton or wool for s ta t ion /work uni forms when the fire depa r tmen t does no t select a f lame resistant fabric. COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.

Add new Ctmpter 4 to read: 4-1 General . 4-1.1 Sta t ion/work un i fo rms shall be permi t ted to be const ructed

from ei ther flame resistant fabrics, or nominal ly 100 percen t cotton or wool fabrics.

4-1.2 Where s ta t ion/work uni forms are cons t ruc ted from flame resistant fabrics, the ga rments shall be st i tched with tread of an inherent ly f lame resistant fiber. COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The proposed text is added to a new Chapter 4 for design requi rements , and the Commi t tee added a exclusion conce rn ing FR thread. See also the Commi t t ee Action on Proposal 1975-6 (Log #5).

NOTE: Since the ballot on this Proposal did not conf irm the Committee Action, the Commit tee is so l ic i t ing public c omme nt for review when the proposal is reconsidered by the Committee as a Public Comment .

(Log #3) 1975- 5 - (3-1.1, and 4-2): SUBMITTER: Glenn Benarick, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Dept. RECOMMENDATION: Delete 3-1.1 and Section 4-2 entirely to remove per formance r equ i r emen t and test me thod for f lame resistance test. SUBSTANTIATION: The flame resistance per fo rmance and test el iminates all non FR fabrics from being suitable for s ta t ion /work uniforms. The colnmit tee has stated that these un i forms are not

2 3 8

N F P A 1 9 7 5 n F9 8 R O P

"primary protective garments" and, therefore 10O percent natural fiber materials should be allowed for station/work uniforms. The cost, availability and comfort of 100 percent cotton clothing along with the reasonable level of thermal stability makes it a very desl r- able fabric for the fire service. Many (most) fire departments ignore NFPA 1975 because the garments that are compliant with NFPA 1975 are costly and uncomfortable. The committee has not demonstrated any reason that 100 percent cotton garments are a danger to fire fighters when used as "non-primary protective garments." The heat resistance performance in Section 3-2 and the test method in Section 4-3 will discriminate among fabrics that have poor thermal stability and keep them from being used in NFPA 1975 compliant station/work uniforms. The other proposal I have submitted for a newparagraph 3-1.1 can be used to require only 100 percent natural fiber fabrics be allowed when the fabric is not flame resistant fabric. COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.

Delete Sections 3-1 and 4-2 (1994 edition numbering). COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The Technical Committee agrees with the submitters intent and has proposed to delete the flame test requirements.

NOTE: Since the ballot on this Proposal did not confirm the Committee Action, the Committee is soliciting public comment for review when the proposal is reconsidered by the Committee as a Public Comment.

(Log #5) 1975- 6- (3-3.1): SUBMITTER: Glenn Benarick, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Dept. RECOMMENDATION: Revise Section 3-3.1 as follows:

"Where station/work uniforms are constructed with flam¢ resis- trait fabrics, all thread utilized in station/work garments shall be of inherently flame resistant fiber, and sample specimens shall not melt when tested as specified in Section 4-4, Thread Heat- Resistance Testing." SUBSTANTIATION: The flame resistance requirement eliminates all non FR fabrics from being suitable for station/work uniforms. The committee has stated that these uniforms are not "primary protective garments," therefore 100 percent natural fiber materials should be allowed for station/work uniforms. The cost, availability, and comfort of 100 percent cotton clothing along with the reasonable level of thermal stability make these very desirable for the fire service. Many (most) fire departments ignore NFPA 1975 because the garments that are compliant with NFPA 1975 are costly and uncomfortable. The committee has not demonstrated any reason that 100 percent cotton garments are a danger to fire fighters when used as "non-primary protective garments." The thread heat resistance performance in Section 3-3 and the test method in Section 4-4 need to apply to flame resistant fabrics when used for station/work uniforms. COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.

See Committee Action on Proposal 1975-4 (Log #4) where a design requirement was added to Chapter 4.

Revise 3-3.1 (1994 edition numbering) to read: "For station/work uniforms constructed with flame resistant fab-

rics, specimens of all thread utilized in garment construction shall be tested for heat resistance as specified in Section 4-4, Thread Heat Resistance Testing, and shall not melt. COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The proposed text is added to a new Chapter 4 for design requirements and the performance requirement for the thread's heat resistance is now in Chapter 5.

(Log #CP1) 1975- 7 - (Entire Document): Accept SUBMITrER: Technical Committee on Special Operations Pro- tective Clothing and Equipment

I RECOMMENDATION: Completely revise NFPA 1975, Standard on Station/Work Uniforms for Fire Fighters, 1994 edition, as shown at the end of this report; and re-title/he document as NFPA 1975, .Standard on Station/Work Uniforms for Fire and Emergency Serv- ices. SUBSTANTIATION: The Committee has completely revised the 1994 edition of NFPA 1975. The document has been changed to the format for all standards in this project.

The Committee considered at great length four Proposals (Logs 3, 4, 5, and 6) that essentially address the same subject area, and would alter the requirements to allow 100 percent non-FR treated cotton fabric to be acceptable material for station/work uniforms. These Proposals would eliminate the "flame resistance test" but would retain the "heat resistance test" (500 ° for 5 minutes) for melt/drip/ignite, and for thermal shrinkage.

The Committee seeks input from the fire and emergency services on this issue and encourages users of station/work uniforms to respond with suggested changes or positions and substantiation for these for the Committee to study.

All certification requirements are now in Chapter 2 and a new requirement for the certification organizations to be accredited to an ANSI standard is included in 2-1.1. There is a new section, Section 2-5, requiring manufacturer registration to the ISO 9000 series documents to assure adequate quality control of the manufacturing process and final products.

Product labeling and user requirements for all items of station/work uniforms are now in Chapter 3 and includes expanded requirements for the information a manufacturer is required to provide to the purchaser.

The performance requirements for all items of station/work uniforms are now in Chapter 4 (as there are no design requirements that would normally constitute a Chapter 4). The performance requirements in Chapter 4 contain what the necessary performance levels are for materials used to construct these garments and the pass/fail levels. Test methods to determine if these performance requirements are met are found in Chapter 5, and the appropriate test method is accessed by direct reference in the respective the performance requirements (in Chapter 4). Changes in Chapter 4 include adding a new paragraph, 4-1.2, to specify the flame resistance performance for small items, such as emblems (patches), and pass/fail for afterflame, melting, and dripping and that they can not be totally consumed. Section 3-5 in the 1994 edition has been combined into Section 4-2 in this proposed 1999 edition as the test method for heat resistance and thermal shrinkage is the same and the shrinkage pass/fail has been added to the performance r e- quirement in 4-2.1 and to the modified test method.

Chapter 5, Test Methods, has been revised and reformatted to improve on clarity of test methods and update tests that have been revised since the 1994 edition. The dry-cleaning conditioning done prior to flame testing, forgarments that are labeled to be dry- cleaned, has been changed flora 50 cycles (4-2.3 in the 1994 edition), to 100 cycles (5-1.4 in the proposed 1999 edition) to be com- patible with the same requirements for garments labeled to be machine washed. It is important for users to realize that the 100 wash/dry cycles, or the 100 dry cleaning cycles, are not intended to replicate the number of launderings that a garment is able to undergo before it is retired. Also important to note is that the I00 cycles do not indicate that the garment will no longer be flame resistant when the 100 cycles are exceeded. Th e purpose of the 100 cycles is to test the durability of the flame resis- tatlce of the fabric. Testing has shown that fabrics that retain their flame resistance and pass the flame resistance test requirements of Section 4-1 (of the proposed 1999 edition) after the 100 cycles will remain flame resistance for the life expectancy of the fabric, regardless of die number of launderings.

General revision to upgrade text was done throughout the document. COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.

239

N F P A 1 9 7 5 ~ F 9 8 R O P

NFPA 1975

Standard on S t a t i o n / W o r k U n i f o r m s

For Fire and Emergency Services

1999 Edit ion

NOTICE: An ,asterisk (*) following tile n u m b e r or letter des ignat ing a paragraph indicates that explanatory material on the paragraph can be f o u n d in Appendix A.

Informat ion on re fe renced publ icat ions can be f o u n d in Chapter 6 and Append ix B.

Chapte r 1 Adminis t ra t ion

1-1 Scope.

1-1.1 This s t andard shall specify the m i n i m u m pe r fo rmance and certification requ i rements and die test me t hods for textiles mad o ther materials used in die const ruct ion of s ta t ion /work nn i fo rms to be worn by member s of the fire and emergency services person nel.

1-1.2 This stan&u-d shall apply to the manu fac t u r e r arid certification

Compliant . Meet ing or exceeding all applicable requ i rements of this s tandard.

Componen t s .* All materials and hardware - - such as emblems, thread, trim, bindings, zippers, snaps, but tons, a n d labels, but excluding textiles and inter l inings - - used in die construct ion of s t a t ion /work uni forms.

Drip. To run or fall in drops or blobs.

Emblem. A shield, heraldry, or p r in t ing tha t is painted, screened, embro idered , sewn, glued, bonded , or otherwise a t tached in a p e r m a n e n t m a n n e r to a s ta t ion /work un i fo rm tha t designates a governmenta l enti ty or a specific organization; rank, title, position; or some o the r professional status.

Flame Resistance. Tile property of a material whereby combus t ion is prevented, te rminated , or inhibi ted following applicat ion o f a f laming or non f l aming source o f ignit ion, with or without subsequen t removal of the ignition source. Flame resistance can be an i nhe ren t property of die textile material, or it can be impar ted by specific t reatment .

Follow-up Program. T h e sampl ing inspections, tests, or o ther measures conduc ted by file certification organizat ion on a periodic b;t~is to de te .rpjine file con t inued compl iance o f labeled a n d listed products th..~.~.~i~,e being p roduced by the manufac tu re r to the r eq u ire m . . ~ ~ : ~ i ~ i s s tandard. of new s ta t ion /work un i fo rms and die individual ga rmen t s

compr is ing s ta t ion /work utliforms. Tlfis s tandard shall no t apply to ..::¢'~?~i::iii.':.. s t a t ion /work un i fo rms and ga rmen t s manu fac t u r ed to previous G a r ~ { n t . " : : ~ . n i t of textile apparel tha t covers the torso and limbs eel itions of NFPA 1975. or . : .R~, of l i ' ~ . , .

..::-!'.:?-:.::':'~::,. ::~i, '~,~!.:'.'-.:"~::.. ::, 1-1.3" This s t andard ,alone shall no t apDIv to un i forms and ..::#i:]nhe~nt F l amg"~(~ ' t ance . As appl ied to textiles, f lame resistance ~arments dlat are i n t ended to provide ol"imarv nrotect ion f rom a ..::i!::i~" thai.as derived frq..~:~m essential characterist ic of the fiber or glven hazard exposure. " " - - " .s,.4i:%~iiis:iii..p::o!.~...~.from wh~'~:h the textile is made.

1-1.4 Certification of stat iori /work ml i forms to the r equ i rements of ~ ! i n i n g . Any textile diat is i n t ended for incorpora t ion into any this s t andard shall no t preclude certification to addit ional "!iiii~::::-: . . . . aru~!i..9...,.f.:s~lothing as a layer between outer and inner layers. appropr ia t e pr imary protective g a r m e n t s tandards where the %!ii;~'iii-i:!: ..... ":.:'z-'i---" ~arments meet :ill r equ i rements of each s tandard % :<"-'i:~i-:~ii~'-:iiiii!i!:,...L.a.b..~d. E q u i p m e n t or materials to which has been a t tached a o , '":.:i: . . . . . ?:."::"-"::i:i~i~i~/l, symbol, or tal ler identifying mark o f an organizat ion that is 1-1.5 No th ing here in is i n t ended to restrict anyjurisdicyd~n or ::'."ii::#-" .:,.~ceptable to the author i ty having jur isdic t ion a n d conce rned with

e e l S tit t ~ S roduct e v d u a n o n tha t m a m t m n s erlodlc ins ectaon of manufac tu re r fl'orn exc .¢ ing die, e min im n re%-f~e'~/:{::'i:t~ . 'i~{::i:. "P ; • " , " " P " " " P " ..:a~!" ".:{iF ::'i.:ii::::..',4:" [production of labeled e q u i p m e n t or materials, and by whose

1-2 Purnose .:::.:.i~iii~" . . . . . .~::.:::::.: .... 4i:: .~}.]-')" labeling tile manu fac tu r e r indicates compl iance with appropr ia te " " ":::" "%::::::i::i.....:::i-i'*:':":'::i~!:::i:i:i:i::i::.:.i::i!. - ' ' :" s tandards or p e r f o r m a n c e in a specified manne r . -

1-2.1 The purpose of this s tandard shall b.e....tO..provi'~i::~enther:s::::~t" serv s w st ~ u t w LLsted* E m ment , materials, or serwces inc luded m a hst the fire a n a e m e r g e n c y "ce "th, a ~ i " : ' : ~ ' : ~ n i e c e ' s ~ a il " ~ . q "P " ' . . . .

no t contr ibute to burn injury severity. .::ii:: . . . . . . ::::::::i!!i!i:, '::iii.!ii!.'..-'.':. pub l i sbed by an organizat ion m a t is acceptable to die authori ty ..::~:::i::i::i.. %::::::iii!i . . . . -i ::!i .... having jur isdic t ion arid conce rned with evaluation of products or

1-2.2 Control led laboratory tests i~e~i~! : : f . le termin~on, pliarice with settt~tices, t|totrma~emrlinss PoeTiodic inspect ion of p roduc t ion of listed the per formmlce requ i rements of this dr?~.~ird shaf~!:not be d e e m e d eq ' p r een m "al periodic evaluation of services, an d ms establ ishing perf i)rmimce levels for a l l "~ f ioo#!~{o which fire and whose l isung states tilat e i ther the equ ipment , material, or service e~ner~encv . . . . . . . . se~wices Personnel mitzht be ex t~:':'::'k "~'.~.., ~. meets .~identified~ s tandards or has been tested and found suitable for

i:.::'::" a s p e c m e a purpose. 1-2.3" This stasidard shall no t be in t ended t~::serve ~Ls a derailed manufac tu r ing or purchiLsing specification but shall be permi t ted to be referenced i~ purchiL~e specificatious as m i u m m m requi rements .

1-3 Definitions.

Approved.* Acceptable to die authori ty having jurisdict ion.

* Authori ty Having Jur isdict ion. The organization, office, or individual responsible for approving equ ipmen t , an insta[latiort, or a procedure .

Cer t i f ica t ion/Cer t i f ied . A system whereby a certification orgmfization de te rmines that a mimufac ture r hits demons t r a t ed tile ability to p roduce it p roduc t that complies with the requ i rements of this s tandard , audTorizes tbe manufac tu re r to use a label oil listed p roduc t s that comply with the requ i rements of this s tandard, and establ ishes a follow-up p rog ram conduc ted by die certification organizat ion a.~ a check on the me thods the mamffac ture r uses to de te rmine compl iance with die requi renlents of this s tandard.

Certification Mark or Label. The author ized identification symbol or logo of the certification organization.

Certif ication Organizat ion. Au independen t , third-party organizat ion tha t de te rmines p roduc t compl iance with the r equ i r emen t s of dais s t andard us ing a label ing/ l i s t ing/ fo l low-up program.

Major Stress Seams. C|asses of seams tha t des ignate m i n i m u m sewn searn requi rements .

Class L T h e seat seams, side serous, a n d inseams of pants; the seat seams, side seams, inseams, and waist seams in file bo t tom por t ion of coveralls; asld the yoke(s) seams, side seams, sleeve set and close seams, a n d shou lde r seams for tile u p p e r por t ion of coveralls.

Class II. The yoke(s) seams, side seams, sleeve set an d close seams, a n d shou lder seams for knit fabrics and woven shir t ing fabrics.

Manufac ture r . T h e entity tha t assumes the liability and provides tile warranty for the compl iant product .

Melt. A mater ia l ' s response to hea t evidenced by sof tening of the fiber polymer that results in flowing or dr ipping.

Primary Protective Garment . A g a r m e n t tha t is designed, certified, and in t ended to be the barrier of protect ion f rom a specific hostile e~lvironnlent.

Product Label. A label or mark ing affixed by the manufac tu re r to eacb compl iant s ta t ion /work unKorm ga rmen t . Such labels contain compl iance s ta tements , genera l informat ion , care, ma in tenance , or similar data. The produc t label is no t file certification organizat ion 's label, symbol, or identifying mark; however, the

240

N F P A 1 9 7 5 ~ F 9 8 R O P

certification organizat ion 's label, symbol, or identifying mark is a t tached to or a part of tl~e product label.

Separate. A material 's response evidenced by split t ing or delanfinating.

Sewn Seam. A series of sti tches j o i n i ng two or more separate plies of material(s) of l~lan:n ' s t ructure, such as textiles.

ShaU. Indicates a manda to ry requi rement .

Should. Indicates a , ' ecommenda t ion or d~at which is advised but no t required.

S ta t ion/Work Uniforms. Nonpr imary l)rotective garments that are certified a.s cou|pl i :mt with this s t andard and are in t ended to be worn by melnbers of the lire and emergency services while on duty. Sta t ion/work un i fo rm garments exclude clothing items that are in t ended for use ,as underwear , socks, dress uniforuls, and outerwear jackets.

Textiles. A planar s t ructure material consisting of yarns or fibers.

1-4 Units.

14.1 In dais s tandard, values for m e a s u r e m e n t are followed by an equivalent value in parentheses , bu t only the first s tated value shall be regarded ,as the requ i rement . Equivalent valnes in parentheses shall not be considered a.s d~e requ i rement , ,as these values could be approx imate .

Chapter 2 Certification

2-1 General.

2-1.1 All s ta t ion/work uni forms that are labeled as being compliant

2-2.1" The certification organizat ion shall no t be owned or co ntrol led by mamffac ture rs or vendors of the p roduc t being certified. The certification organizat ion shall be primarily engaged in certification work and shall no t have a mone ta ry interest in the product ' s uh ima te profiutbility.

2-2.2 Tim certification organizat ion shall refi~se to certify products to this s tandard tha t do not comply with all applicable requ i rements of dtis s tandard.

2-2.8* The contractual provisions between fl~e certification organ ization and fl~e manufac tu re r shall specify that certification is con t ingen t on compl iance with all applicable requ i rements of dais s tandard . The re shall be no conditional, temporary, or partial certifications. Manufacturers shall no t be auf lmrized to use any label or reference to the certification organizat ion on products flaat are no t manufac tu red in compl iance with all applicable requ i rements of this stancktrd.

2-2.4* The certification laboratory shall have laboratory facilities and e q u i p m e n t available for conduc t ing proper tests, shall have a p rogram for calibration of all ins t rnments in place and operating, and shall have procedures in use to ensu re proper control of all testing. Good practice shall be followed regarding the use of laboratory manuals , form data sheets, d o c u m e n t e d calibration and calibration routines, pe r fo rmance verification, proficiency testing, and staft qua!..i..:f..{~!on and t ra ining programs.

s:-"i?'" "':% 2-2.5 Th.e.i~:.tjfication organization shall require dre manufac tu re r to establish '~i~::.malntain a p rogram of product ion inspect ion and testit.~g'::~tt a t " ~ t meets the requ i rements of Section 2-4. The cc~ '~. i i~ . r~ o r g a ~ t . i o . o shall ensure tlaat the andi t assurance l ,~g ra iN 'p rov ides "g:~.'~i['imed produc t compl iance with this

.... ii~tan d~ 'd . ,;iiiii .... .-:::::""::i:?i:i~.-'. .:':i:":!::.. " "~¢~,.6.#~'[:i:~'certification organization a n d the manufac tu re r shall

eCi{~te any changes ~dtecting the form, fit, or f imct ion of dae with dfis s tandard shall mee t or exceed all applicahle requiremq:~tg.s certit~.43f.4Jduct to de te rmine its con t inued certification to this specified in dtis s tandard and shall be certified. Manut~tcturers ~[{~:!::.-... s t a n d a ' i ~ i::" not c a n conq)liance with a port ion (s) or seglnent (s l of d~e "i}:::'":'::::iiii::iiiii!'i.:.:!!:i:.:-... .:::i::" r equ i rements of this s tandard and shall riot use the nanle or "ii::i:: . . . . . . . .::ii::::ii:::i~}~:" The certification organization shall have a follow-up identification of this s tandard, NFPA 1975 in any staten.~e.r~Jcs about::iii;:.i!!!i i::" in~'~ection progr:ma of the marnffactur ing facilities of the certified their respective products unless the product is certifit,'e~:i~:0i::::{".~Ls :?ii{~ product , with at least two r a n d o m and u n a n n o u n c e d visits per 12-

m o u t h period. As part of dae follow-up inspect ion program, the s tandard. .... ¢~::~i~::i::i~ . . . . :#. ............. .:~:...~i~.-.:-::"

2-1.2 All cer tmcat iou shall be pe r fo rmed by a c~:]:tifl~{i:~i:':":'::::i{i::::ii::~:::ii:'::" organization that meets at least the requ i rements specig~.~t:..in ":::::::: Section 2-2 and that is accredi ted for pers..~ii{ii~}..~tccti~;~!i~Jipment in accordance with ANSI Z34.1, Stand-ar...g.'i::for Tlit~.~a..,*~ C"~3~iation Program for Products, Processes, and So.~'¢.es. '::iiii::{::::i:: ..::iii::"

.'i¢:::%::{~i .... : ....... 2-1.3" Sta t ion/work uni forms that are ii~:{~.~ted to p~+ ide primary protectiorl f rom a specific hazard(s) shall ~:~!i~be cet:~itied only; to this s tandard. Sta t ion/work urfiforms that ar'~i::~*t,~:t~ied to p,ovide pr imary protect ion ti 'om a specific hazard(s) sl]ii)~[::"be certified to the appropr ia te NFPA s tandard(s) flint applies to [~:~:otection f rom the in te r . t ed hazard(s) and shall also be certified to tiffs s tandard.

certification orgarfization shall select saunple p roduc t at r a n d o m from the u lanufacturer ' s product ion line, f rom the mamlfac turer ' s in-house stock, or fi 'om the open market . Sample p roduc t shall be inspected and tested by die certification organization to verify the product ' s con t inued compliance.

2-2.8 The certification organization shall have a p rogram for investigating field reports alleging ma lpe r to rmance or failure of listed products .

2-2.9* The certification organization shall require the manufac tu re r to have a product recall system as part of the manufac ture r ' s quality ;Lssu,'an ce program.

2-1.4 All individual ga rments of compl iant s ta t ion/work uni torms shall be labeled a n d listed. T he p roduc t label(s) sball mee t the requ i rements specified in 3-1.1.

2-1.:~ Tbe cerUficatmn . rganiza t ion ' s label, symbol, or identif~cing mark shall be a t tached to die p roduc t label or shall be part of tbe p roduc t label.

2-1.6 The certification organizat ion shall not certify any s ta t ion /work unifornl ga rments to the 1994 edition of this s tandard on - r ~d'ter 1 August 1999.

2-1.7 Tim certific~ttion organization shall not pernfit any mamffac tm'er to label any s ta t ion/work uif iform ga rmen t s ~s compl iant with the 199,t edit ion of this s tandard on or after 1 August 1999.

2-1.8 The certification organization shall require manufac tu re r s to remove all certification labels and product labels indicat ing compl iance with the 1994 edition of tiffs s tandard f rom all s ta t ion/work un i form garnaer~ts that are u n d e r the control of the manufac tu re r on 1 August 1999. Tim certification orgmnzat ion shall verify that this action is taken.

2-2 Certification Program.

2-2.10 The certification organizat ion 's operat ing procedures shall provide a umchan i sm for tim manufac tu re r to appeal decisions. Th e procedures shall include the presenta t ion of informat ion f rom both sides of a controversy to a des ignated appeals panel.

2-2.11 The certificat :., organizat ion shall be in a posit ion to use legal means to [grotect the integrity of its n a m e and label. Th e n am e ;tad label shall t~e registered and legally defended .

2-3 Inspection and Testing.

2-3.1 Sampl ing levels for test ing and inspect ion shall be established by the certification orgzmlzation and die manufac tu re r to assure a reasonable and acceptable reliability at a reasonable and acceptable conf idence level that products certified to this s t andard are compl ian t unless such sampl ing levels are specified herein. Tlfis in format ion shall be provided to the purchaser upon request.

2-3.2 All inspections, e~,qluations, condi t ioning, and testing for certification or for recertification shall be conduc ted by the certification organization.

2-3.3 Any inspection, evaluation, condi t ioning, or testing conduc ted by a p roduc t manufac tu re r shall no t be used in the certification or recertification process.

241

N F P A 1 9 7 5 ~ F 9 8 R O P

2-3.4 Inspection by the certification orgariization shall include a review of all product labels to ensure that all reqttired label a t tachment , compliance statements, certification statements, and o ther product information are at least a~s specified in Section 3-1 for the specific item.

2-3.5 Inspection by the certification org:mization shall include a review of the user information required by Section 3-2 to ensure daat the information has been developed and is available. 2-3.6 Testing conducted by d~e certification organization in accordance with the testing requirements of Chapter 5, for determit i ing product compliance with the applicable requi rements specified in Chapter 4 of tiffs s tandard shall be per formed oil samples representat ive of materials and compotmrits used in ti~e actual construction of dm emergency medical garments, gloves, or face protection devices. The certification organization shall also be permit ted to use sample materials cut from a representative product .

2-3.7 Any change in the design, construction, or material of a co mplkmt product shaU necessitate new inspection zmd testing to verify compliance to all applicable requirements of dais stasadard that fl~e certification organization determines can be ,affected by such change. This recertification shall be conducted before labeling the modif ied products as beiug compliant with this

2-5.1 The manufacturer shall provide and operate a quality a ssuranceprogram that meets tim requirements of this section and that includes a product recall system as specified in 2-2.9.

2-5.2 The m,'mufacturer shall be registered to ISO 9001, Quality Systems - - Model for Quality Assurance in Design, Development, Production, Installation, and Servicing.

2-5.3 All e lements of tim protective ensemble shall be required to be assembled in a facility that is registered at least to ISO 9002, Quality Systems - - Model for Quality Assurance in Production, I'nstallation. and Servicing.

2-5.4 The ISO registration requirements siaall have an effective date of 1 March 2001.

2-5.5 Until 1 Marcia 2001, or until the date the manufacturer becomes ISO registered, whichever date occurs first, the marmfacturer shall comply with Section 2-4.

Chapter 3 Labeling and Information

3-1 Product Label Requirements.

standard. 3-1.1 Each stati.on/work uniform garment shall have a product label(s) perm..~.~.~.tly and conspicuously attached. At least one

2-3.8 The certificatioia organization shall not allow any product la!~"sli~'~!Joe conspicuously located inside each garment. modifications, pre t reannent , condit ioning, or o ther sucla special The p r o ~ i ~ ' l a b e l shall be at tached to the garment along the entire processes of the product or any product c o m p o n e n t prior to the perimeg.~" o ' ~ : . l a b e l . product 's submission for ewaluation and testing by the certification ..... ":'.!i!:'~:. ":i-'-i~i~::, organization. The certification organization shall accept, from the 3 - ! , ~ . ~ $ i p l e l~ !~ . . i eges shall be permit ted in order to carry all manufacturer for evaluation and testing for certification, only ~l~'em~':ii~ts and i n t a ~ i o n required to be on the product label. product or product components that are tim same in every respect ~:#" %. ::~: to the actual final product or product component . The certification .:~}i~..*.l.3'a~he certific~.tion organization's label, symbol, or identifying organization shall not allow the substitution, repair, or " "~.~-:~li','~II: be permanent ly at tached to tile product label or shall b-e modification, oflaer th:m as specifically permit ted herein, of ,any pdPi~{i~<the product label. product or any product componen t during testing. #.-.....-. "::?i{{-"->-....:#'~" - , :'iiii::iiii~ii~i?:-::: ...... 3-1.4 ~-']]{i~"~orded p..ortions of the required product label shall be 2-4 Manufacturer s Quality Assurance Program. "iiii!~':'::':~'~:'.':i~ii~iiiiii::~}~i:.t.~te:.4":"at least in lmglish.

2-4.1 The manufacturer shall provide and maintain a c~l.'ktv :!::i~::iii:ff" 3-.jiiig Symbols ,and other pictorial graphic representat ions shall be assurance program that includes a documented inslL...~.-'ti[i$~i~d "r{i: permit ted to be used to supplement worded statements on the product recall system. The mannfacturer shall bav~..:fih insl!~:tion v~::::-.=;:- p roduct label(s). system to substantiate conformance to tills standa~iii::._ ::~":!.:-:::.:-:,.. "~.....-:.'{U"

:::" %~iiiii::,..::i:'U'':%:i~iii!iii::::.:~::ii :~':" 3-1.6 The following s ta tement shall be pr in ted legibly on the 24.2 The mamffacturer shall maintain writte.R.jnspe~:~:.,. 'md "::!:iiiiiiiii::" p roduc t label. All letters shall be at least 3 mm (1/8 in.) high. testing instructions. The instructions s h a l [ : : ~ . ~ . . e i n s ~ i . . c . m ~ n d test of materials, work in process, and . q ~ p l e t g ; ~ i i ~ c l e s . " ~ ' i ' i a "THIS STATION/WORK UNIFORM GARMENT MEETS for acceptazace and rejection of materS[§., p r o c e s s d ~ i ~ d Q ~ I THE REQUIREMENTS OF NFPA 1975, STANDARD ON product shall be part of the instruct£'6"fi~iiii:. "%i!i " STATION/WORK UNIFORMS FOR FIRE AND , '::~i::ii!!!!~ .... ili::![ EMERGENCY SERVICES, 1999 EDITION. 2-4.3 The manufacturer shall maintain rec~.8...0f a.l.f.:::])ass/fail tests. DO NOT REMOVE THIS LABEL. P~ss/fail records shall indicate the dispositio~'::~t:-...ttei~ failed material or product. "iiii~ ii::" 3-1.7 The following information shall also be pr inted legibly on the

-:i~:: product label. All letters shall be at least 1.5 mm (1/16 in.) high. 2-4.4 The manufacturer 's inspection system shall provide for p rocedures that assure the latest applicable drawings, specifications, and instructions are used for fabrication, inspection, and testing.

2-4.5 The manufacturer shall, as part of the quality assurance program, maintain a calibration progrmn of all instrmneuts used to ensure proper control of testing. The calibration program shall be documen ted ,as to the date of calibration and performance verification.

2-4.6 The manufacturer shall maintain a system for identifying the appropriate inspection status of componen t materials, work in process, and f inished goods.

2-4.7 The manufacturer shall establish and maintain a system for controll ing nonconforming material, including procedures for the identification, segregation, and disposition of rejected material. All nonconforming materials or products shaU be identified to prevent use, shipment , and intermingling with conforming materials or products.

2-4.8 The manufacturer 's quality assurance program shaU be audited by the tltird-party certification organization to de te rmine that the program is sufficient to ensure cont inued produc~ compliance with this sumdard.

2-5* ISO Registration for Manufacturers.

(a) Manufacturer 's name (b) Manufacturer 's address (c) Manufacturer 's number or cu t / lo t number or serial number (d) Country of manufacture (e) Country of origin of textile fabric (0 Style name or design (g) Date of manufacture (h) Size (i) Cleaning and drying instructions, including applicable

warnings regarding detergents , soaps, cleaning additives, and bleaches

0) Fiber content and composit ion

3-2 User Information.

3-2.1 The garment manufacturer shall provide user information including, but not limited to, warnings, general information, and instructions with each garment.

3-2.2 The garment manufacturer shall attach the required user information, or packaging containing the user information, to the gannen t in such a manner that it is not possible to use the garment without being aware of tile availability of the information.

3-2.3 The required user reformation, or packaging containing the user information, shall be at tached to the garment so that a deliberate action is necessary to remove it. The garment

242

N F P A 1 9 7 5 - - F 9 8 R O P

m:umfacturer shall provide notice that the user information is to be removed ONLY by dae end user.

3-2.4 Tbe garment manufacturer sh~dl provide at l e~ t dae following instructions and information with each garment:

(a) Pre-use information 1. Safety considerations 2. Garment marking recommendat ions and restrictions 3. A s tatement flaat most performance properties of the garment

cannot be tested by the user in tbe field 4. Warranty information (b) Inspection frequency and details (c)* Maintenance 1. Cleaning instructions 2. Methods of repair where applicable 3. Decontaminat ion procedures for both chenfical and biological

co[~tamination (d) Ret i rement and disposal criteria and consideration

Chapter 4 Performance Requirements

4-1 Flame Resistance.

4-1.1 Specimens of textiles, exchtding interlinings, shall be tested individually for flame resistance as specified in Section 5-2, Flmne Resisumce Testing, and shall have an average char length of not more daan 152 mm (6 in.), sb,'dl have an average after-drone time of not more dmn 2 seconds, and shall not melt or drip.

4-1.2 Small items, such as emblems (patches), that are not large enough to meet the specimen requirements in 5-2.2.1, shall be tes ted for resistance to fla,ne as specified in Section 5-2, Flame

4-3.1.3 Class I and II major stress seams of knit fabrics shall have a minimum of 180 N (40 Ib) of burst strengda for either thread or fabric.

4-4 Thread Heat Resistance.

4-4.1 Specimens of all tiaread utilized in s tat ion/work uniform garments shall be of an inherent ly fimne resistant fiber, shall be tested for heat resistance as specified in Section 5-5, Thread Heat Resistance Testing, and shall not melt.

4-5" Product Label Printing Durability.

4-5.1 Specimens of product labels shall be tested for pr int ing durability as specified in Section 545, Label Print Durability Testing, and sbaU be legible.

Chapter 5 Test Methods

5.1 Sample Preparation Procedures.

5-1.1 Application.

5.1.1.1 The sample preparation procedures contained in dais section shall apply to each test me thod in dais chapter.

.:.::-y:~:':?,,.. 5-1.1.20rd..~::~l:/~:'~cific sample preparation procedure or procedur..¢~?:~.[,~., room tempera ture condi t ioning procedure) referer~g~d ~'/~ii~.¢. sample preparat ion section of each test metbod shal!::.~:~.l.)pli~{.~i#mt test method.

5t:..';I:?'2"''~i'o'm T e m ~ : r e Conditioning Procedure. Resistance Test, and shall not be totally consumed, shall not have .:::.:'.;U % ..:.. afiertlame of more dmn 2 seconds, :,tad shall not melt or drip. .,j~!::i!~',.:l..2.]~iiii~3mples sh~]l be condi t ioned at a temperature of 21 °G +3°C

"('.7...~:~*'~) and a relative lmmidity of 65 percent +_5 percent until 4-2 Heat and Thermal Shrinkage Resistance. e q ' ~ . F i u m is reached, as de te rmined in accordance with Section 4

.::i::.: .... of F~l~4,l..:~Mst Method 191A, Textile Testing Methods, or for at least 4-2.1" Specimens of textiles and components - - excludin~r %iii'iii~ii!::::.:.. 24 hotJ'~i!~lfichever is shortest. Specimens shall be tested within 5 intedi ni~ags collar stays elastic and ['aook and pile fastet~ers wbe'~:i":":::i:'~i~iiiii~i~ont.e~::'after removal f rom conditioning. placed where they will not come into direct contact with the b o d y - ~ .:::~i'~::%~i!ili!ili.?. :?:'',' shall be tested individually for beat resistance as speciff~:::i:ta Sectioi~ii.::~i~::" 5z.Jj~ Industrial Washing and Drying Procedure. 5-3, Heat and Tbermal Shrinkage Resistance Testin~...:!-'~;]:~{i!~.a.ll not :~ii~:. " melt, drip, separate, or ignite, and shall not shrink.:'~'ore tl~:~ 15 ':~.-:.::¢~?.. 5-1.3.1 S,'tmples shall be subjected to 100 cycles of washing and percent in any direction .::ii#'~.iiii.l.i.!: . . . . ~Y'~ii::!i!!ii'-:::... %.~i~ ~;::" drying. Each washing cycle shall be as specified in Table 5-1.3.1.

4-3 Seam Strength. "%iiiiiii .... "::!:-!'-i~i.:::" 5-1.3.2 No bleach or softener shall be used during any po~.ion of .... iii;!~i~!!~'-?-:i~ii~ii~i~::.. '%iiiiii~ii::, ..::i:. the laundry cycle.

4-3.1 Specimens of all m:Oor stress sea..~.":"shall B~::~ted f t ~ i ~ strength ,as specified in Section 5-4, S ~ ' ~ Breaking"~i!~ngtl~i.:-~'esting, 5-1.3.3 The machine shall be filled with water to the specified level and shall demonstra te a sewn seam ~ " : / ~ eqnal toS:~i ~ greater than prior to adding chemicals. The water level shall be de te rmined by that stipulated for eacb class of semn spe~tfl.~l, ii!~" measuring inside d~e washing machine from d~e bot tommost

"%!!i~:: . . . . :if!::" po rfion of ti'te basket to tim water surface. This water level 4-3.1.1 Class I major stress seams of woven fa~V~:i~:~all have a measurement shall be 127 n t (5 in.) for die low setting and 25 mm minimum of 247.$ N (55 lb) of breaking streng~i::~or either thread (10 in.) for the lfigh setting. Water hardness sball not exceed 25 o r fabric. "-!~::: p pm.

4-3.1.2 Class II major stress seams of woven fabrics shall have a minimum of 180 N (40 Ib) of breaking strength for eitiaer thread or fabric.

5-1.3.4 The extraction cycle shall continue as specified in Table 5-1.3.1 or until water is no longer flowing to drain. The load shall be removed immediately after the extraction cycle concludes.

Table 5-1.3.1" Washing Cycle Procedure Operat ions Time Temp Water Quantity per

(rain) °C (°F) Level Wash Load g (oz) 101 66 (150) low Break

Sodium meta silicate Sodium tripoly phosphate Tergitol 15~S-9 or eqnivalent

Drain Carry-over [)rain Rinse [)rain Rinse Drain Rinse Drain Sour

Sodium silicofluoride Drain Extract

1 5 60 (150) low 1 2 57 (135) high 1 2 48 (118) lfigb 1 2 38 (100) bigh 1 5 38 (100) low

17 (0.6) 11 (0.4) 22 (0.8)

6 (0.2)

243

NFPA 1975 - - F98 ROP

5-1.3.5 A dill load of 9 kg (20 Ib) shall be laundered. A d u m m y load, if n e e d e d to make a fnll load, shall be ,~s specified in Section 12.4 of ANSI/AATCC 135, Dimzmsional Changea in Automatic Home Laundering of Woven and Knit Fabrics.

5-1.3.6 The mach ine type shall be a front-loading, 15-ks (35-1h) capacity, industrial w ~ h e r capable of pe r fo rming the opera t ions specified in Table 5-1.3.1.

5-1.3.7 Samples shall be tumbled dry. T he dryer t empera tu re shall be preset to provide :t m a x i m u m dryer exhaus t exit t empera tu re of not greater than 82°C 5:3°(3 (180°F +5°F) widl a 9-kS (20-1b) load.

5-1.3.8 Samples shall be removed f rom the dryer immediate ly after drying is complete, Additional drying t ime shall be avoided.

5-1.4 Commercial Dry-Cleaning Procedure .

5-1.4.1 Specimens shall be subjected to 100 cycles of dry c leaning as specified in the procedures of Sections 9.2 and 9.3 of AATCC 158, Dimensional Changes in Dry-Cleaning in Perchloroethylene: ~¢achine Method.

5-2* Flame Resistance Test.

5-2.1 Application.

5-2.1.1 This test met i lod shall apply to protective ga rmen t textiles, hoods, a n d tr im materials.

5-2.1.2 Moditications to this test m e t h o d for testing woven textile materials shall be as specified in 5-2.8.

5-2.6.1 After-flame t ime a n d char length shall be repor ted for each specimen. The average after-flame t ime a n d char l eng th for each material direct ion shall be calculated axed reported. The alter-flame t ime shall be repor ted to the neares t 0.2 sec and the char length to the nearest 3 m m (1 /8 in.).

5-2.6.2 Observat ions of mel t ing or dr ipp ing for each spec imen shall be reported.

5-2.7 Interpretation.

5-2.7.1 Pass/fall pe r fo rmance shall be based on any observed mel t ing or dripping, the average after-flame time, an d tile average char length.

5-2.7.2 Failure in ei ther material direction shall consti tute failure of the material. (See 4-1.1.)

5-2.8 Specific Requ i remen t s for Testing Woven Textile Materials.

5-2.8.1 Five spec imens f rom each o f the warp and filling directions shall be tested. No two warp spec imens shall contain u te same warp yarns, and no two filling spec imens shall contain the same tilling yarns.

5-2.8.2 Sample,~ for condi t ion ing shall be at least 1 square mete r (1 square yard) ~ . c h ma.teri,-d.

.::::"" "":'::b

5-2.8.3 T ~ ' : " sha~ be pe r fo rmed as descr ibed in paragraphs 5-2.~ t In o u g~l~ii~ -2"~'~}i~i'.'~::-.

5-~#iii~...,,.:~.jfic l ; ~ : ~ e ~ n t s for Testing Knit Textile Materials.

5-2.1.3 Modifications to tiffs test mefl lod for testing knit textile .:::iii::~-2.9,~:.. Five specin.t..~s f rom each of the coarse an d wale directions materials shall be as specified in 5-2.9. .:::.:i-::::::iii~_~311 ~#:i~!gsted. "

========================= ............ ~:,.

5-2.1.4 Modifications to this test m e d m d for test ing nonwoven 5-2:~..i~. ' Smnples for condi t ioning shall include material that is a textile materials shall be . . . . ~s s |mcified in 5-2 10 .:~:~:~¢:.:..... .... fmmm" ""::::::::::.~..::.:_6~f 76 m m x 305 m m (3 m" . x 12 m:~. j ~.

":~:i:i:i:i:!:i:!:i::::.... ":~:!:!::~ 5-2.1.5 Modifications to tiffs test m e t h o d for testm~ small sDeclnl'~l"s::::iiii::iii~ii::-~.a~, ~.:::i:~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . , ',: ~ '-'.::: "~:!:~:~:~:~.~ ~ e s n n g snau De pertorme~a as ctescrloea In paragraphs a-z.z no t meeUng the spec m e n s ze requ t rements of 5-~.2 1 shall be as "::-.:. -'::" "q::::':::::'::::" • - 9 ~

• , - - • - c., • • - ":::. ::.':::" tn lc . -O: l lg l l D - , . g . specmect I n a - . . 1 I , .v : , :+ : . . , , T::..,':':'::" .::::"

. . . . . .:# ............ i:i::!.-::" :!ii:::. 5-2.10 Specific Requirements for Testing Nonwoven Textile 9-2 2 ~pec lmens .-:-:-" "-:.:-" '.:-'--:..:- , , ..::~ifi?.. !!i? .. "i~i~i.:.:::" lvmterials.

5-2 2.1 Spec imens shall cor, sist of a 76 nun x 30g"n~i~ii~L~'t.:ig:i'x":~iiiiiii!i::iil :'~" 5-2 10 1 Five spec imens f rom each of d~e mach ine an d cross " : -': ': ': ': ', " + : ' : ' : ' : " " " t

in.) rectangle with tile long d imens ion par~k[...l~..::~....eithd:i'::.::::i~.¢., warp'o'r mach ine direct ions shall be tested. filling, tim wale or coarse, or mach i ne o..r...:~i~'fi~::"~!i~!:~.ine '/]~i~%'...~n of tile material. Each individual layer of..~.~i'fitilayer ii~.i~¢:rial s~.~gms or 5-2.10.2 Samples for condi t ioning shall be at least 1 square mete r (1 composi tes shall be sepzu'ately testec..!:.(?:i"iiii.{i::! ..... ":ii.::.::.::.i ":::" square yard) of eacb material.

• -.::::::::::.. -..:::.:.

5-2.3 Sample Preparat ion. ":~iii!iiiii~:- . . . . . ~ii!':

5-2.3.1 Samples of p roduc t labels to be tes ted":g~: : im precondi t ioned as specified in 5-1.2. .f:!i::"

5-2.3.2 Samples of p roduc t labels for s t a t ion /work tmiforms daat are des ignated by the manufac tu re r on tile p roduc t label to be washed shall be tested before and :ffter condi t ioning as specified in 5-103.

5-2.3.3 Samples of p roduc t labels for s ta t ion /work uni forms that are des ignated by tile manufac tu re r on tile p roduc t label to be dry c leaned shall be tested before and :ffter condi t ion ing as specified in 5-1.4.

5-2.4 Apparatus.

5-2.4.1 Tile test apparanls specified in Method 5903.1, Flame Resistance of Cloth: Vertical, of Federal Test Method Standard 191A, Textile. Test Methods, shall be used.

5-2.5 Procedure.

5-2.5.1 Flame resistance test ing shall be pe r fo rmed in accJ,~dance with Me thod 5903.1, Flame Resistance of Cloth: Vertical, of Federal Test M e d m d Standard 191A, Textile Test Methods.

5-2.5.2 Each spec imen shall be exanfined for evidence of nmit ing or dripping.

5-2.6 Report.

5-2.10.3 Test ing shall be pe r fo rmed as descr ibed in paragraphs 5-2.2 t h rough 5-2.7.

5-2.11 Specific Requirements for Testing Small Materials.

5-2.11.1 Five spec imens a t tached to the textile layer as used in tile protective ga rmen t s shall be tested. The spec imens shall be a t tached to dae textile layer such that the bo t tom (exposure) edge of the i tem coincides with the bo t tom (exposure) edge of tile textile suppor t layer.

5-2.11.2 Samples for condi t ioning shall be 1 square mete r (1 square yard) of the textile layer on which the small spec imens are attached.

5-2.11.3 Tes t ing shall be pe r fo rmed as descr ibed in paragraphs 5-2.2 t h rough 5-2.7.

Exception: Char length shall not be measured.

5-3" Heat and Thermal Shr inkage Resistance Test.

5-3.1 Application.

5-3.1.1 This test m e t h o d shall apply to protective g a rm en t textiles; o ther garment , trim, and label materials; and hardware.

5-3.1.2 Modifications to tiffs test m e t h o d for test ing only g a r m e n t textiles shall be ,as specified in 5-3.8.

5-3.1.3 Modifications to dais test m e t h o d for odaer garment , trim, and label materials shall be as specified in 5-3.9.

2 4 4

N F P A 1 9 7 5 ~ F 9 8 R O P

5-3 .1 .4 M o d i f i c a t i o n s to fills tes t i n e t h o d f o r t e s t i ng h a r d w a r e shal l be as s p e c i f i e d in 5-3.10.

5-3.2 S p e c i m e n s .

5-3.2.1 H e a t r e s i s t ance t e s t i n g on ly shal l be c o n d u c t e d o n a i n i n i n l u m o f t h r e e s p e c i l n e n s f o r e a c h h a r d w a r e i t em, labe l m a t e r i a l , a n d o t h e r p r o t e c t i v e g a r m e n t m a t e r i a l s s p e c i f i e d in 5-3.1.3.

5-3 .2 .2 B o d l b e a t a n d t h e r m a l s h r i n k a g e r e s i s t ance t e s t i ng sha l l be c o n d u c t e d o u a m i n i m n m o f t h r e e s p e c i m e n s f o r e a c h g a r m e n t text i le . E a c h s e p a r a b l e l ayer o f m u h i l a y e r m a t e r i a l sys tems o r co m p o s i t e s s h a l / b e t e s t e d ~.s a n i n d i v i d u a l layer .

5-3.3 S a m p l e P r e p a r a t i o n .

5-3.3.1 All s a m p l e s to he t e s t e d sha l l b e p r e c o n d i t i o n e d as s p e c i f i e d in 5 o . - 1 . - .

5-3.3.2 All s a m p l e s t h a t a r e d e s i g n a t e d by t i le m a n u l h c t u r e r o n t i le p r o d u c t label to he w a s h e d sha l l b e t e s t e d b o t h b e f o r e a n d a f t e r c o n d i t i o n i n g by 100 cycles o f w a s h i n g a r id d r y i n g a c c o r d i n g to t h e m e t h o d s p e c i f i e d in 5-1.3.

5-3.3.3 S a n i p l e s d u t t a r e d e s i g n a t e d by d i e m a n u f a c t u r e r o n fi le

5-3.6.1 O b s e r v a t i o n s o f i gn i t i on , m e l t i n g , d r i p p i n g , o r s e p a r a t i o n shal l be r e p o r t e d f o r e a c h s p e c i m e n .

5 -3 .6 .2 T h e p e r c e n t c h a n g e in d i e w i d d l a n d l e n g d l d i m e n s i o n s o f e a c h s p e c i m e n sha l l b e c a l c u l a t e d . Resu l t s sha l l b e r e p o r t e d as d~e a v e r a g e o f all 3 s p e c i m e n s in e a c h d i m e n s i o n .

5-3.7 Interpre ta t ion .

5-3.7.1 A n y e v i d e n c e o f i g n i t i o n , m e l t i n g , d r i p p i n g , o r s e p a r a t i o n o n a n , / s p e c i m e n sha l l c o n s t i t u t e f a i l i n g p e r f o r m a n c e .

5 -3 .7 .2 T h e a v e r a g e p e r c e n t c h a n g e in boda d i m e n s i o n s sha l l b e u s e d to d e t e r m i n e p a s s / f a l l p e r f o r m a n c e . F a i l u r e in a n y o n e d i m e n s i o n c o n s t i t u t e s f a i l u r e f o r d i e e n t i r e s a m p l e . (See Sect ion 4-2. ,

5-3.8 S p e c i f i c R e q u i r e m e n t s for T e s t i n g G a r m e n t T e x t i l e Materials .

5-3.8.1 E a c h s p e c i m e n shal l b e 381 m m x 381 m m -+13 m m (15 in. >

15 in. _+0.5 in.) a n d shal l be c u t f r o m t h e f a b r i c to b e u t i l i zed in t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f d i e c l o t h i n g i t em.

5-3 .8 .2 Sanaples f o r c o n d i t i o n i n g sha l l b e a t leas t 1 s q u a r e m e t e r (1 s q u a r e ya rd ) o f e a c h i~a ter ia l .

p r o d u c t label to be d r y - c l e a n e d shal l be t e s t e d b o t h b e f o r e a n d a l t e r 5-3 8 3 Tes t i n .-~llall be p e r f o r m e d as d e s c r i b e d in 5-3 2 t h r o u g h 5- c o n d i t i o n i n g by 100 cycles o f d r y - c l e a n i n g a c c o r d i n g to t h e m e d m d e ~." • .~i.:::. s p e c i f i e d in 5-1.4. ~'-" ::#!':':"":'::'::'~i?:.

. . . . . . 5-3.9 S o ~ V ~ . ~ . . e q u i r e m e n t s f o r T e s t i n g O t h e r G a r m e n t and L a b e l 9-3.~ A p n a r a t u s . ~.:-: . . . . . .

r M a t e r i ~ . "::iiiiii!::ii ....

5 -3 .4 .1 T h e tes t o v e n sha l l be a h o r i z o n t a l f l ow c r cu a t i n g oven w th . . . . . ~i~i::~'::..~i~i::.. "%~-';.::: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . s" " ~-~-~v;r-:-::~peclinen '~.~..'g.~ s n a u de m z m m / o m . ) o u ] e r taaan t o r

i n l n n n u f l l i n t e r i o r d u n e n ions such t h a t t i le s p e c i m e n s c a n be ..:::-"., , .,. , • :-:::-:-....-'. . . . . . . . . , , , ~ ,~ sus e n d e d a n d b e a t leas t 51 in in "9 in " f r o m ma i n t e r i o r oven .,.:textnes u t n t z e a m t l l~:- 'Hotlung 1tern In l e n g t h s less m a n m z m m Lo s u ; P i c e o r o t h e r tes t s o ~ c i n l e n s [ " ') Y .-:#:i'$.O.), ~ r e l e n g t h s~'all be t i le s a m e as in t i le c l o t h i n g i t em.

' t - -::-:""%~:.c.~.~z::.width sha l l b e 152 m m (6 in.) , o d l e r t h a n f o r text i les . . - u t i i | ~ d iri d i e c l o t h i n g i t e m in widdas less t h a n 152 m m (6 in ),

5 -3 .4 .2 T h e test o v e n shal l have a n m r f l o w r a t e o f 38 m / r a m to 76 . -,.:.:-:::-.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . " • - c r:. - w n e ' f : ~ i : : W l C t t l ] . S S I ] a l l D e H i e s t o n e a s I n t i l e C l O r d l l r l g i t e m .

m / i n l n ( 125 f t / n u n to 230 f t / i m n ) a t t i le s t a n d a r d t e m p e r a t u r e .~.O.d -:~:i:i:!::,......::," p r e s s u r e o f 21°(3 (70°F) a t 1 a t m o s p h e r e m e a s u r e d a t t h e centet~ii:.i!ii!::... ":'".~:~::~.~,~. c . . . . . - " ' ; - ~ : - - ~ ~hall : - - ' u - ~ ~- te ~:-1 . . . . . . . .

• . , ' : : i .":- ' : : :~:i :~:!:! :~:!: : : : . , .5-3.9.2 ? ~ o l ~ l l l V l g ~ L U I b O l l g t ~ l L I O [ l l l l ] ~ ~ [ l l [ l ~ . l t J . g I 1 1 ~ l . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . ' .J a DoInt o t t i le oveu . -:-:-. '-.-:::-x-:-:::::.~.-.., ::- - . . . . ,~ ,, . , , . ~. • ~:.!k ":ii~i~i:::i~:~!~}.9..8#e-meter ( l~ squa re -ya ro ) n a u a s t m a t e r i a l n o o o s e r t h a n ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ::':,~:: .-:-':'-:. i~" ~:~::~2 in . ) a p a r t in pa ra l l e l s t r ips . T i l e ba l l a s t m a t e r i a l sha l l b e as b -3 .q .3 A tes t t a l e r m o c o u p l e SlAall De p o s l t l o n e o so t h a t ff~-~ level "-::::-:::.+" , . . o . - - ~ , o . . . . ~ , ~ . o . ~ . - . ~ , • -- -- . . . . . . .:-::.:.'::.:':-:::-. ::::"-':" s ieClllect ill /~IN,~I//M%It~% i OD ~, imennona~ t ,nanges t n ~tuwmat~c wld l t h e h o r i z o n t a l c e n t e r h n e o f a m o u n t e d s m n p l e so~~lfll~eta. Ti le "-:i:: ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . ,, . .~ . . . . . .:::r, "-.'::::- .. , '::::: . r t o m e L a u n a e n n g o j vvoven a n n t~m~ raoncs . ~ p e o m e n s s n a n t)e t n e r i n o c o u p l e s n a u D e e q m a l s t a n t b e t w e e n ti le vert~tgal c e n t ~ i - l l n e o r "::..::~...q:::- J e A=" . . . . - - • • . . , . . . . . , , . . ..:::.:-:-. , ..'.~k :::::::::.'-" r e m o v e a i r o m Hie Dallast m a t e r i a l p r i o r to t e s t ing . a m o u n t e d , s p e c i m e n p l a c e a In tale mlctctie OI tl]e::~$~tl ano=:~i~:.DveB..i:i:F o wal w h e r e dae a i r f l ow e n t e r s dae tes t c h a m b e r . "~l"l;'~ii~r~r~:~'~'~i:~l~-~i~: ...... . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ",:x::::::::::' "~:::~::::~:i::" 5 -3 .9 .3 Testantz sha l l be o e r f o r m e d as d e s c r i b e d in 5-3.2 d a r o u g h 5- s n a i l n e a n exposec t n e a a l y p e J o r r.. ~ o :50 A W l . t | ~ g . g ' J ~ l l O C O l . l ~ q ' e " , * , ~ , , Y • L " , . . . . ~ , , - - , , , ' , - - . ' . . , . : . : . . ' . :+: . : . , . , ' . : : : . : . : . ' . : . . . . , . , - % 1 . l n e r n l a l snrlnKage s n a n r i o t D e m e a s u r e c t . l n e tes t oven s n a n n e n e a t e a anc t t i le t e s t . . ~ t i p i e ' , : $ . ~ . g ~ 3 u . ~ . ¢ n a t 260°C + 6 / - 0 ° C (500°F + I 0 / - 0 ° F ) f o r a o ~ ' i o d o f : ~ : l e s s d~:~::~J . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • ~ ~:.:- "-:::.:::i:-::-. .....:.': ~-~. i o ~ p e c i n c K e q u t r e m e n t s t o r l e s t l n g r t a r o w a r e . m i n n t e s . ..:.'i~?'-k ":i:i:i~i:'.-:: 45:"

. . . . . ":::" ":Uiii":k "~::iiiii~ 5-3 .10 .1 A m i n i m u m o f d~ree c o m o l e t e h a r d w a r e i t ems sha l l b e a - a . a r r o c e a u r e . :'::~i~i!~ . . . . . :#" t es ted .

5-3 5 1" S p e c i i n e n m a r k i n g a n d m e a s u r e m e ~ i ! ~ d ~ ( : b e c o n d u c t e d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • " " 1' .., , " ~ .~ . . ":Z::.:2r'~ . . . . . . D-~.IU.Z r t a r a w a r e SUi~dl riOt De conct lnone(1 . in a c c o r ~ t a n c e wln~ t i le p r o c e o n r e s p e c l n e a in ~ ' 1 t~t~ 13D, D i m e n s i o n a l Changes in A u t o m a t i c H o m e L a u n d d 4 " n g o f W o v e n a n d K n i t Fabrics.

5-3 .5 .2 T h e s p e c i m e u sha l l b e s u s p e n d e d b y m e t a l h o o k s a t d i e t o p a n d c e n t e r e d in t h e oven so t h a t t h e e n t i r e s p e c i m e n is n o t less al lan 51 i ron (2 in . ) f r o i n a n v o v e n s u r f a c e o r o t h e r s p e c i m e n a n d so t h a t a i r f l ow is pa ra l l e l to t i le p l a n e o f t h e m a t e r i a l .

5 -3 .5 .3 Ti le oven d o o r shal l n o t r e m a i n o p e n m o r e t h a n 15 s e c o n d s . T h e a i r f low sha l l b e s h u t o f f w h i l e t h e d o o r is o p e n a n d t u r n e d o n w h e n tile d o o r is c lo sed . T h e to ta l o v e n r e c o v e r y t i m e a f t e r t h e d o o r is c l o s e d shal l n o t e x c e e d 30 s e c o n d s .

5 -3 .5 .4 Ti le s p e c i m e n , i n o u n t e d as spec i f i ed , sha l l be e x p o s e d in t h e tes t o v e n f o r 5 m i n u t e s + 0 . 1 5 / - 0 m i m i t e s . T h e tes t e x p o s u r e t i m e sh:dl b e g i n w h e n tes t t h e r m o c o u p l e r e c o v e r s to a t e m p e r a t u r e o f 260 %1 + 6 / - 0 %; ( 500°F + 1 0 / - O ° F ) .

5 -3 .5 .5 h n m e d i a t e l y :ffter t i le s p e c i f i e d e x p o s u r e , t i le s p e c i m e n sha l l be r e u i o v e d a u d e x a m i n e d f o r e v i d e n c e o f i g n i t i o n , m e l t i n g , d r ip p i n g , o r s e p a r a t i o n .

5 -3 .5 .6 A f t e r fi le s p e c i f i e d e x p o s u r e , d i e s p e c i m e n sha l l a l so b e m e a s u r e d to d e t e r m i n e p a s s / f a i l . Kn i t f a b r i c sha l l b e p u l l e d to o r i g i n a l d i m e m i o n s a n d sha l l b e a l l o w e d to r e l a x t o t 1 m i n u t e p r i o r to i n e a s u r e m e n t to d e t e r m i n e pass / f , 'd l .

5-3.6 Report .

5-3 .10 .3 O b s e r v a t i o n s o f h a r d w a r e c o n d i t i o n f o l l o w i n g h e a t e x p o s u r e sha l l b e l i i n i t ed to i g n i t i o n .

5 -3 .10 .4 T e s t i n g sha l l b e p e r f o r m e d as d e s c r i b e d in 5-3.2 t h r o u g h 5- 3.7. T h e r m a l s h r i n k a g e sha l l n o t b e m e a s n r e d .

5-4* S e a m Break ing Strength Tes t .

5-4.1 Appl ica t ion .

5-4 .1 .1 T h i s tes t m e d a o d sha l l a p p l y to s e a m a s s e m b l i e s f o r g a r m e n t s .

5-4.2 S p e c i m e n s .

5-4.2 .1 A m i n i m u m o f five s e a m s p e c i m e n s r e p r e s e n t a t i v e o f f i le g a r m e n t sha l l b e t e s t e d f o r e a c h s e a m type.

5-4 .2 .2 A s t r a i g h t s e a m sha l l b e p e r m i t t e d to b e cut f r o m dae f i n i s h e d g a r m e n t o r sh,'dl b e p e r m i t t e d to b e p r e p a r e d b y j o i n i n g two p i ece s o f t h e g a r m e n t f a b r i c in fine s a m e m a n n e r as t h e a c t u a l s e a m c o n s t r u c t i o n in t i le g a r m e n t u s i n g fine s a m e t la read , s e a m type, a n d s t i t ch type as u s e d in fi le f i n i s h e d g a r m e n t .

5-4 .3 S a m p l e Preparat ion .

5-4 .3 .1 S a m p l e s shall be c o n d i t i o n e d as s p e c i f i e d in 5-1.2.

245

N F P A 1 9 7 5 - - F 9 8 R O P

5-4.3.2 Samples for condi t ioning shall be fifll c lothing i tems or shall be 305 m m (12 in.) or greater lengths of seam with at least 152 m m (6 in.) of material on ei ther side of die seam centerl ine.

5-4.4 Procedure.

5-4.4.1 All woveu seam ~cssemlJlies shall he tested in a+.cordm~ce with AoSTM D 1683a, Slartdard Test 5qethod for Failure tn &vvu N'a,*k, o! Woven Fabric. Tile test mach iue shall be operated at a rate of 305 mm,/mi~; (12 i n . / m i n ) .

5-4.4.2 All knit seam :tssemblies shall be tested in accordance with t%STM D 3940, Standard Test Method for Burstir;g St~,.wgth (Load) and Elo~+gation of Seams of K~zit a~;d Stretch Wov~v+ Textiles.

5-4.5 Report.

5-4.5.1 The seam breaking streugd~ for each seam spec imen shall be reported. The average seam breaking s t rength for each seain D'l)e shall also be reported.

5-4.5.2 The type of seams tested shall be repor ted as to whether the spec imeus were (;lit f l ' o H | tile f inished g a r m e u t or p repared f rom fabric samples.

5.-4.6 Interpretat ion.

5-4.6.1 The average seam breaking s t rength for each seam type shall be used to de te rmine p¼tss/fail per formance . (See &vtion 4-3.)

5-5* Thread Heat Resistance Test.

5-5,1 Application.

5-5.1.1 This test m e t h o d applies to each type of th read used in the

5-6.3 Sample Preparation.

5-6.3.1 Samples of product labels to be tested shall be p recondi t ioned ,as specified in 5-1.2

5-6,3.2 Samples of p roduc t labels for s ta t ion /work un i fo rms that are des igna ted by the manufac tu re r on the product label to be washed shall be p recondi t ioned ,as specified in 5-1.3.

5-6.3.3 Samples of p roduc t labels fl)r s ta t ion /work uni forms tha t are des ignated by the manufac tu re r on the product label to be dry c leaned shall be p recond i t ioned as specif ied in 5-1.4.

~6 .4 Procedure.

5-6.4.1 Specimens shall be examined at a distance of 305 m m (12 in.) by the una ided eye with 20/20 vision or vision corrected to 20/20.

5-6.5 Report .

5-6.5.1 The legibility of each spec imen shall be repor ted as pass or tSil.


5-6.6. I .Al3y ol~i'..~.ecimen I~dling tile test shall consti tute lidllng 1 ) e r for m an c:.e..i:~i:~"r":i:~ test.

.. ":ii::::i::i::: "::!iii?:i.~-hapter 6 Refe renced Publications

6~li!::'¥1'{'+~:following'::~(~N~+lenes or port ions flaereof are referenced ..-iiii~ithi+:::this s tandar .d..:i~ manda to ry requ i rements an d shall be

.::::..:-::::::'¥~...ttsi~i4~..e.d part of "the requ i rements of this standard+ The edit ion tN~+.~/'+~I:::for each referenced manda to ry d o c u m e n t is the cur rent const ruct ion of protective ga rmen t s and hoods. ed'|~i~iR as of the date of the NFPA issuance of this s tandard. Some

5-5.2 Specimens. --:.:.. of tl:i%~i::m~ladatory d o c u m e n t s migh t also be re fe renced in this :iiiii}iiiii:::: .... standai:~iii~iSr specific in format iona l purposes and, therefore, are als¢

5-5.2.1 A total o f d l r e e different spec imens shall be evaluated. ':-"':'::::i!~ili..'%'i:iIkv, ted ~ : 'Appehdix B.

5-5.3 Sample Preparat ion. ..::...:::..:::.:. ":~%:-~i~::: 6...~ii~] " ANSI Publication. Amer ican National Standards Institute, ..::;;:::":::~:ii::i::i::iiii:. "-}:. Iric., 11 W. 42nd Street, 13da ft., New York, NY 10036.

5-5 3 1 Samp es shall be c, mdi t ioned ~s specified it..lii;g"l.2. "i::ii::::::! ":iii':,..,-!:. .... ii::iii::iiii . . . . . . ::i::il .............. i!!i::ii-:':" ANSI Z34.1. Standard for ThircgPar~. Certification Program for

5-5.3.2 Samples tot" condi t ion ing shaU be 152 ,lii~{ ~:~ii:~.}.y~::~i~@':;:: Products, Processes, and Services, 1993. "::~?-'.:iiii::. ""::::':':" lengths of thread.

5-5.4 Procedure . . . . . i# ............. ~i~!::::i!!ii::i!i!!:. ":%!il}:iii} ~ ....

5-5.4.1 Specimens shall be tested to.~:i}~l~.eratnre o~i~t50°(~:(500°F) in accordance widl Method 1534, Meltin~ii:~.iyJt of Syi~hetic Fibers, of Federal Test Me thod Standard 191A, TdJ~}t.~...Test ~,fethods.

5-5.5 Report. iiiii+ .:::+-

5-5.5.1 Tile condi t ion of spec imens shall be observed at 260°C (500°F).

5-5.5.2 The p:~ss/fail resuhs for each spec imen tested shall be reported.


5-5.6.1 Any spec imen exhibi t ing mel t ing at 260°G (500°F) shall consti tute failing per formance for tlle thread type.

5-6* Label Print Durability Testing.

5-6.1 Application.

5-6.1.1 This test m e t h o d shall apply to g a r m e n t labels.

5-6.2 Specimens,

5-6.2.1 A total of three different spec imens shall be tested. Sample spec imens of p roduc t labels shall be a t tached to a compliant suppo r t fabric measu r iug 965 nlln x 965 m m +33 m m (15 in. x 15 i l l ±1 /2 in.) in tile stone n lamler ;Ls they are to be at tached ou the compli ;mt garment .

6-1.2 AATCC Publications. American Association o f Textile Chemists and Colorists, P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle ParR, NC 27709.

AATGG 135, Dimensional Changes in Automatic Home Laundry of Woven and Knit Fabrics, 1995.

AATGG 158, Dimensional Changes in Do-Cleaning in Perehloroethylene: Machine Method, 1995.

6-1.3 ASTM Publications. Amer ican Society for Test ing and Materials, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken , PA 19428- 2959.

.a~STM D 1683a. Standard Test Method for Failure in &'urn Seams of Woven Fabric, 1990.

ASTM D 3940, Standard Test Method For Bursting Strength (Load) and Elongation of Sewn Seams of Knit or Woven Stretch Textile Fabrics, 1983.

6-1.4 GSA Publication. General Services Adminis t ra t ion, Specifications Activity, Pr inted Materials Supply Division, Building i97, Naval Weapons Plant, Washngton . DC 20407.

Fede~d Test Method Standard 191A, Textile Test ~lcthods, 1978.

6-1.5 ISO Publications. Internat ional Standards Organizat ion, 1, Rue de VarembS, Cage postale 56, CH-1211 Gen~ve 20, Switzerland.

IS(_) 9001, Quality Systems - - Model for Quali~ Assurance in Design, Development, Production, Installation, and Servicing, 1994.

IS() 9002, Quali~. Systems - - Model for Qualify Assurance in Production, Installation. and Servicing. 1994.

2 4 6

N F P A 1 9 7 5 ~ F 9 8 R O P

Appendix A Explanatory Material

Appendix A is not a part of the requiren~nts of this NFPA document but ~s included Jor informational purposes only. This appendix contains explanatoo material, nund)ered to correspond with the applicable text paragraphs.

authority may require evidence of proper installation, procedure, or use. The andlority having jurisdiction may also refer to the listings or labeling I?ractices of an organization dlat is concerned with product evaluations and is thus in a position to de termine compliance with appropria te s tandards for die current product ion of listed items.

A-I-I.3 Stat ion/work uniforms daat are compliant only with NFPA ( K 197a are riot primary protective garments and cannot be relied on to

provide protect ion from specific hazards, such as those encounte red during structural or wildland fire fighting. There are other standards for garments that will provide primary protection for specific hazards to which fire fighters carl be exposed wbile participating in emergency operat ions or training. However, compliant s ta t ion/work uniforms also could be certified to another s tandard for primary protective garments and dmreby could be b o d / a primary protective garment for die specific hazard that the oilier standard addresses, as well as being a s ta t ion/work uniform that is compliant with NFPA 1975. Examples of prinmry protective garment standards include, but are no t limited to, NFPA 1977, Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment f~r Wildland Fire Fighting, and NFPA 1999, Standard on Protective Clothing Jbr Enw~gen~. Medical Operations. Where the s ta t ion/work uniform is also the d~ermal barrier, or part of die

A-l-3 Authority Having Jurisdiction. The phrase "authority having jurisdiction" is used in NFPA documents in a broad manner , since jurisdictions and approval agencies vary, as do their responsibilities. Where public safety is primary, die authority having jurisdiction may be a federal, state, local, or other regional depar tment or individual such as a fire chief; fire marshal; chief of a fire prevention bureau, labor depar tment , or health depar tment ; building official; electrical inspector; or others having statutory authority. For insurance purposes, an insurance inspection depar tment , rating bureau, or other insurance company representative may be the authority having

jurisdiction. In many circumstances, t h e p r o p e r t y owner or his or her designated agent assumes die role of the authority having jurisdiction; at government installations, die commanding officer or depar tmental official may be the authority having jurisdiction.

A-l-3 Components . Any sewn, post-manufacturing modification to a compliant s ta t ion/work uniform sbould utilize thread as specified tbermal barrier, for structural fire-fighting ensembles or for

proximity fire-fighting ensembles, the dual certification would he to in Section 4-4. Emblems, heraldry, and other garment NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Clothing for Structural Fire Fighung, let tering/identif ication are not covered by this standard. Direct or NFPA 1976, Standard on Protectiw; Clothing for Proximit~ Fire garment lette.r..~:.with paints, inks or dyes, or individually at tached Fighting. " letters can [ ~ ' e fi.':~k to the wearer if exposed to hea t or fire. Unles~

any f a b r i ~ i i ~ as a carrier for die garment let tering meets the fabric A-I-2 3 The purchaser should provide the vendor with a detailed requir~:en~"::~.:fllis standard, it can also pose a risk to the wearer. specification for t i e specific performance arid design criteria. Listed ., ":-'.~: "::~ii~i::.. below are a rmmber of recommeridat ions for the development of A - . t : . ~ i i ~ . Tl-~'~i::~an~.for identifying listed equipment may vary purchasing agreements. ~;~" eacI~:'organizatf~,%::~ifncerned with product evaluation; some

In order to facilitate effective and consistent communicat ions :::.:~ii~rga~ations do n~i:i 'ecognize equipment as listed unless it is also between file purchaser and the vendor, specific contact persons ...#'i~bel~%~:..Tbe authd?ity having jurisdiction should utilize the system should be designated to address such issues ,as contract "' "~. . l~e}~:by die listing organization to identify a listed product. requirements , order status, delivery schedules, and problem ":;:-'~i::iiii.'::.. resolution . . . . i ....... A-2- ][:'~i!i~.$.e.~::A-1-1.3.

In addition to the performarlce requirements specified by Cha~ii~:~::::.:,. "::i-.:-:'::iii -'~::" 4 and to ensure that s tat ion/work uniforms are ordered and ":'i:::::?:":::~iiii~}ii~'?.'.~:~-l..5::i:?:~l'he Nadonal Fire Protection Association (NFPA), from manufac tured in a consistent manner , purchasers should conside~il . . . . . :/ii.-'.-'i~":'::~ii'~ time, has received complaints that certain items of fire and the development of a detailed purchase specification d).g,::.i..~.cludes %:i~i! ~::" e t ~ r g e n c y services protective clothing or protective equipment the fo owing -:i#::"'::::iii::i::iii: %. might be cm'rying labels falsely identifying d iem as compliant with

..::¢i::" ":i:!ii::ii viiii::.:.::::..'.':, an NFPA standard. The requirement for placing the certification 9 ( or amzation s mark on or attached to the roduct label is to hel (a) Compliance of fl~e gar,nents with NFPA 197:-.~iii~W: 1, ,)#.i~i.t.io~.;. :!i~iii ~'::" g, " " ' , , p , ' tp

(b) Reference item numbers for each item req~ir~;::~g..t~'e""::iiiiiii{iiii::.:.:.i~ii: .... ensure that die purchaser c~m readily de termine compliance of die purchase specification; - '::ii!::~i?:i:. %i:i;i:!+" respective prodtict through independen t daird-party certification.

(c) Additional mate r ia l / co inponen t r e q r ~ i ~ l t z ; .... ii::iiiiii::ii ........ (d) Individual sizing: A s tat ion/work tt#/{form':ii~ii~;~estri~::::::;S :: NFPA advises those purchasing s tat ion/work uniforms or garments

movement or corfflicts with the functi~;~}{..of prirrlarq)::{~tect~" to "be aware that in order to meet the requirements of NFPA 1975, garments increases the risk of injur)~':':'::~ .M F 1731, "~acticejor Body Standard on Station~Work Uniforms for Fire and Emergenc~ Services, Measurement and Sizing of Fire and R e s c u ' ~ i c e s Um~'rms and Other stat ion/work uti ifonns arid garments must meet the fol'lowing Thernuzl Hazard Protective Uniforms, may be '~d~p[ fo~-gizing s ta t ion/work uniforms;

(e) Color; '::i:!:i .... (f) Number of units; .:¢i:: I~ ~ Special service requirements;

Pockets or emblems (number, type, and detailed description of placement);

(i) Special wrapping aud packaging requirements; 0) Shipment terms and conditionsi (k) Mamffacturer 's warranty. Where additional requirements are specified hy the purchaser and

these requirements exceed those of NFPA 1975, the purchaser should consider requiring the vendor to provide test data that de niot~strates garment compliance witil the additional requiremerms of the purchasing agreement. Test methods and test p rocedmes should be discussed and mutually agreed on between the purchaser and vendor as part of the specifications acceptance process.

The purchaser should develop a coordinated system to m,dntair.~ records on purchase order details and specificatioris, testing restilts for any requested per formance criteria mat exceeds die requirements of NFPA 1975. vendor performance, deliver¢ schedules, and invoice iiiventory. Tim purchase specifications and the system should provide the procedures needed to address complianc_e or noncompl iance with the purchasing contract.

A-l-3 Approved. The National Fire Protection Association does not approve, inspect, or certify any installations, procedures, equip ment, or materials; nor does it approve or evaluate testing laboratories. In de termining die acceptability of installations, procedures, equipment , or materials, tim antllority having

jurisdict ion may base acceptance on compliance with NFPA or o ther appropriate smndm'ds. In the absence of such standards, said

co nditions:

(a) They must be certified by an independen t third-party certification organization.

(b) They must carry the label, symbol, or other identifying mark of that certific.ation organization.

NOTE: Any stat ion/work uniform garment that does not bear the mark o f an independent thlrd-party certification organization is not compliant with NFPA 1975, even if the product label states that the garment is compliant.

For fur ther information about certification and product labeling, Chapters 2 and 3 of NFPA 1975 should be referenced. Also, the definitions for "certification/certified." "labeled," and "listed" in Section 1-3 should be reviewed.

Third-party certification is an important means of ensuring the quality of fire and emergency services protective clothing and equipment. To be certain that an item is properly certified, labeled, and listed, the NFPA strongly recommends that prospective pu rchasers require appropriate evidence of certification for the specific product and model from the manufacturer before purchasing. Prospective pvrcha.sers should also contact the certification or~.nizations and request copies of the certification organization's "list" of certified products to the appropriate NFPA standard. This "listing" is a requi rement of third-party certification by this s tandard and is a service per formed by the certification o r ganizati o n.

All NFPA standards on fire and emergency services protective clothing and equipment require that the item be certified by an

247

N F P A 1 9 7 5 ~ F 9 8 R O P

independent third-party certification organization and, as with NFPA 1975 s tat ion/work uniform garments, all items of fire and emergency services protective clothing and equipment must carry the label, symbol, or other identifying mark of that certification organization.

N O T E : Any i t em o f p r o t e c t i v e c l o t h i n g or p r o t e c t i v e e q u i p m e n t , c o v e r e d by an N F P A s t a n d a r d , that d o e s n o t b e a r the m a r k o f an i n d e p e n d e n t thlrd-party c e r t i f i c a t i o n o r g a n i z a t i o n is not compliant with the a p p r o p r i a t e N F P A s tandard , e v e n i f the p r o d u c t labe l s tates that the i tem is c o m p l i a n t .

A-2-2.1 Tire certification organization should have sufficient breadth of interest and ,l,ctivity so that the loss or award of a specific business contract would not be a determining factor in the financial well- being of the agency.

A-2-2.3 The contractualprovisions covering certification programs should contain clauses advising the manufacturer that, if requirements cllange, the product slrould be brought into cempliarlce with the new requirement.s by a stated effective date through a compliance review program involving all currently listed products.

Without these clauses, cert ifers would not be able to move quickly to protect their nanle, marks, or reputation. A product satety certification program would be deficient without these contractual provisions and the administrative means to back them rip.

A-2-2.4 Investigative procedures m'e important elements of an effective and meaningf l l lprodnct s;ffety certification program. A preliminary review s h o u l d b e c~lrried out on products submitted to tile agency before ally In : ( Ior testing is undertaken.

A-2-2.7 Such random and unannounced inspections should ~l chide, ill most instances, witnessing of production tests. With certain products, tile certification organization inspectors should

constllt the Centers for Disease Control, the local board of public health, the American Medical Association, the U.S. Fire Administration, the Environ mental Protection Agency, or the hlternational Association of Fire Fighters. A-4-2.1 Thermal shrinkage of fabric of greater than 15 percent can contribute to burn injury severity due to increased heat transfer, restriction of body movement, and tile breaking open of fabric.

A - ~ 2 Description of T e s t M e t h o d A 76 m m x 305 mm (3 in. x 12 in.) material specimen is placed in a holder that is suspended vertically over a 38-mm (lt/~-in.) high flame. The flame is produced by a methane gas source. The material isplaced in contact with the flame at the flame's mid-point for a p e r i o d o f 12 seconds. After exposure to the flame, tile a m o u n t of time during which file specimen continues to burn (after-flame) is recorded. The length of the burn, or char length, then is measured by attaching a weight to tear the specimen and measuring the length of the tear along the burn line. Notations are recorded if any melting or dripping is observed. Samples are tested in this manner both before and after 100 wash/dry cycles, or 100 dry- cleaning cycles, whichever practice is specified for the material.

A p p l i c a t i o n o f T e s t M e t h o d This test is used to determine how readily materials ignite and how long they continue to burn after removal of die ignition source. Materials cann .~.;.have an average after-flame time greater than 2 seconds, or ~:~'~ii.-J:.ength greater than 6 in., or exhibit any melting or dripping:;.:i~::..Char']:~ngth is an indicator of thermal stability. This test is n ~ f F t ~ e n t a t i v e of all types of flame contact to which fire fi gilt e ~i~fi g b~:.:~'~"~::.e x p o s e d.

..-::i::-. "iii:k "::i.:iiiiii!i::.. A.#~ii!ii~.~:s~ rip tio n i i~ i~# t Method

..... :.~kte..r..jSd specimens ..age suspended in a forced air-circulating oven at ..::i.:i::i!i!~.t)0°Qi[~,500°F) botli:::before and after 100 wash/dry cycles or dry-

4":" ':~.b, glt~N~iii.~ycles whichever practice is specified for the material. Vti..$.~ing"a 5-minute exposure, the sample is removed and visually select samples fl'om die production line and submit tilem to the . . . . exai~/ii).¢.d fo.r evidence of melting dripping separation or i nition

UlA. n a m r a t ) "y for countercbeck testing W th othe" products ~.t- . . . . . ~:.:.:::.i...,....- _ , , ', . . . . ' . ' g ' . . . . ' %:::::::.:... ,~ampn.~::,~Bat raelnonstrate SUCh behavior tan tile test. nnght )e desu'able to purchase samples Ill tile open market for tell*::::::<,.. --, i:::." • . . . . . . . pu r lOS es'. ::::.':::::':'-i:::i::::::.....lVlaterlal::'specnnens,..:. ......::::::::::::.... -;-" are also ineasurea, ana. marKea Ior size..

l ':i":. :.?i:'-i{~0..{t~2~lng the oven exposure, the dimensions of the material . . . . . :{if:..:.:!iU s'i%~{{nens are compared to tile original dimensions.

A-2-2.9 For further information arid guidance oil relcal.!.-~j;~grams. ::iii::i:i::: ..:k see Title 21 Cod~ o f F e d e r a l [6". K d a t i o n s Part 7 Subp,u~i:~::{~ CFR 7"~K . . . . . . . o , ~.' ' ' .::." '.:::: " "::: . A n p n c a t l o n o t l e s t M e t l l o u ,bulq,a,-t (,). .::?ii{::[ [{::i- . '-~fi}if:" Tile purpose of this test is to prevent materials or components d/at . . . . . . . . . n . . . . . . . s c '" . .:Y::iiii~!:....:!i?:i~!?!!i::. 'i!!:: .!iY ignite melt drip or separate during exposure to high heat from A - 2 - a I , ' ~ U : / d U O ( l e l l n e . t / l a l l t y t e r n t s a n d c o n c e p t s . '::lt::'.~.t'K~s al~:::i:{:}:i:i:-:-.-.::::" , . ' • '. ' . . . . . . . . .

• ~ , . ,. , . , , . , , a,,.~Rix~-:::::'. ::::::::::::::::::::: oemg nse£1 in s tanon/worK unnornls, t h i s test also examines wnat O V e f V l e W O t t i l e C O l l t e n t a t i l t list." O l t i l e e n t i r e l,'~t.J b 'uuu::~l~{'J .es . A ":•'-'" happens to a material after exposure to lligh temperatures. useful cioss-refe.~nce to the se,ies' quaU~>~:~i~i~!~Jemd:~ii~i:i~ f,~,,nd in Annex A of l,SO 900o. ..::i!¢ . . . . . :!i::i::::i::iii::. "::!:::ii::::iiil; ....

.::!!!ii~!- "::i~iii~i:: .::i:?' IS(:) 9001 Q u a l i t y S},ate,, . . . . Mode*::i~i~-i~galit~ A s s u ; ~ : c e , , i D,v , ,gn ,

Deve lzJpm,mt , [ i n d u c t i o n , l n a t a l M t w ' n , a n d "Yi~;~vici*~g, is t~ed whe~ die quality system to be assessed covers several".~?~igvs of.#he firm's processes, h prescribes qugdity s):~tem requil:'~<~J.t4/~i: fo, design. development, productiun, insmilanon, aud sel~.;.~J'~lg.

.::::..

IS() ,.){)02, Q u a l i t y 3)sterna - - M o d e l f o r Q u a l i ( ~ A s s u r a r m e in P loduc t i o ' n . h z s ta l la t io ) t , a n d Serv ic ing; focuses on quality s~tem requirements lor production and installation.

IS() 9003 details quality systenl requirements for final inspection and testing.

IS(It 9004 is used for internal qu;dity assurance pUl-lmses_ it defines a basic set of elcloents that it COlUpally can IlSe to develop a l , t implement a qualiw management system. Guidance is t}ruvided on tile technical, adulinisirative, and hlllrlau laclors that adec.l tile qu,ditv of products or services at fill stages of operation. This standard can hel I. you determine tire exteut to whkb each qluaiit~, s'(steul elenleut :q:,plies to }]OUr o r g a n i z i n i o n .

A-%1.3 See A-2-1.5.

A-3-2.4(c) To avoid possible damage to the garment and possible reduction lind loss of inherent or treated flame-resistant characteristics of tile garment, the manufacturer should be conuacted prior to disil,ffecting or cleaning the garn/ent by a method not prescribed on the product. Fire fighters arl,d other fire depar tment nlenlbers should not clean s ta t ion/work uniforms in their home wa.shing ulachirtes.

For information on the prevention and transmission of communicable dise:Lqes and carcinogens caused by contaminated garments, see NFPA 1581, S t a n d a r d o n Fire D~;barb~wnt I n f e c t i o n C o n t r o l P r o g r a m , and U.S. OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1910.1030. or

Thermal sllrinkage of fabric greater than 15 percent c a n contribute to t,urn injury severity due to increased heat transfer, restriction of body movemeut, or tile breaking open of fabric•

A-5-5 Description of Test Method A sinall segment of thread used in the stitching of stat ion/work mliforms is placed in a flask containing an organic solvent and then is heated. (Tile solvent extracts substances that would interfere with tire rest.) Next, the extracted thread segment is put in a device that slowly beats tile thread. The teulperature at which the thread begins to melt is tile nlelting temperature+

Application of Test Method Thread used in s tat ion/work mtiforms must withstand temperatures of up to 260°C (500°F). If the melting temperature is less flaan 260°C (500°F), tile thread fails tile test. Tile temperature of 260°C (500'~F) is consistent with tire heat resistance test.

A-.r~-4 Description of Test Method Two different methods are used; one for woven fabrics, and the secoud for knit fabrics. The strength of a woven material seam is measured ill tile saiue way as material tensile strength. In this test. a material seanl specimen is placed between two grips ill a tensile- testing madl ine mid pulled until it breaks. A burst test is used for knit seams. Tile material seam specimen is placed on a tensile machine with a 25-ram (1-in.) diameter bal lmad a circular clamp. The tensile-testing machine is used to push the bali through tile specimen. The force at which tire specimen breaks is the seam strength.

A p p l i c a t i o n o f T e s t Method Different seam strength requirements are used for different material types and portions of the s ta t ion/work nniform. NFPA 1975 require,~ that critical trouser or lower coverall seams have a seam strength of 247.5 N (55 Ib) or greater. Shirt or tipper coverall seams must have

948

N F P A 1 9 7 5 ~ F 9 8 R O P

a seam s t rength of 180 N (40 lb) or greater. ICmit material seams mus t have a seam s t rength of 180 N (40 lb) or greater.

A-5-6 Description of Tes t Method Sample labels nms t contain the required language as sutted in Section 3-1. Labels are subjected to 100 wash / d ry cycles or dry- cleaning cycles, ,~s appropr ia te for the material, and then ex, 'unined for legibility.

Application of Tes t Me thod This r e q u i r e m e n t checks for label durability. Following this test, flae labels nms t remain legible f rom a dis tance of at least 305 m m (12 in.)

A-5-1.3.1 Table Tergitol 15-S-9 is available f rom Un i on Carbide. Sod ium mere silicate is available f rom Tilly Chemical Co. u n d e r the trade name Metso 2048 beads, anhydrous sod ium metasilicate. Sodium triploy phospha t e is available f rom Tilly Chemical Co. u n d e r the t rade n:une Amoto. Sodium silicofluoride is available f rom UNX 'Chemical Co. u n d e r file trade n a m e Sourcide. Materials f rom other sources that are of equivalent chemical composi t ion and concent ra t ion can be used in place of the laundry chemicals listed herein.

NFPA 1976, Standard on Protective Clothing for Proximity Fire Fighting, 1992 edition.

NFPA 1977, Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for WiMland Fire Fighting, 1993 edition.

NFPA 1999, Standard on Protective Clothing for Emergency Medical operations, 1997 edition.

B-l-2 Other Publications.

B-I-2.1 ASTM Publication. Amer ican Society for Tes t ing an d Materials, 100 Barr Harbor [)rive, West Conshobocken , PA 19428- 2959.

ASTM F 1731, Practice for Body Measurement and Sizing of Fire and Rescue Se~aiees Uniforms and Other Thermal Hazard Protective Uniforms.

B-1-2.2 U.S. Government Publication. U.S. Gove rnme n t Print ing ()ffice, Supe r in t enden t of Documents , Washington , DC 20402.

Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 7, Subpar t C (21 CFR 7, Subpar t C).

Appendix B

This appendix is not a part of the requiremo~ts of this NFPA document but is included for infmmational purposes only.

B-1 The following d o c u m e n t s or port ions fl~ereof are re ferenced witlfin dfis s t andard for informat ional purposes only and are thus not considered part of file r equ i rements of this s tandard unless also listed in Chapte r 6. The edit ion indicated here for each reference is the cu r ren t edit ion ,as of the date of the NFPA issuance of tiffs s t andard .

B-I.I NFPA Publications. National Fire Protect ion Association, .:~::::.:... :~:i}::fi:::' Bat tcrymarch Park, P.O. Box 9101, L~nincy, MA 0226~9101. 'i;::ii{iii::iii::iii!:.-::..,. . .....

NFPA 1581, Standard on Fire DCartment Infection Control Proffram?ii:::: ::iii}i:::i~iiii::iii?:ii::ii!~ "-:::" 1995 edition.

NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Ense~nble for St,:~}'nral F~i" "!'..-'.:-::::.:.-.:'::

# iii?, )ii:Y Fighting, 1997 edifi on. .:~#:~ii::iiiiiii!iiii...::...:::.~ ;?-'iiii i?:::!ii':::: "

.... ~::iiii-:&. " ................. -,............ "":':':'~"

"-@. . 7

. i # .... .:!::-"

Title 29, Code..of Federal Regulations, March 6, 199~#~:.:-i::,

..:.i~i~ii~f"":':%::':.. --

. .

,s,..: # .... ::::::::::::::::: ...... -.-:.:.:-:-. ;:

"-::::::::::.

Part 1910 (29 CFR 1910.1030),

249