In November 2017 XM FireLine flame retardant fabric Colombo-AS was tested and certified to EN 61482 (Live working. Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an electric arc. Part 1-2).
Standard EN 61482-1-2:2014 is an equivalent to IEC 61482-1-2:2014. The main test of this standard is a Box test. It is used for determination the behavior of fabrics against thermal risk when exposed to heat energy from electric arc with specific characteristics Materials performance for this procedure is determined from the amount of the heat transmitted through the specimen and other thermal parameters.
Determination of the protection class of the clothing depending on the level of intensity of the electrical installation, according to two classes:
Class 1 (4 kA during 0,5 s at 30 cm)
Class 2 (7 kA during 0.5 s at 30 cm)
During this test, a fabric sample is exposed to an electric Arc produced by a 4kA or 7kA short circuit. In the test, the Arc does not last any longer than 500ms. The amount of heat transmitted through the sample is measured during and after the test. On the basis of the resulting data and a Stoll curve, the length of time it would take to cause the onset of second-degree burns is subsequently determined. Samples are also assessed for after-flaming, hole formation, melting, etc.
The testing was done at independent international laboratory AITEX (Spain).
Colombo-AS flame-retardant fabric protects from the risks of flash fire, electric arc and ESD sparks. It is very durable and has unique balance of high tear resistance in both warp and weft directions. This endurance provided by trendy and tough weave twill 2/2. A carbon antistatic yarn is locked into the surface of Colombo-AS, making it absolutely safe for use in explosive atmospheres. To prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD) sparks, antistatic fibres safely discharge static electricity eliminating the risk of fire and explosion.
Requirements for the standard compliance EN 61482-1-2:2014 Test methods. Method 2: Determination of arc protection class of material and clothing by using a constrained and directed arc (box test)
a) Burning time ≤ 5 s
b) No melting through to the inner side
c) No hole bigger than max. 5 mm in any direction in the innermost layer
d) All four pairs of values (Eit – tmax) are below corresponding Stoll values, and all four heat curves Eit (t) of transmitted energy are at any moment of time “t” of the exposure period below Stoll curve
Colombo-AS test results (after 5 washing cycles at 600C)
- Burning time: 0,0s – PASS
- Melting through to the inner side: No – PASS
- Hole formation > 5mm: No – PASS
- All four specimens of tested fabric are below Stoll curve – PASS
Colombo-AS flame retardant fabric is fully complied to the standard EN 61482-1-2:2014, CLASS 1.
You can find additional information on the Colombo-AS product page.