November 2019, AITEX lab (Spain) has tested and certified flame retardant fabric Fiji to EN (IEC) 61482-1-1 (Electric Arc).
EN (IEC) 61482-1-1 is a safety standard for Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an electric arc. FR fabric Fiji has been tested by Method 1 (Determination of the arc rating (ATPV or EBT50) of flame resistant materials for clothing). This test method measures the ATPV value or EBT50. At this redaction of the Standard there is a new Value ELIM (Energy Limit Value) that is defined by the as “the numerical value of incident energy attributed to a product (material or clothing), below which all product responses are below the Stoll Curve and without breakopen”.
The ATPV value is the value (in cal/cm2) that predicts a 50% of protection against a second degree burn. The higher the value, the better the protection. The fabric / garment should have a minimum ATPV rating of 4 cal / cm² according to this standard.
The “Open Arc” test method is the same as the original North American method for measuring the Arc Thermal Performance Value (ATPV) as used in ASTM F1959.
Fiji is a light flame retardant fabric with classic twill weave, developed specially for light flame retardant clothing. Fiji protective fabric is recommended for use as a middle layer of FR-clothing, like shirts, vests, light pants, or even light overalls for hot climate. FR-clothing made of Fiji fabric in combination with fire-resistant underwear and fire-resistant outer clothes provides superb protection of workers in risk zones. Made of natural fibers it is soft and comfort to wear and at the same time Fiji FR-fabric protects from risks of Flash fire and ESD sparks. Carbon antistatic yarn integrated as stripes in the surface of Fiji makes it absolutely safe for use in explosive atmospheres. To prevent Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) sparks, antistatic fibers safely discharge static electricity eliminating the risk of fire and explosion.
Electric arc exposure test: determination of the arc rating (atpv or ebt50) of flame resistant materials for clothing (IEC 61482-1-1:2009, panel test (Method A)
The test program includes minimum of twenty individual panel arc trials. The following test data was recorded for each trial:
– Arc exposure electrical conditions: arc trial number, RMS arc current, peak arc current, arc voltage, arc duration, energy dissipated in arc, plots of arc current and arc voltage.
– Temperature rise response from two monitor sensors for each panel in each trial, plot of average responses from two monitor sensors.
– Pictures after arc exposure.
Essential test data and test results are presented in the following pages as follows:
– Arc rating: ATPV or EBT50 or both and plots of the burn injury probability (ATPV) or break open probability (EBT50) or both versus Ei.-
– Distance from an arc center line to the panel surface. Subjective evaluation.
– Pictures after arc exposure.
– Ignition probability value (if determined during testing).
Fiji test results (after 5 washing cycles at 600C)
- ARC RATING -8,6 cal/cm2
- ELIM -7,7 cal/cm2
You can find all the certificates and additional information on the product page.
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