Benchmark FR

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UL investigation found Zimpex, Inc. selling fraudulent flame resistant gear

23ABC has uncovered a safety feature that could endanger the lives of workers in Kern County.

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Serial Numbers

We have one of the industries only individually serialized and traceable FR product lines.

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OSHA 1910.269 (Who, What & When)

  Who:

This affects anyone working in power generation, power transmission and power distribution. This also includes subcontractors for example line-clearance tree-trimmers.

  What Gets Covered?

In the past some utilities only offered FR shirts.  The updated regulations by OSHA specifically stated “Full Body Protection” which means head to toe protection against arc flashes including arc rated shirts, arc rated pants and arc rated balaclavas. 

    Important Dates (specific to arc rated clothing):

  Halloween 2014 – Despite OSHA 1910.269 being law, April of 2014 this is the first day OSHA will start to issue citations for not wearing arc rated clothing in compliance with the new OSHA 1910.269 standard. 

  New Year’s Day 2015 - Arc Flash Calculations need to be started by January 1, 2015

  April Fool’s Day 2015 – No later than this date Arc flash clothing needs to be properly matched to the threat.  

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Most FR jeans are the exact same fabric. MOSTLY TRUE

Most of the larger FR brands use the same flame resistant material for their jeans.  In fact many of the popular brands share the exact same fabric mills for the majority of their products.  The only difference is the label sewn onto them.  Benchmark FR fabrics are all unique and are not used by other FR brands.  

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Can I wear a non-FR jacket over my flame resistant PPE. NO

This is strictly forbidden. Your outermost layer should also be flame resistant. Under some conditions it is possible to wear 100% cotton (non-FR) garments under your flame resistant garments, however, it is exceedingly important that you do not wear any synthetic materials (such as polyester or nylon) under your arc and flame resistant garments. You should also avoid non-FR or synthetic accessories outside of your garments.

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NFPA 2112 is a requirement? MOSTLY FALSE

At the time of this post only one state has officially adopted this code; Wyoming.  Despite misconceptions NFPA 2112 it is not required by OSHA,  it is a voluntary code.  This PPE code is different from others codes which protect against a higher potential threat because it has “unique” tests which are not standardized ASTM tests.  It is rumored that the authors of NPFA 2112 back in 1990’s were influenced by manufacturers who were trying to create an environment that would force certain products to be excluded for example wool and knits.  The code is very strict in some areas and very dangerous in other areas.  For example there is a stringent 4” vert. edge distance; compared to 6" in other codes.   Unfortunately it allows for 50% body burn which will guarantee your in the hospital and fighting for your life.  It is our position that NFPA 2112 does not make an FR garment any safer, despite many Benchmark FR products are UL certified to this code.

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Treated cotton based loses its FR properties over time? MOSTLY FALSES

This is mostly false.  Inherent fibers are synthetic while non-inherent or treated fibers typically start off as a natural material which is processed to impart the flame resistant properties. If you purchase a quality, treated flame resistant product the flame resistant properties are not going to change in a significant way regardless of the number of times they are washed and worn.   

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Wash FR and NON-FR separately? MOSTLY FALSE

Many laundries and flame resistant manufacturers claim you must wash your FR separately from your non-FR to avoid contaminating your FR clothing with non-FR lint. This is mostly false and is used to sell uniform washing services. In ASTM F2757 it is ‘recommended’ to wash FR and non-flame resistant garments separately but this is primarily for appearance degradation. This code also recognizes that while lint could transfer it is unlikely to result in reduced flame resistance. See ASTM F2757-09 section 6.3.1. 

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Recommended Language to Include in Contract

In order for strict liability to apply to [Industrial Laundry] concerning any accidents related to the rented personal protection equipment, the end user have the following language included in the contract: 

  •           “[Industrial Laundry] warrants that it is a commercial lessor of the personal protection equipment which is the subject of this contract.”

  •           “[Industrial Laundry] acknowledges that [end user] is relying on the professional skill and knowledge of [Industrial Laundry], as a commercial lessor of the personal protection equipment which is the subject of this contract, in entering this contract.”

  •           “[Industrial Laundry] warrants that the personal protection equipment provided has been fully inspected by [Industrial Laundry] and that such personal protection equipment is fit for [state particular purpose for which such personal protection equipment will be used by the [end user.]”

  •           “[Industrial Laundry] warrants that it shall indemnify [end user] against any and all claims and liability for injury or death of persons or damage to property caused by or happening in connection with the equipment or the condition, maintenance, possession, operation or use of such equipment, whether or not caused by an unknown defect in the equipment, and whether or not caused by [end user’s] own negligent use of the equipment.”

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Dirty clothes from your industrial laundry.

The second most common complaint we hear from end users in laundry contracts, particularly in the oil and gas industry, is they receive freshly laundered FR clothing which is not clean.  For the record we are not talking about stains we are specifically talking about garments which smell like gasoline, diesel and other petroleum products and can have drilling mud residue.  Because you have a laundry service does not mean you will always get clean clothes.

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Snap Front FR Shirts 

Sometimes we think there are two types of workers.  Those who wear gray and those who wear beige and never the two shall meet.  This is the 1014FR-SNAP shirt.  No metal is exposed to the wear in the light and comfortable shirt which is made in the USA.  Long body length and slight shirt tails ensure this shirt stays ticked in. Incidentally a recent code requirements require shirts be tucked in.