Arc Flash Clothing Laundry & Repair Services
NFPA-70E requires arc flash protective clothing to be worn, and employers/safety managers are required to provide this protective equipment for employees. The cost of purchasing new garments is expensive. HJ Arnett Industries offers laundry & repair services for arc flash clothing, in an effort to reduce costs for our customers.
When considering the purchase of new garments, keep in mind that we are able to wash and repair your arc flash clothing for a fraction of the cost of buying new. However, Arnett also stocks new 12 cal kits, 40 cal kits, FR jackets & dailywear, and FR raingear.
Call Arnett for pricing information: 503-692-4600 or email [email protected]
We follow the following standards:
NFPA 70E – 130.7(C)(16) “Care and Maintenance of FR Clothing and FR Arc Flash Suits”
ASTM F 1506: “Standard Performance Specification for Textile Material for Wearing Apparel for Use by Electrical Workers Exposed to Momentary Electric Arc and Related Thermal Hazards”
ASTM F1449-08 “Standard Guide for Industrial Laundering of Flame, Thermal, Arc Resistant Clothing”
Want your Arc Flash Clothing cleaned? Send it to Arnett.
Please PRINT out the “Arc Flash Return For Cleaning Form” and send it to Arnett’s electrical glove testing lab with the items you want cleaned or repaired.
Make sure to include your contact information (phone number, email, and ship back address) when sending in products to be cleaned. We will contact you and notify you of repairs needed before shipping goods back. Replacements are stocked.
Please send arc flash clothing to our Portland, Oregon address:
20460 SW Avery CT, Tualatin, OR 97062
Standard turn-around time is 7-10 business days. Rush cleaning is available (additional charge may apply). If rush is required, please note on the intake form.
Arc Flash Clothing Laundry & Care Information
Always follow the instructions on the care label found inside of your PPE.
Here are some links to updated content from NSA that may be helpful:
Care Page for Hoods: https://www.thinknsa.com/arc-flash-hoods-product-care
Care Page for Arc PPE: https://www.thinknsa.com/arc-flash-ppe-product-care
The ArcGuard arc flash PPE user guide LINK
And here are the top 4 things we usually include in FR/AR washing instructions
- DO NOT use chlorine bleach or detergents containing bleach
- DO NOT use hydrogen peroxide
- DO NOT use fabric softeners or starch
- If contaminants cannot be removed after laundering, it is best to discontinue use of the garment
Care and maintenance of Arc Flash garments, according to NFPA 70E 2009 edition.
130.7(C)(16) Care and Maintenance of FR Clothing and FR Arc Flash Suits.
(a) Inspection. FR apparel shall be inspected before each use. Work clothing or arc flash suits that are contaminated, or damaged to the extent their protective qualities are impaired, shall not be used. Protective items that become contaminated with grease, oil, or flammable liquids or combustible materials shall not be used.
(b) Manufacturers Instructions. The garment manufacturers instructions for care and maintenance of FR apparel shall be followed.
(c) Storage. FR apparel shall be stored in a manner that prevents physical damage; damage from moisture, dust, or other deteriorating agents; or contamination from flammable or combustible materials.
(d) Cleaning, Repairing, and Affixing Items. When FR clothing is cleaned, manufacturers instructions shall be followed to avoid loss of protection. When FR clothing is repaired, the same FR materials used to manufacture the FR clothing shall be used to provide repairs. When, trim, name tags, and/or logos are affixed to FR clothing, guidance in ASTM F 1506, Standard Performance Specification for Textile Material for Wearing Apparel for Use by Electrical Workers Exposed to Momentary Electric Arc and Related Thermal Hazards, shall be followed [see Table 130.7(C)(8)].
ASTM F1506-08 covers “care and maintenance” as follows: Appendix X1.3.1 The garment manufacturer in conjunction with the fiber and fabric supplier should provide instructions for the care and maintenance of protective wearing apparel. See Guide F 1449 concerning care and maintenance of protective garments.
ASTM F1449-08
“Standard Guide for Industrial Laundering of Flame, Thermal, Arc Resistant Clothing” provides the following guidance:
6.5 Removal from Service: For most practical purposes, garments may be temporarily or permanently removed from service for reasons as determined by inspection based on subjective evaluation and advice by the processor. Ultimately, determination of when flame, thermal and arc resistant clothing should be removed from service is the responsibility of the end user.
6.5.1 The following items, identifiable by visual examination, diminish the effectiveness of the flame, thermal, and arc resistant clothing. Other issues may also have such effects.
6.5.1.1 Worn Out, thin spots, holes, excessive wear at edges
6.5.1.2 Mechanical Damage: Evidence of cuts, rips, tears, open seams, and nonfunctional closures
6.5.1.3 Repairs: Tears, holes, open seams, lost buttons or snaps are types of repairs. Each processor determines if the number and/or size of the repairs are acceptable to a garment before removing the garment from service.
6.5.1.4 Modifications: Alteration(s) to a garment that differs significantly from the original design
6.5.1.5 Fit: The flame, thermal, and arc resistant clothing no longer fits the wearer; a garment may be assigned to another wearer if it meets all appropriate usability requirements.
6.5.1.6 Flammable Substances: Garments soiled by substances that represent a flammability risk, such as solvents, solids, oils and other petroleum products that cannot be properly cleaned; the presence of a petroleum or chemical odor can be evidence of a flammable substance.
