NFPA2112

NFPA2112

Specifies the Minimum Design, Performance, Certification Requirements, and Test Methods for Flame-Resistant Garments for Use in Areas at Risk from Flash Fires.

NFPA 2112 establishes specific criteria for testing garments using the ASTM F1930 test method and the ASTM D6413 test method.

  • Using the ASTM F1930 manikin test, NFPA 2112 requires less than 50% 2nd and 3rd degree burn to pass. Garments are exposed to a 3-second engulfment fire at 2 cal/cm2 and the total predicted body burn is measured.  The test is three seconds – for two reasons:
    1. In theory, that is the upper limit of flash fire duration, and
    2. It is the area of greatest variability in results, affording the most accurate differentiation of fabric performance. The upper limit is 50% burn because survival rates plummet as TBSA (total body surface area) burns exceed that level.
  • Garments must be cut to a standard pattern, size 42-RG coverall, and tested over 100% cotton t-shirt and briefs.
  • Tyndale’s “Flash Fire Rated” clothing is defined as having 50% or less predicted body burn in 3 seconds, according to the specifications of NFPA 2112 (ASTM F1930 test method).
  • The fabric must not melt, drip, or have more than 2 seconds afterflame or 4.0 inches char length when tested and after 25 launderings when using ASTM D6413 test method.

Note: NFPA 2112 requires a maximum 4-inch char length when a garment is tested according to ASTM D6413. ASTM F1506, (Standard Performance Specification for Flame Resistant Textile Materials for Wearing Apparel for use by Electrical Workers Exposed to Momentary Arc and Related Thermal Hazards) requires a maximum 6-inch char length when ASTM D6413 is used. As long as the fabric sample does not ignite and continue to burn (called BEL for Burn Entire Length), char lengths at or below 6” are not meaningful predictors of thermal protective performance of the fabric in flash fire. In other words, some fabrics with relatively low char lengths have significantly higher body burn percentages in the manikin test than other fabrics with relatively higher char lengths. Char length differences below 6” do not correlate to protective performance or ASTM F1930 manikin test results, and we do not recommend inclusion of char length in specifications for this reason.

NFPA 2112 requires the following:

  • All garments must have a product label or labels permanently and conspicuously attached to each flame-resistant garment.
  • All garments labeled as compliant with NFPA 2112 must meet or exceed all applicable requirements specified in this standard and shall be UL certified
  • The UL certification organization’s label, symbol, or identifying mark shall be attached to the product label, be part of the product label, or be immediately adjacent to the product label.
  • NFPA 2112 outlines 17 test methods, including four pass/fail tests: flame resistance, manikin testing, thermal shrinkage resistance, and heat resistance. The other tests are report-only; that is, data is collected and reported, but it is not used to pass or fail a fabric.

RELATED ARTICLES