The Reference Significance Of Standards For Flame Retardant Protective Clothing In The United States

"Flame retardant protective clothing with multiple protective functions and comfort" has been recognized as the development direction of flame retardant textiles in the industry. With the development of technology and the expansion of application fields, different flame retardant protective products will provide workers with the best protection against different working conditions, such as flash fire and arc protection, molten metal and arc protection, and multiple protective properties of hot liquids and steam.

　　 Of course Compared with the excellent protective performance, it is particularly important and practical for workers to wear comfortably for a long time. It is a major trend of product development to strengthen the permeability and moisture absorption and sweat perspiration of protective clothing at the same time.

From the early 90s of last century, it began to provide various kinds of flame retardant protective fabrics for the US military. Dr. Li Shulong, chief scientist of the research center of the United States of America, may give some inspiration to domestic enterprises.

Reporter: what is the universality of the standards for flame retardant protective clothing in the United States?

Li Shulong: American flame retardant protective clothing standards mainly include the selection, use and maintenance standards of NFPA 2113 industrial flameproof flame retardant clothing. NFPA 2112 standard for industrial flame protection and flame retardant clothing, NFPA 70E industrial electric safety standard, and a series of (ASTM) American Standard test standards, such as ASTM F1930 using dummy flare to evaluate the protective performance of flame retardant clothing, ASTM F1959 fabric arc protection performance test method and ASTM F955 fabric protection test method for molten metal.

　　 among NFPA 2112 and NFPA 70E are cited by the occupational health and safety agency of the United States as legal requirements for personal protective clothing in the corresponding occupation. Many oil, chemical and electric workers must be equipped with flame retardant protective clothing according to NFPA2112 or NFPA70E. Irrespective of whether it is quoted by law or not, the standard of flame retardant protective clothing has been widely adopted by the American industry and become the accepted standard of flame retardant protective clothing. Through many years of practical use and update, the standard of flame retardant protective clothing in the United States is recognized as a practical, scientific and reasonable standard for basic protection performance by industrial users. Many major multinational companies and groups adopt the standard of American flame retardant protective clothing as the basic requirement of the global platform for personal protective clothing. The national standards of some countries are made by minor modifications based on the flame retardant standards of the United States.

Reporter: what reference do these standards have for the formation of relevant domestic standards?

Li Shulong: in recent years, China has made good progress in personal protective clothing and flame retardant clothing standards. Flame retardant protective clothing, welding protective clothing has been set up national standard, arc protection clothing has row mark, at the same time has developed a series of fire retardant protective clothing related test standards. The state has also set up some product testing and certification centers, providing testing services for relevant standards, and promoting the country's labor protection and safety production.

Compared with the standards of flame retardant protective clothing in the United States, the domestic standards are not perfect enough. The standard of flame retardant protective clothing in the United States only specifies the performance index, especially the relevant protective performance parameters, and does not specify the use of certain fibers, fabrics or production processes. Manufacturers can use their respective capabilities and processes to produce performance products that meet the standard requirements. In order to ensure that flame-retardant clothing has reliable flame retardancy in actual use, the American Standard requires that the flame retardant clothing has the durability of the 100 high-temperature industrial washing.

At present, the national standard of flame-retardant protective clothing is not very good for washing, and has a certain distance from international standards. Evaluating the protective performance of flame-retardant clothing through the dummy flare test is an important parameter for selecting a protective product. China's pseudo fire flashover test capability is rapidly developing and improving. This scientific and practical characterization capability of protective clothing can promote the standard of Chinese flame retardant clothing.

　　 Reporter What advantages does the company have in terms of technology and products?

Li Shulong: the general technical advantage of the flame retardant protective clothing of the United States is that it provides reliable and excellent protective properties while optimizing the comfort and durability of the products. Meyleken is not restricted by fiber selection. It can choose the most suitable fiber and fiber mixture according to the needs of end-users, and provide optimized products for workers through many processes such as yarn, textile, dyeing and finishing. The company also has a series of essential flame retardant fabric products and permanent flame retardant finishing products.

Reporter: how to view China's flame retardant protective textiles market?

Li Shulong: China has a large scale of industrial production and a huge labor market. The state pays more and more attention to the safety production, the health of workers, and the protection of casualties. However, the development of China's flame-retardant protective textile market is not long and is still in its infancy. At present, there are still many imperfections and irregularities in the market of flame-retardant textiles. Most enterprises have not yet realized the benefits of personal protection such as flame-retardant protective clothing to enterprises, workers and society. With the emphasis on safety in production, the promotion and popularization of safety awareness of enterprises and workers, the guarantee of product quality, and the implementation and perfection of relevant standards, China's flame retardant protective textile market will gradually integrate with the advanced countries in the world.