NENS 09 - 2014: National Guideline for the Selection, Use, and Maintenance of Personal Protective Equipment for Electrical Arc Hazards

In late 2014, Energy Networks Australia (ENA) revised NENS 09, the National Guideline for the selection, use, and maintenance of Personal Protective Equipment for Electrical Arc Hazards. The review has brought the standard into line with the current developments in testing and flame-retardant clothing.

One of the major changes in this revised guideline is the recommendation to use arc-rated clothing, (with a minimum rating of 4 cal/cm2 ), replacing the previous recommendation of 185gsm cotton clothing.

Scope

The Guide applies to the selection, use, and maintenance of PPE for work where electrical hazards may be encountered during the operation, construction, and maintenance of electrical apparatus within an Electrical Network.

Application

The Guideline applies to the workers within the electrical supply industry who are required to work on or near Low and High Voltage electrical apparatus.

NFPA 70E

The National Fire Protection Agency's (NFPA) 70E is the Standard for Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces. NFPA70E requires employees to wear flame-resistant protective clothing wherever there is possible exposure to electric arc flash.

NFPA70E is widely accepted throughout general manufacturing as well as the electrical industries.

NFPA 2112

Flame Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire. The standard is targeted towards workers who are at risk of flash fires, primarily in the petrochemical industries.

ASTM F1506

Standard Performance Specification for Textile Materials for Wearing Apparel for Use by Electrical Workers Exposed to Momentary Arc and Related Thermal Hazards. The Standard was developed to give minimum performance specifications for Protective clothing.

The major two requirements of this specification were that the fabric is flame resistant, determined by using the standard vertical flame test (ASTM D6413), and has received an Electric Arc Rating or ATPV.

ASTM F1959

Standard Test Method for Determining the Arc Rating of Materials for Clothing.

ASTM F1930-12

Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Flame Resistant Clothing for Protection Against Fire Simulations Using an Instrumented Manikin.

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