If you have been too busy to read the latest edition of NFPA 2112 (e.g. 2018), oh boy have you missed some fun reading. For the most part, the standard is the same, but there are some significant nuggets that stand to impact a lot of facilities, especially those who allow “emblems” on their FRC. Yep, that day has arrived… no longer can we have “emblems” that have not been “tested”. In the 2012 edition, NFPA allowed limited emblems on the garment…
NFPA 2112, 2012 edition defined the following:
3.3.10 Emblem(s).
Shields, heraldry, or printing that designates a governmental entity or a specific organization; rank, title, position, or other professional status that is painted, screened, embroidered, sewn, glued, bonded, or otherwise attached in a permanent manner.
And the actual requirement stated: (emphasis by me)
7.1.4.1 Labels and emblems shall NOT BE REQUIRED to be tested for heat resistance.
Now, with the 2018 edition, NFPA has this to say to about “emblems”:
NFPA 2112, 2018 edition defined “emblems” in the exact same wording. See the following:
3.3.10* Emblem(s).
Shields, heraldry, or printing that designates a governmental entity or a specific organization; rank, title, position, or other professional status that is painted, screened, embroidered, sewn, glued, bonded, or otherwise attached in a permanent manner.
But the similarities end with the definition! And the actual 2018 requirement(s) state: (emphasis by me)
7.1 Garment and Fabric Requirements.
7.1.2.1* Emblems that are placed on the exterior of the garment and are represented as being flame resistant shall be tested for flame resistance as specied in Section 8.3, shall have an afterflame of not more than 2 seconds, and shall not melt and drip.
…
7.1.4.1 Where emblems on the exterior of the garment are represented as flame resistant, the emblems shall be tested for heat resistance as specied in Section 8.4, and shall not melt and drip, separate, or ignite.
7.1.4.2 Labels and emblems not being represented as flame resistant shall not be required to be tested for heat resistance.
Here is the KICKER… (an appendix guidance statement in relation to the requirement above)
A.7.1.2.1 If NON-FLAME-RESISTANT emblems are attached to the EXTERIOR of a garment, the MAXIMUM number should be FIVE with no individual emblem covering an area GREATER THAN 103 cm2 (16.0 in.2) or TOTAL AREA from all these emblems covering an area greater than 258 cm2 (40 in.2).
And how about that reflective striping?
7.1.2.2 Reflective striping utilized in the construction of flame-resistant garments SHALL BE TESTED FOR FLAME RESISTANCE as specied in Section 8.3, shall have an after flame of not more than 2 seconds, and shall not melt and drip.
FYI, the 2018 edition also covers new garments, including shrouds/hoods/balaclavas as one item, and gloves. Shrouds/hoods/balaclavas have been dened to cover those items intended to protect the head and/or neck. Gloves have been dened as garments designed to protect the hands and wrist.
For now, the technical committee has decided to include only performance and construction requirements for these garments without an ASTM F1930, Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Flame Resistant Clothing for Protection Against Fire Simulations Using an Instrumented Manikin, style test. These requirements include, but are not limited to, construction, thermal shrinkage, heat transfer protective performance, flame resistance, thread, hardware, and interlinings.