What Are The Four Different Arc Flash PPE Categories in NFPA 70E?
Whether it's in the form of fall protection equipment, respiratory protection or flame resistant and arc rated clothing, employers are required to provide workers with adequate PPE for the job that is being completed. The following tables summarise the four different Arc Flash PPE Categories in the NFPA 70E standard, the clothing required for each category, as well as providing information on determining which PPE you need to use. The tables only address the four PPE Categories for those who elect to use NFPA 70E tables 130.7 in lieu of completing an arc flash risk analysis.
NOTE: where referenced, 'AR' denotes Arc Rated
PPE Category 1: Minimum Arc Rating 4 cal/cm2
PPE CAT 1 represents the lowest level in which Arc Rated PPE is required. Requiring a single layer of arc rated PPE, workers need the following clothing:
| Required Clothing | Long Sleeve Shirt (or Jacket) and Pant or AR Coverall with minimum arc rating of 4 cal/cm2 |
| Required AR Face and Head Protection | Face Shield (with wrap around guarding [balaclava]) or Arc Flash Suit Hood |
| As Needed | AR Jacket, AR Rainwear, Hard Hat Liner |
| Required Hand Protection | Heavy-Duty Leather Gloves |
| Additional PPE | Hard Hat, Eye Protection (Glassess/Goggles), Hearing Protection |
| Footwear | Leather Foortwear (as needed) |
PPE Category 2: Minimum Arc Rating 8 cal/cm2
PPE CAT 2 can likely be met with a single layer of Arc Rated PPE. In fact, the majority of companies with exposures requiring CAT 1 typically opt for CAT 2 clothing to cover both categories. Today, the comfort of PPE CAT 1 and 2 is comparable, so it makes more sense to choose CAT 2 clothing.
| Required Clothing | AR Long Sleeve Shirt and Pant or AR Coverall with minimum arc rating of 8 cal/cm2 |
| Required AR Face and Head Protection | AR Flash Suit Hood or AR Face Shield, Sock Hood/Balaclava with minimum arc rating of 8 cal/cm2 |
| As Needed | AR Jacket, AR Rainwear, Hard Hat Liner |
| Required Hand Protection | Heavy-Duty Leather Gloves |
| Additional PPE | Hard Hat, Eye Protection (Glasses/Goggles), Hearing Protection |
| Footwear | Leather Footwear (as needed) |
PPE Category 3: Minimum Arc Rating 25 cal/cm2
PPE CAT 3 and 4 require additional layers of PPE. Arc flash suit hoods are required and rubber insulating gloves and leather protectors or arc rated gloves are required. For PPE CAT 3, workers require the following clothing:
| Required Clothing | AR Flash Suit Jacket and AR Pant or AR Coverall with minimum arc rating of 25 cal/cm2 |
| Required AR Face and Head Protection | AR Flash Suit Hood with minimum arc rating of 25 cal/cm2 |
| Required AR Hand Protection | Rubber Insulating Gloves and Leather Protectors or AR Gloves |
| As Needed | AR Jacket, AR Rainwear, Hard Hat Liner |
| Additional PPE | Hard Hat, Eye Protection (Glasses/Goggles), Hearing Protection (inserts), Leather Footwear |
PPE Category 4: Minimum Arc Rating 40 cal/cm2
PPE CAT 4 requires Arc Rated clothing with a minimum arc rating of 40 cal/cm2.
| Required Clothing | AR Flash Suit Jacket and AR Pant or AR Coverall with minimum arc rating of 40 cal/cm2 |
| Required AR Face and Head Protection | AR Flash Suit Hood with minimum arc rating of 40 cal/cm2 |
| Required AR Hand Protection | Rubber Insulating Gloves and Leather Protectors or AR Gloves |
| As Needed | AR Jacket, AR Rainwear, Hard Hat Liner |
| Additional PPE | Hard Hat, Eye Protection (Glasses/Goggles), Hearing Protection (inserts), Leather Footwear |
The ArcFlashWear Premium Range
UltraSoft® Apparel constructed from Westex™ UltraSoft®, UltraSoft AC® and TrueComfort™, one of the world’s leading all-round range of FR performance textiles providing premium protection against electric arc, flash fire, molten ferrous metal splash and welding.
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NASCO Envisage™ High Visibility 100 Series (non-FR) Protective Outerwear excels in joining comfort with durability and protection. Workers are visible and safe when their attention is diverted away from nearby traffic hazards or moving industrial equipment. Envisage™ is waterproof and breathable and ensures worker comfort by keeping workers dry during inclement weather as well as reducing body heat stress.
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For 20 years NASCO ArcWear™ ArcLite™ 1500 Series and 1000 Series Protective Outerwear has been the standard for electric arc protective rainwear. Designed specifically for utility workers who may be exposed to electric arcs, ArcLite™ is lighter, softer and more comfortable than the competition. With a feature packed design, ArcLite™ is the most popular foul weather product and sure to meet the needs of the demanding electric utility industry. Download the ArcWear™ ArcLite™ Product Guide.
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NASCO ArcWear™ Nomex® IIIA Fleece Jacket/Liner, manufactured from 100% double knapped Nomex® IIIA knit and has the versatility to be worn as a stand-alone FR Jacket or to be incorporated as a removable Liner for our Omega FR™ 5000 Series and MP3 3000 Series Jackets.
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The Projob FR High Visibility Jacket and FR High Visibility Trouser constructed from a blend of Protex® Modacrylic, FR Cotton and Carbon Anti-static control fibre provide unparalleled protection when exposed to flame, convective and radiant heat, electric arc, flash fire and molten metal splash.
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