ArcWear™ Rampart FR™ 8500 Series Protective Outerwear Technical

Designed for long-duration rain events, Rampart FR™ is the latest in breathable, arc resistant and flame resistant rainwear. The first of its kind to address worker comfort from the inside out, Rampart FR™ combines an exothermic and endothermic moisture management system to create an outstanding foul-weather tool. Utilising NASCO’s new ExoGuard technology, Rampart FR™ not only sheds water but also has a unique soil and stain release agent to help keep the high visibility colour looking clean and compliant.

The interior moisture management layer provides the wearer with a high level of comfort while adding protection. The combination of layers includes superior arc ratings and flash fire results using the Rampart FR™ zonal protection design. The additional electrostatic dissipative exoskeleton shell in combination with a Polartec® Power Dry® FR moisture management layer, makes Rampart FR™ perfect for use in hazardous operations, such as Gas and Electric Utility Transmission and Distribution, Telecommunications and CATV, Storm Restoration, Electrical Maintenance, Meter Servicing and Electrical Switching.

With ASTM F1891 compliant electric arc protection (PPE CAT 2), ASTM F2733 compliant flash fire protection and ANSI 107 high visibility compliance, Rampart FR™ is the most comfortable protective rainwear ever developed.

The complete Rampart FR™ system comprises:

• An outer shell of FR ExoGuard fabric for protection against electric arc, flash fire and electrostatic build-up. The electrostatic dissipative fibre is incorporated into the outer shell construction.

• A moisture barrier of breathable Urethane Composite. The moisture barrier provides a strong flame resistant substrate for liquid-impermeable films. The moisture barrier helps to protect against intrusion of water and viral agents. These barriers are lightweight and breathable to help reduce overall heat loss during strenuous activities.

• An inner layer of Polartec® Power Dry® FR moisture management fleece (Jacket and Bib Trouser).

The Rampart FR™ system is designed to minimise heat stress and maximise thermal protection and comfort.

Property Summary

Breathability

Of all the factors that determine physical comfort, the most basic is thermal comfort, or the body's ability to manage heat. The balance between creating and losing body heat helps determine how cool an individual feels. Evaporation and convection are the body's two most important cooling methods and major contributors to comfort. For cooling to occur, heat generated by activity must be lost or dissipated through the skin and clothing.

Convection transfers heat away from the body into the cooler atmosphere when air moves across our skin or through our garments. Air movement, ventilation and wind all increase the amount of heat loss through convection. Evaporation is the body's most efficient method of heat loss. When the air is hotter than we are, it cannot take heat from us through convection, so we perspire. When our perspiration evaporates, heat is taken from our skin and our body temperature is lowered.

Only breathable fabrics can take advantage of these types of heat loss. Fabrics that do not breathe adequately cause perspiration to build-up inside the garment, while fabrics which absorb moisture, such as Cotton, quickly become saturated. A garment saturated with moisture clings to the skin creating a damp, uncomfortable feeling.

Breathable Rampart FR™ rainwear is designed to collect and transfer perspiration out of the garment as well as allowing a measured amount of heat loss. This leaves the worker dry from both transferred perspiration and rain.

Electric Arc

For electric utility line workers and others that work around energised electrical lines or plant, the hazard of a momentary electric arc flash is real and extremely dangerous. Over the past 11 years, according to a BLS Census of Fatal Injuries report, nearly 2,400 lives were lost by this hazard. In addition to the electrocution aspect, this number includes lives lost as a result of the burn injury sustained in the arc flash.

It is this burn injury that protective clothing is intended to reduce. With temperatures as high as 4000° C (7232° F), an electric arc flash can be extremely destructive. Protective clothing should be utilised in such a way as to reduce the potential burn injury, limiting the amount of body area that would sustain a second-degree burn injury.

Detailed hazard analysis can be performed to predict the potential heat energy given off by an electric arc flash. Clothing systems can then be utilised by the worker that would offer sufficient protection should there be an exposure.

Clothing systems protection is described as the arc rating expressed as the Arc Thermal Performance Value (ATPV). This represents the amount of heat energy the clothing system could be exposed to with a 50% probability of a second-degree burn injury. Arc Ratings are expressed in calories per centimetre squared (cal/cm²).

In the event of an electric arc flash, protection is measured by the ability of a fabric to keep second degree burn injury to a minimum. Arc rated products will not further the extent of an injury, nor will they melt, drip or ignite. In comparing arc rated products, higher arc ratings (ATPV) are more protective.

Flash Fire

In a flash fire, a matter of seconds can mean the difference between minor burns and life-threatening injuries. By far the greatest factor affecting survivability is the percentage of the body that receives second and third-degree burns; the lower the level of total body burn, the greater the chance of survival. Flame resistant Rampart FR™ helps protect the wearer from the heat and flame of a flash fire, providing valuable seconds for escape and minimising the potential for burn injury.

The thermal protective properties of fabrics and fabric systems can be demonstrated through the use of the Thermal Protective Performance (TPP) Test, as described in NFPA Standard 1971 and ASTM D4108. The Thermal Protective Performance Test measures how well a fabric or fabric system can protect the wearer against second-degree burns in a flash fire. The higher the TPP value, the more thermal protection the fabric provides relative to other fabrics.

Electrostatic Dissipation (ESD)

Rampart FR™ provides the wearer with an electrostatic dissipative shell, which resists the build-up of static electricity. The ESD shell, combined with a Polartec® Power Dry® FR moisture management layer, provides a combination of layers with superior arc ratings and flash fire results using Rampart FR™ zonal protection design.

By incorporating conductive materials into the construction, the electrostatic dissipative shell collects and dissipates the static charge. Traditionally, man-made fibres have been combined with conductive materials to provide the necessary dissipation. These fibres are then incorporated into the fabric construction - in some cases woven in a simple check or stripe to produce ample conductivity. In other cases, as little as 1 to 2 percent inclusion of conductive fibre can provide enough dissipation to meet the market specification. For example, Dupont’s Nomex® IIIA, one of the world’s leading and most recognised FR fabrics, contains no more than 2% electrostatic dissipative P-140 fibre.

High Visibility

In foul weather and low light conditions, work zones that put workers in close proximity to oncoming traffic create a tremendous work hazard. To protect the worker, you must maximise a driver’s reaction time. The worker needs to be visible to the oncoming traffic even when the job at hand diverts the worker’s attention away from the oncoming traffic. High visibility work wear is necessary to create contrast between the worker and the work zone.

The ANSI 107-2015 standard establishes a set of performance criteria for high visibility apparel. The standard defines three garment categories that are based on worker hazards and tasks, complexity of the work environment or background and vehicular traffic and speed.

• Class 1 Garments - are intended for use in activities that permit the wearer's full and undivided attention to approaching traffic and where there is ample separation of the worker from traffic, which should be traveling no faster than 40kph (25mph).

• Class 2 Garments - are intended for use in activities where greater visibility is necessary during inclement weather conditions or in work environments with risks that exceed Class 1. Garments in this class also cover workers who perform tasks that divert their attention from approaching traffic, or put them in close proximity to passing vehicles traveling at 40kph (25mph) or higher.

• Class 3 Garments - provide the highest level of visibility and are intended for workers who face serious hazards and often have high task loads that require attention away from their work.

How Rampart FR™ Protects

 3M™ Scotchlite™ reflective material makes people visible – it reflects light back to its source such as vehicle headlights, making the garment wearer visible to the motorist more easily and earlier. As a result, motorists have more time to react.

Rampart FR™ Care Instructions

• Machine warm wash with like colours (120° F / 49° C).

• Non-chloride bleach only.
  

• No Hydrogen Peroxide, softeners or starch.
  

• Tmble dry on low (140° F / 60° C).

• Do not dry in direct sunlight.

• Use a steam iron on medium.

• Do not dry clean.

Rampart FR™ Extended Care – hang garment after each use and keep clean for optimum performance. For maximum performance it is recommended that Rampart FR™ be laundered after exposure to any liquid other than water.

End User Intended Use

Rampart FR™ meets the requirements of ASTM F1891 “Standard Specification for Arc and Flame Resistant Rainwear” and ASTM F2723 “Standard Specification for Flame Resistant Rainwear for Protection Against Flame Hazards”. End users must use this product ONLY for protection against inclement weather, static electricity build-up, electric arc exposures and flash fire exposures.