Frequently Asked Questions
Experience the unbeatable protection of Flamebuster garments against 2nd & 3rd degree burns. Find out what our satisfied customer has to say about our high-quality FR protective clothing. Not only do Flamebuster garments provide top-notch protection, but they are also budget-friendly compared to similar FR garments on the market.
Fabric And Specification
Should I conduct a Risk Assessment before purchasing or accepting to wear Flamebuster protective garment?
Yes, you or your procurement manager should always conduct a Risk Assessment for any type of safety clothing. You must check the safety performances of the various garments and decide if the garments are suitable for the tasks.
What are the various levels of safety for Arc & Flash garments?
There are four distinct levels of FR Protection. They are as follows…
HRC1 = ATPV minimum 4 Cal/cm²
HRC2 = ATPV minimum 8 Cal/cm²
HRC3 = ATPV minimum 25Cal/cm²
HRC4 = ATPV minimum 40 Cal/cm²
HRC can also be known as PPE.
What does HRC or PPE mean?
At Flamebuster we use the initialisms HRC which stands for High-Risk Category (HRC). From time to time, you may also see the initialisms PPE. These initials represent Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Both initialisms mean the same, which is a mechanism to inform the users of the various levels of protection attributed to a particular safety garment. The higher the level the more protection.
What level of protection does Flamebuster garments have?
Flamebuster most popular garments have an FR protection level of HRC2 (PPE2) With an Arc Thermal Protection Value (ATPV) of >8 Cal/cm² and < 25Cal/cm².
What does Arc Thermal Protection Value (ATPV) mean?
An Arc Thermal Protective Value (ATPV) refers to the measurement of the maximum energy in Cal/cm². (Calories per centimetre squared) which a protective fabric can resist to and prevent the onset of a second-degree burn.
I have heard a bit about EBT lately. What does it mean?
EBT is an initialism for Energy Breakopen Threshold (EBT). It is the calculated average of the five highest incident energy exposure values below the Stoll curve. EBT is like ATPV but is determined when breakopen occurs before the onset of a second-degree burn.
At Flamebuster we have EBT & ATPV test reports. We choose to inform our customers with ATPV results as the first port of call and happy to give EBT results if requested.
What does Cal/cm². (calories per centimetre squared) mean?
Calories per Centimetre Squared (cal/cm²): This is a measurement guide identifying the amount of energy that discharged to a point at a particular distance from an arc flash. Once this value is known, the ATPV rating of the arc & flash clothing required for work at that distance from the potential flash hazard is also known.
What does Flamebuster Arc & Flash mean?
An Arc event is the light and heat produced from an electric arc supplied with sufficient electrical energy to cause substantial damage, harm, fire, or injury. A Flash fire event is a sudden, intense fire caused by ignition of flammable substances in air. EG: gas or vapours.
What is the difference between Flame Resistant and Flame Retardant?
Flame-resistant fabrics use fibres that naturally resist burning when exposed to flames, whereas flame-retardant fabrics have a fire-retardant chemical applied within the fibres of the fabric and are capable of self-extinguishing any flame that strikes the surface of the fabric. Flamebuster garments are Flame Resistant.
What is the difference between Flame Resistant “Inherent” garments and Flame Retardant “treated” garments?
Flame-resistant “Inherent” garments use materials that are naturally flame resistant when exposed to fire, whereas flame-retardant “treated” garments contain permanent flame-retardant chemicals to make them resistant to fire, extinguishing any flame that strikes them. Flamebuster garments use FR inherent materials.
How long does the Flame Inherent FR Protection last?
Providing the garment is clean, inherent Flamebuster garments will last as long as the the fair wear and tear of the garment allows it to last. That means the garment needs to be free of combustible residues such as soils, oils, chemicals, dust, or grease at all times.
What are the Flamebuster fabric specifications?
The following list of assorted inherent FR fabrics are used in Flamebuster protective clothing.
FR Shirts & Coveralls
195gsm FR RIPSTOP TWILL
50% MODA-ACRYLIC / 33% COTTON / 10% PARA-ARAMID / 5% NYLON / 2% ANTISTATIC
HRC2 (PPE2) cal/cm² 8+
FR Pants
240gsm FR RIPSTOP TWILL
49% MODACRYLIC / 42% COTTON / 5% PARA-ARAMID / 3% NYLON / 1% ANTISTATIC
HRC2 (PPE2) cal/cm² 8+
FR Wet weather Outer Jacket
270gsm 300D 3 LAYER BONDED FR OXFORD RIPSTOP WITH CARBON
98% POLYESTER/ 2% CARBON WITH PU MEMBRANE
HRC2 (PPE2) cal/cm² 8+
Sweat
300gsm FR FLEECE
60% MODACRYLIC 39% COTTON 1% ANTI STATIC
HRC2 (PPE2) cal/cm² 8+
Standards
Flamebuster FR products are designed around Australian and international safety standards & guidelines with test methods that have been specifically established to protect workers from the dangers of incidental Arc and Flash events, low Visibility, and the harmful effects of the sun.
What does HRC or PPE mean?
At Flamebuster we use the initialisms HRC which stands for High-Risk Category (HRC). From time to time, you may also see the initialisms PPE. These initials represent Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Both initialisms mean the same, which is a mechanism to inform the users of the various levels of protection attributed to a particular safety garment. The higher the level the more protection.
What does EBT mean?
EBT is an initialism for Energy Breakopen Threshold (EBT). It is the calculated average of the five highest incident energy exposure values below the Stoll curve. EBT is like ATPV but is determined when breakopen occurs before the onset of a second-degree burn.
At Flamebuster we have EBT & ATPV test reports. We choose to inform our customers with ATPV results as the first port of call and happy to give EBT results if requested.
What does Cal/cm². ( calories per centimeter squared) mean?
Calories per Centimetre Squared (cal/cm²): This is a measurement guide identifying the amount of energy that is discharged to a point at a particular distance from an arc flash. Once this value is known, the ATPV rating of the arc & flash clothing required for work at that distance from the potential flash hazard is also known.
What does Arc Thermal Protection Value (ATPV) mean?
An Arc Thermal Protective Value (ATPV) refers to the measurement of the maximum energy in Cal/cm². (Calories per centimetre squared) which a protective fabric can resist to and prevent the onset of a second-degree burn.
What methods & standards do the Flamebuster garments comply to?
Depending on the type of garment. The list of methods & standards Flamebuster garments comply to are as follows.
- IEC 61482-1-1:2019. ATPV RATING
- AS NZS 4836.2023
SAFE WORKING ON OR NEAR LOW VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS - STANDARD NENS 09 – 2014
NATIONAL GUIDELINE FOR THE SELECTION, USE AND MAINTENANCE OF PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT FOR ELECTRICAL ARC HAZARDS - STANDARD ISO 11612:2015 A1 & ISO 15025:2016 Method A LIMITED FLAME SPREAD
- STANDARDS ISO 9150:1988 & ISO 11611:2015 SMALL MOLTEN METAL SPLASH
- STANDARDS ISO 1149-3:2004 & EN 1149-5:2018 (METHOD 2, INDUCTION CHARGING) CHARGE DECAY
- STANDARDS EN 13034:2005+A1:2009 & EN 14325:2018 REPELLENCY & PENETRATION INDEX: 3 RESISTANCE OF MATERIALS TO PENETRATION BY LIQUID
- STANDARD NFPA 70E: 2024 ELECTRICAL SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE
- STANDARD NFPA 2112:2023 FLAME-RESISTANT CLOTHING FOR PROTECTION OF INDUSTRIAL PERSONNEL AGAINST SHORT-DURATION THERMAL EXPOSURES FROM FIRE
- STANDARD AS/NZS 4602.1:2011* HI VIS GARMENT DAY AND NIGHT USE. Note. Will also comply to the new standard due to be released in 2024. As AS/NZS 4602.1:2024.
- STANDARD AS/NZS 1906.4:2023 HI VISIBILITY MATERIALS
- STANDARD AS/NZS 7471:2019 AUSTRALIAN RAIL PPE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
- STANDARD AS/NZ 4399:2020 SUN PROTECTION UPF RATING 50+
What are the features of each standard.
Below is a table of pictogram icons and descriptions which you can use as a reference that explain the features and what each standard or guideline means.
Care and Maintenance
What are the Flamebuster laundering options?
Flamebuster recommends the user to follow the care label provided inside the garment. The garments are specifically designed for domestic home washing. However, industrial laundries can wash the garments if they follow the care instructions.
Do I need to periodically inspect my PPE?
Yes, if possible, we recommend you inspect your PPE before each use. Look out for any risks such as holes or tears. Discolouration or soiling. Faulty fasteners . Make it your responsibility to replace any PPE that appears to have any of the above-mentioned risks.
Can I wash my Flamebuster garment at regular intervals?
Yes, you must always wash the PPE as many times as possible, ensuring that it’s free of accelerants such as oils, grease, dirt wood chips or flammable liquids…
My washing machine and dryer has numeric dial temperatures, but the Flamebuster care labels have alpha care instructions. How do I know the equivalent temperatures?
30°C means COLD WASH & 40°C means WARM WASH.
LOW HEAT TUMBLE DRY means about 50°C
IRON WARM or WARM IRON means about 150°C.
Will my Flamebuster garments shrink?
All Flambuster fabrics have been stringently evaluated via a 3rd party quality laboratory. If the care label information is followed correctly, the performance parameters are that the fabrics shall not shrink more than 3% for woven garments and 5% for knitted garments.
Can I alter my PPE garments?
Yes, you can alter the garments, providing you use FR quality sewing and embroidery threads and embellishments. And no exposed buttons.