PPE Category Confusion

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jacknife76

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I am trying to figure out some PPE matrix issues. I used to teach classes on this, but it is much different when you get down to the nitty gritty and have to decide for yourself!
I feel there may be some discrepancies, but maybe I am reading it wrong.

Let's say I am trying to provide the appropriate PPE for category 2.

Table 130.7(C)(10) tells me the clothing I need:
NM or untreated t-shirt
NM or untreated pants
FR coveralls with a min arc rating of 4

OR

NM or untreated t-shirt
FR long shirt
FR pants
NM or untreated pants (if FR pants arc rating is under 8)


130.7(C)(12)(a) says "... if non-melting, flammable fiber garments are used as underlayers, the system arc ratings shall be sufficient to prevent breakopen of the innermost FR layer at the expected acr exposure incident energy level..."

Table 130.7(C)(11) says a "typical clothing system" for category 2 is cotton underwear (short sleeve shirt and shorts) plus FR shirt and pants (1 or 2)

Do these are flow together?

I feel like table 10 is telling me to wear 2 layers - t-shirt (cotton), long pants (denim) and FR coveralls with a minimum arc rating of 4.
BUT...
130.7(C)(12)(a) is telling me that if the underlayer is non-melting, flammable material that the FR clothing must have a rating of 8 (cat 2)
Table 11 also appears to require FR to have a rating of 8.


For category 3, table 10 requires:

NM t-shirt
NM long pants
FR long shirt
FR long pants
FR coverall

OR

NM t-shirt
NM long pants
FR coveralls (2 sets, outer - min arc rating 5; inner min arc rating 4)

But for category 3, table 11 says "cotton underwear plus FR shirt, pants and coverall or cotton underwear plus 2 coveralls"

What happens to the NM long pants from table 10?

I know the FR clothing should have a min ATPV of the category, but if I wear a cotton t-shirt and jeans from the department store plus a coverall rated for minimum 4, will I be Category 2? The cotton shirt is flammable and according to 130.7(C)(12)(a), the coveralls must be 8 cal. Table 130.7(C)(10) tells me I can wear the department store t-shirt and jeans, plus my 4 cal coveralls.

I am sorry for writing a book, but I wanted to make it clear. Unlike the standard!
 
jacknife76 said:
I used to teach classes on this, but it is much different when you get down to the nitty gritty and have to decide for yourself!
Click to expand...

Yikes, I am not saying anything, Bob will be all over me :)

So, instead, I will try to be constructive. You are cross referencing tables that are not meant to work together, you are over thinking this one. Stick to 1 table and remember the annexes are NOT part of the 70E, just there as other info and does go against parts of the 70E at times.
 
I am not sure what you mean by 'not saying anything'.

I was wondering about your take on 130.7(C)(12)(a). It says if the layering consists on non-melting, flammable material, the FR clothing must be rated for the incident energy. For category 2, that would mean the coveralls must be rated for 8 cals. Even if you wear the NM cotton shirt and jeans underneath. But Table 10 says with the cotton shirt and pants, the coveralls only need be rated for 4 cals.

?
 
That means is NM flamable fabrics are used as underlayers the Ebt rating of the outer graments (Not ATPV, which is usually refered to) must be >8 cal/cm2 so the underlayers are not directly exposed to the arc.
 
Ah, right, "breakopen". Gotcha.

Sooo.. then, you can wear a 4 cal coverall with cotton shirt and jeans?
Or a cotton short a _cal (?) FR shirt and and 8 cal FR pant?

Something still doesn't seem right to me.
 
jacknife76 said:
Ah, right, "breakopen". Gotcha.

Sooo.. then, you can wear a 4 cal coverall with cotton shirt and jeans?
Or a cotton short a _cal (?) FR shirt and and 8 cal FR pant?

Something still doesn't seem right to me.
Click to expand...

8

Right, they are assuming everyone knows the difference between Ebt and ATPV, few do, so it is confusing. Ths 2009 will clear this all up. Have you read the ROP's yet? Available on NFPA website, will answer a lot of your questions.
 
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