ASTM F1449 : 20

Standard Guide for Industrial Laundering Care and Maintenance of Flame Resistant or Arc Rated Clothing

Standard Details

1.1 This guide provides recommendations for the care and maintenance of clothing that is flame resistant or arc rated.

1.2 These recommendations address the industrial laundering process. Industrial laundering is an effective cleaning process for flame resistant or arc rated clothing; follow all label care instructions. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends leaving clothing soiled with hazardous chemicals at work to be laundered by the employer or, if such clothing is washed at home, to launder separately from the family wash.

1.2.1 This guide does not apply to dry cleaning of flame resistant or arc rated clothing. For more information on dry cleaning, follow label instructions or contact your garment supplier. Dry cleaning indicates cleaning by a professional dry cleaner.

1.2.2 This guide does not apply to home laundering of flame resistant or arc rated clothing. For more information on home laundering, follow label instructions or contact your garment supplier. Home laundering indicates laundering in a home laundering machine. For more information on home laundering, see Guide F2757.

1.3 It is important that potentially flammable contaminants are removed from garments during the wash process. If flammable contaminants are not removed, the flame resistance of the garment may be compromised. Effective cleaning and proper maintenance of the protective characteristics of flame resistant or arc rated clothing should include consideration of cleaning, repair, and replacement.

1.3.1 To reduce the potential of employees wearing garments contaminated with flammable substances, the end user should analyze the soil conditions to which a wearer may be exposed, along with the effectiveness of the industrial wash procedure. If it is deemed ineffective, effective solutions should be pursued (dry cleaning, surfactants, disposable FR coveralls, etc.).

1.4 It is important that the processes and materials used to launder flame resistant garments are compatible with the FR materials to ensure that the FR protection of the garment is not compromised during the laundering process.

1.5 It is the responsibility of the end user to determine if their laundering method is the appropriate care and maintenance procedure for their application. (See Appendix X1 and X1.1.)

1.6 This guide does not apply to specialized protective garments such as specialized firefighter turnout gear and proximity firefighter ensembles.

1.7 This guide also identifies inspection criteria that are significant to the performance of flame resistant or arc rated clothing.

1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.9 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International StandardDetails, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.