ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 is the American national standard for high-visibility safety apparel (HVSA) and Accessories. This standard provides specifications and requirements for workers exposed to struck-by hazards in both off-road and highway work environments. ANSI/ISEA 107 also specifies FR (Flame Resistant) standards that are acceptable for HVSA. Garments labeled as ANSI compliant and FR must comply with one of these recognized standards.
ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 recognizes these 6 FR standards:
ASTM F1506-10a: Arc Flash Clothing Standard. Arc rated material rated as Flame Resistant per ASTM F1506 includes a Vertical Flame Test (ASTM D6413) and ASTM F1959 to determine the fabric’s arc rating.
ASTM F1891-12: Arc Flash Rainwear. Rainwear requires the same FR specifications and testing as ASTM F1506, with the addition of Waterproof and Breathable testing. Waterproof testing to ASTM D3393, Seam Hydrostatic Pressure test AATCC 127, and for Breathable Rainwear Water Vapor Transfer test ASTM E96/E 96M.
NFPA 2112-2012: Flash Fire Clothing. Third party certification to NFPA 2112 is required. Fabric must exhibit 50% or less total predicted body burn on a 3 second flash fire test. Additionally specifications for testing and requirements of fabric include Heat Transfer Performance, Oven Test (shrinkage, no melt, no drip),
and Vertical Flame D6413 (2 seconds or less after flame, char length not more than 4”, no melt, no drip)
ASTM F2733-09: Flash Fire Rainwear. similar to NFPA 2112, but with a stricter requirement of 40% or less total predicted body burn on a 3 second flash fire test. F2733 also requires garments to be tested as sold in addition to the generic coverall test of NFPA 2112. Like ASTM F1891 F2733 also includes specifications for how waterproof fabrics and seams need to be. ASTM D3393 and FTMS 191A Method 5516.
NFPA 1977-2011: Wildland Fire Fighting. This standard established the requirements of protective clothing and equipment in wildland firefighting environments.
ASTM F2302-08: FR Labeling Standard. Withdrawn by ASTM in Feb 2017 as the committee did not have the required update ready to publish. We are waiting to see what the committee will decide to do with this standard.
The following standards are not listed in ANSI 107-2015 as standards for flame resistance in garments:
NFPA 701: Standard methods of Fire Tests for Flame Propagation of Textiles and Films. This standard is not written for wearing apparel.
ASTM D 6413: Test Method (Vertical Flame Test). Used in many FR standards as a method for testing by itself. It does not include specifications for FR clothing.
For more information on the ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel (HVSA) and Accessories, visit https://safetyequipment.org/ansiisea-107-2015/.