BUFF® Safety Arc-Rated Clothing | Arc flash balaclava and neck gaiter

Log In

SHOP ONLINE

ARC FLASH PROTECTION IN OCCUPATIONAL ACCIDENTS

Work in the electric power industry presents a wide range of dangers. To prevent burns resulting from accidents, protect working professionals with BUFF® Safety electrical PPE accessories: Arc Protect + FR Balaclava and Multifunctional Neckwear.

section background

section background

IMPORTANCE OF ARC-RATED CLOTHING

For the correct level of protection, workwear must cover the entire body, meaning the base layer garments like arc flash balaclavas are of extreme importance. The use of BUFF® arc-rated clothing – head and neck accessories for electrical PPE – helps to protect from exposure to electrical hazards and prevent many of the consequences of occupational accidents, reducing burns to the body, as well as the unexpected cost of medical and legal services.
BUFF® Safety Arc Protect + FR Multifunctional Neckwear and Arc Protect + FR Balaclava provide sufficient insulation and are ideal for workers in the electrical industry, delivering excellent protection from thermal risks derived from an electrical arc flash and other thermal hazards during an arc blast.
Professionals seeking a customized option can purchase arc flash balaclavas and neck gaiters for all employees with corporate colors and logos. BUFF® also offers arc-rated balaclava and other neck and head protection equipment for distributors. Learn more about customized arc-rated neckwear and headwear by BUFF® Safety.

Products for arc flash protection

slider thumbnail

Arc Protect + FR

slider thumbnail

Arc Protect + FR Balaclava

DOWNLOAD BROCHURE

Find in this brochure a selection of recommended BUFF® Safety products for ARC FLASH PROTECTION

ELECTRICAL HAZARDS IN THE WORKPLACE

When working with electricity, there is always a risk of an electric arc exposure. An electric arc flash is a sudden, high-speed electrical explosion or discharge produced from an arc fault or short-circuit that generates a considerable amount of light, force, and thermal energy, with temperatures as high as 19,000°C. Such accidents without proper arc flash clothing can cause permanent damage or potentially be fatal. Employers must provide workers with adequate electrical PPE, which is where BUFF® Safety division's arc-rated clothing comes in.

section background

section background

CERTIFIED ARC FLASH BALACLAVAS AND NECKWEAR

Arc-rated balaclava and neck gaiter by BUFF® Safety are composed of a combination of fibers for maximum protection and are 100% seamless and as comfortable as they are safe. The fabric used to manufacture these products has been assessed to protect against flames and heat transfer according to European regulations.
BUFF® Safety products in the arc flash clothing family meet the requirements of performance specifications of NFPA 70E, have obtained the EN 1149-5/18 certificate, and have been tested following the UNE-EN 61482-1-1:2010 standards regarding "Live working – Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an electric arc," and the UNE-EN 61482-1-2:2015 "Live working" standard, with the following results: EN 61482-1-2:2014 BOX TEST class 2 and IEC 61482-1-1:2019 PANEL TEST: an ATPV arc protection class of 16 cal/cm2 resulting in PPE category 2.
The fabric used to manufacture BUFF® Safety arc-rated clothing has been tried and tested under the American ASTM F1506-15 and ASTM F1959/ F1959M-14e1 standards to determine the characteristic of the electric arc (ATPV) of the materials exposed to electric arc hazards and related terms, obtaining an ATPV value of 21 cal/cm2.
Additionally, the Arcprotect + FR Balaclava and Multifunctional Neckwear have been assessed in order to protect against flames, heat, thermal contraction, and heat transfer, and meet the requirements of performance specifications of American standard NFPA 2112-12, based on flame-resistant clothing for the protection of industrial workers against fire.

Frequently Asked Questions

Any work with electricity requires arc flash protection to minimize the risk of serious injuries during potential electric arc accidents.

Besides hard hats, eye goggles, and footwear as part of electrical PPE, occupations with a risk of an arc flash exposure require arc-rated clothing that covers the entire body, including the base layer garments like balaclavas and hoods.

Yes, there is a wide range of positions to wear BUFF® seamless, multifunctional one-piece tubulars, with balaclava being one of them. The collection also features Arc Protect + FR Balaclava – both products have been assessed and meet international standards for arc-rated protective clothing.

In addition to arc flash protection and fire resistance, BUFF® arc-rated products are antistatic, quick-drying with high wicking properties, and offer excellent moisture management that provides comfort and helps to keep the body temperature stable. Besides that they also incorporate HEIQ Smart Temp Cooling Technology, that provides fabrics with the ability to interact with body temperature and dynamically respond to body heat, which helps to ensure optimal comfort and performance.

BUFF® Safety products in the arc flash clothing family meet the requirements of NFPA 70E, have obtained the EN 1149-5/18 certificate, and have been tested following the UNE-EN 61482-1-1:2010 standards regarding "Live working – Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an electric arc," and the EN 61482-1-2:2014 standard.
The fabric used to manufacture BUFF® Safety arc-rated clothing has been tried and tested under the American ASTM F1506-15 and ASTM F1959/ F1959M-14e1 standards to determine the characteristic of the electric arc (ATPV) of the materials exposed to electric arc hazards and related terms.
The Arc Protect + FR Balaclava meets the requirements of EN ISO 11611/15 standard intended to protect the wearer against spatter, short contact time with flame, radiant heat from an electric arc used for welding and allied processes, and minimizes the possibility of electrical shock by short-term, accidental contact with live electrical conductors.
Additionally, the Arc Protect + FR Balaclava and Multifunctional Neckwear meet the requirements of performance specifications of American standard NFPA 2112-12, based on flame-resistant clothing for the protection of industrial workers against fire.