ASTM F2757-09

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Designation: F2757 − 09
StandardGuide for
Home Laundering Care and Maintenance of Flame, Thermal
and Arc Resistant Clothing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2757; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This guide provides recommendations for home laun-
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
dering of clothing that is flame, thermal, and arc resistant.
F1449 Guide for Industrial Laundering of Flame, Thermal,
1.1.1 This guide does not apply to dry cleaning of flame,
and Arc Resistant Clothing
thermal, and arc resistant clothing. For more information on
F1494 Terminology Relating to Protective Clothing
dry cleaning, follow label instructions or contact your garment
supplier or fabric manufacturer.
3. Terminology
1.1.2 This guide does not apply to industrial laundering of
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
flame, thermal, and arc resistant clothing. For more informa-
3.1.1 care and maintenance, n—effective cleaning to re-
tion on industrial laundering, follow Guide F1449 or contact
move soil and maximize useful life of garments while main-
your garment supplier.
taining (not removing) protective properties and procedures for
1.2 When garments are laundered properly, using the proper
inspection, repair, and removal from service.
detergent, home laundering is an effective cleaning process.
3.1.2 end user, n—the entity or organization whose employ-
ees ultimately wear the flame, thermal, and arc resistant
1.3 It is important that potentially flammable contaminants
are removed from garments during the wash process. If clothing.
flammable contaminants are not removed, the flame resistance
3.1.3 soil, n—dirt or other foreign substances which become
of the garment may be compromised.
attached to the surface of protective clothing.
1.3.1 To reduce the potential of employees wearing gar-
3.1.4 wearer, n—the individual who wears flame, thermal or
ments contaminated with flammable substances, the end user
arc resistant clothing and is responsible for care and mainte-
should analyze the soil conditions to which a worker may be
nance of the clothing.
exposed, along with the effectiveness of the wash procedure. In
3.1.5 garment, n—an article of clothing used to cover the
the event home laundering is deemed ineffective, alternative
body.
solutions should be pursued (dry cleaning, industrial
3.1.6 fabric, n—in textiles, a planar structure consisting of
laundering, disposable FR coveralls, etc.).
yarns or fibers.
1.4 Certain laundry chemicals that may have an adverse
effect on fabric flame resistance are identified in this guide and
4. Summary of Guide
should not be used.
4.1 This guide provides recommendations to effectively
1.5 This guide does not apply to specialized protective care for and maintain flame, thermal, and arc resistant clothing.
garments such as specialized firefighter turnout gear and The guidelines include:
proximity firefighter ensembles. 4.1.1 A listing of elements to consider when laundering at
home.
1.6 This guide also provides recommendations for inspec-
4.1.2 Recommendations for removing flame, thermal, and
tion criteria that are significant to the performance of flame,
arc resistant clothing from service.
thermal, and arc resistant clothing.
4.1.3 Recommendations for the repair, modification and fit
of flame, thermal and arc resistant clothing.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F23 on Personal
Protective Clothing and Equipment and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
F23.80 on Flame and Thermal. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2009. Published September 2009. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/F2757-09. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2757 − 09
5. Significance and Use 6.2.5 Select a machine cycle that is appropriate for the soil
level and type of clothing being handled and use the hottest
5.1 This guide is intended for use by employees of the end
water allowed by the clothing care label.
user, such as safety personnel or program administrators, who
6.2.6 Use soft water or detergent specifically designed for
have chosen to implement a home laundered flame, thermal or
hard water. Hard water (greater than 7 grains per gallon of
arc resistant clothing program.
hardness) can leave residue on fabrics that may mask flame
5.2 Thisguidedescribesthekeycomponentsinvolvedinthe
resistance.
home care and maintenance of flame, thermal, and arc resistant
6.2.7 Clothingsoiledwithcombustibleorflammablechemi-
clothing. The decision to home launder flame, thermal and arc
cals should be handled carefully and in accordance with
resistant clothing is part of an overall hazard analysis. It should
pre-established procedures established by the end user, as
include the nature of the hazard, the soils and any chemicals
stated in 5.1. In addition, failure to fully remove these
present in the workplace. Requirements may exist that require
chemicals could compromise the flame resistant effectiveness
work apparel to be cleaned professionally due to the risk of
of the garment.
contamination of the home or waste water caused by the
NOTE 2—Garments soiled with hazardous chemicals should only be
wearer’s on the job exposure.
handled by qualified individuals with techniques approved for such
materials.
5.3 The guide provides the end user assistance to develop
laundering methods that will clean the garment and maintain
6.2.8 A proper care label could encompass that protective
the flame, thermal, and arc resistant characteristics of the
apparel could be designed not to be laundered, or dry cleaned,
clothing during its useful service life. The guide also provides
or is distinctly of a limited use, or one of disposable nature.
suggestions for increasing the wear life, appearance and
Garments of this nature shall not be laundered or reused, in
function of the clothing.
accordance with their label.
5.4 The guide also provides suggestions as to when flame, 6.3 Listed below are recommendations for increasing the
thermal, and arc resistant garments should be removed from wear life, appearance and comfort of the clothing.
service. 6.
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