SAFETY wear manufacturer Bova has launched its range of Arc Flash Protection garments. The Bova ARC range incorporates Beier’s I-ARC fabric; an innovative solution in thermal protection fabrics that was developed in collaboration with LENZING™, a global leader in inherently Flame Resistant (FR) fibres.
The I-ARC material gives the Bova Arc range a significant advantage in both comfort and its inherent FR protection. Inherent materials maintain their FR qualities and these cannot wash or wear away, even when subjected to everyday household detergents and bleach. The fabrics also offer strong abrasion resistance and low shrinkage.
“Power generation and distribution, maintenance industries and electrical contractors don’t always realise how important it is to wear the right protective garments. An arc flash is extremely dangerous and can affect people as far as seven metres away from the blast, which is why the garments must have the ability to self-extinguish as quickly as possible,” explains Deane Nothard from the BBF Safety Group.
The standard for arc rated garments is that they can self-extinguish within two seconds once the exposure to a flame has been removed. However, this is normally measured in laboratory conditions on an unused garment, Bova wanted to emulate these tests with more real-life laundering scenarios. Internal tests were conducted after washes with an every day household detergent that includes stain removal and fine print advising against washing FR materials. The chemically treated FR fabrics representative of a number of popular arc garments currently in use, failed after as few as 15 washes and completely burnt out, whereas the I-ARC fabric at 15 washes didn’t ignite at all. The bigger concern is that the treated fabrics showed no noticeable deterioration prior to their failure. The other major benefit with the Bova range specifically over other inherent FR garments is the comfort factor.
In any working environment, it is important to work comfortably. The Bova ARC range which is available in CAT2 – 13 cal/cm² and 52 cal/cm² respectively offer a superior weight to protection ratio – The lighter weight of the garments across both categories compared to leading competitors add to the proven comfort provided by the fabric’s breathable properties and good moisture management; ensuring the wearer can still feel cool and dry while benefiting from the inherent FR protection. The LENZING blended materials contain both hydrophilic (water absorbing) and hydrophobic (water resistant) fibres to create an evaporative cooling effect.
This allows wearers across different industries and arc hazard levels to benefit from the superior balance of inherent protection, durability and comfort.
Visit www.bova.co.za/arc for further information and to view the range.
