TM_F_1449_
_08_2015
Designation:F144908(Reapproved 2015)Standard Guide forIndustrial Laundering of Flame,Thermal,and Arc ResistantClothing1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1449;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This guide provides recommendations for the care andmaintenance of clothing that is flame,thermal,and arc resis-tant.1.2 These recommendations address the Industrial Launder-ing process.NOTE1The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH)recommends leaving clothing soiled with hazardous chemicalsat work to be laundered by the employer;or if such clothing is washed athome,to launder separately from the family wash.1.2.1 This guide does not apply to dry cleaning of flame,thermal,and arc resistant clothing.For more information ondry cleaning,follow label instructions or contact your garmentsupplier.NOTE2Dry cleaning indicates cleaning by a professional dry cleaner.1.2.2 This guide does not apply to home laundering offlame,thermal,and arc resistant clothing.For more informa-tion on home laundering,follow label instructions or contactyour garment supplier.NOTE3Home laundering indicates laundering in a home launderingmachine.1.3 It is important that potentially flammable contaminantsare removed from garments during the wash process.Ifflammable contaminants are not removed,the flame resistanceof the garment will be compromised.(See Note 1.)NOTE4Effective cleaning and proper maintenance of the protectivecharacteristics of flame,thermal and arc resistant protective clothingshould include consideration of the services a professional processor cansupply.1.4 It is important that the processes and materials used tolaunder flame resistant garments are compatible with the FRmaterials to ensure that the FR protection of the garment is notcompromised during the laundering process.1.5 It is the responsibility of the end user to determine iftheir laundering method is the appropriate care and mainte-nance procedure for their application.(See Appendix X1 andX1.1.)1.6 This guide does not apply to specialized protectivegarments such as specialized firefighter turnout gear andproximity firefighter ensembles.1.7 This guide also identifies inspection criteria that aresignificant to the performance of flame,thermal,and arcresistant clothing.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D123 Terminology Relating to TextilesF1494 Terminology Relating to Protective Clothing2.2 Other References:Textile Laundering Technology Handbook-2005 Edition byDr.Charles Riggs,Ph.D.and Michael KlipperNIOSH,Protecting Workers Families,A Research AgendaReport of the Workers Family Protection Task Force February,20023.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 care and maintenance,neffective cleaning to re-move soil and maximize use life of garments while maintaining(not removing)protective properties and procedures forinspection,repair,and removal from service.3.1.2 end user,nthe entity or organization whose employ-ees ultimately wear the flame,thermal,and arc resistantclothing.3.1.3 finish,na chemical or mechanical modification,orboth,of the fabric for a specific performance result.3.1.4 finishing technique,nthe mechanical means bywhich the garment is put in its final state(for example,pressing,drying,tunneling).1This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F23 on PersonalProtective Clothing and Equipment and is the direct responsibility of SubcommitteeF23.80 on Flame and Thermal.Current edition approved July 1,2015.Published July 2015.Originally approvedin 1992.Last previous edition approved in 2008 as F1449 08.DOI:10.1520/F1449-08R15.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 3.1.5 laundry wash formula,nthe details related toprocedures,cycle times,temperatures,and chemicals used inthe laundering process.3.1.6 processing launderer(processor),nthe party per-forming the operation of cleaning or repairing,or both of theflame,thermal,and arc resistant clothing.3.1.7 soil,nforeign substances that may be on garments,which are not part of the garment construction or materials.3.1.8 soil level,nthe amount of soil on a garment(verylight,light,medium,heavy,and very heavy)are subjectivecategories of soil levels commonly used in the laundry indus-try;the definition of each category depends on the soils,fabrictype,garment construction,and fabric release properties.(Refer to“The Textile Laundering Technology Handbook”inSection 2.Referenced Documents)4.Summary of Guide4.1 This guide pr