Frequently Asked Questions

These are a few of the questions that we hear most often. If you have a question that is not listed here please contact us to submit your question.

QUESTIONS:
1. Why does Milliken not use an ammonia-cure process?
2. What is the most important step in an FR treated Cotton/Nylon product?
3. Is NFPA 70E compliance mandatory?
4. How do I know what level of protection to wear?
5. What are OSHA's recommendations?
6. Who is Milliken & Company?
 
ANSWERS:
1. Why does Milliken not use an ammonia-cure process? - It is critical to maintain a controlled fabric moisture level as fabric enters the ammonia chamber. This critical step is difficult to measure and control because there is no feedback on the degree of reaction inside the ammonia chamber. The reaction releases heat causing fabric temperature to rise, potentially affecting the fixation of the chemistry. Uniformity of ammonia gas penetration into the fabric is also difficult to achieve in a reliable and consistent manner. For these and others reasons, Milliken developed a new technology minimizing these deficiencies through the design and engineering of Amplitude fabrics.
2. What is the most important step in an FR treated Cotton/Nylon product? - The most important step in the production of an FR treated cotton rich product is the flame-retardant chemistry application. After all, this is the step that allows the cotton/nylon fabric to transform into something that can help protect and potentially save lives. It is also the step that can most affect the final product’s softness, strength and durability. Because a controlled, repeatable process is vital, Milliken research scientists developed the proprietary Amplitude treatment using Six Sigma methodology to refine all aspects of this process.
3. Is NFPA 70E compliance mandatory? - No, the NFPA 70E safety standards are a national consensus published for standard electrical safety in the workplace and are not federal regulations. However, OSHA has the ability to enforce the general duty clause on the event of an electrical accident or accidental death and the employer can be held responsible if they find the employer did not assess the workplace for electrical hazards.
4. How do I know what level of FR protection to wear? - Refering to the NFPA 70E 2009 edition of the Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace you would reference the table 130.7(9) to f1nd the task performed on energized equipment and cross reference that number with the hazard/risk category on the table 130.7(10) to find the minimum arc rating number or ATPV recommended for that particular task. Next, match the number for the minimum arc rating or ATPV on the garment tag or fabric specifications.
5. What are OSHA's recommendations? - OSHA recommends that consensus standards such as NFPA 70E-2004 be used as guides in hazard analysis and selecting control measures. The NFPA 70E-2004 standard addresses electrical safety in the workplace and states that “employees shall wear FR clothing wherever there is possible exposure to an electric arc flash above the threshold incident level for a second degree burn.” The standard also refers to ASTM 1506-02a regarding apparel which specifies vertical burn and electric arc testing. Another consensus standard, NFPA 2112-2007, outlines the testing required for FR garments used in flash fire protection including vertical burn, thermal protective performance (TPP), thermal shrinkage resistance, heat resistance and flash fire manikin testing.
6. Who is Milliken & Company? - Milliken’s roots date back to 1865 when Seth Milliken and William Deering founded Deering Milliken Company, a small woolen fabrics company in Portland, Maine. Deering soon left to start his own company. In 1868, Seth Milliken moved the company headquarters to New York City, at that time the heart of the American Textile Industry. In 1884, the company invested in a new facility in Pacolet, South Carolina, and from that basic beginning the manufacturing operations grew.

Milliken’s rich history of technological innovation has resulted in more than 2,000 patents and the development of the largest textile research center in the world. We have just under 9,000 associates located at more than 45 manufacturing locations worldwide working with more than 19,000 different textile and chemical products. Milliken makes a variety of fabric, yarn and chemical products that keep astronauts safe, make major league baseball players comfortable and adorn homes and businesses around the globe.

 

Compliance Standards
NFPA70E and NFPA 2112

Hugh Hoagland works with electric utilities, electricians, manufacturers, other consultants, and the standards organizations to develop and test new arc safety products and services.

Together they provide current information on arc resistant materials and best practices for hazard assessment, training, clothing, PPE and safety programs to prevent or mitigate the devastating effects of electric arc flashes.

Hugh also works extensively with product development engineers to create textiles, fibers, garment and PPE solutions for the electric arc and flash fire hazards. If you have a particular fabric question or testing need, please click here for more information.