View some of the most frequently asked questions DuPont receives about Protera®.
QUESTION:
What does DuPont suggest as a solution against electric arc hazards?
Answer:
DuPont suggests that a thorough risk assessment be made by a qualified party before going through the analysis of what protection is required. The level of arc protection must match the worst expected arc hazard level that a worker could be exposed to. DuPont operates the test facility Thermo-Man®, which allows manufacturer end-users to test and evaluate the performance of different fabric and garment systems. In certain working environments, only one millijoule (mJ) of energy — less than the nuisance static that builds in the human body from simply walking on a carpet — can ignite hydrocarbon vapor mixtures. The main source of spark potential is from static stored in the human body, rather than from garments.
QUESTION:
Are garments made of Protera® more expensive than FR cotton garments?
Answer:
Both initial cost and durability need to be considered when determining cost-effectiveness. Although the initial price of garments made of Protera® is higher than that of FR cotton garments, they are still more cost-effective. This is because they are twice as durable. Protera® fabric is a high-tech product with inherent heat and flame protection properties. The heat- and flame-resistant properties are permanent and cannot be destroyed over time by wear or washing. The flame-retardant treatment of FR cotton can be affected over time by wear and washing. Also, flame-resistant fabrics provide protection from heat. For specific information on the pricing of garments made with DuPont™ Protera®, please refer to our Where to Buy for a list of suppliers of garments made with Protera®.
QUESTION:
What is the difference in protection between Protera® and FR cotton?
Answer:
Protera® is inherently flame-resistant. Protera® will not support burning in a normal atmosphere. It is inherently non-flammable. FR cotton is topically treated with chemicals after the fabric is made. These treatments are not permanent and can vary in their durability to laundry conditions, which can reduce the non-flammable characteristics of the fabrics.
QUESTION:
What standards does Protera® meet?
Answer:
Fabric made with Protera® is NFPA 70E® -compliant
QUESTION:
What are the available colors of Protera® fabric?
Answer:
Protera® is available in medium blue, khaki, dark blue, navy blue, and orange. Please refer to our Where to Buy for a list of suppliers of garments made with Protera®.
* NFPA 70E® is a registered trademark of the National Fire Protection Agency