Different FR for Transmission & Disrtribution ?

[Dbearman]

Can anyone verify for me if OSHA FR clothing regs. are different for Transmission linemen and Distribution linemen ? The Transmission linemen are working in short sleeve FR t- shirts while the distribution linemen have to wear FR pants and long sleeve FR shirts . Whats up with this ? Is everyone in compliance with OSHA regs ? Are short sleeve FR shirts OK for both types of linemen ? Seems like a double standard . Any knowledge appreciated . Bear

[Fiberglass Cowboy]

They would have to follow the same rules if working energized conductors or under the same set of safety rules. :cool:

[Mike-E]

I was told anytime there is a difference of potential at ANY time, you must have FR as your outermost clothing layer from head to toe(except boots), including the arms. That means even if it is dead, tested, and grounded, it still has a difference in potential until you are in the equipotential zone. And for one to be in the equipotential zone means you have to equalize the potential somehow. I have seen grounds arc before and that is why I don't have a problem wearing long-sleeves and using a shotgun. I think the short sleeves are for the guys that wear jumpsuits or maybe a company mandate that all under garments have to be FR too. Not a bad idea to have FR undies, my old lady already says my junk is pretty HOT:cool:

[Lineman North Florida]

I agree that there is probably a rule written somewhere as to what it should be, but I doubt that it would do you much good if you had a flash on transmission voltage verses distribution voltage. We had to go to class 2 FR long sleeve shirts and jeans for transmission and distribution voltages. I remember when we worked in white short sleeved cotton t-shirts for both and I loved it.:D

[Edge]

Right now Db it's not really about OSHA... there is a lot of stuff thats up about Fault current and what not and weather or not your outer wear can handle it... with 'bustion you got more load and so more fault current... so if ya take a flash at point blank your gonna get burnt... maybe not electrically...but prolly heat wise...that why the reigns are tighter on 'bution stuff especially 480 stuff (prolly the most wicked in ordinary linework)...

In transmission it's a differnt story most work live line is stick or barehand... you have a hell of a lot more clearence fault currents aren't as wicked so there are different "rules" if you will...

Some company's are doing a "blanket" policy where they analyze max fault and establish their fault current and make EVERYONE wear the same gear... others are making it site specific....

some have jumpsuits in subs some have hrc4 on everything... seen some REC's with HRC2's it depend on your company and how they view the "standard" and of course how much mony they a willing to spend....

for what it's worth

Edge

[climbsomemore]

The OSHA rules ( if you read carefully) only 'ban' the 4 common, oil-based fabrics... and don't require "FR" verbatim.

The FR suggestion is found in a study of ASTM and ANZI specs...

Transmission or distribution... that really does not define the recomendation for FR ... your work envioroment does. Arc Current, distance from the arc and if you are in open air..or enclosed all get calculated to figure out how much energy your FR should be able to deflect in a arc accident.

I did not know this until last year... FR is not so much about catching fire... but it is rated in calories/area to determine how much of the arc energy is deflected (read that as "heat") from the workers skin.

If you do the calculations... Overhead work ("transmission" or" "distribution") scenarios expose linemen to less potential energy than a electrician would be exposed to racking out a metal clad switch gear, for example.
Switching or working in a confineds space like a vault or manhole would typically rate a higher energy fabric than working aloft in free air...

[mx-5]

i think it's all bull sh-t..some big ceo some where came up with this crap,had enough influence(money)to the right people and is making a mint...;)

[Edge]

i think it's all bull sh-t..some big ceo some where came up with this crap,had enough influence(money)to the right people and is making a mint...;)

I think your mostly right MX... but I personally think that it's insurance company's pushing this shit and shit like the fu(ksqueeze... they give kick backs to the power company's on premiums if they get this shit and of course it trickels down from there... your right it is a money thing...

for what it's worth

Edge