When selecting an 8 cal or 12 cal arc flash kit.
Is the balaclava required as to the standards or is the addition of it just for more personal choice providing more protection?




Terry

A balaclava is required by 70E. Table method requires it over 4 cal, calculation method would require it over 1.2 cal.

I would select a 12 cal in that case, so as not to limit yourself to only 8 cal with your equipment.

Thank you

So a kit that is provided "without" the balaclava is not in compliance unless the end user has their own balaclava on hand.
Is that correct?

There is an additional wrinkle to this. OSHA 1910.269 for outdoor overhead equipment recommends balaclava is not required until 9 cal/cm2 or higher.

There is a TIA that corrects the discrepancy in annex H as far as 1.2-4 cal/cm2 goes.

So it looks like there might be grey area in the regs there.

If you are following 70E you should be using a balaclava for anything greater than 1.2 cal/cm2. If you are not following 70E, as Paul mentioned, you can leave the balaclava out until you get to 9 cal.

If there is a chance that an arc flash could occur when the worker is not perfectly square to the flash, then a balaclava should be used. Wouldn't really want to take something greater than 1.2 cal to the back of the head with no protection.

Okay thank you for the clarification on this.

Much appreciated.



Terry