Arc flash PPE is required whenever a worker enters the arc flash boundary of energised electrical equipment to carry out a task where an arc could occur.
The arc flash safety equipment worn for that task must carry an arc rating equal to or higher than the incident energy at the work point. An under-rated garment can fail within a fraction of a second.
The sections below cover the triggers, the four NFPA 70E PPE categories and the gear each one requires.
When Is Arc Flash PPE Required?
Arc flash PPE becomes mandatory when two conditions meet: a worker is inside the arc flash boundary, and the task carries a realistic likelihood of an arc.
The arc flash boundary is the distance at which incident energy falls to 1.2 cal/cm², the level linked to the onset of a second-degree burn on bare skin.
The NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace expects employers to de-energise and lock out equipment first. Live work on circuits of 50 volts or more is accepted only when shutting down creates a greater hazard or is not feasible, as with voltage testing.
Tasks That Commonly Trigger Arc Flash PPE
- Live voltage testing and fault finding on circuits of 50V and above
- Circuit breaker racking in or out of switchgear
- Removal of bolted covers or opening of hinged doors on energised panels
- Switching operations on equipment with unknown or poor maintenance history
- Infrared thermography with panel covers removed
- Installation of temporary protective grounds before absence of voltage is confirmed
When the Likelihood Is Low
Properly maintained equipment operated with doors closed and latched, and no sign of impending failure, generally carries a low arc flash likelihood. Missing service records, damage or overheating cancel that assumption.
Have an arc flash label or risk assessment ready? Request a quotation for arc flash PPE from Gland matched to the stated rating.
How Arc Flash Rated PPE Is Measured
Arc flash rated PPE carries an arc rating in cal/cm², shown on the label as ATPV or EBT.
The figure states how much incident energy the fabric blocks before the wearer faces a 50% chance of a second-degree burn. A 40 cal/cm² jacket paired with an 8 cal/cm² hood still protects the face only to 8 cal/cm².
Every arc-rated garment is flame resistant, but not every flame-resistant garment carries an arc rating.
Check the label for a cal/cm² value or NFPA 70E category before issuing any FR coverall to electrical crews.
OSHA 1910.269 requires employers to make a reasonable estimate of the incident heat energy for each employee exposed to electric arcs.
Arc Flash PPE Categories and the Equipment Each Requires
NFPA 70E groups arc flash safety equipment into four PPE categories when the table method is used. Some older references still list Category 1 at 5 cal/cm²; the current minimum is 4 cal/cm².
| PPE Category | Minimum arc rating | Required arc flash safety equipment | GLAND product route |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 cal/cm² | AR long-sleeve shirt and trousers or AR coverall; AR face shield or flash suit hood; hard hat; safety glasses; hearing protection; heavy-duty leather gloves or rubber insulating gloves with leather protectors | TENCATE Inherent Fire Retardant Coverall (NFPA 70E Category 1, 4.8 to 5.7 cal/cm²) |
| 2 | 8 cal/cm² | Category 1 items plus AR balaclava worn with an AR face shield, or a flash suit hood; leather footwear | TENCATE Tecasafe Plus 700 (HRC 2, listed ATPV 9.0) |
| 3 | 25 cal/cm² | AR flash suit jacket and trousers; AR flash suit hood; AR gloves or rubber insulating gloves with leather protectors; hard hat with AR liner as needed | SM Arc Flash Protective Suit, 44.8 cal/cm² option |
| 4 | 40 cal/cm² | Same items as Category 3, with every outer layer rated at 40 cal/cm² or higher | SM Arc Flash Protective Suit, 44.8 cal/cm² option |
Table: NFPA 70E PPE categories matched to GLAND arc flash safety equipment.
The 15.5 cal/cm² SM suit covers Category 2 with margin but falls short of Category 3.
Share the equipment label with GLAND and the team will narrow the arc-rated protective clothing range to garments that meet your stated incident energy.
Other Arc Flash Safety Equipment Your Kit Needs
Arc-rated garments are one layer of a complete setup.
- Head protection: Gland supplies safety helmets and face protection listed to MS 183, ANSI Z89.1 and EN 397, worn under the flash suit hood; confirm the electrical class per model.
- Hand protection: rubber insulating gloves rated for the system voltage, worn with leather protectors.
- Footwear: leather safety footwear, such as OSCAR safety shoes, for Category 2 to 4 kits.
- Energy isolation: devices from the lockout tagout range create an electrically safe work condition, removing the need for arc flash PPE on many tasks.
Find the best safety shoes in Malaysia based on PPE regulations in Malaysia.
Contact GLAND today to request an arc flash PPE quotation tailored to your workplace hazards, protection requirements and team size.
Get the Right Arc Flash Safety Equipment from GLAND
GLAND provides suitable arc-rated protection and complementary safety equipment based on their workplace requirements.
As an experienced PPE safety equipment supplier, GLAND supports businesses with:
- PPE matched to workplace risks: Source arc-rated protective clothing based on the required protection level, task exposure and workplace risk assessment.
- Complete electrical safety protection: Complement arc flash clothing with suitable helmets, gloves, face protection and safety boots in Malaysia through one supplier.
- Clear product specifications: Review arc ratings, applicable safety standards and available sizes to support informed purchasing decisions.
- Simplified bulk procurement: Consolidate PPE requirements across maintenance teams, electrical contractors and industrial facilities into a single quotation.
Trusted by over 3,000 businesses since 1997, we support workplace safety procurement through its Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru branches.
Equip Your Electrical Team with GLAND’s Arc Flash Protection Safety Equipment
Don’t leave your electrical team exposed to arc flash hazards caused by inadequate PPE.
GLAND equips your workers with suitable arc-rated protective clothing, helmets and electrical safety equipment, including protective suits rated up to 44.8 cal/cm².
Contact GLAND today to discuss your arc flash PPE requirements and get a quotation for your electrical team.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arc Flash Safety Equipment
1. When is arc flash PPE required?
Any task inside the arc flash boundary of energised equipment with a realistic arc likelihood requires it, and Gland can match arc-rated suits and coveralls to the incident energy on your equipment label.
2. What is the minimum arc rating for PPE Category 2?
Category 2 needs at least 8 cal/cm², and the TENCATE Tecasafe Plus 700 coverall supplied by Gland is rated HRC 2 with a listed ATPV of 9.0.
3. Is fire retardant clothing the same as arc flash rated PPE?
Only garments tested and labelled with a cal/cm² arc rating qualify, which is why Gland states the rating or NFPA 70E category on arc-rated items such as the TENCATE Inherent Fire Retardant Coverall.
4. Which arc flash suit covers Category 4 work?
The SM Arc Flash Protective Suit in its 44.8 cal/cm² option exceeds the 40 cal/cm² Category 4 minimum and includes a jacket, bib trousers, hood and gloves.
5. Does arc flash PPE replace lockout tagout?
No, de-energising remains the first control, and Gland supplies cable lockouts, safety padlocks, hasps and tags alongside its arc-rated clothing.
6. How can my company order arc flash safety equipment in Malaysia?
Use the Request Quotation button on any Gland product page or contact the Kuala Lumpur or Johor Bahru branch with your PPE category, sizes and quantities.