A question we’re often asked is what is the Stoll curve? It’s a fairly technical subject, but here’s a relatively non-technical explanation of the Stoll curve and how it helps protect you from Arc Flash incidents. Explaining the Stoll Curve The Stoll Curve was developed by Alice Mary Stoll, an American biophysicist who developed fire-resistant clothing. It was developed as a way to predict how long pilots could tolerate G-forces during air combat. Stoll created a scale for predicting when...

When your life could depend on the performance of what you’re wearing it’s no surprise that any ProGARM Arc Flash garment is extensively tested. But what exactly do we test for? And how are those tests carried out? Testing Arc Flash garments There are several types of tests that new products go through before we’ll list them in our catalogue. Production testing happens before the product is fully developed and it tests how the component parts – mainly the fabric and...

Here at ProGARM we are passionate about new product development and are always looking for the next innovation to improve your Arc Flash personal protective equipment. That means we have a year-round new product development programme and a dedicated team which helps us to ensure we have cutting-edge technology in our garments, bringing you the ultimate in comfort and safety while you get on with your job. Our Arc Flash product development process All good product development processes should start...

Part of our commitment to creating the best Arc Flash protective clothing means always looking for ways to make our products even better and to give you the best possible value for money. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the critical last line of defence, protecting you and your colleagues in the event of harmful incidents even after all your other safety precautions. So investing in the appropriate safety clothing for the task to maximise protection is crucial. And that’s where...

We’ve talked a lot in past ProGARM safety blogs about the need to layer with appropriate safety garments to stay both warm and safe while working in cold conditions. But what about working in high temperature environments? Whether the heat is being caused by a fire, the weather, or the nature of the working environment itself, there are two main risks associated with working in high temperatures which breathable products can help you overcome. The importance of wearing safety garments...

How can you be certain that ProGARM Arc Flash garments comply with the right standards? Certification is the indicator that a product complies with the relevant health, safety and environmental protection standards, meaning the PPE you or your team are wearing should do its job should the worst happen. But what is the process we go through to make sure that every aspect of our garments complies with the right regulations and standards? Our PPE compliance process After a rigorous...

The new IEEE 1584-2018 Arc Flash Calculation Standard has resulted in wholesale changes to the way Arc Flash calculations are made. Following more than a decade of studies and testing, the new standard was published in November 2018, and has implications for Arc Flash protective garments as well. What’s new in IEE 1584-2018? In an interview about the new standard, committee vice-chair Jim Phillips said it was easier to say what was different in version two than what was the same, as...

There’s no disputing the danger posed by arc flash incidents, but you might not realise just how our personal protective equipment keeps you safe – here’s five ways Arc Flash PPE saves lives. 1 – ProGARM’s Arc Flash PPE protects you from internal burns caused by the energy in an arc flash incident At the right cal rating  (as dictated by your Arc Flash hazard assessment), ProGARM’s PPE will insulate you, stopping the electrical energy created by the incident using your body...

Understanding the differences between electrocution and Arc Flash injuries is the first step in understanding why you need different protection from the two types of incident. Here we explain what happens when you’re electrocuted and how that’s different to what happens when you experience an Arc Flash. What happens when you’re electrocuted? Electrocution can cause a wide range of injuries. From just creating a tingling in the part of your body where the electric current enters to causing death, the...

They say knowledge is power and that’s certainly the case when it comes to your health and safety at work – and particularly in the case of Arc Flash injuries. It’s difficult to quantify the number of Arc Flash injuries in the UK as there is no specific category to report them. Reports to the HSE suggest around 1,000 electrical incidents take place in the UK each year, with around 30 people dying from injuries sustained as a result – mostly from...