Proper maintenance, regular physical inspection, and correct laundering procedures are critical to maintaining the 40 cal/cm² Arc Thermal Performance Value (ATPV) of the Honeywell INAFG40 arc flash gloves (KT ref: KTI1501800140CAL). Because these 14-inch clute-cut protective gloves rely on an inherently flame-retardant aramid blend outer shell and specialized Nomex thread stitching to shield against electrical arc flash heat blasts, improper handling or exposure to chemical agents can severely degrade their thermal defense properties.
Pre-Use and Post-Use Visual Inspection
Electrical safety technicians, safety officers, and industrial maintenance personnel must conduct a thorough visual and mechanical inspection before each use. Never deploy arc flash gloves without checking for damage that could compromise safety during high-energy switching, breaker panel access, or utility substation maintenance.
- Seam Integrity: Examine all structural stitching across the clute-cut palm, fingers, and gauntlet. Confirm that the Nomex thread is completely intact without fraying, thinning, unraveling, or pulled stitches.
- Fabric Integrity: Check the entire navy blue aramid blend outer shell and inner liner for physical tears, worn thin spots, cuts, snags, or punctures. Any rupture in the multi-layer fabric assembly permits thermal energy penetration.
- Surface Contaminants: Inspect the exterior fabric for contamination from grease, motor oil, flammable lubricants, hydraulic fluids, solvent spillage, or conductive metal dust. Hydrocarbon buildup on arc PPE is flammable and drastically diminishes the inherent flame resistance of the material.
Laundering and Decontamination Protocol
When washing is required to remove soil and sweat accumulation from the breathable inner liner and anti-static outer shell, strict washing parameters must be followed to avoid damaging the flame-resistant fibers and specialized thread.
| Maintenance Parameter | Specification / Permitted Practice | Prohibited Practice / Restriction |
|---|
| Water Temperature | Wash in warm water not exceeding 60°C | Do not boil or exceed 60°C wash cycles |
| Detergent Chemistry | Standard mild synthetic commercial detergents | No natural soaps (salts of fatty acids) |
| Bleaching Agents | Non-chlorine formulation only (if needed) | No chlorine bleach, no oxygen bleaches (hydrogen peroxide) |
| Fabric Conditioners | Not permitted | No fabric softeners, antistatic sprays, or laundry starch |
| Drying Method | Tumble dry at normal temperature setting | Do not over-dry; avoid extreme commercial heat drying |
Natural soaps react with calcium and magnesium ions in hard water to deposit insoluble fatty acid residues onto the textile fibers, which can ignite during an electrical arc event. Similarly, chlorine and oxygen bleaches chemically degrade the aramid polymer backbone and the structural strength of the Nomex thread. Fabric softeners coat fibers with flammable organic compounds and must never be introduced to the wash cycle.
Storage, Handling, and Retirement Criteria
When not actively deployed in the switchgear room or industrial plant, store the gloves in their original individual pouch in a clean, dry, and well-ventilated storage area away from direct sunlight, sharp metal tooling, and aggressive industrial vapors. Master storage should be kept in protective carton packaging.
Remove the gloves from active service and retire them immediately if the outer shell suffers open punctures or severe mechanical tearing, if seams stitched with Nomex thread fail or separate, or if deep petroleum-based or chemical contamination cannot be thoroughly removed through standard washing. Remember that the Honeywell INAFG40 fabric gloves provide thermal burn protection only and do not provide electrical insulation against electrical shock; whenever contact with energized conductors is possible, voltage-rated dielectric rubber insulating gloves must be utilized.