Honeywell Introduces PrismShield Plus Cooling Hoods

Arc Flash Protection and Heat Stress

If you work in an industry that involves exposure to electrical hazards, such as utility, commercial and industrial, you know how important it is to wear the right personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect yourself from arc flash incidents. Arc flash is the sudden release of electrical energy that can cause severe burns, blindness, hearing loss, or even death.

However, wearing arc flash PPE can also pose some challenges in itself, especially when working in hot and humid conditions. Arc flash PPE can add extra layers of insulation and weight, which may increase your body temperature and reduce your comfort. This can lead to Heat Stress, which may impair your physical and mental performance, or cause serious health complications:

• HEAT CRAMPS are muscle spasms caused by nutrient loss from sweating and overheating. They usually affect the overworked muscles, such as arms, legs, shoulders, and abdomen.
• HEAT STROKE is a life-threatening condition. It occurs when the body is fully dehydrated, with a core temperature above 104 F (40 C). The sweat glands stop working, and the brain, heart, and lungs are damaged. Immediate cooling is needed to prevent death.
• HEAT EXHAUSTION is when the body overheats and cannot cool itself. It needs external help to maintain normal temperature. Heat exhaustion can happen without heat cramps.

Additionally, heat stress can increase the risk of accidents, errors, and injuries, as it can affect your coordination, judgment, and alertness. Therefore, it is vital to prevent heat stress and maintain your well-being, especially while wearing heavy arc flash PPE. Employers must meet standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which states that employers are required to provide their employees with a place of employment that "is free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious harm to employees…when there is a feasible method to abate the hazard…This includes heat-related hazards that are likely to cause death or serious bodily harm.”¹  

What is the PrismShield Plus with Smart Cooling Hood?

This new personal protective equipment (PPE) is an advanced and innovative arc flash hood which features dual built-in fans that provide a constant flow of fresh air to keep you cool and comfortable. The fans go a long way in helping to prevent heat stress. This cooling hood is the first of its kind to include additional safety features like smart sensors for carbon dioxide and arc flash detection. The fan helps to prevent carbon dioxide build-up and fogging, which can increase anxiety, affect your vision, reaction time, and focus on critical tasks.

The PrismShield Plus with Smart Cooling Hood offers:

• Four levels of protection, from 20 to 100 calories, and in two styles, fixed hood and lift front
• One-piece double-curved lens design that provides a clear and panoramic view of your work area with no distortions
• Rechargeable fan battery that delivers consistent and high-performance cooling for up to 9 hours on a single charge, compared to alkaline batteries that lose power and speed over time
• A smart sensor that automatically shuts off the fan if an arc flash is detected to prevent toxic air inhalation and continuously beeps to allow worker to be easily located
• A carbon dioxide sensor to monitor the air quality inside the hood and alert you if the level exceeds that at which adverse health events are expected (2500 parts per million)
• Dual fans which are completely covered by fire retardant fabric to prevent any exposure to arc flash or sparks

The PrismShield Plus with Smart Cooling Hood also complies with the industry standards for arc flash protection, such as ASTM F2178, ANSI Z87.1 +S, ASTM F1506, and NFPA 70E.

The benefits of rechargeable batteries

One of the key advantages of this new arc flash hood is that it runs on rechargeable batteries, which deliver consistently high performance throughout their lifespan. They maintain the same voltage output from the first use to the last, unlike alkaline batteries that gradually lose power and slow down your device. Rechargeable batteries also last longer than alkaline batteries – on average, three times longer on a single charge than alkaline batteries do at 100% output. Rechargeable batteries are eco-friendlier and more cost-effective than alkaline batteries. You can reuse them hundreds of times, saving money and reducing waste.

Available options and accessories

The PrismShield Plus with Smart Cooling Hood is available as a standalone hood or as part of a safety kit that includes coat, bib, and large storage bag. Each hood comes with a face shield protective bag and charging adapter. The hoods are available in sizes S to 5XL.

For more information, visit https://sps.honeywell.com/us/en/products/safety/electrical-safety/arc-flash-ppe/prismshield-plus-arc-flash-hoods-with-smart-cooling. Contact your local Honeywell Salisbury Sales Manager or customer service team to place an order. 

¹https://ohsonline.com/Articles/2024/06/13/Heat-Stress-A-Growing-Occupational-Hazard.aspx?ocid=43225687&Page=2