FAQ on Fire Resistant Apparel
Topics in this Fire Resistant Apparel Buying Guide:
- » What is meant by the term FR (Flame Resistant)?
- » What is Hazard Risk Category Level?
- » What is Hazard Risk Category Level?
- » What is ATPV? EBT?
- » What is NFPA 2112?
- » How do I find the correct ARC rating that I need?
- » Who decides the minimum FR standards needed for my job?
- » How do I choose the correct Flame Resistant garments?
- » What key points should I consider when choosing FR garments?
- » Who needs FR clothing?
- » How do normal fabrics react to ignition?
- » How do FR fabrics react to ignition?
- » Do FR garments prevent burn injury?
- » What is the best FR fiber or fabric?
- » How important is the cleaning of FR garments?
- » Can emblems and embroidery be added to FR garments?
For many professionals around the world, fire safety plays a critical role in their day to day duties. That's why understanding how protected they are in the garments they're wearing is extremely important. This FAQ page was created to answer the most asked questions, so that you have a stronger grasp on the Flame Resistant apparel we offer.
If your question(s) are still unanswered, you can always reach out to our insightful sale reps at 877-535-5646, Mon. - Fri. 8:00am - 6:00pm EST.
What is meant by the term FR (Flame Resistant)?
It refers to the ability of a material to self-extinguish upon the removal of an ignition source. FR is a short name for Flame Resistant Protective Apparel. Remember Flame Resistant Clothing is NOT fire proof.
What is Hazard Risk Category Level?
Hazard Risk Category is the level of arc flash protection clothing you must wear to protect against a minimum level of incident energy measured in calories per centimeter squared. Meaning, electrical equipment, depending upon the energy delivering capability, under fault conditions can cause an explosion, or arc fault of a certain level, again measured in calories per centimeter squared. That explosion can deliver a certain amount of heat to a certain distance. Each level, 1 - 4, is rated at a certain amount of flame resistance, again measured in cal/cm2. Each level is considered a category.
Heat Risk Category 1FR shirt and FR pants or FR coveralls (1 layer)
Heat Risk Category 2Cotton underwear plus FR shirt and FR pants (1 or 2 layers)
Heat Risk Category 3Cotton underwear plus FR shirt and FR pants plus FR coveralls, or Cotton underwear plus two FR coveralls (2 or 3 layers)
Heat Risk Category 4Cotton underwear plus FR shirt and FR pants plus multilayer flash suit (3 or more layers)
What is an ARC rating?
A value of the energy necessary to pass through any given fabric to cause with 50% probability a second or third degree burn. This value is measured in calories/cm². The necessary Arc Rating for an article of clothing is determined by a Hazard/Risk Assessment and the resulting HRC. Usually measured in terms of ATPV or EBT. Simple put the ARC rating determines the protective characteristics of the fabric. The higher the ARC rating value the greater the protection. When the product is sold to protect workers from arcing faults, clothing manufacturer are required in indicate the ARC rating.
What is ATPV? EBT?
ATPV stands for Arc Thermal Protective Value, which is a rating of the Arc burn protection capability of a garment. The HIGHER the Arc Rating, the more protection a garment gives because it has a higher resistance to catching on fire. The ATPV is expressed in calories per cm2 and represents the thermal exposure from an electric arc that will create a second-degree burn in human tissue. If the ATPV cannot be calculated because the fabric breaks open, the energy causing the fabric to break open is expressed as the Energy of Breakopen Threshold (EBT). The higher the value the greater the protection.
What is NFPA 2112?
NFPA 2112 provides minimum performance criteria and sets clear guidelines for minimum design, performance, certification requirements and test methods for Flame Resistant garments for use in areas at risk from flash fires such as those where flammable gases or vapors, or combustible dusts might be present. The standard calls for flash fire testing to be conducted at three seconds with a pass/fail rate of 50% total body burn under ASTM F1930 (Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Flame Resistant Clothing for Protection Against Flash Fire Simulations Using an Instrumented Manikin) testing protocols.
How do I find the correct ARC rating that I need?
Bottom line is to verify with your employer as to the HRC Level and ARC ratings required for your job. Typically an FR garment is chosen based on the employer's hazard analysis because its arc rating exceeds the potential incident energy in the work environment.
Who decides the minimum FR standards needed for my job?
Only your employer can tell you what is required. It's the employer's responsibility to identify risk and hazards in the workplace with a hazard analysis and seek out appropriate protective garments and equipment for protection of workers.
How do I choose the correct Flame Resistant garments?
Remember verify with your employer the Hazard Rating Category Level and ARC ratings needed for your particular job. Any flame and thermal protective fabric must provide the wearer with the expected degree of protection for the useful life of the garment. Garments are specified based on the employer's evaluation of workplace hazards.
Click here to find more info on NFPA 70E and Hazard Risk Classifications
Protective garments, which function as wearing apparel for normal work activities, must be comfortable and durable while achieving appearance that is acceptable to both the employer and the wearer.
In addition to these general considerations, there may be other hazards present such as chemical or molten substance exposure. Finally, these multi-use garments must be able to withstand laundering to remove soils and flammable contaminants and be returned to service without excessive color loss, fuzzing/pilling (surface appearance change) or excessive shrinkage.
What key points should I consider when choosing FR garments?
Your review of fabrics should consider thermal protection, static resistance, comfort, durability, stability, employee acceptance, appearance, ease of laundry maintenance, color availability, and relative cost. You also need to be aware of any special circumstances, such as electric arc, molten substance, or chemical hazards. Verify with your employer the Hazard Rating Category Level and ARC ratings needed for your particular job.
Who needs FR clothing?
Anyone who works with a risk of ignition in the workplace. For instance anyone who works in a foundry or refinery environment, dealing with flam cutting and welding, firefighters, any one in an aluminum casing or petrochemical industry, as well as electrical utility and the chemical, oil, and mining industries.
How do normal fabrics react to ignition?
Normal fabrics and garments will burn away from the point of ignition with an increasing rate of flame spread and continue to burn after removal of the ignition source. Normal fabrics will continue to burn until they are extinguished or all flammable material is consumed.
How do FR fabrics react to ignition?
Flame-resistant (FR) fabrics and garments are intended to resist ignition, prevent the spread of flames away from the immediate area of high heat impingement, and to self-extinguish almost immediately upon removal of the ignition source.
Do FR garments prevent burn injury?
FR garments will not provide significant protection from burn injury in the immediate area of contact with the ignition source. However, flame-resistant garments do provide protection against clothing ignition and sustained flame spread. Remember FR garments are NOT fire proof.
What is the best FR fiber or fabric?
There is no perfect flame-resistant garment system that meets all needs. Each FR fiber or treated fabric has certain properties that, depending on end use requirements, can be either benefits or shortcomings. Blending different fibers attempts to balance these properties for maximum fabric performance. It is important to be aware of these properties so garments may be selected to meet the specific requirements of a given application.
How important is the cleaning of FR garments?
Proper cleaning and maintenance of any flame-resistant garment is essential to remove potentially hazardous soils and avoid a build up of materials that could mask performance. This includes flammable soils and greases as well as other contaminants such as build up of hard water ions that can coat fibers with flammable material. ASTM Standard F 1449 Guide for Care and Maintenance of Flame, Thermal, and Arc Resistant Clothing is a good general refere?nce for care and maintenance of flame resistant and thermal protective clothing. Always follow garment manufacturer's care label recommendations and other published instructions or recommendations.
Can emblems and embroidery be added to FR garments?
The question of garment identification and personalization is always difficult to answer. The only comment of the consensus standards writing organizations, such as NFPA and ASTM International, is that nothing on an article of clothing may increase the extent of wearer injury in case of garment ignition. No OSHA or military standards address this area.