When it comes to safety at work, especially in jobs where fire is a risk, the right clothing can make a big difference. Fire retardant (FR) clothing is becoming more and more important across various industries. It’s not just about wearing something; it's about wearing something that can protect you against fire.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Xinxing FR.
With more people realizing how crucial these clothes are, there's a growing need for fire-resistant gear. Whether you're a safety manager in the oil and gas industry, an electrician, or a construction worker, this article will provide you with crucial insights and considerations to ensure that your choice in fire retardant clothing not only meets regulatory requirements but also offers optimal protection and durability in the face of extreme conditions.
Table of contents:
Fire retardant clothing is specially made to resist burning or catching fire. When these clothes come into contact with fire, they are designed to self-extinguish.
This means that the fire will go out by itself, often preventing serious burns. It’s like having a safety shield made of fabric. These clothes are treated with chemicals that help stop the fire from spreading.
Fire resistant clothing, on the other hand, is made of materials that are naturally harder to catch fire. Unlike fire retardant clothing, they are not treated with chemicals. Instead, they are made of materials that are naturally slow to burn.
If these clothes do catch fire, they burn slowly, giving the person wearing them more time to escape or put out the fire.
Understanding 'flame resistant' is key for workplace safety. Whether it’s fire retardant or fire resistant, these clothes are all about protecting people from fire. Along with fire retardant clothing, it's essential to wear safety glasses and hard hats in high-risk jobs to ensure comprehensive protection.
They are especially important in jobs where there’s a high risk of fire, like in welding or electrical work. Wearing the right kind of clothes can prevent serious injuries and even save lives.
The secret to the power of fire-retardant clothing lies in its materials. Common materials used include treated cotton and nomex.
Treated cotton is regular cotton that has been treated with special chemicals that make it fire-resistant.
Nomex, on the other hand, is a high-strength material that is naturally resistant to fire. It doesn’t melt or drip and is self-extinguishing.
These materials work in different ways to keep you safe.
Both these materials are about slowing down the fire or stopping it, giving people valuable time to react and stay safe.
When we talk about fire retardant clothing, the FR rating is a crucial aspect to understand. This rating is a measure of how well the clothing can protect against specific heat and fire-related hazards.
It's important because it helps you choose the right level of protection based on the specific risks in your workplace. Different jobs and industries have varying levels of fire risk, so the FR rating helps ensure that workers are adequately protected.
This is a standard set by the National Fire Protection Association. It focuses on garments for protection against flash fire. It outlines the minimum design, construction, and certification requirements for flame-resistant clothing.
This standard is particularly crucial in industries where workers are at risk from short-duration thermal exposures.
This standard complements NFPA by focusing on the proper selection, care, and maintenance of flame-resistant garments. It's about ensuring the ongoing effectiveness of FR clothing by guiding how they should be used and maintained.
ASTM F: Pertains to the performance specification for textile material for apparel exposed to electrical arc and related thermal hazards.
ASTM F: Standard specification for arc and flame resistant rainwear.
ASTM F: Standard test method for evaluating flame-resistant clothing for protection against flash fire simulations using an instrumented manikin.
ASTM F: Standard specification for flame-resistant rainwear for protection against flame hazards.
OSHA .269: Covers the operation and maintenance of electric power generation, control, transmission, and distribution lines and equipment.
OSHA General Duty Clause: Requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards.
These standards and certifications play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and reliability of fire retardant clothing.
Each standard has its specific focus, whether it's electrical safety, visibility, or protection against flash fires, making them essential in different work environments.
Related: The Importance of FR Ratings in Jackets and How to Choose the Right One for Your Needs
Proper maintenance, washing, and care of FR clothing are crucial to ensure they continue to provide the necessary level of protection and extend their usability. Here are some tips based on information from Tyndale USA, Occupational Health & Safety, and LAPCO FR:
Washing Temperature: Launder garments at a "warm" temperature to minimize shrinkage. For heavily soiled garments, use the hottest temperature allowed on the care label (usually warm) to remove dirt. FR garments can be dry-cleaned when necessary.
Laundering Options: Home laundering is often recommended as it ensures longer garment life and greater convenience. However, industrial laundering might be necessary for extremely soiled garments.
Avoid Bleach and Peroxide: Bleach or peroxide can degrade the FR properties of the fabric. It's important not to use these products for laundering FR clothing.
Dealing with Odors and Stains: If a garment has a lingering smell of oil or solvents, rewash it until the odor is gone. Visible stains might not impact the garment's safety, but persistent odors might indicate the presence of flammable substances.
Avoid Additives: Do not use fabric softeners, starch, or any additives that could build up and impede the FR performance of the garment.
Hard Water Concerns: Repeated washing in hard water can lead to mineral buildup, which could ignite. Consider using a water softener if hard water is an issue.
Separate Washing: Wash FR garments separately from other clothing to avoid cross-contamination and to maintain their protective qualities.
Inside Out Washing: Wash FR garments inside out to improve color retention and preserve appearance.
Drying Tips: Tumble dry on low settings and avoid overdrying. Remove the garment from the dryer while still damp to minimize shrinkage.
Repairs and Damage: If FR clothing is damaged, it can be repaired using flame resistant fabric and thread, as long as the repair maintains the garment's FR integrity. Retire any FR garment with significant damage, like a hole larger than a quarter or a rip longer than 3 inches.
Improper care of FR clothing can significantly affect its fire resistance. Using incorrect cleaning agents like bleach, or adding fabric softeners, can reduce the effectiveness of the flame-resistant properties.
Additionally, failure to remove contaminants like oil or solvents can turn the garment itself into a hazard. Regular inspection and proper laundering are key to maintaining the safety and integrity of FR clothing.
Related: Hi-Vis Clothes Cleaning Guide: How to Wash, Dry & Remove Stains
When it comes to the use of fire-resistant (FR) clothing in the workplace, there are key regulations and standards that employers must adhere to, primarily mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other safety standards.
source: U.S. Department of Labor
This foundational principle requires employers to ensure a safe working environment free of known hazards, including fire-related risks.
This specific regulation mandates that workers must wear FR clothing that protects against burns from electric arcs or flames when working in hazardous conditions.
It also requires that the outer layer of clothing, except for certain items like head, hands, and feet coverings, must be flame-resistant under specific conditions such as exposure to circuit parts operating at more than 600 volts, or risk of ignition from electric arcs or molten metal.
This rule stipulates that employers must provide personal protective equipment (PPE), including FR clothing, at no cost to employees working in relevant industries.
ASTM and NFPA Standards: These include various standards like NFPA and ASTM F, which provide guidelines on the performance requirements for FR clothing.
Conditions for Using FR Clothing: Employers must ensure that FR clothing is used in situations where there's a risk of exposure to flames or electric arcs, as specified by OSHA's revisions to 29 CFR .269 and Subpart V.
Provision of FR Clothing: Employers are required to provide FR clothing to employees at risk of exposure to fire hazards at no cost.
Laundry and Maintenance: Employers have the responsibility to ensure that the laundering and maintenance of FR clothing do not compromise its protective properties. This can mean either handling the cleaning of such clothing themselves or training employees in proper laundering techniques if they are to wash their work gear at home.
Training and Compliance: Employers must train their employees on the proper use of FR clothing and ensure compliance with OSHA standards.
Inspection and Repair: Regular inspection of FR clothing for damage and proper repair using flame-resistant materials is necessary to maintain the protective integrity of the clothing.
It's important for employers to be thoroughly familiar with these regulations and standards to ensure both compliance and the safety of their employees.
The specifics can vary based on industry and risk factors, so a detailed understanding tailored to the workplace environment is crucial.
Related: The Most Common OSHA Guidelines Violated by Employers
When considering the purchase of quality flame-resistant (FR) clothing, it's important to understand the typical cost range and weigh it against the investment in safety.
The cost of FR clothing can vary widely based on the type, material, and specific safety requirements it meets. Here are some general price ranges:
Basic FR Workwear: Simple FR shirts and pants can range from $50 to $150 each. These are usually suitable for minimal risk environments.
Specialized FR Garments: More specialized items, like FR coveralls or jackets, can cost anywhere between $100 and $300, depending on their specifications.
High-End and Customized FR Clothing: For garments designed for high-risk environments, or those that are customized for specific industrial needs, prices can exceed $300 per item.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Fire Retardant Cotton Fabric.
While the cost of FR clothing may seem high initially, it's essential to consider this as an investment in safety rather than just an expense. Here’s why:
Prevention of Serious Injuries: FR clothing is designed to protect workers from severe burns and injuries. The cost of the clothing is often far less than the medical costs, lost productivity, and potential legal implications associated with workplace burn injuries.
Compliance with Safety Regulations: Many industries require FR clothing as part of compliance with safety regulations. Non-compliance can result in fines and legal issues.
Longevity and Durability: Quality FR clothing is typically more durable and has a longer lifespan than regular workwear, making it a cost-effective choice in the long run.
Peace of Mind: Knowing that employees are protected can improve morale and productivity, as workers feel safer and more valued in their workplace.
Some companies offer discounts for bulk purchases or have rental programs for FR clothing, which can reduce the overall cost.
Taking good care of FR clothing, adhering to proper washing and maintenance guidelines, can extend its life, providing better value over time.
Ultimately, the cost of FR clothing should be viewed in the context of its role in ensuring worker safety. Cutting corners on safety gear can have far more costly consequences.
Fonirra is a professional supplier of high-visibility clothing and safety uniforms, including a vast selection of flame-resistant (FR) clothing. Our product line caters to various industry needs, offering items like high-visibility shirts, jackets, sweatshirts, raincoats, and specifically FR clothing. Fonirra offers a secure shopping cart on their website, making your purchase experience safe and convenient.
We emphasize safety and visibility for construction professionals and other workers in hazardous environments. Our apparel is designed to meet various safety standards, including ANSI/ISEA for the US market, EN ISO, and EN for the European market, as well as AS/NZS standards for the Australian market.
Our website showcases a variety of safety apparel suitable for different seasons and working conditions, highlighting features like water and windproof materials, breathability, and thermal integration for cold weather conditions.
When purchasing flame-resistant (FR) clothing, it's crucial to make an informed decision. Here's a comprehensive checklist to guide buyers:
Certification and Compliance: Ensure the FR clothing meets industry standards like NFPA , NFPA 70E, or ASTM F. Check for labels or documentation proving compliance.
Fabric Type: Understand whether the fabric is inherently flame-resistant or treated to be so. Common materials include Nomex, modacrylic, and flame-resistant treated cotton.
Fit and Comfort: Choose lightweight fire-retardant clothing for greater comfort, especially when working in physically demanding environments.
Durability: Check the garment’s build quality and resistance to wear and tear. Durable clothing can withstand regular washing without losing its FR properties.
Maintenance Requirements: Look into the washing and care instructions. Avoid fabrics that require special maintenance or lose their FR properties with regular laundering.
Protection Level: Match the garment's protection level (like its Arc Thermal Performance Value or ATPV) to the specific hazards of your workplace.
Design and Functionality: Consider features like pockets, zippers, and reflective elements for functionality and visibility.
Climate and Working Conditions: Choose clothing suitable for your work environment, whether it's insulated for cold weather or breathable for hot conditions.
Cost vs. Value: Evaluate the cost against the garment’s life expectancy, safety features, and compliance with regulations.
Brand Reputation and Reviews: Research the brand’s reputation and read customer reviews for real-world insights into the clothing's performance.
Size Availability and Fit: Ensure a wide range of sizes is available to accommodate all workers, and check if the brand offers women's and men's specific fits.
Warranty and Customer Support: Look for products with a warranty and consider the manufacturer's customer support for future queries or issues.
Remember, the right FR clothing not only complies with safety standards but also fits well, is comfortable, and suits your specific work environment.
Choosing the right fire retardant work clothes is crucial for workplace safety. This article has covered key factors to consider, from understanding the difference between fire retardant and fire-resistant clothing to the importance of FR ratings, material selection, and maintenance.
We also emphasized compliance with legal standards and provided a handy checklist for buyers. Remember, investing in quality FR clothing is an investment in safety, ensuring protection and peace of mind in hazardous environments.
Dr. Howard Chen, our Fire Safety Director brings you the 4th installment of our fire safety features some crucial information on fire performance attire. Fire Performers are no different than performers of other arts in that they seek well made, protective clothing and costumes when they’re practicing or performing their art. So let’s talk about what makes fibers, threads, fabric, and costumes more or less fire retardant.
Fabric Fire Retardant Qualities Overview
There are several considerations when utilizing fabrics for their fire retardant / fire resistant properties – namely:
Terms: Fire Proof, Fire Retardant vs. Fire Resistant
Before we get started with the details, I’d first like to address a common term which I think is used incorrectly. It’s the term, “Fire Proof”. Unfortunately, in the world of fire performance, there is NO such thing as “Fire Proof”. It doesn’t exist in cloth, or a “fireproofing” spray, or any other barrier method. Unfortunately, the truth is that everything will burn or melt or degrade at some temperature, given a long enough duration of exposure to fire.
We should also clarify the terms “Fire Retardant” vs. “Fire Resistant”. By definition, a fire retardant is a physical or chemical agent that reduces the flammability of a material. Fire Resistance is a measure of how long a substance can resist ignition or damage from being exposed to fire.
Fiber Content
Of the components of a fabric that determine it’s fire resistance, the fiber content, meaning what the threads are actually made of, is probably THE most important factor. Fibers that make up clothing can generally be divided into two categories – Natural Fibers from plants and animals, and Synthetic Fibers, which are generally petroleum based. Examples of “natural fibers” include leather, cotton, wool, silk, hemp, and bamboo. Examples of TRADITIONAL Synthetic Fibers include nylon, polyester, acrylic, and rayon. A NEWER category of synthetic fibers, called the “Aramids”, include fibers familiar to fire performers, such as – Kevlar™, Nomex™, PBI, and Carbon-X™.
Natural vs. Traditional Synthetic Fibers
Let’s compare the natural vs. traditional synthetic fibers. In general Natural fibers don’t catch fire easily, and don’t melt. When they’re burned, they turn to ash. In comparison, however the traditional synthetic fibers burn more easily, and most importantly, they can also melt. And When they melt, they carry the heat that it took to melt the fibers directly onto your skin, and hold it there. This sounds like a good setup for a severe burn, and unfortunately, it is. If that wasn’t bad enough, the traditional synthetic fibers also create and hold on to more static electricity, which, in the context of working with flammable fuels and vapors, can create an unwanted ignition risk.
Fiber and Fabric Blends
Let me mention a bit about about blended fibers and blended fabrics. Unfortunately, fibers that are inherent blends of natural and synthetic components, such as rayon, burn and melt just like traditional synthetic fibers.
Now, if we talk about fabric and clothing made of different types of fibers, like an 80/20 blend of Cotton and polyester, which you might find in a common T-shirt, you can expect that this kind of blended fabric will have fire resistance characteristics of both fibers, in that most of the fibers will turn to ash, and some of the fibers will melt.
Synthetic Fibers – Aramids
Let’s now switch our attention to an exciting and more recently developed class of synthetic fibers, called the ARAMIDS. The ARAMIDS, in comparison to the TRADITIONAL synthetic fibers or even the NATURAL fibers, have some of the best fire resistant properties, and very few of the downfalls of traditional fibers.
Fabrics made from ARAMID threads are not only quite strong and abrasion resistant, but they are quite difficult to catch on fire, and don’t melt. In fact, when clothing made from ARAMID fibers, is exposed to fire, the individual threads actually swell to close off air spaces between them, and they form a carbonaceous char that’s extremely difficult to ignite. If you’re keeping score via the fire tetrahedron, this type of fabric helps to remove oxygen AND fuel from the equation.
Now, while clothing made out of ARAMID fibers sounds like the perfect costuming material for Fire Performers and Fire Safety Personnel, please keep in mind that there unfortunately are some downsides to these fabrics. For one, even though they don’t melt like the traditional synthetics, repeated exposure to heat and flame causes the fibers to degrade and eventually become stiff and brittle. Most fire performers have already experienced this phenomenon with their Kevlar wicks, which are made from ARAMID fibers
Another problem, as you may imagine with all this high technology, is it’s high cost and general lack of availability in clothing. Although, there are some manufacturers that have incorporated ARAMID fibers in various items of clothing, including flight suits and car racing suits. Please see the end of this video for web links.
Fabric Weight and Weave
Let’s switch from talking about the fibers to talking about the characteristic of fabrics, another important component affecting fire resistance. One important factor is the weave of the fabric. By this, I mean, how tightly woven together the individual fibers are. In terms of fabric weave, in general, the tighter the weave, the more protective it is against fire. As you can imagine, when the fibers and threads that make up the fabric are woven closer together, less oxygen can get to the individual fibers. And as we already know from the fire triangle and fire tetrahedron, oxygen is an essential component of fire ignition, as well as continued burning.
Similarly, the weight of a fabric is important in determining its fire resistance. In short, the heavier the fabric, the more fire resistant the material. For example, while both silk and denim are made of natural fibers and inherently fire resistant, because denim generally has a higher fabric weight, the silk will ignite much quicker than the denim.
A quick way to test the tightness of the weave and weight of any fabric is to hold it up to a bright light. If you can see light through the fabric, the weave or weight of the fabric is likely insufficient for fire protection.
Fabric Fit and Finish
Finally, how well the fabric fits against your skin is also a very important component in costume selection. Garments appropriate for Fire Performance and Fire Safety Personnel are generally snug fitting, as they prevent the buildup of oxygen underneath the clothing. Practically, they should be constructed so as they don’t block vision or movement. Furthermore, sleeves and pants should not be overly long and “floppy”. And Remember that dangling or fuzzy parts of clothing can easily catch fire as well because of the high amount of oxygen surrounding the fabric strands.
Fire Retardant Sprays
Well, what about fire retardant sprays? Fire retardant sprays can be useful in instances where you need extra ignition prevention. While these products delay ignition, it’s important to remember that they do not actually protect against heat transfer. Thus, synthetic materials can still melt onto your skin, and can even still burn you with their retained heat if exposed to flame or heat for a long enough period of time. It’s tempting to think that a Flame Retardant Spray can magically turn that awesome, but very flammable costume that you want to wear into appropriate Fire Performing clothing, but that’s just not true. Remember, eventually, almost any traditional fabric will catch on fire, regardless of it’s fire resistant treatment.
A few more notes about Flame Retardant Sprays – they generally take up to 24 hours to “cure” on the fabric being treated, and can also be washed out quite easily. In addition, most fire safety personnel are already using a tool treated with chemical Flame Retardant, in the form of Duvetyne, which is a cloth commonly used to extinguish unwanted fire.
Duvetyne
Speaking of Duvetyne, let’s talk a bit more about this common fire prop extinguishing fabric. It goes by several different names and spellings. For instance, it’s variously known as “Commando Cloth”, “stage cloth”, or “Molton Fabric”. It’s an opaque, brushed cotton fabric, which comes in a multitude of colors, although you’ll generally see it in black or red. It comes in multiple weights, but the most appropriate weight for use in fire performance is 16 oz per linear yard. As we spoke about before, it’s treated with a water soluble Flame Retardant chemical. Because of this, it’s classified as a Non Durably Flame Retardant cloth (with the abbreviation NDFR), which basically means that the Flame Retardant can’t stand up to washing or very humid environments. So for instance, If your duvetyne gets soiled, and you have to clean it, it’s probably best to dry clean it. If it gets washed, it must be retreated with Flame Retardant. When buying duvetyne, make sure that it’s flame retardant to NFPA 701 standards.
One important factor to note while we’re thinking of duvetyne, is that while it’s treated with a fire retardant, that doesn’t mean that it’s not flammable. With just a spritzing of fuel and an ignition source, the duvetyne itself can catch fire, with disastrous results. In addition, especially with lesser weights of duvetyne and incomplete cutting off of the oxygen supply, watch for flames burning through the weave of the fabric when using it as a flame suppression tool.
Video Summary
So let’s summarize the topics that we talked about. In terms of fibers and threads, the most fire protective fibers are the Aramids (like Kevlar or Nomex or Carbon-X), followed by the Natural Fibers like cotton and wool. The least protective, and probably the most dangerous fibers include the traditional synthetic fibers, like polyester and nylon. In terms of fabrics, the thicker fabrics and those with tighter weaves, are the most protective against fire and heat transfer. Furthermore, clothing with a snug fit, appropriate length sleeves and pants, and smooth clothing without tears or “bells and whistles” are less likely to ignite.
The most important thing to remember is that there is no fabric that is “Fire Proof”, just fabrics that will protect you from burning longer than others. In a sense, they’re really just buying you time. And just because your skin is protected from igniting, it doesn’t mean that the heat from the fire won’t transfer through the clothing and still burn your skin.
For more information on the Fire Resistance of Fabrics, and Fire Retardant chemicals, please check out our links section at the end of this video, or on our website!
Well that it for this segment of the Flow Arts Institute Fire Safety Video series. For information on Fire Suppression using Fire Extinguishers, check out our next video segment![/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
Want more information on Flame Retardant Knit Fabric? Feel free to contact us.