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Guide to Flame-Retardant Clothing

Flame or fire-retardant clothes are a necessity for electricians, oil and gas industry workers and pipeline field employees. If a job requires people to work near combustible materials or an open flame, FRC coveralls, pants, jackets and gloves will prevent severe burns by keeping the body protected.

  1. How Flame-Retardant Clothing Works

    • If a worker is exposed to an electric or flash fire, flame-retardant clothing will put out the fire. FRC clothes won’t prevent the material from catching fire, but the flames will dissipate in a second or two. Contrary to popular belief, cotton, wool and other natural fibers that haven’t been treated with flame-retardant chemicals can catch fire and cause burns, even though they are safer than polyester or blended fabrics. Don’t substitute natural fibers for FRC clothes. Nomex, Kevlar, coated nylon and Twaron are examples of fire-retardant materials. Look for these names when buying industrial work clothes. Remember to keep the entire body covered with flame-retardant clothing to prevent severe burns.

    Types and Ratings

    • Arc thermal performance value is a measure of a flame-resistant garment’s protection level. Thick fabrics have a higher ATPV and offer stronger fire resistance. Fire-resistant clothing can have a hazard risk category rating from 0 to 4, with 4 offering the best protection. There are flame-resistant lab coats, overalls, coveralls, gloves, jackets, pants, denim, cotton pants, underwear and disposable coveralls with or without a hood. When purchasing flame-retardant clothes, be sure that the HRC or ATPV rating is clearly indicated. If your garment needs repair, be sure that any replacement material or thread has the same ATPV level as the original material.

    OSHA and Other Rules

    • The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration code 29 CFR 1910.269 states that electric power and distribution line workers must wear flame-resistant clothing, and the employer is responsible for providing it. The National Fire Protection Association 70E regulation requires workers to wear FRC whenever there is a possibility of an electric flash fire. This is the accepted standard throughout the electric and manufacturing industries. NFPA 2112 contains rules for fire-resistant garments in the petrochemical fields and is followed industry-wide.

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