According to the name, it is easy to understand that flame-resistant clothing used to protect from fire. But it’s not like that. Flame-Resistant clothing is commonly known as FR Clothing.
This type of clothes refers to the specially manufactured clothes that protect you from thermal exposure and infrequent flames. If there is a high risk of heat, fire, and electrical injuries, but the employee has to work in that situation, then they should wear fire-resistant clothing.
There are two types of flame-resistant clothing. One gives the primary protection, and the other one gives secondary protection.
Here is some basic frequently asked question about the flame-resistant clothing.
1. What are the “best practice” guidelines for selecting FR clothing?
Selection of protective flame-resistant clothing must be varying according to the situation. These clothes should fit perfectly for comfort. The sleeve cuffs of the flame-resistant clothing should be properly secured.
The clothing provides coverage from the flammable components like grease oil because it can enhance injuries. You have to choose fire-resistant clothing which can protect your face, eye, head, hand, and foot also.
2. Why is FR so much more expensive than my everyday clothes?
There is a huge difference between regular clothes and flame-resistant clothing. FR clothing is made up of FR specialized fabric.
FR clothing must be manufactured with some secured and costly process like special fiber treatment and stringent testing before it arrives at you. You can go to www.froutlet.com/fr-pants to get hold of flame-resistant clothing such as trousers.
Your regular wearing clothes do not need these processes.
3. What is the difference between FR treated fabrics and inherently flame-resistant fabrics?
Both FR treated fabrics, and inherently flame-resistant fabrics work as fire resistant. The main differences between these two are the manufacturing process of the final FR garments.
Treated fabrics provide a flame resistant chemical solution, and Inherent fabrics consist of fibers containing an FR polymer base. There is no requirement for topical treatment.
4. Which industries benefit the most from flame-resistant clothing?
Thousands of industries can get several benefits by using FR clothing. The industries include electrical contractors, refineries, electric utilities, drilling companies, manufacturing companies, chemical companies, and construction companies.
Where arc flash hazard exists, FR clothing may protect employers from severe pain of burn injuries. Many industries got damaged by flash fire, arc flash, and low visibility hazards.
5. What is an arc rating and APTV?
Arc ratings defined as a value that expresses the arc performance of a system of materials. A clothes’ arc rating can be found on the tag of the garments.
And APTV is the derived form of Arc Thermal Performance Value. It indicates the strength of fabric or materials.
6. What is a PPE category (CAT)?
The PPE category is mainly known as the hazard risk category, abbreviated as HRC. It is the representation of the range of arc hazards rating.
PPE category is an easy process to guide the employees who are looking for a standardized and acceptable arc rating for the arc hazards.
7. What is protection through layering?
Two-layer flame-resistant clothes wearing can give more protection than the sum of the arc rating. It protects the extra fabric.
The air between the layers of two clothes can improve the entire performance.
From the above article, it can be claimed that when it comes to FR clothes, there is a lot of implication and requirements.
When you are going to select the flame-resistant clothing, you need to understand some rules, regulations, and guidelines about the FR clothes.
Lastly, the importance of FR clothing in industries like electrical arc, flash fire, and combustible dust is inevitable.
