Which FR Clothing is better for your needs?
When searching for FR clothing, you’ll likely come across a few different terms. You’ll see plenty of variations of FR – Flame Resistant, Flame Retardant, Fire Resistant, Fire Rated and maybe even a few others. These may seem like interchangeable terms, but they do differ and it’s important to be aware of each distinction.
We’re going to focus on two common variations, Flame Resistant and Fire Retardant. Most believe these to be the same thing, but when you’re looking to protect yourself or your entire crew, you should know what you’re really buying.
We’ll outline the major differences between the two so you know what to search when looking for appropriate personal protective equipment for yourself or your staff.
Flame-Resistant:
Flame Resistant clothing is unique in its composition. Flame Resistant fabrics are made from fibres that are inherently non-flammable. Therefore flame resistance is a part of their chemical structure and will never wear out or lose its efficacy. FR clothing made from these fibres are built to mitigate or lessen injury by resisting the urge to burn when in contact with heat and energy. Flame Resistant clothing will also self-extinguish when the fabric does ignite, reducing the spread of the flame and the exposure sites on your skin.
To be termed Flame Resistant, the fabric must pass testing. The Vertical Flame Test is a procedure in which a piece of the fabric is suspended over a vertical flame. The fabric must self-extinguish in two seconds or less and have a minimal char length of six inches or less when being used for arc protection – and four inches or less if being used for flash fire protection. If the fabric pass these criteria, it deemed to be Flame Resistant.
Fire-Retardant:
Fire Retardant fabric is also worn for safety while working in potentially dangerous situations, but is also commonly used in home furnishings to reduce damage in the event of a fire. Fire retardant fabrics are designed to slow and resist ignition and combustion – meaning that when fire retardant fabrics do come in contact with heat or energy, they will take a greater time to ignite than non-FR fabrics.
Fire retardant fabrics are commonly a treated cotton, meaning the fabric’s chemical structure is not inherently non-flammable. The fabric fibres or finished products are treated with chemicals to provide resistance to heat and energy. These fabrics are very effective and will help to keep you safe. The chemical treatment does eventually wear off, leading to more frequent replacement when wearing Fire Retardant clothing daily.
Is MWG FR Clothing Flame-Resistant or Fire-Retardant?
All of MWG FR Clothing falls under the Flame Resistant category. We do offer both inherent and treated FR clothing, but every fabric is put through the Vertical Flame Test to ensure the safety of our customers working with electric arc and flash fire worksite hazards.
It is essential that all workers wear appropriate protective personal equipment. Making an informed decision before purchasing FR clothing, or any type of PPE, is just as important as putting it in action on the worksite. Whether it is Flame Resistant or Fire Retardant, be sure that it fits the worksite standards as well as your personal safety and comfort standards. Know the risks associated with your job and know what you can do to stay better protected.
Take a look through our website for technical information on each product, including ATPV, CAT rating, and fabric composition.