Flame resistant (FR) clothing is a foundational way to help keep your employees safe and protected from burns caused by flash fires, electric arcs and combustible dust. These hazards can be especially prevalent in many different industries and trades like:
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Within each profession and industry, the legal requirements for safety workwear vary based on the duties each position entails. Because of these very specific requirements, there are distinct levels of flame resistance protection and a variety of FR fabrics available on the market.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sets the standards and requirements that fire resistance garments must adhere to.
“Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace”, known as NFPA 70E, covers electrical safety requirements for workers, focusing on safeguards to remain productive within their respective job functions. The purpose of the standard is to provide “practical safeguarding of employees during activities such as the installation, operation, maintenance, and demolition of electric conductors, electric equipment, signaling and communications conductors.”
In short, NFPA 70E exists to protect electrical workers across all industries who work on or near electricity or energized parts/equipment capable of generating an arc flash.
NFPA 70E is considered the most widely practiced, comprehensive standard for electrical safety in the workplace. Electrical worker FR clothing must comply with these standards, which establishes CAT categories that define the level of arc rating needed by clothing to perform specific hazardous tasks. The standard identifies the distinct types of fire protective clothing needed for specific types of work.
Some of the key garment tests to comply with 70E include:
NFPA is the clothing standard for protection against flash fire hazards. This requirement is most commonly applicable to non-electrical work found in oil and gas industries, but it does encompass all potential jobs where flash fire is considered a hazard.
The purpose of NFPA is similar to 70E in that it exists to protect workers from burns caused by hazardous working conditions or materials in the workplace. It provides the minimum requirements “for the design, construction, evaluation, and verification of flame resistant garments for use by industrial personnel.” It intends to reduce burn injuries and the severity of burns for wearers.
The garment requirements laid out in NFPA are extremely stringent. FR clothing must tested and certified by a third party before being made available on the open market, and garments must defy melting, dripping, or after-flame burning, similar to 70E.
While FR garment designs do sometimes adhere to both standards, it is important to note that compliance with one standard does not mean compliance with the other.
While “flame resistance” and “flame retardant” are terms sometimes used interchangeably, there are differences. Flame resistance refers to any fabric where fibers have a natural resistance to burning when exposed to flame. Wool, for example, is highly unlikely to fully ignite because any flames introduced to a wool garment tend to be naturally extinguished by the fibers themselves.
Flame retardant fabrics, on the other hand, are made up of fibers treated by chemicals to make them exceptionally resistant to fire. They can burn, but at a much slower rate than all other fabrics and with the added ability to extinguish themselves.
If a flame is removed from either of these garment types, the fabric will stop burning. This means it will not burn on its own and wearers of these fabrics will have added protection against ignition.
Some of the leading clothing manufacturers we offer, like DRIFIRE® and SteelGuard®, design, test, and innovate FR clothing by using many types and blends of different fibers to make FR fabrics. Synthetic fibers continue to be a large portion of what comprises FR garments, but everyday fibers like cotton can also become flame resistant when flame retardant chemicals are added.
Nylon and polyester are both popular synthetic fibers that have fire resistant qualities. Plastic-based fibers (like nylon and polyester) tend to melt instead of burn, making them great for FR garment fabrics. Nylon and polyester are both popular materials used in FR clothing due to these high melting points and low thermal conductivity. Manufacturers often treat these synthetic fibers with a fire-resistant chemical for additional protection.
Aramid fibers are another type of synthetic fiber known for their resistance to high temperatures and corrosion. They are also extremely lightweight, yet high strength which make them an excellent fiber for usage in high-performance, FR fabrics. Aramid fibers are known for being stronger than steel at only a fifth the weight of steel.
Modacrylic are synthetic fibers known for their durability, comfort and protection. They have flame retardant qualities, but also are known to be comfortable due to low density of modacrylic fibers. These fibers can be easily dyed, shaped and are known to dry fast. As such, fabrics made with modacrylic fibers are commonly used in performance FR clothing and other workwear.
Cotton, by nature, is not flame resistant. It is highly flammable. However, chemically-treated FR cotton is indeed flame resistant. FR cotton feels and performs much like cotton, but with the added protection against fire making it another common fabric found in FR clothing. Some garments are 100% cotton, yet the flame retardant chemicals make those same garments flame-resistant and able to comply with FR standards. Cotton and nylon fibers are often blended to form a popular flame resistant fabric option for FR clothing manufacturers.
Most FR fabrics are often a specific blend of these kinds of fibers coated with fire-resistant chemicals. The blend ratios and chemical treatments required depend on the application of the garment and which NFPA standards to which it needs to comply.
How do flame resistant fabrics work? Essentially, FR fabrics are made up of fibers that won’t ignite – often flame retardant fibers, but sometimes a mix of both flame retardant and naturally flame resistant fibers. With all these fibers, both synthetic and natural, FR clothing manufacturers can mix and match different blends to create new and innovative fabrics that increase protection and garment performance, like enhanced moisture wicking, comfort, air flow or durability.
The properties of these fabrics tend to perform well to meet various standard measurements, including:
Self-extinguishing – Garments should extinguish themselves after 12 seconds of flame exposure.
Charring – Most FR fabrics should char (but not burn), which acts to eliminate the fire’s fuel while helping to block the heat from the fire.
Insulating properties – In certain workplace environments, insulating properties are needed to assess how well a garment can protect the wearer from the heat of flames as well as protection in freezing temperatures.
FR garments require special safety and care considerations to help the distinct types of FR fabrics retain their flame retardance. NFPA 70E standards state that garments should keep all their FR properties after 25 washes (and dries). But this is only possible if FR clothing is meticulously cleaned. Proper laundering and maintenance are necessary for FR clothing and critical for extending the longevity of the garments so that they keep you and your team safe.
Soils and stains MUST be removed entirely before FR clothing can be used in the field. A small oil stain on your flame resistant coveralls, for example, increases the risk of garment ignition. FR garments must also remain free and clear of other safety-compromising contaminants, like soap residue or calcium and magnesium salt build-up that can build up through washing or hard water.
Proper cleaning of FR garments is a bit more complicated than your standard cotton or polyester clothing items, but a uniform rental service can remove these challenges, shifting the responsibility of cleaning from your team to an experienced professional with established cleaning processes and protocols for FR fabrics.
A Vestis uniform rental program helps businesses just like yours save time and money while alleviating the challenges of cleaning, maintaining and managing critical safety apparel. Leveraging a uniform rental program, businesses can improve safety, ensure regulatory compliance and gain peace of mind knowing that all the routine maintenance and upkeep are handled by FR clothing professionals. Read more about the benefits of renting FR clothing and uniforms.
From superior fire protection to enhanced comfort and mobility, Vestis is proud to offer several FR clothing options from the industry’s top manufacturers. We are also the exclusive industrial laundry provider of rental DRIFIRE FR rental garments, a proven leader in the FR industry.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Flame Retardant Fabric Suppliers. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
Along the way, we help ensure your facility remains compliant with all the statutory requirements related to flame resistant clothing based on your company’s protection needs. Here is how our FR uniform rental program works:
Fire-retardant and flame-resistant fabrics are critical safety precautions in many commercial, industrial and municipal settings. Over the years, chemical advancements have allowed manufacturers and chemists to improve flame-resistant and flame-retardant properties for textile products, such as:
A common misconception is that the terms “fire-retardant” and “fire-resistant” are interchangeable. While these two fabric classifications are similar, there are some key differences. This article compares fire-resistant and fire-retardant fabrics and covers some essential considerations before investing in either of these fabrics.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards legally require flame-retardant fabrics and materials in most public spaces, including schools, churches and theaters.
When a house fire occurs, upholstered furniture is usually the first thing to catch fire. That’s why, as of June , the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requires upholstered furniture to comply with federal flammability standards.
Manufacturers must specify on the product labels that the upholstered furniture complies with CPSC flammability requirements. Additionally, the CPSC advises manufacturers to make it easy for consumers to locate these labels.
It is important to know the difference between fire-retardant and flame-resistant fabrics. This helps people understand how much protection they’ll receive when purchasing upholstered furniture and other fabric-based items. Learn the differences between flame-resistant and fire-retardant materials to understand exactly what these labels entail.
Flame retardants are chemical substances that offer flame resistance when applied to a fabric. Flame-retardant or fire-retardant fabrics include a special finish with these chemical fibers.
This coating helps resist the spreading of flames. Additionally, fire-retardant fabrics burn at a much slower rate than their standard untreated counterparts. Over time, however, these chemicals will wear off when the fabric is washed. This renders them ineffective unless the chemicals are reapplied.
There are three classifications of flame retardancy.
FR fabrics are woven from threads treated with a flame-retardant chemical, meeting fire safety codes in the NFPA 701 Test. NFPA 701 measures a material’s flammability when exposed to specific ignition sources. It also measures a fabric’s ignition resistance after 12 seconds of flame exposure.
The fabric is considered “non-flame retardant” (NFR) before treatment. The manufacturer dissolves the FR chemicals in water and applies them to the fabric by dipping or spraying.
Once the textile dries, the chemicals remain adhered to the fibers. This renders the fabric flame-retardant, at least for a short period. Contact with water can gradually dissolve and remove these chemicals until the fabric is NFR again. When this occurs, the fabric should be thoroughly washed and chemically treated to restore its flame retardance. Alternatively, you can replace the fabric altogether.
IFR fabrics are woven with threads to uphold NFPA 701 Test standards. However, they do not require additional chemical treatments after frequent washings. IFR fabrics contain noncombustible elements. They should retain their fame retardance permanently, even when exposed to water.
DFR fabrics also meet the minimum requirements in NFPA 701. However, unlike FR fabrics with topically applied chemicals, DFR fabrics use non-water-soluble chemical compounds that attach to the fibers. This creates a flame-retardant fabric that can withstand up to 25 washes when properly laundered.
Because contaminants like oil and airborne dust can diminish flame retardance, annual testing based on NFPA 705 standards is strongly recommended for FR, IFR and DFR fabrics.
Flame-resistant materials contain synthetic fibers that resist ignition and self-extinguish under prolonged heat or flame exposure. Because these fabrics are woven from inherently fire-resistant fibers, they are often called IFR fabrics.
These fabrics will eventually start to melt rather than burn. IFR fibers can make up a small portion of the fabric or the whole cloth, depending on the manufacturer.
A fabric must be tested and rated using ASTM F standards to verify its flame resistance. This testing involves suspending the fabric over a vertical flame for 12 seconds, then removing it.
The fabric should self-extinguish in two seconds or less to pass the test. Additionally, it should have a minimal length of 6 inches or less when used for arc flash protection and 4 inches or less if used for flash fire protection.
In summary, flame-retardant fabrics undergo chemical treatment to give them fire-resistant and self-extinguishing properties. Conversely, flame-resistant fabrics are constructed with fibers that resist burning when they come into contact with flames.
There are a few important considerations before investing in a fire-retardant or flame-resistant fabric.
Flame-resistant fabric tends to cost more than flame-retardant fabric, as it lasts longer and doesn’t lose its integrity with regular washes. That means you’ll have to decide whether to spend less on fire-retardant gear and replace it more frequently or spend more on flame-resistant options that last much longer.
Consider the circumstances your employees work in and the level of fire protection they will require. The NFPA has a guide that outlines the differences between flame-retardant and flame-resistant classifications, helping guide employers’ decisions in protecting staff from short-term flame exposure.
The NFPA’s guidelines rank hazard risks from Category 1 to Category 4. The higher the category, the higher the protection level. Low-hazard applications typically only warrant Category 1 or 2 protection, while more hazardous tasks require Category 3 or 4.
Chemically treated flame-retardant fabrics only retain their flame-retardant qualities temporarily. The chemicals start to fade after a certain number of washes. Additionally, there are stringent guidelines for laundering flame-retardant fabrics. Check the tag and follow the manufacturer’s care and maintenance instructions.
Flame-resistant fabrics have rigorous laundering requirements, as well. However, these materials are inherently fire-resistant. That means they will maintain their performance far longer than treated fabrics, regardless of how frequently you launder them. Be sure to factor these laundering requirements into your decision.
High-quality fabric is a must for many markets, including residential, outdoor, contract and RV. If you are looking for durable, long-lasting textile products for your customers, Swavelle Group can help. We are a proud leader in the textile industry and can work with you to create beautiful fabrics tailored to your specifications.
Swavelle Group produces various fabric products, from delicate embroideries to bold prints and textures. We also prioritize sustainability in our manufacturing processes, so you can feel confident you’re choosing a company that values the environment.
Are you interested in learning more about Fireproof Fabrics Wholesale? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!