Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Flame Resistant Apparel?
A: Flame Resistant (FR) apparel is made from treated materials that do not burn when exposed to fire, intermittent flames and electric arcs, due to its chemical structure. Flame resistant fabrics are used in apparel applications for personal protective equipment. These apparel and clothing items are designed with self-extinguishing properties to protect the wearer from injuries caused by flames and thermal exposure.
Q: What level of Flame Resistant clothing protection is typically needed?
A: Flame resistant clothing is usually chosen based on an employer’s own hazard analysis, which determines the right garments for the potential incident energy exposures in a given work environment.
Q: What is the difference between Inherently FR fabrics and FR treated fabrics?
A: Both treated and inherently flame resistant fabrics are flame retardant for the useful life of the garment. The difference between them relates to the process used in making the final product fire resistant. Treated cotton fabrics are given a flame resistant chemical application, which the originally Non-FR fabric is immersed in after it is woven together. Inherent fabrics contain fibers with an FR polymer base, so that there is no need for a topical treatment.
Q: What is a Flash Fire?
A: A flash fire is spread rapidly through a diffuse fuel, such as dust, gas, or the vapors of an ignitable liquid, without production of damaging pressure. Flash fires are typically three seconds or less, but are fast-moving and intense. The severity is contingent on environmental factors such as the fuel available and the efficiency of combustion.
Fire Resistant (FR) apparel is made from treated materials that do not burn when exposed to fire, intermittent flames, and electric arcs, due to its chemical structure. Fire-resistant fabrics are used in apparel applications for personal protective equipment. These apparel and clothing items are designed with self-extinguishing properties to protect the wearer from injuries caused by flames and thermal exposure.
A flash fire is spread rapidly through a diffuse fuel, such as dust, gas, or the vapours of an ignitable liquid, without the production of damaging pressure. Flash fires are typically three seconds or less but are fast-moving and intense. The severity is contingent on environmental factors such as the fuel available and the efficiency of combustion.
Both treated and inherently fire-resistant fabrics are flame resistant for the useful life of the garment. The difference between them relates to the process used in making the final product fire-resistant. Treated cotton fabrics are given a fire-retardant chemical application, which the originally non-Fat fabric is immersed in after it is woven together. Inherent fabrics contain fibres with an FR polymer base so that there is no need for topical treatment.