Cheap FR clothing not worth the risk: 10 flame-resistance tips before you buy Posted on June 15, 2018March 5, 2020 by Border States The dangers of cheap FR clothing Flame-resistant (FR) gear is reliable when it’s of high quality, and while it’s understandable that many professionals want to save extra coin on the job, it’s not worth risking a life over cheap FR clothing. FR clothing protects workers from life-threatening thermal incidents such as an arc flash, which can cause severe – and even fatal – burn injuries. Therefore, FR clothing is required by law in many different industries. It’s important to remember not all FR is not created equal. When it comes to ensuring FR safety and compliance on any job site, be aware of these crucial factors. Protection Your No. 1 priority should always be ensuring your FR clothing offers the correct level of protection against your hazard, whether it’s electric arc, flash fire or combustible dust. Guarantee Your FR clothing’s stated protection level should be guaranteed for the life of the garment. No exceptions. Compliance Your FR clothing must meet or exceed the safety and performance standards required by your industry, such as OSHA 1910.269 for electric utilities and NFPA 2112 for oil and gas. Comfort Your selected FR clothing should be comfortable to wear (cool, lightweight, breathable, etc.), so it doesn’t interfere with job performance or cause additional safety concerns. Moisture management To avoid discomfort, FR clothing should be made from fabrics that provide moisture control, with sweat-wicking and fast-drying properties. Fit retention Your FR clothing should retain its size, shape and fit with minimal shrinking when laundered. Fabric durability Your FR clothing should be made with durable fabric that is strong enough to resist tears, rips and holes. Garment strength The construction of your FR clothing should be sound, including strong seams and reinforced fabric in high-stress areas. Color retention Your FR garments should not lose their color after laundering. Distributor support FR safety regulations are complicated. The company you buy from should offer the tools you need to better understand FR, navigate changing industry standards, build your business and create a culture of compliance. Learn more about high-quality FR clothing. This blog post was drafted in partnership with Bulwark. Check out Bulwark’s original article, “Top 10 things to consider before you buy FR.” Related posts FR vs. AR clothing: What’s the difference? Arc flash risk assessment requirements easily met with right distributor
