Flame Resistant Clothing and Fire Prevention

FR Uniforms, flame resistant uniforms

Fire safety is one hot topic in the workplace this year. While death and injury are among the

greatest risks, any fire can be extremely dangerous resulting in injury, death and workplace damage. The FR experts at City Uniforms and Linen can cover all your flame resistant clothing needs with our full line of apparel from Bulwark.

 

Fire Prevention in the Workplace

Preventing workplace fires is everyone’s job. Here are some tips for fire prevention in the workplace:

  • Practice good housekeeping as clutter can be fuel to fire and become a serious nuisance by limiting access to exits and fire prevention equipment
  • Collect oily rags in metal containers and be sure to properly dispose of flammable waste – metal frame plastics bag
  • Maintain and clean any machinery that is prone to overheating and sparks
  • Electrical fires are among the most common but can be prevented by reporting any hazards promptly
  • Maintain access to electrical panels as shutting down power during any emergency situation (lock out tag out)
  • Use and store chemicals properly by reading the Safety Data Sheets and adhere to ventilation standards
  • Use precautions to prevent ignition in potentially explosive atmospheres by containing flammable liquids, vapors and fine particles; be sure to use proper equipment such as non-sparking tools when necessary

A workplace fire is an experience that you do not want to have, but you can be prepared. Using all of these practices will be helpful to both prevent and know how to best handle a workplace fire.

Fire prevention and safety doesn’t stop at the workplace.  In order to ensure all FR garments maintain their level of safety and standards, proper care must be take in the laundering and storage of them.

Caring for Flame-Resistant Clothing

Each type of Flame-Resistant fabric requires special safety and care considerations.

Inherently FR Fibers

Inherently flame-resistant fibers are defined as having flame-resistance as an essential characteristic of the fiber.

Treated Fabrics

Treated fabrics are treated with a flame retardant chemical to make them flame-resistant. The fibers used in these fabrics, such as cotton, are not normally considered protective and become flame-resistant because of the treatment.

Treated Fibers

Fabrics made from treated synthetic fibers, which are extruded with a flame retardant chemical in the fiber-forming process, become flame-resistant for the life of the garment because the flame retardant cannot be removed by wear of laundering.

Blends

Some fabrics are blends of treated and inherently FR fibers

Performance Requirements

All Bulwark garments meet the requirements specified by:

  • ASTM International Standard F2302-08 for labeling protective clothing as heat and flame resistant
  • National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 70E
  • Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces, 2009 Edition
  • ASTM Standard F1506-02a, Flame Resistant Materials for Wearing Apparel for Use by Electrical Workers Exposed to Momentary Electric Arc and Related Thermal Hazards

Because these fabrics are flame resistant, they are also acceptable under the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) Final Rule 1910.269, Final Rule on Electrical Protective Equipment.

Where appropriate, Bulwark garments have been certified by Underwriters laboratories to the requirements of NFPA 2112, Standard on Flame Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire and Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) Standard 155.20, Workwear for protection against Hydrocarbon Flash Fire.

If you are looking for FR clothing, contact us today for more information!