The Importance of Fire Amour (FR) Clothing in a High Risk Work Environment

FR clothing

FR clothing is needed to protect you if you are at risk of fire or arc flash. If non-FR clothing, such as cotton is worn when you are exposed to these risks, it will increase the injuries suffered from the incident.

Non-FR clothing will continue to burn after the source of the flame has been removed at an increasing rate, until all flammable material has been consumed. The flame from the continued burning of cotton or other non-FR clothing will often cause more intense burns than the original incident itself. Burning clothing will also cause injuries to areas of the body that had not been exposed to the original incident.

FR’s clothing’s key characteristic is that it will self-extinguish when the source of the flame is removed. Good FR clothing should resist ignition, this means it should not; melt, drip or break open when exposed to fire or arc flash.

These characteristics greatly improve the survival rates and outcomes of anyone exposed to these risks. FR clothing will not prevent all injuries in the case of a flash fire or arc flash incident, but they will significantly reduce the injuries and give the wearer an ability to escape the incident.

All products in the range use fully FR rated trims including reflective tape, snaps, buttons, zippers and even FR heat seal logos – and also feature gusset sleeves which make it difficult for employees to roll up and wear incorrectly. All of these garments have also been designed to be quickly removed in case of emergency, with the use of FR press studs on the shirts and a FR zipper on the overalls for quick removal.

Key points of METATech Fabric: