We often receive questions about the PPE and Workwear industry. Some recent questions have been regarding flame retardant clothing. In this article we will be counting down the top 5 questions we have received about flame retardant clothing. We hope to help you grasp the core knowledge about the FR industry.
What is flame retardant clothing?
Flame retardant clothing is any form of clothing which is designed to protect the wearer from open flames, fire or hot objects such as metal splashes. With multiple items available from flame retardant trousers to over boots, there are many garments with FR safety standards.
What are the EN standards for flame retardant clothing?
When buying flame retardant clothing you will need to be looking out for the EN standards that the item is rated for. Here are some of the basic EN standards you should be looking out for:
- EN11612 – Protective Clothing Against Flame/Heat
- EN11611 EN470 – Welding Protection Clothing
- EN14116 EN533 – Flame Protection Clothing
Other EN standards you may find are related to the high visibility side of these items:
- EN471 – High Visibility Clothing
- EN20471 – High Visibility Properties
- GO/RT 3279 Railway Group Standard
When is flame retardant clothing required?
Most workplaces will have a health and safety manager/supervisor who will instruct you what clothing is suitable dependant on the surrounding environment. If you do not have someone who is in charge of PPE in your workplace, you can assess the situation yourself. Here are a list of questions:
- Do you work around open flames?
- Do you work around welders?
- Do you work outdoors or a place where you would need to be more visible?
- Do you work on railways?
If you answered yes to any of these questions you should be equipped with PPE. If you are further unsure what items you need, feel free to get in contact with us and we can make some suggestions.
What is flame retardant clothing made of?
Typically flame retardant clothing is made of natural materials such as wool or cotton. Flame retardant clothing is designed not to melt or further spread flames.
How does flame retardant clothing work?
Through the use of flame retardant materials and special coatings ensure the fabric is resistant to open flames and/or metal splashes. The resistance ensures longevity against flames to decrease the impact and effect on the wearer.
If you have any further questions regarding flame retardant clothing, feel free to contact us via our email address: [email protected].