A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Low 59F. Winds light and variable..

A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Low 59F. Winds light and variable.

Flame-resistant clothing has been around for a long time, but some still have questions about the garments. Our guide answers some common questions about FR clothing.

Flame-resistant clothing has been around for a long time, but some still have questions about the garments. Our guide answers some common questions about FR clothing.

Are you looking to learn more about flame-resistant clothing?

We can help with our helpful guide that answers some of the most common questions from workers regarding FR clothing.

What does FR clothing mean?

First, the basics of FR clothing: What does FR stand for? The “FR” in FR clothing can stand for flame-resistant or flame-retardant clothing—they’re not the same, but they’re typically used interchangeably.

Either way, FR clothing is made of garments and materials that are self-extinguishing when removed from an ignition source — they offer a layer of thermal protection and won’t catch on fire easily.

They’re not impenetrable, but FR clothing is an essential facet of PPE for many workers as a layer of protection against heat, flames, and electrical charges.

Are flame-resistant & flame-retardant the same thing?

No, flame-resistant and flame-retardant garments are not the same, but the difference is subtle and typically not relevant to the wearer. Flame-resistant clothes are made of materials that are inherently self-extinguishing.

On the other hand, flame-retardant clothing is made of traditional materials that have been chemically treated to achieve self-extinguishing and protective qualities.

Essentially, it’s two types of garments with different approaches to achieve the same end of self-extinguishing clothing.

What does ATPV stand for?

You’ll typically find an ATPV or “arc rating” on an FR garment, but what does that mean? ATPV stands for Arc Thermal Performance Value — a rating that belies the ability of the materials to protect against electrical discharge.

The higher the number, the more protective the materials.

FR clothing isn’t just for firefighters and oil workers — electricians and others who may be exposed to an electrical discharge or “arc flash” at work also use them.

The ATPV rating of clothing shows the worker how much protection the garment affords against arc flashes.

Do I have to tuck in my FR shirt?

Perhaps the most common FR clothing question is about tucking in the garments.

When wearing FR clothing, the wearer needs to tuck in their shirt. An FR shirt must cover the entire body and leave no skin exposed to sufficiently protect the wearer.

Pro Tip: You should also tuck in an FR shirt underneath an FR sweatshirt or jacket — but you don’t have to tuck in FR outerwear clothing.

Exposed skin can render the rest of the FR clothing useless, as it allows thermal heat, flames, and electrical discharges to penetrate the protective layer of FR clothing.

How much FR clothing do I need?

The amount of FR clothing or layers of garments a worker needs depends on the hazard level risk rating of the environment according to the NFPA 70E standard for workplaces.

The NFPA 70E sorts all possibly hazardous work environments into four categories, with one being the least dangerous and four being the most.

Most workplaces fall into the first two categories, meaning workers must wear FR garments equaling an ATPV rating of eight or higher. Ensure you understand your workplace’s hazard level risk rating and that you have adequate FR protection.

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