Fire resistant clothing: What are your options

FR clothing is an essential form of PPE. FR clothing will catch fire but will not continue to burn once it is ignited - it is designed to extinguish itself almost immediately. FR clothing has a label specifying to what degree it will protect you.

Fire-resistant clothing is required for a variety of workers, including

• Welders

• Sheet Metal Workers

• Mechanics

• Fabricators

• Electrical workers

• Machine Operators

The specific requirements will differ for each role. And must meet the job's unique needs to comply with safety regulations. For instance, welders should be protected from all angles as there is potential for low and high-level heat splashes.

It's crucial to use the right level of protection for the fire hazards you may encounter in your job. You can reference the National Fire Protection Agency's protection level requirements chart to determine the needs of your role.

Types Of Fire-Resistant Clothing

You can think of fire-resistant clothing in two categories; fire-rated clothing and fire-resistant outerwear. For many industries and roles, outerwear (such as fire-resistant jackets and coveralls) provides the necessary protection. FR outerwear can be worn over your regular clothing and also provides additional warmth - ideal for working in cold environments. However, some roles may require fuller protection and may use protective clothing such as t-shirts, polo shirts, and trousers.

FR Coats And Jackets

Coats and jackets are essential for keeping workers warm, especially those working outside in the winter months. But the benefits do not need to be limited to keeping workers warm. Coats and jackets can also offer a variety of protections and resistances, including fire resistance. As with overalls, there are examples, such as those on offer from Portwest, of jackets incorporating FR, hi-vis and more.

FR Overalls And Coveralls

Fire-resistant coveralls and overalls provide near-complete head-to-toe protection. And you are not limited to overalls which solely offer FR protection. There are fantastic options, such as the Portwest Bizflame Rain FR which is waterproof and offers chemical and fire resistance alongside hi-visibility.

FR Bibs And Braces

Bibs and braces provide some of the most practical fire hazard protection. They can be worn with regular clothing or add to existing protection from FR-rated clothing. For example, the Portwest Bizflame Ultra Two-Tone Bib and Brace utilises a built-in FR polyester component to deliver a hardwearing solution that offers comfort and functionality.

FR Polo Shirts

If you're looking for an alternative to full coveralls, FR polo shirts are ideal. They are a practical work clothing choice that provides much-needed protection without limiting movement.

FR Trousers

Finally, you can complete your FR workwear ensemble with fire-resistant trousers. FR trousers, like the Portwest Bizflame Ultra Two-Tone Trousers, combine the tough fabric of regular trousers with FR protection. In the case of the Portwest Bizflame trousers, you'll get contact, convection, and radiant heat protection in addition to certified protection against molten metal splash. FR trousers are a great choice to protect against fire hazards where coveralls, a bib and braces are not required.

For more information, visit www.cobra-workwear.co.uk