Is Flame Resistant Clothing Selection Confusing?
When the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) implemented new fire safety regulations in 2010, it meant significant changes for those industries where electronic arc and flash fires were involved. These changes meant it was now pertinent for the industry to adopt the use of Flame-Resistant (FR) clothing.
True safety however, extends beyond the surface and one must decide between garments that are inherently FR and treated FR.
≥ Inherently FR fabrics—
Inherently FR fabrics, as the name suggests, have the flame resistant properties ingrained into the fabric at its molecular level during the production stage. This results in a product that offers protection guaranteed to be both durable and sustainable.
≥ Treated FR fabrics—
Treated FR fabrics on the other hand, have the FR properties applied through a chemical application process, after production which invariably can result in less protection and durability from the garment especially with exposure to UV rays, heat and natural elements.
Inherently flame resistant fabric maintains its body burn rate throughout the life of the garment . Depending on method of implementing the flame resistant properties into treated FR clothing determines whether the quality of protection will diminish over time or last the useful life of the garment. Ultimately this will determine if the garments offer less protection after extensive wear or not.
An example of treated fabric that “will” retain its flame resistant properties in The Ultrasoft fabric made by Westex.
It is pertinent to bear these distinctions and the stipulated regulations in mind to protect yourself and your workers against the imminent danger associated with these industries.
Terry Smeader
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Tags: flame resistant clothing, Inherently FR, treated cotton
