Understanding FR Basics

This section was written in an effort to provide the reader some basic working knowledge of the flame-resistant industry and to learn more about what standards and specifications drive the decision making process.  Keep in mind there are several organizations that have specific criteria in which they test, certify and issue standards for the flame-resistant community.  Most of them are separate entities, but ultimately working for the same goals: Overall awareness to the public, determining thresholds for safe work practices and enforcement as a preventative for non-compliance.  These consensus organizations have the largest impact in helping OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration, division of U.S. Dept. of Labor) evaluate best industry practices to determine what will be governed under the law.

FR (Flame-Resistant) clothing is designed as a means for protection against potentially fatal flash fire and arc flash environments.  They provide the wearer a few seconds of necessary escape time while preventing clothing ignition.  Remember that the majority of severe and fatal burn injuries are due to the individual’s clothing igniting and continuing to burn, not by the exposure itself.  The goal for any FR manufacturer or wearer is to ultimately increase the probability of survival.  No garment or fabric is available in primary protection as fail-safe insurance.  In other words, if an accident does take place it is most likely some injury will occur; however, the design of both fabrics and apparel is to lower the risk of injury and possible death.

Given the staggering costs of insurance and hospital related claims due to burn victims, it’s always more feasible to institute an FR apparel program where there is possible exposure to such injuries.  With the average cost of a burn injury victim in the hundreds of thousands, and sometimes millions of dollars, not to mention the long term care needed, it seems like a small price for $40 shirt.  FR clothing in most cases is more expensive than regular work clothing; however, many FR fabrics are designed to last much longer than regular work clothes while at the same time providing protection against potential hazards.  So the actual cost of ownership in most cases is lower.  Knowing you spent a little more to save a life will no doubt provide the piece of mind which no amount of money can give.

Many times the industry veterans find it difficult to believe that wearing such protection is valuable and even necessary after working 30+ years where they personally have never experienced an accident or even known someone who has.  Our response is simple: No one calls it an accident because it was expected to happen.

So what is the best FR fabric for me?

Unfortunately there is no magic answer to this seemingly difficult question.  Again, all FR fabrics share a similar trait in which they are designed to allow the wearer a few seconds of escape time during an arc flash or flash fire situation.  The can never calculate variables such as working distance from an energized part, humidity levels, body temperature, ambient temperature or any conceivable factor which could contribute to a different result outside the testing lab.

So what are the keys to evaluating the aspects of an FR program?

With dozens of blends and choices available, you should evaluate every aspect of your program and decide which particular fabric provides you with the best overall VALUE.

A simple formula will go a long way…        Value = Protection, Comfort, Cost.

Keys to Evaluating Protection