Flame resistant (FR) fabrics are materials designed to resist ignition and self-extinguish in a set amount of time. These fabrics protect individuals working in high-risk environments with heat, fire, or electrical hazards, such as emergency response, military operations, and various industrial settings. Explore the TenCate Protective Fabrics fabric selector tool to find the best flame resistant fabrics for your needs.
FR fabrics work through either inherent flame resistant fibers or a chemical treatment. Inherent FR fabrics are made from fibers that are intrinsically flame resistant, while treated fabrics undergo a process that imparts flame resistant properties to the fabric through a chemical treatment. Both methods ensure the fabric self-extinguishes when exposed to flames, meaning it does not continue to burn when the flame has been removed, reducing the risk of burns and injuries.
FR fabrics must comply with various industry standards to ensure their effectiveness and safety. Key standards include NFPA for protection against short-duration thermal exposures, NFPA 70E for electrical safety, and ASTM F for textile materials used by electrical workers. Meeting these standards guarantees that the fabrics provide adequate protection and performance according to these governing regulations. If a garment does not meet the required standards for a specific application, it should not be considered compliant and it will not properly protect against the relevant risks.
Anyone who works in an environment that routinely exposes them to risk of injury or death from flash fire, fire, or electrical arc flash needs to be properly protected from those risks with protective flame resistant clothing. While a full safety program includes safety protocols meant to prevent flash fires or arc flash events from happening in the first place, when they do happen, FR garments are the last line of defense for the worker and can mean the difference between making it home at the end of the day or not.
If you are an end user or a safety professional interested in ordering FR workwear made with TenCate Protective Fabrics materials, you can purchase garments constructed with our fabrics through a garment manufacturer or distributor. We do not sell protective garments directly to the market; we manufacture the fabrics that go into the garments. We can, however, answer any questions you may have about our products and help guide you through the process and make sure you get what you want. Reach out to us here.
At TenCate Protective Fabrics, we pride ourselves on delivering not only the highest-quality protective fabrics possible in terms of safety, comfort, and durability, but we also offer top-of-the-class customer service and take a consultant approach to our role in the value chain. When you partner with TenCate Protective Fabrics, you benefit from our team&#;s deep well of knowledge and experience in the safety industry.
We encourage you to reach out to us with any questions about protective fabrics, the market in general, industry trends, or your safety program at any time. We are always more than happy to discuss better safety strategies and ensure you have the information you need to make the best selection for your needs.
Proper maintenance is crucial to preserving the protective properties of FR fabrics. Washing your FR isn&#;t like doing normal household laundry: you need to adhere to the instructions for washing and drying your FR if you don&#;t have an industrial laundry program taking care of it. For example, you can&#;t use hydrogen peroxide-based cleaners on FR. You should wash your FR separately from the family laundry for a couple reasons: lint from other materials may be flammable and if your FR is covered in it, it&#;s covered in a bunch of tiny potential fireballs. And if your FR gets exposed to harmful chemicals or particulate matter, you probably don&#;t want your children&#;s clothing going through the same cycle. Regular inspection for signs of wear and damage is also essential to properly maintaining FR. A hole or tear is like a chink in your armor and can open you up to injury in the event of a fire. For detailed maintenance guidelines for a specific product, refer to the care instructions provided by your garment manufacturer or distributor.
Proper FR garment selection is no easy feat, but it can be made simpler with these tactics:
Stay up to date with industry trends, updates, and standards by regularly attending trade shows, subscribing to relevant publications and newsletters, and staying engaged with your partners in the value chain. Then, when it&#;s time to order new FR workwear, you already have an idea of what&#;s available and don&#;t have to begin your research from scratch. Secondly, leverage the knowledge of partners at fabric manufacturers (like us) and garment manufacturers and distributors to help you get tailored information for your specific needs. Third, ensure you have recently performed a thorough risk assessment to determine the risks you need to protect your workers against and look for products certified as compliant with the relevant standards. Using all three of these tactics in concert and keeping open lines of communication with your suppliers will help you make a confident decision.
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