Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does FR stand for?
2. What does FRC stand for?
3. How does FRC help the wearer in case of an accident?
4. Isn't FRC too expensive?
5. Is FR clothing uncomfortable to wear?
6. How real is the need for FR clothing?
7. What type of FR clothing is best?
8. Can jackets be worn over FR clothing?
9. What should be worn underneath FR clothing?
10. Can FR garments be washed at home? Or do they need special care?
11. Is 100% cotton flame resistant?
12. What types of workers need to wear FR garments?
13. Is it the employer's responsibility to ensure that FR clothing is worn by contractors and short-term employees?
14. What are these “standards and test methods” I've heard about?
15. What is NFPA®?
16. What is NFPA® 70E?
17. Who is covered by NFPA® 70E?
18. Is NFPA® 70E the law?
19. Why rent or lease FR garments?
20. Where can I find a garment's Arc Rating?
21. Is it safe to roll up the sleeves of an FR garment?
22. What standards are used for workers exposed to flash fire hazards?
23. What standards are used for electric power generation, transmission and distribution?
24. What are the electrical safety requirements for the workplace?
25. What's the difference between “Inherent Flame Resistance” and “Treatments?”
26. What key points are most important when choosing FR garments?

1. What does FR stand for?

FR is short for “flame resistant.” This refers to a material's ability to self-extinguish once an ignition source is removed.

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2. What does FRC stand for?

FRC is an acronym for “flame resistant clothing.” It is common for safety-minded professionals to refer to safety garments or flame resistant apparel simply as FRC.

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3. How does FRC help the wearer in case of an accident?

FRC can significantly reduce a burn injury by giving the wearer precious escape time from an ignition source. FRC can greatly increase the chance for survival if the wearer is caught in a flash fire or electric arc.

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4. Isn't FRC too expensive?

While FRC may be priced higher than standard work clothing, its value cannot be overstated. In most cases, FR garments have a longer wear life than standard work clothing, providing a greater value on a cost per wear basis. In addition, the cost of one serious burn injury can be millions. But more importantly, if FRC can save one life, there is no cost too great.

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5. Is FR clothing uncomfortable to wear?

There are a number of different types of FR clothing that can vary in their level of comfort. While the primary function of FR clothing is to protect the wearer, many new fabrics have also become more comfortable and allow for a greater range of movement. Of course, there are many climates and working environments where wearing long sleeves and pants is hot, regardless of what the fabric material is.

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6. How real is the need for FR clothing?

Everyone working in industrial environments that have ignition hazards should wear FR clothing. Period. Even if you haven't had an accident in years, the chances of someone getting seriously burned or worse are still very real. OSHA often cites employers who do not provide the proper FR clothing to their employees.

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7. What type of FR fabric is best?

There are a number of quality FR fabrics on the market today. Each FR fabric has a balance of properties, including protection, cost, comfort, appearance, color selection and wear life. Companies should assess their overall needs and determine which products best address their individual requirements.

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8. Can jackets be worn over FR clothing?

The outermost layer of clothing must always be flame resistant. Wearing highly-flammable garments (such as nylon parkas, for example) over FR clothing greatly compromises the overall protection of the FR clothing. Even though the underlying FR garments will not ignite, the flammable jacket can become a combustible fuel source that can still severely burn the wearer through contact with the flames or heat transfer through the FR fabric.

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9. What should be worn underneath FR clothing?

FR garments should be worn over non-melting fabrics or other similar FR materials. One recommended combination is wearing a 100% cotton T-shirt and underwear underneath FR clothing. Layering garments in this manner can increass the thermal protection of the clothing system by adding “air gaps” that provide excellent thermal insulation.

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10. Can FR garments be washed at home? Or do they need special care?

A professional industrial laundry service can best care for FR garments. Chlorine bleach and hydrogen peroxides found in some detergents can degrade the FR properties over time. Professional industrial laundry services can best remove all potentially flammable materials and soils that build-up on the surface of the garments.

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11. Is 100% cotton flame resistant?

No. In most cases, 100% cotton is flammable. It can ignite and continue to burn after being exposed to an ignition source. Many people understand the burning and melting hazards of nylon and polyester fabrics, but fail to recognize the danger of wearing 100% cotton when exposed to an ignition source. However, cotton can be a good fabric to wear underneath proper FR clothing (See FAQ #9).

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12. What type of workers need to wear FR garments?

There are a number of different industries that require their employees to wear FR garments. The most common use is for people who work in hazardous environments such as electricians, refinery workers, electric utility workers, molten metal workers, and maintenance workers in contact with energized equipment.

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13. Is it the employer's responsibility to ensure that FR clothing is worn by contractors and short-term employees?

Yes. OSHA can issue citations and fines to companies who do not require contractors to follow the same safety rules and use the same safety equipment (including FR clothing) as full-time employees. In fact, most companies require contractors to provide its employees with the proper FR clothing before beginning work.

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14. What are these “standards and test methods” I've heard about?

The industry-wide standards and test methods exist to rate the performance of the FR garments. They enable users to objectively evaluate the different materials and define the minimum performance criteria for each fabric. Using FR garments that meet the performance standards for a specific work environment is an excellent way to ensure worker safety.

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15. What is NFPA®?

NFPA® stands for the National Fire Protection Association, a world-renowned safety and standards setting institution.

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16. What is NFPA® 70E?

NFPA® 70E is a world standard published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA®). NFPA® 70E recommends that those who work with, on or around energized equipment (motors, circuits, breakers, etc.) wear flame resistant clothing.

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17. Who is covered by NFPA® 70E?

Employees who install, maintain, or repair electrical systems. Research has shown that approximately 10% of the employees in any operation work as electricians, maintenance workers, or other categories of work covered by this standard.

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18. Is NFPA® 70E the law?

NFPA® 70E is a voluntary standard. However, covered employees can increase worker safety and avoid potential liability by complying with this standard. OSHA and others are expected to enact similar standards in the future.

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19. Why rent or lease FR garments?

There are several benefits to renting or leasing FR garments. The first is that it eliminates the initial capital investment needed to purchase FR safety garments, freeing up cash reserves. Secondly, ARAMARK Uniform Services will repair or replace damaged rented or leased garments. And lastly, ARAMARK manages the procurement and receiving process so there's virtually no labor on your part.

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20. Where can I find a garment's Arc Rating?

Arc Ratings are typically found on the garment label. ARAMARK Uniform Services also can provide its customers with a listing of the Arc Ratings of the FR garments in use.

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21. Is it safe to roll up the sleeves of an FR garment?

FR clothing can only provide protection where it separates the wearer from the ignition source. If the sleeves are rolled up or cut off, the exposed body parts are completely unprotected and will suffer the same injuries as if the garments had never been worn. Some company policies may allow for employees to unbutton their shirts or roll up their sleeves when not working around energized parts or other potential ignition hazards.

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22. What standards are used for workers exposed to flash fire hazards?

There are two standards in place. The NFPA® (National Fire Protection Agency) 2112 Standard on Flame Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire and its companion standard, NFPA® 2113 on Selection, Care, Use, and Maintenance of these garments, were issued to specify design, performance, certification requirements, and test methods for flame resistant garments for use in areas at risk from flash fires. In addition, NFPA® 2113 provides helpful guidance in the selection and specification of flame resistant garments including workplace hazards and assessments.

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23. What standards are used for electric power generation, transmission and distribution?

OSHA's Final Rule on Electrical Protective Equipment (OSHA 1910.269) prohibits clothing that, when exposed to flames or arcs, could increase the extent of injury to the wearer. Employers are required to conduct an evaluation of potential hazards in their work environment to determine the appropriate clothing to be used. The National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) can also be referenced.

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24. What are the electrical safety requirements for the workplace?

The NFPA® 70E Standard for Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces addresses the electrical safety requirements that are necessary to safeguard employees while performing their required duties. It's an expansive standard that covers electric conductors and equipment installed within or on buildings, conductors that connect electrical supply installations, and other outside conductors that may be on an employer's premises. On February 11, 2000, the NFPA® issued a revision to 70E that addresses electrical safety-related work practices, worker qualifications and training procedures for employees who work on or near exposed energized electrical conductors or circuit parts.

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25. What's the difference between “Inherent Flame Resistance” and “Treatments?”

Inherently flame resistant fibers contain an essential characteristic that protects the wearer from an ignition source. Treatments or treated fibers have an applied chemical treatment that changes the original level of flame resistance.

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26. What key points are most important when choosing FR garments?

In choosing the right FR garments for your workforce, there are several qualities that you should consider: thermal protection, static resistance, comfort, durability, stability, employee satisfaction, overall appearance, ease of laundry care, and relative cost. But most importantly, it is essential that you choose the FR garments that provide the appropriate level of protection based on your hazard risk analysis.

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