Stay Safe with Fire Resistant Clothing
August 25, 2017Today’s flame-resistant (FR) clothing is both functional and fashionable. Thanks to industry safety regulations and companies wanting to protect their workers, manufacturers like Ariat make a full line of FR work clothing that looks great while meeting safety standards.
At Coastal Farm & Ranch, we carry a full line of FR clothing, including Ariat’s plaid work shirts, low-rise denim jeans, and a long-sleeve crew. See the full line here.
Protecting Workers
Most burn injuries happen when clothing catches fire and continues to burn. FR clothing is designed to self-extinguish or resist ignition, provide a thermal insulation from heat, and protect the wearer’s skin by not breaking open or melting. In other words, FR clothing is designed to increase the chances of survival and minimize injury in case of an accident.
But, as we all know, accidents do happen. According to Occupational Health & Safety Magazine, an arc flash explosion occurs in electrical equipment every day. People do get hurt. But not as bad as they would thanks to FR clothing.
Flash Fire and Electric Arc Flash
Most FR clothing is designed to protect workers from flash fire and electric arc flash.
Coastal Tip: Match your FR clothing needs with your job requirements using the list of safety codes below.
A flash fire is caused by the ignition of something in the air, such as hydrocarbon vapors or something combustible. Temperatures can reach up to 1,900 ºF. An electric arc flash explosion usually lasts less than a second but can generate temperatures of 35,000 ºF, cause a pressure wave, and produce molten debris. Wearing the right clothing for ether accident can make all the difference in the world.
Coastal Carries FR Clothing
You’ll find a full line of FR clothing at your Northwest Owned and Operated Coastal Farm & Ranch. We’re proud to carry FR clothing from Ariat, including their Karlsten Retro Shirt, and plaid work shirts that meet CAT 2, ATPV 8.3, NFPA 70E, and NFPA 2112 standards, low-rise denim jeans that look great and meet ATPV 20, NFPA 70E, as well as NFPA 2112 standards, and Ariat’s extremely popular long-sleeve crew that is CAT 2, ATPV 8.9, NFPA 70E, and NFPA 2112 compliant.
Know Your FR Ratings
NFPA 2112 (National Fire Protection Administration): Protects against flash fire.
NFPA 70E (National Fire Protection Administration): Standard for electrical safety in the workplace.
PPE CAT 2: One or more layers of electric arc flash protection.
PPE CAT 1: A single layer of electric arc flash protection.
ASTM F1506: Standard performance specification for flame resistant and arc rated clothing.
ATPV (Arc Thermal Protective Value): Standard that helps prevent wearer from second-degree burns.
ANSI 107 (American National Standards Institute): High-visibility clothing and head gear.