Flame Resistant Clothing 101 – Everything you need to know

Custom FR Workwear.

Education Mar 27, 2025 39 Add to Reading List

FR clothing is an integral part of the protective measure when employees do dangerous work. Failing to provide quality FR suits to your team is both ethically and morally wrong. And choosing the best gear for them is the responsibility of the organization.

However, companies struggle with a lot of what(s), why(s), and how(s) while selecting Custom FR Workwear. Similarly, employees have many questions regarding the maintenance of these clothes.

This article contains all the answers that you are looking for.

Keep reading and find everything you need to know about flame-resistant clothing.

What is Custom Flame Resistant Clothing?

As the name suggests, flame-resistant workwear or FR clothing refers to performance apparel specially designed to protect workers from fire and extreme heat exposure.

While other fabrics ignite and even melt on fire exposure, the FR clothes maintain the protective layer for long enough to allow the wearer to escape.

Although FR material does catch fire when exposed to the ignition source, it puts out the fire once disconnected from the source. This function is due to the self-extinguishing characteristics that FR clothes possess. Even when ignited, these clothes protect the wearer from burns and injuries.

What Materials are classified as Flame Resistant?

FR clothing is of two types with respect to the material:

Some materials like wool, silk, nylon, and polyester are naturally resistant to fire
While others like linen and cotton can be treated to develop these characteristics.

The good thing about treated fabrics is that they develop the same characteristics as natural ones and perform equally in the broader picture.

However, various materials offer different benefits, and even the same fabric works differently in other settings. So, depending upon the severity of the situation, the workers change the grounds of the custom FR clothing.

One advantage of natural FR material over artificially created one is that the latter loses its resistant characteristics over time while the former remains intact even after multiple uses.

Additionally, artificially creating FR clothes is hazardous to the environment, and the side products released during the process pollute the natural habitat and cause diseases in living beings.

What is Arc Rating?

Arc rating or Arc Thermal Protective Value (ATPV) refers to the defensive intensity of FR clothing. The number tells the amount of heat a specific material will tolerate in a fire splash and what level of protection it offers.

Arc rating is expressed in calories/centimeter square, and the more the rating, the higher is the level of protection it provides. For instance, a material with a 4 cal/cm2 rating is suitable for the lowest risk scenarios known as HRC1 or Hazard/Risk Category 1. Additionally, the Hazard/Risk Category 4 or HRC4 comes under an ATPV of 40, which involves severe risk situations.

Are all Arc Rated Clothing Flame Resistant?

Yes, all arc-rated workwear is flame resistant, but not all flame-resistant clothing is arc-rated.

Now, what does that imply?

It means that although some FR materials possess flame-resistant properties, they have not been tested for the required standards. And you cannot tell for sure if they offer enough protection or not.

Is Custom FR Workwear Fireproof?

Although a significant part of personal protective equipment, FR workwear is not fireproof. It does catch fire but it has the ability to put it off immediately so the wearer can be protected. Organizations must select FR clothes based on the arc factors and add more layering depending on the severity of the situation. The layering provides multiple protection levels to the employees. Even if the top layer gets burnt, there are more coatings to prevent damage to the worker.

Moreover, FR clothing is not suitable for other situations like explosions, firing, etc. There is a separate PPE for every situation, and it is better if the workers follow the proper protocols.

What is the Life Expectancy of Custom FR Workwear?

The life expectancy of custom FR workwear depends upon many factors.

Work nature

When the employees work for longer hours, the clothes are utilized more, decreasing the performance and life of FR clothing.

Quality of Fabric

It is the organization’s responsibility to find the most durable, reliable, lightweight, and breathable workwear for the employees. Quality is the most critical factor in determining the life expectancy of the FR clothing and, most importantly, in saving its wearer’s life.

Number of uniforms per employee

Some companies provide more than one, precisely five uniforms, to their workers. The thought behind more uniforms per employee is that the performance clothing gets dirty daily. And the wearer will have to wash their clothes every day, which is not an easy job.

Laundering habits and frequency

To increase the life expectancy of custom flame-resistant clothing, you must use a good detergent. Additionally, the more you wash these clothes, the higher are the chances of wearing out the workwear.

Dos and Don’ts of Laundering FR clothing

For a specific PPE, a wearer must follow the manufacturing guideline provided by the vendor. But some general measures must follow for all types of FR clothing because mishandling can destroy FR properties.

You can wash them at home, but it is better to get a professional laundering service for your performance wear.
Do not use chlorine bleach and cheap detergents while washing FR workwear.
Avoid fabric softeners because they contain flammable contents, which affect the FR properties of these clothes.
Do not wash clothes exposed to fire flashes and extreme heat; instead, retire them.
Avoid washing FR clothing with everyday wear.