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Fire-resistant (FR) clothing protects the worker wearing it by reacting to fire and heat differently than normal clothing does. The flame-resistant properties of FR clothing allow it to resist igniting (or extinguish quickly if it does), melting, and tearing or breaking, and they are also thermally insulated. Where possible, always look at the product manufacturer’s guidelines for maintaining your FR clothing and follow the compliance rules for your industry. Some care rules will apply to most g …

You can never be too careful when it comes to fire safety. Protecting your workers in the field starts with understanding the differences between flame resistant (FR) and arc flash, or arc rated (AR), safety workwear, and clothing. These terms were often used interchangeably when describing personal protective equipment (PPE), but in 2012, the NFPA 70E created clear distinctions between the two. Flame resistant clothing doesn’t offer the same level of protection as arc rated equipment. L …

Arc flash is the exposure to the tremendous thermal energy released by an arc fault. All employees who work around energized electrical equipment (electricians, maintenance workers, operators, etc.) may be affected by an arc flash occurrence. Arc flashes are a primary hazard in the following industries: oil and gas, utility, solar, and wind power generation, paper and pulp manufacturers, hospitals, universities and colleges, food processing and packaging plants, breweries, bakeries, and …