Workers in the oil and gas industry, including contractors and service technicians, need to wear FR clothing. Today, we will take a brief look at how fabric plays a role in its significance and what factors matter most in the choice of clothing.
A special kind of personal protective equipment (PPE), FR clothing is designed to protect you and your workers from fire-related hazards. It does not entirely protect against burns, but it still does reduce your risk of such exposure. The garment itself will burn if exposed to an open flame. However, it is specifically designed to extinguish itself quickly, so it won’t continue to burn once ignited.
Two distinct types of FR clothing exist flame resistant and flame-retardant.
Flame-resistant clothing is manufactured from fabric that is also resistant to flames and embers. Therefore, the threads and fibres will self-extinguish.
Flame-Retardant clothing, however, is manufactured using materials that have been chemically treated to obtain the same self-extinguishing properties.
Thus, the major differences between the two are the types of apparel materials they are made from.
They are both self-extinguishing. Both increase safety and decrease the severity and likelihood of burns.
Either option, supplies enough protection from fire-related hazards. In reality, it's rather complicated to tell them apart.
Check your tag, or get in touch with the maker of the garment in question to determine the style you currently wearing.
When it comes to resistance to fire, certain fabrics show high resiliency even under considerable exposure to thermal energy. This makes them a great selection for flame-resistant materials. Let us take a look at a selection of fabrics used.
It is a type of synthetic fibre that possesses properties like resistance to heat, abrasion, strength, organic solvents and chemical oils. These make it a suitable material for use in FR clothing.
Nylon has a high melting point and resistance to high temperatures. Because of its great abrasion resistance, nylon fabric is very durable and also resistant to heavy wear and tear. The compact molecular structure of the material results in very high tensile strength. Nylon also does not easily shrink, which makes it an excellent material for flame-resistant clothing.
A meta-aramid fabric, Nomex is commonly used as a flame-resistant material. Similar to nylon polymers, Nomex has high thermal and radiation resistance, but the material is not as durable as aramids or nylon.
This is a type of copolymer which is highly resistant to thermal induction. Not only is it thermally resistant, but it has excellent durability. Due to its ability to withstand a substantial amount of stress, it lasts long. Besides, it is quite comfortable to wear, does not shrink easily and is quite resistant to chemicals and organic solvents.
Polybenzimidazole, or PBI fibre, is another popular option for making FR clothing. The melting point of PBI fibres is quite high; thus, they do not melt easily. Besides, it is also very comfortable to wear and strong.
Let’s take a look at the factors that you should consider while choosing the right FR clothing for your workspace.
Normally, flame retardant materials are chemically treated to be resistant when exposed to fire so they retain their properties for a limited amount of time. Flame-resistant clothing, however, is made from natural materials, so your garments will last longer than those made from treated fabric. The rules for laundering both, however, vary. Check the tag and follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper care and maintenance.
Besides fabric, cost also plays a role. Usually, flame-retardant clothing is more affordable than flame-resistant clothing. But the requirements of your job are significant as well as the longevity so properly weigh your options before placing orders.
FR clothing is infamous for being bulky and hot and uncomfortable. It was true once when options were limited but now, with advanced technology, you get clothing that protects as well as feels easy. And comfort is important because otherwise people will just feel restricted and wear something else. Thus, FR clothing made from soft, lightweight fabrics (see the list of fabrics above) is truly a game changer.
At Chandra Mukhi Impex Limited, you get a variety of FR clothing, high-visibility workwear and casual wear. Ethically sourced, competitively priced, and reliably delivered, we simply offer the best in the field. For more information, visit our website.
Also Read: Fire Retardant Clothing: Features To Consider
Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | Google My Business