It’s likely you know a thing or two about FR. You know that FR clothing protects your guys against severe burn injuries and even death as a result of thermal incidents on the job. You know it’s also required by regulatory bodies in many different industries, under many working conditions. But all FR is not created equal. Do you know all the factors to consider when making your FR purchase?

To help you make this important decision, WORKIT, considered FR experts within the Australasian Workwear market, have put together a list of their top 10 things to consider when buying FR.

Read on to ensure the FR clothing you choose will keep your guys safe and compliant, no matter what the job throws at them.

TOP 10 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING FR CLOTHING:

1. PROTECTION
Your number one priority should always be ensuring that your FR clothing offers the correct level of protection against your hazard, whether it’s electric arc, flash fire or combustible dust.

2. GUARANTEE
Your FR clothing’s stated protection level should be guaranteed for the life of the garment. No exceptions.

3. COMPLIANCE
Your FR clothing must meet, or better yet exceed, the safety and performance standards required by your industry, such as OSHA 1910.269 for Electric Utility and NFPA® 2112 for Oil & Gas, and NFPA70E® Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace.

4. COMFORT
Your selected FR clothing should be comfortable to wear (cool, lightweight, moisture-wicking, breathable, fit properly) so it doesn’t interfere with job performance or cause additional safety concerns.

5. MOISTURE MANAGEMENT
To avoid discomfort, FR clothing should be made from fabrics that provide moisture control, with sweat-wicking and fast-drying properties.

6. FIT RETENTION
Your FR clothing should retain its size, shape and fit with minimal shrinking when laundered.

7. FABRIC DURABILITY
Your FR clothing should be made with durable fabric that is strong enough to resist tears, rips and holes.

8. GARMENT STRENGTH
The construction of your FR clothing should be sound, including strong seams and reinforced fabric in high-stress areas.

9. COLOR RETENTION
Your FR garments should not lose their color after laundering and should be dyed to an acceptable standard to meet chromaticity standards for Hi-Vis Workwear. 

10. DISTRIBUTOR SUPPORT
FR safety regulations and compliancy is complicated. The company you buy from should offer the tools you need to better understand FR, navigate changing industry standards, build your business, and—above all else—create a culture of compliance.

WORKIT manages 12 different FR fabric styles in its portfolio, with access to more OEM fabrics from leading global mills.

Speak to our FR team for more technical and trial information.

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