Flame resistant (FR) fabric is a specialized textile engineered to resist ignition, burn more slowly, and self-extinguish.
A fabric that self-extinguishes does not continue to burn when a flame source is removed and extinguishes on its own within a set amount of time.
Some FR treated fabrics are described as “charring” instead of burning. This is when the chemical used to treat the fabric to impart flame resistance reacts with the gases and tars naturally generated by the burning fabric. That reaction converts the gases and tar to carbon char, thereby reducing the fire’s fuel as well as the amount of heat transferred to the wearer’s skin.
Whereas other natural and synthetic fibers burn quickly or melt in a fire, FR fabrics are designed to withstand high temperatures and resist burning for longer than flammable fabrics, giving the wearer more time to get away from the fire before serious injury occurs.
FR fabrics are used to construct flame resistant garments, which are a critical piece of safety equipment for end users in a variety of applications, including industrial safety, emergency response, and military.
Key Characteristics of Flame Resistant Fabrics
Inherent Flame Resistance: Inherent FR fabrics are made with fibers that are intrinsically flame resistant due to their molecular structure, meaning the flame resistant quality of the fabric can not be washed out or worn away over time.
Treated Flame Resistance: FR treated fabrics are made by applying a chemical treatment to a fabric that is not inherently flame resistant, such as a cotton and polyester blend, to impart the material with flame-resistant properties.
Safety Performances: FR garments provide critical protection against life-threatening hazards and therefore must be regulated to ensure they meet the minimum requirements for their respective applications. Various national and global safety standards govern FR fabrics and garments in different industries. Some of the commonly used standards and certifications are:
- NFPA 2112: Establishes minimum performance requirements for FR garments to protect industrial personnel against flash fires
- NFPA 70E: Focuses on electrical safety in the workplace and provides criteria for FR clothing to protect against flash fires.
- ANSI 107-2020: Outlines color and design requirements and garment care labeling guidelines for high-visibility garments, as well as requirements for optional features and testing, such as flame resistance.
- ASTM F1506: Specifies performance requirements for textiles used in electrical arc flash protective clothing.
- ASTM F1891: Covers rainwear performance requirements, ensuring protection against arc flashes and flash fires.
Durability: FR fabrics are built to withstand the rigors of the environments in which they are used, from rugged outdoor utility work to messy oil and gas refineries, and to maintain their protective properties and structural integrity through repeated laundering and heavy use.
Comfort: Although safety is the top priority with FR garments, comfort is an extremely close second, and the most recent advancements in the industry have seen the development of fabrics that are lightweight, breathable, and stretchy, ensuring wearers don’t have to compromise their comfort for safety or vice versa.
How Does Flame Resistant Fabric Work?
FR fabrics create a protective barrier that significantly slows down the spread of fire and prevents heat, flames, and specific chemicals from reaching the wearer’s skin. The property of flame resistance is achieved through two primary methods: chemical treatment and the use of inherent fibers.
Chemical Treatment: Treated FR fabrics are made by applying a flame-retardant chemical treatment to a fabric that is not inherently flame resistant. The chemical treatment fully penetrates the fibers and is bonded throughout the entire fabric, rendering the fabric flame retardant for the lifetime of the garment.
Inherent Flame Resistant Fibers: Inherent FR fibers are intrinsically flame resistant at the molecular level. Common inherent FR fibers used in the production of FR fabrics are aramids and modacrylics, which can be combined with other fibers to create fabrics with additional benefits. For example, TenCate Protective Fabrics’ Tecasafe® Plus was the first ever inherent flame resistant multi-norm fabric to incorporate lyocell fibers. The combination of modacrylic, lyocell, and aramid fibers creates a soft, breathable, highly protective fabric with superior moisture management properties.
Why Flame Resistant Fabric Is Essential for Industrial Safety Workers
Flame resistant fabrics are critical for industrial safety workers, providing reliable protection against fire and electrical hazards in sectors like oil and gas, electrical utilities, and metalworking. By resisting ignition, burning more slowly, and self-extinguishing, FR garments serve as the last line of defense for workers in a flash fire or other fire event, and play a crucial role in reducing the severity of injuries and saving lives. TenCate Protective Fabrics offers a wide range of FR fabrics designed to meet a variety of needs in these high-risk industries, ensuring maximum protection for workers without compromising on comfort or durability.
Applications of Flame Resistant Fabrics
Flame resistant (FR) fabrics are vital for protecting end users who are routinely exposed to fire and electrical risks, and are much more than just a uniform: they are an essential piece of safety equipment that provide a life-saving function in fire-related incidents. Key applications include:
- Oil & Gas
Depending on where in the production stream they work, oil and gas workers can be exposed to dangerous risks like flash fires, electric arc flash, explosions, or flammable substances. They also typically need FR that meets high-visibility standards for working in environments with vehicle operation or mechanized equipment or low-visibility conditions. Several of our inherent FR fabric products are suitable for oil and gas applications, and products that feature our Truecolor™ Technology would be especially well-suited to meeting hi-vis requirements and maintaining colorfastness for longer even with the repeated washing that dirty oil and gas workwear must undergo. - Electrical Utilities
Utility workers such as linemen live side by side with the risk of electrical arc flashes as well as flash fires in the course of their duties, and the risk is greatest when they must work on energized equipment. They also need garments that allow them to move, crouch, climb, and stretch without hindrance. Fabrics in our Tecasafe® range provide the necessary protection and also offer enhanced comfort and durability with features like our COOLDERM™ TECHNOLOGY and Truecolor™ Technology to ensure workers can wear their garments as comfortably as possible for as long as possible. - Metalworking
Molten metal splashes can cause severe burns if they come into contact with skin. That’s why metalworkers need proper protection that can protect them from molten metal but still allow them to move freely and feel comfortable working in it for long periods of time. Our Oasis™ range of fabrics are specifically engineered for metalworkers to offer the highest level of protection while feeling soft, moving with them, and remaining strong in harsh conditions.
Additional Applications for Flame Resistant Fabrics
Beyond these primary industries, TenCate Protective Fabrics’ FR fabrics are used in various other high-risk environments, such as:
- Petrochemical Plants: Workers exposed to chemicals and flames require durable FR fabrics that can be cleaned frequently.
- Firefighting: Firefighters benefit from our fire service fabrics’ flame resistance, thermal insulation, breathability, and durability, all of which are vital aspects for the gear they need in the extreme conditions they face.
- Automotive and Manufacturing: Workers in these sectors use FR fabrics to protect against welding sparks and other fire hazards, ensuring a safe working environment.
TenCate Protective Fabrics’ Flame Resistant Fabric Offerings
TenCate Protective Fabrics offers a comprehensive range of innovative FR fabrics engineered to meet the specific needs of various industries.
- Tecasafe® One – Inherent FR at an entry-level price point offering extreme breathability, and sub-6oz fabric weights to be an excellent 88/12 alternative.
- Tecasafe® Plus – Market-approved multi-risk protection against flash fire, arc flash, and low-visibility hazards with advanced moisture management properties through our COOLDERM™ TECHNOLOGY, available in knit, woven, or fleece applications.
- Tecasafe® Plus Truecolor™ – Eco-friendly fabric with outstanding durability and colorfastness, COOLDERM™ TECHNOLOGY, and base to outer layer solutions.
- Omniweave™ – Time-tested 100% DuPont® Nomex® fabric offering flash fire, arc flash, and electrostatic charge protection in light weights with rugged durability.
- Oasis™ – Heavy duty molten metal splash protection with a soft touch, exceptional durability, and mobility with super-wash wool to stand up to heavy laundering.
- Tuffweld™ – Lowest cost per wear protection engineered specifically for welders with flexible multi-fiber construction for more comfort and less stiffness while standing up to pinholes and slag.
- EVOLV™ – Developed for and available through Bulwark®, flash fire and arc flash protection with COOLDERM™ TECHNOLOGY offering outstanding durability and comfort.
Why Choose TenCate Protective Fabrics?
TenCate Protective Fabrics is dedicated to continually improving worker safety with innovative FR fabric solutions. Our products are designed to provide the latest in protective technology, unparalleled comfort, and enhanced durability to keep industrial safety workers protected on the job.
When you choose to partner with TenCate Protective Fabrics, you not only get exceptionally high-quality products, but you benefit from our consultative approach to providing solutions with top-of-the-class customer service and genuine care for end users’ safety and wellbeing. Getting everyone home safe at the end of each day is our mission.
For more detailed information on the flame resistant fabrics best suited for your industry, try our fabric selector tool or explore our full range of products here.
