Fire Retardant Clothing
Fire retardant clothing is specially designed to prevent it starting or continuing to burn when exposed to a high level heat source or open flame. The clothing can be chemically treated and thus limited to a maximum of 50 washes or be made of “inherent” fire retardant material.
It is important to recognise that whilst fire retardant material is recommended for welders and other trades that generate a lot of sparks, it DOES NOT stop the hot slag or spark burning through the material, rather it just prevents the continuation of the burning material.
Electrical tradespersons are required to wear fire retardant material whenever they are undertaking a range of work tasks. They include: –
- All work tasks requiring live testing or switching of circuits of 50 to 500VAC and less than 100 Amps shall wear HRC2 rated work clothes, either shirt & trousers or overalls
- All work tasks requiring live testing or switching of circuits greater than 500VAC or lower voltages but more than 100 Amps shall wear HRC2 rated work clothes, either shirt & trousers or overalls AND complete HRC4 rated arc flash protection kit
A range of oil and gas sites and other industries also require site personnel to wear fire retardant clothing at certain HRC rating.
What is HRC Rating?
HRC rating is the level of fire retardant properties that the item of clothing has. For normal workwear clothing it is generally either HRC1 – least protection or HRC2 – greater protection. Other specialised clothing like electrical flash jackets made from different materials and thickness will have higher HRC rating.
Whilst HRC2 rated clothing seems to be the best, there is generally an extra cost to HRC2 versus HRC1 rated clothing. Hence, it is important to buy the correct level HRC clothing in the first instance.
SUPA Safety Shop
SUPA Safety Shop stocks some fire retardant clothing in trousers and shirts and can order in with short lead time fire retardant coveralls (overalls). Let us help you with your fire retardant clothing needs.