Care & Maintenance of Fire Resistant Clothing
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Care & Maintenance of Fire Resistant Clothing
Tip written by: Infraspection Institute
Many thermographers are aware of the OSHA and NFPA standards requiring the use of Fire Resistant Clothing. Aside from proper use, care and maintenance are of utmost importance for maintaining the effectiveness of FRC.
Fire Resistant Clothing is required Personal Protective Equipment for many who work in high temperature areas or near energized electrical equipment. If your job requires the use of FRC, there are several important things of which you should be aware.
- FRC is not fireproof. It is designed to protect the wearer from burns by resisting ignition during brief periods of high temperature exposure such as electrical arc flashes.
- FRC effectiveness can be compromised by age, wear, contamination with flammable materials and the attachment of name patches or embroidery.
- FRC can be rendered ineffective by improper cleaning or laundering. FRC should be laundered separately from other garments and in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations and the requirements of ASTM Standard F1449.
FRC should always be worn as the outer-most garment. If worn over other layers of clothing, the undergarments should be made of natural fiber and completely covered by the FRC. Before wearing FRC, be certain to understand its proper application and limitations and how to use and maintain it properly.
Thermographer safety and the use of PPE are two of the many topics covered in the Infraspection Institute Level I Certified Infrared Thermographer® training course. For more information or to register for a course, visit Infraspection Institute online or call us at 609-239-4788.
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