Sponsored by:

Flame Resistant Clothing
Tip written by: Infraspection Institute

Flame 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.

Not all garments classified as FRC are created equal. When choosing FRC you should be aware that:

• 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 is manufactured with different materials and different weights. Be certain that the chosen material is appropriate for the task at hand.
• FRC effectiveness can be compromised by age, wear, contamination with flammable materials and the attachment of name patches or embroidery. FRC can be permanently damaged by improper cleaning or laundering.
• FRC provides protection from thermal burns. It does not provide protection against other hazardous forces such as flying debris, electric shock, or the supersonic blast wave that may be associated with arc flash incidents.FRC is only effective when it is worn properly. It should always be worn as the outer-most garment. If worn over other layers 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 it properly. As always, remember to work safely!Safety is one 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 us online at www.infraspection.com or call us at 609-239-4788.Visit Infraspection Institute Web Site