POWER February 2021 - 37

SAFETY
flash and help to protect the wearer
from the worst effects of the incident.
The values used to determine arc ratings
are expressed as calories per square
centimeter. The higher the arc rating,
the more protection the piece of clothing
will provide. An arc rating of 4 is suitable
for a task assessed as a Hazard/
Risk Category 1 (HRC1), the lowest risk,
while an arc rating of 40 or more will protect
the wearer when carrying out tasks
assessed as Hazard/Risk Category 4
(HRC4), the most severe risk.
Manufacturers are required to indicate
the arc rating of their garments and most
will list this crucial number on their labels.
Wearing multiple layers of arc-rated
clothing will increase protection against
heat and flames. Three or more layers
are often required to tackle the most
hazardous tasks.
While all arc/APTV-rated clothing is
flame resistant, it's important to remember
that not all flame-resistant clothing
is arc rated. Some FR clothing is simply
made with flame-resistant fibers
and hasn't been lab tested to ensure it
meets set standards. Investing in products
that have been thoroughly tested is
the best way to ensure adequate protection
against potential hazards.
Types of Flame-Resistant Clothing
This type of personal protective equipment
(PPE) is used by people in a wide
variety of professions. As a result, there
is an excellent choice of flame-resistant
garments on the market.
A lot of professionals choose to wear
flame-resistant outerwear over their
normal clothes (Figure 2). Garments like
overalls, high-visibility jackets, bomber
jackets, and coveralls provide the wearer
with extensive protection from potential
hazards. Specialist items, such as balaclavas,
face mufflers, and lab coats, are
also available for professionals working
in niche areas.
While some FR clothing is designed
for settings where the wearer is constantly
exposed to high levels of heat,
other garments are meant for more intermittent
danger. These are known as
primary and secondary protection, and
it's important to know which you need
before you invest in your FR outfit.
Style and Substance
For a long time, flame resistant meant
bulky and ugly. Luckily, over the past
few years, FR clothing has become a lot
more stylish. You can now find FR jeans,
shirts, polo tops, T-shirts, and hoodies
February 2021 | POWER
2. Just as hard hats, gloves, impact-resistant
glasses, and ear protection are common
safety gear for power plant operators, flameresistant
clothing is also important. Wearing
multiple layers of arc-rated clothing can offer
the greatest protection. Courtesy: All Seasons
Uniforms
that are designed to look good and be
protective at the same time.
Most of these lighter garments offer
lower levels of protection. However, layering
them underneath a jacket or coverall
with a high arc rating is a great way of
adding crucial fire resistance to an outfit.
This type of layering can help protect the
wearer if the outer garments are burned
or damaged, preventing burns and reducing
the severity of injuries.
Flame-resistant clothing should always
have a slightly baggy fit. Skin-tight clothes
can transfer heat more easily to the skin,
and this can result in more severe burns
and injuries. Loose-fitting clothes create a
layer of air between the garment and the
skin, something that can help to insulate
the wearer from heat and increase the
outfit's protective qualities.
The Limitations of Flame-Resistant
Clothing
Flame-resistant clothes, while incredibly
important pieces of PPE, are not fireproof.
In extreme settings, the clothing
will catch fire, and although it won't melt
onto the wearer's body and will burn for
a minimal amount of time, it can still
cause serious injuries.
The best way to ensure that FR clothing
is as safe as possible is to select garments
rated to the correct standard. The
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minimum arc rating for HRC1 is 4, HRC2
is 8, HRC3 is 25, and HRC4 is 40. Layering
FR clothing is an effective way of
protecting the wearer from potential hazards.
If the top layer is burned or damaged,
the subsequent layers will help to
stop the heat and flames from burning
the skin and causing serious injuries.
As flame-resistant clothes are not fireproof,
it is essential for professionals to
avoid wearing synthetic garments under
their FR clothing. Underwear, T-shirts,
and other items made from flammable
synthetic materials can cause a real hazard
and can melt onto the skin, causing
serious injury. Melting is possible even if
the outer layer of clothing doesn't catch
fire. This is why it's so important for professionals
to wear appropriate clothing
from head to toe.
Flame-resistant clothing also won't
protect against explosive forces, projectiles,
and other hazards professionals
may encounter while at work. If entering
a situation where other hazards are
expected, professionals need to ensure
they're wearing the correct PPE for the
situation. Some of this PPE may also be
flame resistant, increasing the protective
qualities of the outfit.
Quality Flame-Resistant Clothing
PPE should always be sourced from trusted,
experienced suppliers. Professionals
need to know that the overalls, balaclavas,
jackets, and mufflers they're wearing
will protect them in case of a thermal incident.
The best way to ensure PPE is up
to standard is to invest in quality clothes
from recognized manufacturers.
Trusted manufacturers will list the arc
rating of each garment clearly on the label
and provide important information on
the materials used to make each item of
clothing. Understanding the protective
properties of each piece will help professionals
properly protect themselves
while they're on the job.
Flame-resistant clothing can dramatically
reduce and even prevent injuries
in case of a flash fire, electrical arc, or
explosion. This makes FR clothing an
essential piece of PPE for people working
in a variety of industries. Investing in
good-quality FR clothing, and carefully
checking ratings and requirements, can
help to keep professionals safe while
they're tackling even the most dangerous
of tasks. ■
-Nick Warrick is the sales manager
at All Seasons Uniforms, a professional
workwear company based outside of Chicago
that has been in business since 1991.
37
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POWER February 2021

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