It’s hotting up outside, and workers around the world are stripping down as they try to keep cool. However, for those working in environments where flame and fire are par for the course, there’s little choice but to grin and bear the summer heat. In truth, when it comes to dealing with fire hazards and dangerous equipment, flame resistant clothing isn’t so much an essay in style, practicality and breezy summer days on site, but a necessity that protects your body from the dangers of heat sources.
Depending on exactly where that heat comes from will dictate the kinds of specialist clothing you need. From electricity utility workers through oil and gas workers to your common or garden arc welder, flame resistant clothing is the last line between flame and flesh, so choosing the right level of protection is highly important.
However, not all flame-resistant clothing was created equal, and today, there’s a whole host of regulatory labels and other standards that it must meet. Sometimes, the sheer number of different PPE regs can be confusing, and relatively recently a new standard has been introduced. Now both AR and FR class clothing are available to workers, blurring the lines when it comes to picking up the right product.
So, what’s the between AR and FR clothing, and which should you choose? Here, we break the FR vs Arc-rated clothing debate and let you know exactly what you need.
What is FR Rated Clothing?
FR, or flame-resistant clothing, resists ignition around flame. This can be from an arc flash, flash fire, or molten metal, as well as furnaces and other heat sources. Naturally, this resistance to ignition is highly important to the wearer as, if not present, any fire is likely to burn for much longer if garments catch fire. In short, the hazard is effectively increased and both skin and lung damage are likely if clothing catches fire.
Garments are tested to the ASTM D-6413 standard, which is also known as the Vertical Flame Test. A key factors of FR clothing is its ability to reduce total body surface area (TBSA) burns, a factor that is directly linked to survival in the worst accidents.
What is ARC-Rated Clothing
Arc-rated, or AR clothing, is an extension of the flame-resistant standard designed to offer increased protection from 2nd and 3rd degree burns. FR clothing is submitted for arc rating and goes through a series of tests, and 21 samples of the garment are subject to arc flash testing while sensors measure the heat transfer.
Arc rating measures the insulation levels of FR fabric, and these are reported as either Arc Thermal Performance Value (ATPV) or Energy Breakopen Threshhold (EBT), with a higher score meaning more protection.
What is the Difference Between AR and FR Clothing?
The bottom line is that these regulatory standards have been issued to help provide increased safety in the workplace for anyone working in hot environments or with flames. In short, ALL AR-rated clothing is also FR rated, however, not all FR-rated clothing is AR-rated. Therefore, it is extremely important that you match the right kind of rating to the risk level in your place of work.
For more information on FR arc-rated clothing and the associated standards, the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) has the most up to date resources. Alternatively, check out our range of flame-resistant clothing here.
About the Author
Nick Warrick
Nick Warrick is the Sales Manager at All Seasons Uniforms. With over 15 years of experience in the work uniform business, he has worked with hundreds of clients across 20 different industries. Holding bachelor’s degrees in both Business Administration and Information Technology, Nick revamped the company’s online presence, offering its customers a new uniform shopping experience.