FAQ

Safety Considerations

Discontinue use if fabric is compromised or damaged.

Limitations of use

The use of garments providing protection against flash fires should be incorporated into a proper safety program that also utilizes appropriate administration and engineering controls as well as proper safe work procedures.

Risk assessment of an enterprise is an ongoing process. It requires regular mapping processes and evaluations of hazards and challenges in work situations. Assessments must be performed regularly to keep the risk level as low as possible at all times. The employer holds responsibility for ensuring that such assessments are carried out, where the objective is to prevent injuries and illness in connection with work situations.

ALL COMPANIES ARE REQUIRED TO MAP AND EVALUATE HAZARDS AND PROBLEMS AT THE WORKPLACE — AND TO ASSESS THE RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE WORK THAT IS BEING DONE.

This Flame Retardant Garment has a permanent flame retardant treatment. Follow the care requirements for laundering.

Garments must be clean and properly maintained and repaired. Garments are not warranted against neglect, abuse, normal wear tear or exposure to substances, or hazards for which the garments were not intended.

Clothing may be marked with an individual’s name, department, using an indelible laundry marker. Separate laundry labels should be attached for this purpose.

DO NOT REMOVE AND DO NOT MARK on the safety or cleaning labels on any protective garments.

The selection of the protective clothing sizes relates directly to the garment’s ability to function properly. Garments should not be Too Loose OR TOO TIGHT so that mobility and dexterity are impeded.

Clean and thoroughly dry all flame-resistant garments prior to storage. Do not store garments in direct sunlight or fluorescent light because exposure to ultraviolet rays can and will cause color change or fading.

Garments need to be checked prior to each use. Garments must not be worn if torn or with broken zippers, snaps, buttons or other closures.

Put on the garment and utilize proper closure. Fasten zip/Velcro or snap on the front so that the garment provides protection all the way to the neck. Sleeves and cuffs must be worn down and secured.

All flame-resistant garments used in the protection of personnel against hazards, must follow NFPA 2113 guidelines for care, use, and maintenance.

Woven: Machine wash warm water 75C/165F. Do not bleach or use fabric softener. Tumble dry at low temperature. Do not iron.

Knits: Home wash warm water 60C/140F. Use only synthetic detergents. Do not use soap or fabric softeners. Tumble dry warm. Hot Iron. Dry clean.

Garments should be inspected regularly and repaired in compliance with the guidelines as set forth in the inspection Frequency and Details (found above).

Garments should be retired when a garment has serious defects, such as open seams, broken closures, tears, or other visible damages.

We whole heartedly believe in investing in quality components. Quality components combined with our Canadian performance driven design results in a quality finished product. Attention to details in our FR apparel such as using FR threads for seams, 3M reflective tape, long staple cotton threads which results in improved wear, reduced shrinkage, reduced material pilling, increased comfort and longevity when washing. Our FR fabric does not fade or wash off.

3M

Selecting and using flame-resistant (FR) clothing is a requirement for many jobs. Understanding the benefits of layering FR clothing can increase the overall arc rating.

One may find that heavy outwear can restrict movement and be too hot to wear in warm work environments. Layering may provide lighter weight, more mobility of motion, and breathability. Breathability of the garment allows improved odor control and moisture evaporation control.

Approximately 67% of all tasks at typical industrial companies are ranked at HRC 2 or below. Meaning workers can wear a primary lighter layer of FR apparel to be protected for theses tasks. Often, workers requiring PPE with a high arc rating do not need it all day. Sometimes it is only necessary for one task. A FR coverall can be worn on top of the FR lighter apparel to boost protection to a higher exposure HRC 3 ranked tasks, then remove once returning to their HRC 2 duties.

When tested together, layered FR garments often have a higher arc rating than the sum of the individual pieces. Layering FR garments creates a layer of air between each item, which tends to boost the overall protection.

Your guide to laying flame-resistant clothing

If the job requires an arc rating of more than 4 cal/cm2 (hazard risk category 1), you should consider using layers to achieve the required protection.

Here’s what you need to know to layer your FR clothing for maximum safety.

  1. Make Sure the Base Layer Is Non-Melting
    If your base layer (the one closest to your skin) is arc rated and made of non-melting fabric (and it should be), then it will contribute to the total arc rating of your layered FR clothing.

    This layer can also help you keep cool, so opt for a close-fitting garment that wicks away moisture and controls odor.

  2. There is a wide variety of FR material available now, so workers have some choice when it comes to the fabric their garments are made of. Review the following factors when selecting your flame resistant PPE:
    • Level of protection
    • Whether the flame resistance is inherent or chemically applied.
      • Inherently FR fabrics are made by knitting or weaving fibers made from materials that are flame resistant in their own right. These inherent fibers are synthetic materials engineered to have their own flame resistant properties—many will not ignite at all when exposed to flame in an environment with normal levels of oxygen present. Inherent fabrics typically offer higher Thermal Protective Performance scores than treated fabrics, meaning they can protect wearers from higher temperatures. They also tend to be lighter in weight.
      • Chemically applied uses non-FR fabric and then it is chemically treated to provide FR properties.
      • All FrontLine FR clothing that is FR rated is manufacturered with inherent FR fabrics.
    • Cost
    • Durability
    • Comfort and mobility
    • Care requirements
    • Availability
  3. Always Choose a Flame-Resistant Outer Layer

    No matter how many FR layers you have underneath, the outermost layer must always be flame resistant. The outer layer is the first one to be exposed to arc flashes, and flammable fabric will ignite easily and continue to burn, negating the FR effects of the layers underneath.

  4. Don’t Forget About Visibility Requirements

    Some workers require their protective gear to be both flame resistant and hi-vis. FrontLine FR uses 3M tape.

  • 3M reflective tape
    • 3M is a trusted brand that produces quality reflective tape and worn to maximize visibility on the job.
    • We double stich our tape to increase durability and longevity of the garment
  • Quality stitching on all garments
  • Resin snaps
    • Resin coated snaps improves heat resistant properties
  • Aramid tape used with brass zippers
    • Aramid tape is inherently fire resistant, strong and durable.
    • Brass zipper are strong and up to the task.
  • Virgin long staple cotton
    • So why are long and extra-long staple cottons so desirable? Because the longer the cotton fiber, the stronger, softer, and more durable the resulting fabric. Fabrics made of long-staple cottons fray less, pill less, wrinkle less, and even fade less than fabrics made with their short-staple counterparts.