Flame resistant clothing
Flame protective clothing, also called heat protective clothing, flame retardant work clothing, FR clothing (FR= flame retardant / fire retardant) or also incorrectly called fireproof clothing, provides the important flame protection for appropriate work. Heat protective clothing keeps flames out and protects against the heat generated for a period of time before serious burn injuries can occur. You can extend this period by wearing several layers of flame retardant heat protective clothing. A kit consisting of a flame resistant shirt, flame resistant jacket and flame resistant dungeree, provides 3 layers of flame protection in places. The barrier effect against heat and flames is thus very high before injuries occur.
However, contrary to what the misleading term fireproof clothing suggests, no textile with flame protection is completely fireproof. Above a certain temperature and exposure time, all clothing is damaged and can burn. Manufacturers nevertheless like to use the term fire-resistant clothing, even if it promises the wearer a false sense of security. However, flame-retardant is more appropriate in the context of work clothing.
Life-saving, flame-retardant textiles
The greatest risk when coming into contact with fire and high heat is the fusion of clothing with the skin. Non-flame-retardant clothing melts when exposed to high heat. Due to the direct contact of the material with the skin, the enormous heat is then transported into deep layers of the skin and causes damage there. Parts of the skin can also be detached when the clothing is removed. Such injuries often have to be treated for years. In bad cases, when too much of the skin has been burnt, the fire accident can also be life-threatening.
In occupational environments where work is carried out in high heat and sparks and flames are likely to be generated, flame-resistant heat protective clothing is therefore mandatory. As mentioned, this is not fireproof clothing, but it offers good protection against high heat radiation, fire and spark contact over a certain period of time. With ASATEX heat protective clothing, you have reassuring all-round protection when you wear it as a complete suit. This includes a long-sleeved top and trousers. Sleeves and trouser legs must not be rolled up, as this would cover too large an area of skin without flame-retardant clothing.
Difference FR-treated and inherent FR fabric
For heat protective clothing or flame retardant fabric, a distinction is made between FR-treated and inherent FR fabric. FR stands for flame retardant. Inherent here means that the flame retardant properties are naturally inherent in the fabric even without further treatment. Fabrics such as aramide and modacrylic belong to the latter category. Due to their fibre composition, these fabrics have a permanent low tendency to burn. This property is not reduced by use and care.
Other fabrics such as cotton must be chemically FR-treated. This means that they are treated with so-called THPC chemicals as flame retardants, which make the material permanently flame retardant. These flame-retardant properties remain in the fibre and do not wash out. FR-treated heat protective clothing is a low-cost and very effective option for protective clothing. It provides excellent protection against heat, flames, sparks or hot metal splashes.
Additional important features of our heat protective clothing
In addition to the flame retardant properties according to EN ISO 11612, our heat protective clothing fulfils other important functions. It protects against liquid chemicals and has electrostatic properties, as prescribed by the EN 13034 and EN 1149 standards. This means that the material is antistatic and prevents the build-up of electrical charge and thus also the unwanted discharge that can lead to explosions.
An arc flash is one of the most life-threatening events that can occur in connection with electricity in an industrial environment. ASATEX heat protective clothing also provides good protection against the thermal hazards of these arcs as defined by IEC 61482-1-2. In addition, it naturally meets all general requirements for protective clothing according to EN ISO 13688.
Order heat protective clothing conveniently in the ASATEX online shop
In the ASATEX online shop you will find a good selection of flame retardant heat protective clothing. Protect yourself when working with high heat radiation with our flame-retardant workwear.
You will also find multinorm workwear, high-visibility clothing and disposable clothing in our shop. In the ASATEX online shop there is a wide range of protective equipment for almost every application.
Buy heat protection clothing from ASATEX - heat protection clothing for your work safety!