February 2026
 |
Inside the February Issue |
Fire Safety
Flame Resistant Clothing and its Purpose
FR (Flame Resistant) clothing protects
workers in industries like oil/gas, electrical,
and welding from flash fires and
electric arcs by resisting ignition, self-extinguishing,
and insulating against
heat, preventing catastrophic burns;
proper wear involves keeping it buttoned/
zipped, clean, and in good repair,
as mandated by OSHA for hazard protection,
with specific care (no bleach/
softeners) critical for performance.
“Standard for Electrical Safety in the
Workplace”, known as NFPA 70E, covers
electrical safety requirements for workers,
focusing on safeguards to remain productive
within their respective job functions. The
purpose of the standard is to provide “practical
safeguarding of employees during activities
such as the installation, operation,
maintenance, and demolition of electric conductors,
electric equipment, signaling and
communications conductors.”
In short, NFPA 70E exists to protect
electrical workers across all industries who work on or near electricity or energized parts/equipment capable
of generating an arc flash.
Complying with NFPA 70E
NFPA 70E is considered the most widely practiced, comprehensive
standard for electrical safety in the workplace. Electrical
worker FR clothing must comply with these standards, which establishes
CAT categories that define the level of arc rating needed
by clothing to perform specific hazardous tasks. The standard identifies
the distinct types of fire protective clothing needed for specific
types of work.
Some of the key garment tests to comply with 70E include:
• Threads must be from flame resistant fibers and not melt at
500°F;
• When exposed to flame for 12 seconds, garments:
- Must self-extinguish in 2 seconds or less after flame is removed;
- Must not have char damage of more than 6 inches;
- Must not melt or drip;
- Must remain compliant to all these standards after 25 wash and
dry cycles.
NFPA 2112 Requirements
NFPA 2112 is the clothing standard for protection against flash
fire hazards. This requirement is most commonly applicable to
non-electrical work found in oil and gas industries, but it does encompass
all potential jobs where flash fire is considered a hazard.
The purpose of NFPA 2112 is similar to 70E in that it exists to
protect workers from burns caused by hazardous working conditions
or materials in the workplace.
Full story »
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