Flame Resistant Clothing FAQ

NFPA 2112 certifies flame-resistant garments for flash fire protection; NFPA 70E is a workplace electrical safety standard that tells employers when arc-rated clothing is required.

NFPA 2112 applies to industrial workers exposed to short-duration flash fires, such as oil, gas, refining and chemical processing. Certified garments must pass third-party testing, including a burn-manikin test (ASTM F1930) with 50% or less predicted body burn. NFPA 70E covers electrical work and arc flash. It points to ASTM F1506 for arc-rated clothing and uses arc ratings in cal/cm². Many garments carry both ratings, so check the label for the hazard you actually face.

The arc rating (ATPV or EBT, in cal/cm²) is how much arc-flash heat energy a fabric can block. The PPE Category (1 to 4) is the NFPA 70E protection level that rating satisfies.

The NFPA 70E minimum arc ratings are: PPE Category 1 = 4 cal/cm², Category 2 = 8 cal/cm², Category 3 = 25 cal/cm² and Category 4 = 40 cal/cm². The older term “HRC” (Hazard Risk Category) was replaced by PPE Category in the 2015 edition of NFPA 70E, but many buyers still search for it. Choose a garment whose arc rating is equal to or greater than the incident energy in your site’s arc flash assessment.

Yes, when a hazard assessment identifies flash fire or arc flash exposure. OSHA requires employers to assess hazards and provide suitable PPE, and it spells out FR and arc-rated clothing for electric power work.

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132 requires employers to assess workplace hazards and provide PPE that fits them. OSHA 1910.269 (electric power generation, transmission and distribution) requires clothing that will not ignite or melt, and arc-rated clothing where estimated incident energy calls for it. In oil and gas, OSHA enforces FR clothing for flash fire hazards and uses NFPA 2112 and 2113 as the reference standards.

Neither is automatically “safer.” Both can meet the same NFPA 2112 and NFPA 70E ratings. The difference is how the flame resistance is built in, which affects weight, comfort, durability and price.

Inherent FR fibers (such as aramid and modacrylic blends) are flame resistant by chemistry, so the protection can’t wash out. They are often lighter and hold their color and shape longer, but cost more. Treated FR fabrics are cotton or cotton blends with a flame-resistant treatment bonded into the fiber. They are soft, breathable and more affordable, and quality treated fabrics are guaranteed flame resistant for the life of the garment when laundered correctly.

No. Untreated cotton is not flame resistant. It won’t melt like polyester or nylon, but it can ignite and keep burning, and it doesn’t meet NFPA 2112 or NFPA 70E.

Only garments made from certified FR or arc-rated fabric and labeled to the standard count as FR clothing. Heavy untreated cotton is sometimes mistaken for protection, but once it ignites it can burn longer than the flash itself. Synthetic fabrics such as polyester, nylon and spandex are worse, because they melt and stick to skin. Look for a label that lists the standard (NFPA 2112, ASTM F1506) and the arc rating.

NFPA 2112-certified shirts start at about 4.5 oz/yd², usually in inherent or inherent-blend fabrics. Treated cotton-blend shirts typically start around 5.5 to 6 oz/yd².

Lighter fabric means less heat stress, but it can also mean a lower arc rating, so check both numbers before you buy. NFPA 2112 is a pass/fail flash fire certification, while arc rating (cal/cm²) usually goes up with fabric weight. For workers who need NFPA 2112 plus PPE Category 1 or 2, a lightweight shirt in the 4.5 to 6 oz/yd² range is the usual balance of protection and comfort.

Quality FR garments keep their flame resistance for the life of the garment when washed as the label directs. Wear, damage and contamination retire FR clothing, not a set number of washes.

Inherent FR fabric can’t lose its flame resistance in the wash. Treated FR fabric from reputable mills is tested through many industrial launderings and is guaranteed for the garment’s wear life when cared for properly. The main risks are laundry mistakes: chlorine bleach, fabric softener, starch and hard-water mineral buildup can damage the treatment or coat the fabric with flammable residue.

No. Skip chlorine bleach, fabric softener, dryer sheets and starch. Wash FR clothing inside out, separately from regular clothes, with a standard detergent in soft water, and tumble dry on low.

Chlorine bleach can weaken FR treatments and fibers. Softeners, dryer sheets and starch leave flammable coatings that can mask the fabric’s protection. Hard water leaves mineral deposits that can do the same on treated cotton, so use soft water or a water-conditioning detergent. Remove garments from the dryer promptly to avoid over-drying and shrinkage. If clothing is soaked with oil, fuel or other flammables, have it industrially laundered or replace it.

Replace FR clothing when it has holes, tears, worn-thin areas, or flammable contamination that won’t wash out, or when it no longer fits well enough to cover you fully.

Inspect FR garments before each shift. Retire them for rips, open seams, broken closures, fabric worn thin at the elbows, knees or cuffs, and grease or fuel stains that remain after washing. Repairs must use FR thread and FR patch material. Non-FR thread, iron-on patches and standard embroidery or heat-transfer logos can compromise the garment.

Choose the lightest garment that still meets your site’s required rating, usually a 4.5 to 6 oz/yd² inherent or moisture-wicking FR blend, in a loose fit with FR-rated vents.

In Houston, Beaumont, Corpus Christi and the Permian Basin, heat stress is a real safety risk. Look for moisture-wicking FR knits or lightweight wovens, FR mesh venting at the back and underarms, and lighter colors. Never cut sleeves, roll them up in hazard zones, or swap in non-FR layers to cool down. Pair lightweight FR with your site’s heat illness plan: water, rest and shade.

Wear FR base layers or natural fibers such as cotton, wool or silk. Never wear polyester, nylon, spandex or other meltable fabrics next to your skin under FR clothing.

NFPA 70E does not allow meltable undergarments beneath arc-rated clothing, apart from a small amount of elastic. Synthetic fabrics can melt and stick to the skin even under an FR outer layer. In heat, a lightweight FR T-shirt adds protection and wicks sweat. In cold, layer FR base layers and FR outerwear, keeping the most protective layer on the outside.

Yes, when an arc flash hazard exists. Solar installers and O&M technicians working on energized PV systems, inverters and combiner boxes need arc-rated clothing that matches their employer’s arc flash assessment.

Arizona’s ADOSH program follows federal OSHA standards, which require a hazard assessment and suitable PPE. Solar work is covered by NFPA 70E, and DC systems can produce dangerous arc flashes. In Phoenix and Tucson summers, choose lightweight arc-rated shirts (PPE Category 1 or 2), long pants, and FR base layers to manage both arc flash and heat.

Visit the Benchmark FR factory store in Santa Ana, California: [STORE ADDRESS] · [HOURS] · [PHONE]. Our FR coveralls are made in the USA [CONFIRM WHICH LINES] and available to try on in person.

Orange County and Los Angeles area crews can try on sizes, compare NFPA 2112 and NFPA 70E ratings, and order in bulk at the factory store. [ADD: embroidery or custom logo options, company account setup, lead times.] You can also shop FR coveralls online at [COLLECTION LINK].

[CONFIRM BEFORE PUBLISHING: Benchmark FR’s registration status with Landbell USA and which products are covered.] SB 707 exempts personal protective equipment, so many FR garments may fall outside the law, while non-PPE apparel may be covered.

California’s Responsible Textile Recovery Act (SB 707) requires producers of covered apparel and textiles sold in California to join the state’s approved Producer Responsibility Organization, Landbell USA. The registration deadline was July 1, 2026. CalRecycle regulations are expected no earlier than July 2028, with the full collection program by July 2030. [ADD: Benchmark FR’s specific compliance statement.]

California’s statewide SB 707 textile collection system isn’t expected to be running until around 2030. For now, don’t donate FR garments. Use a manufacturer take-back program or an industrial textile recycler, and remove company logos first.

Worn FR clothing shouldn’t be donated or resold for work use, because damage you can’t see may reduce its protection. Garments contaminated with oil, chemicals or other hazardous materials may need special disposal under your site’s rules. [ADD IF OFFERED: Benchmark FR’s uniform take-back or recycling program and how to request it.]