FR Fabrics

2013/03/26

FR Fabrics
The below chart outlines some of the basic qualitites of FR Fabrics used in making arc flash and fire resistant clothing. We hope that this chart will provide valuable information about popular Fire Resistant materials such as Nomex IIIA, Indura Ultra Soft, and Protera and will help you determine the appropriate arc flash clothing type that would work best for your particular application. Please check out our FR Clothing Requirements page for hints in selecting the proper level of Arc Flash PPE for a specific task. That page provides guidelines on selecting FR Clothing types for specific jobs and the different ways that fire resistant clothing is rated. Once you know what type of arc flash clothing or arc flash kit you need to get, please visit our internet store Legion Safety Products for a wide selection of FR Clothing. And if you do not find the exact fire resistant garment that you would like to get, please dont hesitate to call us. The Initial Cost on the below FR Fabric Guideline is the comparison of cost of a FR garment made of a specific material compared to the same made from another material. The Life Cost includes the cost of maintaining the garment combined with the Initial Cost. Thus, an FR Coverall made from expensive material that lasts for a long time and is easy to maintain (launder, etc) can have a low Life Cost. The information provided in this chart is based on the literature from Workrite Uniforms, which provides extensive information about arc flash clothing and standards governing requirements of fire resistant clothing on job sites. Common Colors Khaki, Light Blue, Navy, Orange, Red, Royal, Spruce, Yellow Estimated Wear Life

Fabric

Description and Content

Typical Applications

Initial Price

Life Cost

Comments

Nomex IIIA

Inherently flame-resistant fiber blend of 93% Nomex, 5% Kevlar and 2% antistatic fiber. Nomex IIIA fiber is made by DuPont. Inherently flame-resistant fiber blend of 65% Nomex IIIA and 35% Lenzing FR. Comfort Blend is made by TenCate, Inc. Part of the Nomex Comfortwear collection. Inherently flame-resistant fiber blend of 93% Nomex, 5% Kevlar and 2% antistatic fiber. CXP is made by Milliken & Company. Flame-retardant treated 88% cotton and 12% nylon blend. Ammonia-free FR treatment process with engineered comfort stretch. Amplitude fabric is made by Milliken & Company. Inherently flame-resistant blend of 40% Nomex and 60% Kevlar. Advance is made by TenCate Protection Fabrics. Flame-retardant treated 100% cotton. The FR performance is guaranteed for the life of the garment, assuming recommended laudering and use procedures are followed. Indura fabric is made by Westex, Inc. Flame-retardant treated 88% cotton and 12% nylon blend. The FR performance is guaranteed for the life of the garment, assuming recommended laudering and use procedures are followed. Indura Ultra Soft fabric is made by Westex, Inc.

Flash fire and electric arc; Fire service station wear; Auto racing; Military

High

Low

3-5 years

Not suitable for molten metal, dedicated welding or chemical barrier protection applications.

Comfort Blend

Flash fire and electric arc

Denim, Gray, Khaki, Light Blue

High

Moderately Low

2-4 years

Improved comfort performance compared to Nomex. Very good protection. Not suitable for molten metal, dedicated welding nor chemical barrier protection applications. Improved comfort and durability over other FR products. Not suitable for molten metal, dedicated welding nor chemical barrier protection applications.

CXP of Nomex

Flash fire and electric arc

Khaki, Midnight Navy

High

Low

3-5 years

Amplitude

Electric arc

Khaki, Medium Blue, Navy

Moderate

Moderately Low

2-3 years

Engineered stretch to improve comfort and increase ease of movement.

Advance

Welding

Navy

Very High

Low

3-5 years

For molten metal applications.

Indura

Electric arc Welding, steel and ferrous metals

Denim, Khaki, Medium Blue, Medium Gray, Navy, Orange, Royal

Low

Moderately High

1-1.5 years

Fabrics feel very similar to 100% cotton, and are heavier than inherently FR fabrics.

Inudra Ultra Soft

Electric arc; Welding, steel and ferrous metals; Military

Brown Duck, Chambray, Charcoal Gray, Denim, Khaki, Medium Blue, Navy, Red, Royal, Silver Gray

Moderately Low

Moderately Low

2-3 years

Soft feel or hand; enhanced durability compared to 100% cotton FR-treated products.

PRO-CFR Knit

A durable, flame-retardant treated 100% cotton interlock knit for increased comfort and protection. Pro-CFR Knit is made by SSM Industries, Inc.

Electric arc; Fire service station wear

Navy, Khaki

Moderate

Moderate

1-1.5 years

Meets NFPA 70E HRC 2 with 11 cal/cm2 arc rating. Pro-CFR is the lightest weight single-layer fabric to achieve this high of a rating and still boast an extremely soft hand. Excellent selection for tee shirts and Henleys.

PBI Gold

Inherently flame-resistant fiber blend of 40% polybenzimidizole and 60% Kevlar. PBI fiber is made by PBI Performance Products, Inc.; Kevlar fiber is made by DuPont. Blend of 55% fibrous flameretardant fiber and 45% combed pima cotton fiber. Firewear fabric is made by Springfield LLC. Inherently flame-resistant fiber blend of 65% modacrylic, 23% Nomex, 10% Kevlar and 2% antistatic fiber. Protera is made by DuPont.

Flash fire and electric arc

Natural (brownishyellow)

High

High

2-4 years

Available in its one natural color only; color darkens in UV light.

Firewear

Electric arc; Fire service station wear

Gray, Navy

Moderately High

Moderately High

1-2 years

Not recommended for flash-fire protection.

Dupont Protera

Electric arc

Khaki , Medium Blue, Navy

Moderate

Moderate

3-4 years

Meets NFPA 70E HRC 2 with improved comfort and durability. Not suitable for molten metal, dedicated welding nor chemical barrier protection applications.

http://arcflashfrclothing.com/fr-fabrics