Category Archives: FR Fabric Education

Caring for your FR/AR Garments: Three Vital Considerations

While properly wearing flame resistant (FR), arc-rated (AR) personal protective equipment (PPE) helps protect employees facing arc flash and short duration thermal exposures from fire, like flash fires, it is equally important to clean and maintain these protective garments. Proper care practices help ensure a PPE garment’s safety properties remain intact during its serviceable life. While there are a host of considerations when formulating a proper care routine, we share three key takeaways everyone—from your safety manager to your newest employee—should keep in mind.

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5 Reasons to Implement FR/AR PPE Training

Flame resistant (FR), arc-rated (AR) personal protective equipment (PPE) is an important part of establishing a well-rounded safety program. Before donning their FR/AR PPE, however, employees need to be educated about their PPE garments so they can properly guard themselves against workplace hazards such as arc flashes or flash fires. Understanding how to wear PPE, what their PPE will help protect against, and how to care for their PPE is essential for end users’ safety. We rounded up five important reasons to train employees about their PPE.

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Three Ways Westex® DH Base Layer Fabric Changes the Game for FR/AR PPE Programs


Drawing from customer feedback and suggestions, the Westex® DH line of performance flame resistant (FR), arc rated (AR) fabrics was created to meet the most requested and pressing end-user needs for thermal hazard FR/AR personal protective equipment (PPE). Durable and robust, the line offers superior arc flash and flash fire protection in a variety of garment weights and styles for FR/AR daily wear. With fabrics ranging from a basket weave fabric ideally suited for cargo pants to a durable construction for button-down shirts, the line is expanding to include an innovative fabric for FR/AR base layers, which will debut at the National Safety Council (NSC) Congress & Expo in San Diego Sept. 9 – 11.

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Inside FR Technology Development: An Interview with Drew Child

Decades of expertise and a deep understanding of the science of a flame go into creating new arc rated (AR) and flame resistant (FR) fabrics. We sat down with Drew Child, Director of Technology and Program Director for Milliken’s Uniform and Protective Fabrics Business, to discover more about the process behind developing new AR/FR textiles for cutting-edge personal protective equipment (PPE) for the electric utilities, and oil and gas industries.

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Five facts you may not know about FR fabrics


There are many factors that go into creating a high-quality FR fabric. While there are many flame resistant (FR) properties that are often mentioned, such as durability and industry certifications, there are some characteristics that tend to receive less attention. We rounded up five interesting facts that you may not know about FR textiles to expand your knowledge on this important component of personal protective equipment (PPE).

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5 Benefits of Westex® DH Performance FR Fabric

Unexpected arc flash and short-duration thermal exposure from fire hazards, also known as flash fire, are a daily reality for electric utility and oil and gas workers. To help keep workers safe on the job, industrial personnel require ongoing hazard protection in addition to specific attire for certain tasks. Everyday FR apparel, such as work shirts, pants and jeans, is an easy solution for these workers to be adequately protected in the event of an arc flash or short-duration thermal exposure from fire.

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Hi-Vis FR

Combining High-Visibility & FR Resistance for Multi-Hazard Protection

Workers in utility and oil and gas industries have specific needs for high-visibility and FR protection on the job. They operate in areas with large amounts of electrically charged equipment and flammable materials, often during nighttime and in complex settings.

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Four NFPA 2112 Updates that Could Impact Your FR Program

Back in the fall, NFPA 2112: Standard on Flame-Resistant Clothing for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Short-Duration Thermal Exposures from Fire saw new changes implemented for the 2018 edition, which went into effect on September 6, 2017. The 2018 edition is a barometer for the safety industry as a whole – impacting suppliers and manufacturers down to end users. If you are investing in flash fire PPE in 2018, we outline four significant changes you should be aware of as you specify your garments and implement relevant protocols. Read More

Beyond Compliance: Specifying Reliable Flame Resistant Workwear

Know what you are truly buying: The AR/FR fabric in workwear is the single largest factor in determining the garment’s protection level, comfort, and overall value. Read More