CHOOSING FR AND ENSURING IT'S WORKING RIGHT

If your workers are exposed to thermal hazards, it’s critical to select Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that is appropriate to their tasks, and implement an ongoing program and policy to ensure it is properly worn and cared for.

HOW TO CHOOSE FR.

1) Know the self-extinguishing basics.

FR clothing is the last line of defense for workers who could be exposed to flash fire, electric arc, or other thermal hazards, and is meant for continuous wear in a work environment where these potential hazards have been identified.
Unlike everyday clothing that can melt, drip, ignite, and burn when exposed to flame, FR clothing self-extinguishes when an ignition source is removed and will not continue to burn.

2) Assess the Risks

The General Duty Clause places the responsibility for worker safety on the employer, and the first step is to conduct a Hazard Risk Assessment. This process is used to identify, assess, and control workplace hazards and the risks to worker health and safety. The assessment is an essential part of an organization's safety culture and safety management system.

Typically, a Hazard Assessment begins with a review of past accidents, listing and ranking hazardous tasks, and outlining the steps involved. Then the employer should ask questions, such as, what can go wrong? What are the consequences? How could it arise? What are other contributing factors? How likely is the hazard to occur?
Once the Hazard Risk Assessment has been completed, if hazards have been identified, OSHA requires employers to “select, and have each affected employee use, the types of PPE that will protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment.” 1

Can You Put A Price On Compliant FR?

What's the difference between NFPA® 2112 and 2113?

3) Select Garments Rated to the Risk

When selecting FR clothing, employers should refer to industry consensus standards for guidance. For the oil and gas industry, NFPA® 21122 and NFPA® 21133 are the industry consensus standards that address flash fire in the context of FR clothing.

NFPA® 2112 lays out the minimum performance requirements and test methods that FR garments must meet in order to enter the market.
NFPA® 2113 focuses on minimizing the health and safety risks by choosing the correct garment based on the proper selection criteria and how to properly wear FR garments in the field. As a safety professional, NFPA® 2113 is your go-to standard.

4) Trust an Expert to Guide You

Our experts make matching assessed risks to the appropriate FR easy. We're ready to answer any questions you may have.

LET'S CHAT

1 Occupational Safety & Health Administration [OSHA]. (2012). Regulations (Standards-29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1)(I)). 2 NFPA® 2112, Standard on Flame-Resistant Garment for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire, (2015) National Fire Protection Association. Quincy, MA. 3 NFPA® 2113, Standard on Selection, Care, Use, and Maintenance of Flame-Resistant Garments for the Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire, (2015) National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA.

A NOTE ON ELECTRICAL HAZARDS

To address thermal hazards typically found in the oil and gas industry, basic FR garments that self-extinguish when an ignition source is removed are sufficient, but when it comes to electrical hazards, FR clothing is different. The significant difference between flame-resistant and arc-rated clothing is that all AR garments are flame-resistant, but not all FR garments have an arc rating. It is critical to select the right apparel for the task.