PRESS RELEASE: Fire Resistant Clothing - Are your workers fully protected?
Article Date: 04/09/2009
Fire Resistant Clothing – Are your workers fully protected?
Let us take a closer look at Fire Resistant (FR) clothing and why we need it.
There are two primary hazards FR clothing is designed to protect workers from two specific types of hazards: Flash Fire and Electric Arc Flash.
Flash Fire
A flash fire is a rapidly spreading fire caused by igniting an atmosphere derived from hydrocarbon vapours of an ignitable liquid or finely divided combustible particles (e.g., coal dust or grain) in a concentration exceeding the chemical’s lower explosive limit. Temperatures can reach 1,000°F to 1,900°F. Flash fire is a primary hazard in industries that create a combustible material as a product or by-product, such as petrochemical or metallurgy.
Arc Flash
An electric arc flash is the passage of substantial electrical current through ionized air, created by an electric fault. Typically lasting less than one second, an arc flash explosion generates extremely high radiant heat and releases acoustical energy, a pressure wave and molten debris. Temperatures can reach 35,000°F.
Temperatures attained by a flash fire and electric arc flash are capable of igniting or melting regular clothing, which, in contact with the skin, can then continue to burn until the fuel source (clothing) has been exhausted.
Burning clothing is the cause of the most severe flash fire injuries.
Flame resistant clothing, constructed of fibres and fabrics specifically designed to withstand extreme temperatures, will resist ignition, self-extinguish and not melt.
BUT, are your workers fully protected?
Issuing your worker with inherently flame retardant outer work wear such as Nomex ® coveralls may not be enough. It is very important that you consider what under garments are being worn next to their skin, as this has a serious contributing factor for the safety and health of the individual worker.
When exposed to extreme heat and flames, clothing containing some synthetic materials like polyester will melt and can fuse to the skin. This essentially creates a second skin and can lead to horrific disfiguring burns.
Most man made fabrics, such as nylon, acrylic or polyester will melt when ignited or through convective and radiant heat and produce a hot, sticky, melted substance causing extremely severe burns.
Workers should be prohibited from wearing synthetic athletic clothing such as football shirts as under garments when involved in operations where hazards such as flash fire and electric arc flash exist.
Simon Safety recommends that all layers are made of inherently flame retardant materials. Inappropriate underwear will have an adverse effect on protection and aggravate the outcome of a flash fire or electric arc incident.
Simon Safety are able to offer single layer and multi layer protective clothing solutions against flash fire and electric arc hazards conforming to IEC 61482-2.
For further information and support contact one of the highly trained and dedicated Safety product specialists at Simon Safety, Tel: +44 (0) 1646 600750.