The chart below outlines some of the basic qualities of FR Fabrics used in making arc flash and flame resistant clothing. This chart will help you determine the correct arc flash clothing type that would work best for your specific job site, while providing valuable information about the various choices of Flame Resistant materials that are available on the market today.
Please check out our clothing requirements page for help in selecting the proper level of Arc Flash PPE for a specific task. This 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 safety kit you need to get, please visit our internet store Macron Safety for a wide selection of FR garments. Please do not hesitate to call us for assistance in selecting the proper clothing for your specific needs.
The Initial Price 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 type of 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.
| Fabric | Description and Content | Typical Applications | Common Colors | Initial Price | Life Cost | Estimated Wear Life | Comments |
| NOR*FAB NF Arc | Norfab woven 5 oz/yd², 6 oz/yd², 7 oz/yd² “light weight” dimensionally stable novel fabric composed of an optimal blend of Para-Aramid, OPF, and Novoloid (Phenolic) fibers. Excellent for Electric Arc Splash Protective garments. | Electric Arc Splash | Light Green | Moderately Low | Low | 3-5 years | Inherently flame resistant light weight arc flash fabric |
| Nomex IIIA | Inherently flame-resistant fiber blend of 93% Nomex, 5% Kevlar and 2% antistatic fiber. Nomex IIIA fiber is made by DuPont. | Flash fire and electric arc; Fire service station wear; Auto racing; Military | Khaki, Light Blue, Navy, Orange, Red, Royal, Spruce, Yellow | High | Low | 3-5 years | Not suitable for molten metal, dedicated welding or chemical barrier protection applications. |
| Comfort Blend |
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. |
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. |
| CXP of Nomex | Inherently flame-resistant fiber blend of 93% Nomex, 5% Kevlar and 2% antistatic fiber. CXP is made by Milliken & Company. | Flash fire and electric arc | Khaki, Midnight Navy | High | Low | 3-5 years |
Improved comfort and durability over other FR products. Not suitable for molten metal, dedicated welding nor chemical barrier protection applications. |
| Amplitude |
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. |
Electric Arc | Khaki, Medium Blue, Navy | Moderate | Moderately Low | 2-3 years | Engineered stretch to improve comfort and increase ease of movement. |
| Advance | Inherently flame-resistant blend of 40% Nomex and 60% Kevlar. Advance is made by TenCate™ Protection Fabrics. | Welding | Navy | Very High | Low | 3-5 years | For molten metal applications. |
| Indura |
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. |
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 |
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. |
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. |
Flash fire and electric arc | Natural (brownish-yellow) | High | High | 2-4 years | Available in its one natural color only; color darkens in UV light. |
| Firewear | Blend of 55% fibrous flame-retardant fiber and 45% combed pima cotton fiber. Firewear fabric is made by Springfield LLC. | Electric arc; Fire service station wear | Gray, Navy | Moderately High | Moderately High | 1-2 years | Not recommended for flash-fire protection. |
| Dupont Protera | Inherently flame-resistant fiber blend of 65% modacrylic, 23% Nomex, 10% Kevlar and 2% antistatic fiber. Protera is made by DuPont. | 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. |
| GlenGuard FR | GlenGuard FR fabrics are inherently flame resistant, made from a unique blend of Kermel® aramid and modacrylic fibers that surpass government safety standards while remaining comfortable to wear and looking untouched. GlenGuard fabric is made by Glen Raven, Inc. | Electric arc, Oil, Gas, Chemical |
Meets NA standards for CGSB 155.20, CGSB 155.22, NFPA 2112 tests
|
||||
| TenCate Tecasafe plus | Inherently flame resistant – FR properties are built in, and won’t wash or wear out. Exceeds NFPA 70E HRC 2 and NFPA 2112 performance standards. TenCate fabric is made by TenCate. | Flash fire and electric arc | Khaki, Royal Blue, Red, Navy, Gray, Yellow, Orange, Light Blue, Hi-Vis Yellow | Exceptional durability – Outstanding abrasion resistance and better strength | Excellent value – Long life cycle and competitive price means lowest cost. |
One of the lowest percentage of body burn exposure in the industry* |
|
| TenCate Tecashield | TenCate Tecashield® – BX 9220 is an inherently heat- and flame-resistant fabric with an aramid blend that has been developed and produced by TenCate using a new technology. This fabric is extremely durable and stable due to the use of meta-aramid and para-aramid fibres. Tecashield fabric is made by TenCate. | Multi-risk protection – Protects against heat and flame, electric arc, static electricity and liquid chemicals (optional). Suitable for application in protective clothing used in, for example, the metal, utilities, chemical, energy, construction and military sectors, and fire fighters turnout gear. | Long-lasting looks – Available in a wide-range of colours. The fabric has been thoroughly tested for its protective properties and has also been submitted to an extensive range of washing and durability tests at independent testing institutes. | Abrasion resistance, Moisture management and thermal protection | |||
| BANOX Banwear | 100% cotton flame resistant garments can be laundered under conditions normal for 100% cotton flame resistant garments. Banwear fabric is made by ITEX. | Electric arc, Flash fire, Welding | Incorporating patented flame retardant technology developed specifically to leverage the durability and endothermic properties of nylon for long wear life and improved flame protection. This blend of 88% cotton with 12% nylon eliminates the need to wear T-shirts to achieve industry standards for flame and electric arc protection. | 4-5 years | Comfort properties unmatched in the industry |