Flame Resistant Guide – FAQ’s
Flame Resistant Clothing Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Carhartt Flame-Resistant Clothing designed for?
Carhartt FRC is designed for electricians and workers in the utility, oil, gas and petrochemical fields who are at risk of exposure to electric arc and flash fires, which could cause severe or fatal burn injuries. Some typical candidates for FRC include: electric linemen, pipeline and refinery workers, as well as industrial electricians.
How does Carhartt Flame-Resistant Clothing help protect against burn injury?
Carhartt Flame-Resistant Clothing is designed to self extinguish within seconds after the source of ignition is removed, limiting the degree of burn and body burn percentage. Carhartt FR fabrics are not flame proof; however, they are specially treated to be flame-resistant.
Can the flame resistant chemicals be washed out?
No. Carhartt Flame Resistant Clothing is guaranteed to be flame-resistant for the useful life of the garment regardless of the number of launderings, provided laundering instructions are followed
Will non-treated 100% cotton and other natural fibers help protect against possible burn injury?
Non-treated cotton and wool are flammable fibers. If exposed to electric arcs and flash fires, these materials can possibly ignite and continue to burn potentially causing severe injury and death.
Can Carhartt FRC be used for wildland fire fighting?
No, Carhartt Flame-Resistant Clothing has not been tested to meet the requirements of NFPA 1977, The Standard for Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting, and as such is not recommended for this use.
Does Carhartt FRC meet applicable clothing standards and industry regulations?
Yes, Carhartt Flame-Resistant Clothing meets the requirements of NFPA-70E, NESC, NFPA 2112 and OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269.
What is NFPA70E?
NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, is published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The standard requires employees to wear flame resistant protective clothing wherever there is a possible exposure to electric arc flash. NFPA 70E is widely accepted throughout general manufacturing and electrical industries. NFPA 70E is a voluntary consensus standard, not a law. However, OSHA recognizes NFPA 70E as a generally accepted industry practice and has referenced it in citations. What is NESC?
The National Electrical Safety Code (NESC®) sets the ground rules considered necessary for the safety of employees in the electric utility industry. Although not a law, NESC is a voluntary consensus standard, and the standard OSHA cites when enforcing electrical safety in the utility industry.What is NFPA 2112?
NFPA 2112, Standard for Flame-Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire, is published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The standard is targeted towards workers who are at risk of flash fires, primarily in the petrochemical industries. NFPA 2112 is a voluntary consensus standard, not a law. However, OSHA recognizes NFPA 2112 as a generally accepted industry practice.
What is OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910.269 covers the operation and maintenance of electric power generation, control, transformation, transmission and distribution lines and equipment. Part (l) (6) (iii) states: “The employer shall ensure that each employee who is exposed to the hazards of flames or electric arc does not wear clothing that, when exposed to flames or electric arcs, could increase the extent of the injury that would be sustained by the employee.” This is the only federal law relating to FR clothing for electrical purposes. It is currently being rewritten and is expected to closely mirror the NFPA70E and NESC standards. What is ATPV?
Arc Thermal Performance Value (ATPV), is a rating assigned to flame-resistant clothing indicating the level of protection provided. Higher fabric weights typically have higher ATPV’s and provide increased protection. ATPV is measured in calories per centimeter squared (cal/cm²) and all Carhartt Flame-Resistant Clothing has the ATPV marked on the inside label for easy reference.
Is ATPV the same as calories per centimeter squared?
Yes, ATPV is measured in calories per centimeter squared (cal/cm²) and the two terms are used interchangeably in regards to arc ratings.
What is HRC?
Hazard Risk Categories are levels for flame-resistant clothing ranging from 0-4. The NFPA 70E consensus standard assigns these categories based on the electrical maintenance task to be performed, and each HRC correlates to a specific range of ATPV’s. For example, HRC 1 would include ATPV’s greater than 5 cal/cm² but less than 8 cal/cm²; the greater the HRC, the greater the risk.
How can Carhartt Flame-Resistant Clothing be distinguished from traditional Carhartt clothing?
Carhartt Flame-Resistant Clothing is clearly identified with a “FR Carhartt” patch in place of the traditional Carhartt patch. Product hang tags and HRC labels also help distinguish Carhartt flame-resistant products.
Can Carhartt Flame-Resistant Clothing be repaired?
Yes, Carhartt work wear can be repaired, but repairs must be made with fabrics and sewing threads that have at least the same FR characteristics as the original garment. Jobs like replacing zippers should be done at the factory and we recommend you contact Carhartt directly to make arrangements for your repair.
Is flame-resistant thread required for embroidery applications?
None of the current regulations governing the use of flame-resistant clothing specifically require the use of flame-resistant thread for embroidery applications. However, Carhartt does not recommend the use of non-flame-resistant thread for embroidery or emblem attachment.
