Flame-resistant clothing or commonly known as FR clothing or FR garment is an essential part of firefighter’s equipment. And wearing an outfit with fireproof properties is compulsory for the sake of safety knowing that these professionals are exposed to high temperatures and harsh elements when responding to a fire incident.
However, there are certain differences with the fabrics used to prevent pyro hazards. And not being able to understand these differences might compromise the safety of the wearer, especially if it’s being used for firefighter PPE. So it’s very crucial to know how such materials fit in considerably dangerous environments.
Read more as we’ll tackle the types of flame-retardant fabrics and other flame-resistant materials in today’s entry.
Setting The Record Straight
The fact of the matter is no fabric is completely fireproof, only that some textiles are more resistant to fire than other fabrics. So the flame-resistant properties of the fabric are actually based on the duration it will take for a textile to be burned completely. Fire-retardant materials can resist fire because of the natural weaving of the fiber, or they can withstand fire because the fibers are treated with flame-resistant chemicals.
In particular, IFR or inherently flame-resistant fabrics are made from natural flame-retardant fibers that are woven together to create an outfit. This type of fabric will remain fire-resistant for a long time without the need for any additional treatment.
On the other hand, treated flame-resistant fabrics are the type of textiles which are exposed to certain chemicals and solutions either by dipping or spraying to allow them to withstand fire and extreme heat.
The Types Of Flame-Resistant Textiles
1. Wool
Wool is a natural fiber that is generally considered to be flame-resistant. And that’s because it doesn’t ignite easily and the flame is quickly extinguished in the fiber itself once it catches fire.
Normally, wool fabric, along with cotton and silk, is more prone to fire. But thanks to technology, clothing manufactures have developed techniques to improve their flame-resistant qualities. These techniques are the following:
- Treating the textile with a flame-resistant chemical solution
- The process of weaving the fibers is tightened to add strength and improve the fire-resistant characteristics of the textile.
2. Nylon, Polyester, And Acrylic
Synthetic fabrics like nylon, polyester, and acrylic are often considered dangerous when they are burned because these textiles have the tendency to melt and further cause severe burns on the skin of the wearer when it is used as clothing. Despite this, these materials can still be classified as flame-resistant fabrics since they can withstand ignition better at hotter temperatures compared to natural fibers, but are not recommended to be used for making protective suits for firefighters.
And like natural fibers, synthetic nylon, polyester, and acrylic fibers can also be dipped into fire-resistant chemical solutions to improve their ability to resist high temperatures.
3. Indura
Also called Indura clothing, this type of flame-retardant clothing is made of 100% cotton that is treated with flame-resistant polymers to keep the wearer safe from heat and fire. And it is also one of the most popular FR clothing in the market today because it provides washable durability while maintaining optimal fire-resistant quality.
Indura is recommended for electricians, welders, pilots and race car drivers and it is sold as garments, pants, socks, gloves, etc.
4. Kevlar
This type of fabric is popularly used as bulletproof vests and body armor due to its ability to prevent strong impacts caused by projectiles like bullets. Kevlar is developed by DuPont and is related to the Nomex fabric, only thinner and lighter. Hence, it is a suitable choice for professionals like policemen who require free movement and mobility without adding too much weight or padding.
And it is also considered a flame-resistant fabric since it can preserve its tensile strength when exposed to extremely hot and cold temperatures.
5. Nomex
Nomex is a type of fabric brand that is also developed by DuPont which is also inherently fire-resistant like Kevlar. And unlike most flame-resistant fabrics, Nomex’s ability to withstand fire is unique since the textile instantly creates a “protective barrier” on the outside once it is exposed to high heat and flame.
To be specific, the Nomex fibers thicken and consolidate while maintaining flexibility for ease of movement of the wearer. And it doesn’t melt or drip, thus protecting the wearer from the possibility of 2nd or 3rd degree burns.
The Nomex fabric is recommended for glass blowers, welders, and most especially firefighters who are often exposed to very hot conditions at work.
6. Polybenzimidazole (PBI)
Also known as PBI or poly fiber is a type of synthetic material that offers superior resistance to heat and fire. It has remarkable thermal stability and it does not immediately ignite when exposed to flammable chemicals. Also, it does not exhibit any melting point.
What makes PBI fiber special is its moisture content which allows the wearer to be exposed to direct flame, making it a suitable choice for firefighter uniform. Plus, the gold fibers provide a luxurious look that is very durable, lightweight, and effective.
Although, one thing to remember is that the price of PBI fiber is a bit higher than other comparable flame-resistant fabrics.
7. Proban
Unlike other entries in this post, Proban is not actually a fabric. Rather, it’s a process and the name of the chemical additive that is applied to cellulous fabrics like cotton to make it flame retardant.
During this process, a cross-linked polymer is being formed in the fibers, which is then further treated to embed the polymer into the fibers and make it insoluble. In short, once the flame-resistant property is being introduced it will stay within the fibers and cannot be removed by washing or mechanical abrasion.
Furthermore, the Proban fabric will remain effective even after many laundering if it’s being washed incorrectly.
Final Words
For people who require any level of protection from heat and flame at work, there are many types of flame-retardant fabrics to choose from. You can choose from outfits made of inherently flame-resistant materials to garments from treated fibers. Whatever it is, there’s always a brand and style of flame-resistant PPE to meet your specifications and budget.