Learn why you should SPECIFY THE FABRIC FIRST

In workplaces with a risk of arc flash or flash fire, wearing flame resistant (FR) clothing is an essential safety measure. But if an FR program isn’t implemented properly, wearers may still be at risk. So to maximize protection, it’s critical to understand the best practices for starting and maintaining FR programs –– including why you should specify the fabric before you pick a garment supplier.

Explore this interactive tool to learn more.

Flame resistant (FR)
Clothing Programs:

5 steps to successful
implementation and management

Follow
these 5
important
steps

1:

Identify Your Hazard

Know what kinds of exposures wearers face to ensure they're properly protected.

• Electric arc flash
• Flash fire
• Combustable dust
• Molten metal splash
• Multiple hazards

2:

Perform
a Hazard Assessment

Identify industry standards.

• Understand the standards
• Perform
  a hazard assessment
• Determine performance requirements to protect your team

3:

Specify Your
Flame Resistant / Arc-Rated Fabric

Do your homework — compliance is not enough.

• Find fabrics that meet your
  performance needs
• Review independent
  test reports
• Does the fabric perform to
  all of your hazards?

Evaluation of
viable options.

• Don't settle for minimum performance
• Comfort doesn't have data — determine through wear trials
• Look for market proven performance

Specify by
brand name.

• Know what you are getting
• Not all "FR" or "88/12" fabrics
  are the same
• Large differences in
  performance of "similar"
  fabrics

Watch the 'Westex Difference' to understand the importance of specifying the fabric.

4:

Garments and Maintenance

Evaluate and select garment manufacturer and service provider.

• Industrial laundry program
• Managed care program
• Direct purchase

5:

Educate Wearers

Teach your team the importance of wearing protective clothing.

• The need for protective clothing
• How to wear FR garments correctly
• How to properly care for and maintain FR garments

Close Window [X]

What's an Electrical Arc Flash?

According to NFPA 70E, when an electric current passes through air between ungrounded conductors and grounded conductors, the temperatures can reach 35,000° F. Exposure to these extreme temperatures both burns the skin directly and causes ignition of clothing, which adds to the burn injury. The majority of hospital admissions due to electrical accidents are from the arc-flash burns, not from shock. Each year more than 2,000 people are admitted to burn centers with severe arc-flash burns. Arc flash can and will kill at distances of 10 feet.

Close Window [X]

What's a Flash Fire?

The NFPA and CGSB define a Flash Fire as a rapidly moving flame front, which can be a combustion explosion. Flash fire may occur in an environment where fuel and air become mixed in adequate concentrations to combust... flash fire has a heat flux of approximately 84kW/m² for relatively short periods of time, typically less than three seconds.

Close Window [X]

The Westex Difference Part 1

The first of a four-part series, this video highlights the three qualities that matter most in FR fabric — guaranteed flame resistance for the life of the garment, shrinkage control and unparalleled comfort.

Part 1

Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

Close Window [X]

The Westex Difference Part 2

The second video in the series explores the complexity of FR fabric manufacturing and how difficult it is to strike a balance between superior flame resistance, shrinkage control and comfort.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3 Part 4

Close Window [X]

The Westex Difference Part 3

This video — the third in the series — compares standard industry FR manufacturing processes with Westex's proprietary approach. While most companies use only a few basic steps, Westex has engineered a stringent, 15-step process that produces the best possible results.

Part 1 Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Close Window [X]

The Westex Difference Part 4

Our final video showcases the results of a test that compared the performance of various FR fabrics after harsh industrial washings. Many fabrics were tested, but only Westex UltraSoft® consistently delivered on all the qualities that matter ---- guaranteed flame resistance for the life of the garment, shrinkage control and unparalleled comfort.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Part 4

Get your Free FR
Fabric Sample Kit.

Discover the Westex Difference

View performance data and see how Westex FR fabrics measure up against leading brand name and generics.

Understand the Hazards & Standards

Visit our corporate site to learn about our FR hazards, industry safety standards, our fabrics and more.