Fundamentals of FR > Evaluating Flame Resistant Fabrics

EVALUATING FLAME RESISTANT FABRICS

1. Identify and evaluate the experience and knowledge of the company that is producing the FR fabrics. The technology to produce FR fabrics is complex, especially with engineered fabrics such as durable FR cotton and cotton blend fabrics, so it is important to have a solid understanding of the experience and knowledge of the company that is producing and standing behind the FR fabric brand.
2. Fully analyze the actual fabrics. This analysis should include the physical properties and "feel" as well as the technology of the FR engineering process, shrinkage control, internal testing, external testing, documentation procedures and the proven (or unproven) performance in the market.
3. Identify the brands of FR fabrics that are being promoted by companies in the protective clothing supply chain (i.e. garments manufacturers, distributors and laundries). Every year several "new and innovative" FR products are launched at safety trade shows with many incredible claims, yet oftentimes these products disappear within a few years of the initial launch because of some problem or hidden deficiency in the fabric. By auditing the protective clothing supply chain you’ll gain a better understanding of which products have built a strong reputation of proven performance.
4. Seek testimonials from other end-users. Any manufacturer that has an excellent market-proven product should not have any objection to giving you access to companies that have used their products. The feedback you receive from other end-users, including the number of years they’ve been using the product and their satisfaction level, should help you determine whether a product is truly "market-proven."

After you have selected the FR fabric that will best meet your needs, you can start the process of gathering information and samples from garment manufacturers and service providers. The growth in the FR clothing market has created several new options in garment styles and service options for end-users.

By applying this simple protocol, you can do away with the "smoke and mirrors" that inevitably enters into any growing market. When it comes to something as critical as FR protective clothing, it is important to make sure all your decisions are based on relevant facts. Finally, after a decision is made, the FR fabric you’ve selected should be specified in writing by brand name.

In addition, it is important to require that the fabric manufacturer’s label be sewn into the garment for identification purposes. This will help ensure that a future change to a generic/off-brand fabric that carries a marginally lower up front investment doesn’t lead to employee injuries, program dissatisfaction or significant additional costs downstream.