4 steps to specify reliable flame resistant workwear

Every day, workers in electrical maintenance,utility, oil and gas, petrochemical and steel

industries work in hazardous environments.Unexpected and highly dangerous arc flash and flash fire events can occur without warningand may result in severe or fatal burn injuries.Thus,we need reliable flame resistant workwear to protect workers from being injured.Here are 4 steps to specify reliable FR workwear.

1.Research environmental risks

Gain a deep understanding of your work environment and thespecific issues that impact worker safety. Begin with identifyingthe risks at hand, such as arc flash risks versus flash fires, as theapparel needs are different.The standards for which you are specifying fabrics must apply toyour individual work environment. For example, FR fabrics that meet PPE Category 2 are irrelevant in the oil and gas industries, as the arc rating standard addresses electrical arc flash, not flash fire hazards.External factors, such as weather, should also be considered. The fabric and fabric system needs in diverse climates can be very different. Cold, northern climates may need insulated products for their daily work where southern climates may dictate a single layer. 

2.Evaluate fabric options

When evaluating viable options for AR/FR fabric, don’t settle for minimum compliance. Instead, know the exact rating of each fabric. Also, consider a wear trial to assess comfort and wearability so you know firsthand that employees will be able to work effectively and comfortably.

3.Understand the fabric's performance

There is a vast disparity between products that comply with NFPA 2112 and NFPA 70E. Compliance is a starting point, then individual fabric performance should be evaluated to help ensure you are adequately protecting workers. 

4.Specify fabric by brand name

Brand name FR textiles carry a trusted reputation because they have been market proven to protect workers. Brand name reputations also help you know exactly what you are purchasing. Not all FR fabrics or constructions — such as 88/12 fiber blends — are the same. There are significant differences in how similar fabrics with similar fiber constructions perform. Rely on proven brand name reputations to gauge the effectiveness of FR performance, backed up with third-party certification.

Our CFR265 Pyrovatex has been certified by BTTG

Not long ago,Our department of development invented a new item. 100% cotton flame retardant antistatic woven fabric which is treated by Pyrovatex created by Huntsman.

This fabric uses ringing spun yarn which quality is very good as greige cloth.In the dyeing process,we use vat dyestuff to make the fabric color fastness have higher grade.For the FR performance,we import Pyrovatex flame retardants which is produced by Huntsman. Compared with Proban or THPC,fabric treated by Pyrovatex or CP has better color fastness and handfeel more comfortable. The fabric can pass EN11611,EN11612,EN14116,EN61482-1-2,EN1149,NFPA2112,etc.

This time when we complete the new product,we sent a piece of sample to BTTG to test the flame retardant performance and antistatic feature. BTTG is a wolrd famous organization focused on test and certification of textiles.

After half a month,good news comes. The 100% cotton CP flame retardant fabric has successfully passed EN11612 and EN1149-3 standard. It proves that our FR fabric quality is certified by European Union Standard and can be widely used as FR clothing for workers in various industries.

As a leading supplier of flame retardant fabrics,Xinxiang Zhuocheng Special Textile Co., Ltd will continue to develop high quality products and provide better protection for global workers! 

Learn more about Oeko-Tex®

What is Oeko-Tex®?

 

Oeko-Tex® is a worldwide association of independent institutes for product safety and sustainable production in the textile industry.The standard 100 by Oeko-Tex® is used for testing and certification of textile products.

 

The criteria are often more strict than judicial standards,and change consecutively according to new results within medical science.Everything is tested.Zippers,buttons,sewing threads,labels,hang tags..

 

Materials in this group are additionally tested for colour fastness and odours.

 

The process

 

The certification is both expensive and demanding. As the certification is renewed annually,it requires control in every aspect of the process.Suppliers must cooperate with subcontractors with Oeko-Tex 100 Class 1 products.

 

Certification

 

A certification is valid for 12 months,and the International Oeko-Tex Assocation control tests each year at least 25% of all issued certificates by performing sampling.Oeko-Tex® also controls the product once a year in collaboration with product owner to make sure it still fulfills the requirements.

 

Why choose Oeko-Tex®?

 

You can use the products immediately,without having to wash them.Products certified with Oeko-Tex® do not contain any toxic or allergic substances.Oeko-Tex® pay close attention to development within legislation,science and organizations and act quickly according to the totalt amount of information.It is less likely to be harmful substances in a certified Oeko-Tex® Product compared to others.

 

 

For Drotex® it is absolutely essential that our products are made in the safest way possible. Fabrics supplied by Drotex® have been tested and certified to environmental and no harm to human being.The fabrics can be directly contact with human skin. Choose Drotex,choose safety!

Conductive fiber in anti-static fabrics

Belltron® by KB-Seiren Ltd. is a High-Performance conductive Fiber which controls Static Electricity Responsible for various Static problems, like:

• Static Electricity can cause trouble everywhere

• Typical examples are the Crackle experienced when removing clothing and feeling the shock of an electric discharge upon touching doorknob.

• Static Electricity is also said to trigger staining and hay fever because of its nature to attract dust and pollens.

Belltron®, used in many different forms, serves as a defense against such static problems

End Uses:

Apparel: 

Sweaters, ceremonial garments, school uniforms, fleece wear

Working Wear: 

Dust-free garments, work uniforms, lab coats, firefighter uniforms

Interior: 

Curtains, carpets, towels, blankets.

Household Goods: 

Masks, antistatic brushes, aprons, gloves

Others:

Office appliances, wiping cloths, filters, car seats

Drotex has cooperated with Belltron to create high quality antistatic fabrics which can pass standards such as EN 1149-1,EN1149-3,EN1149-5.

We will continue to produce world class workwear fabrics in the future!

How does flame resistant clothing work and what fields is it used?

1.How does flame resistant clothing work?

A piece of clothing that is fire resistant is made of material that when in contact with fire will self extinguish and prevent the worker from suffering injuries. It is used as a safety precaution for people who work in hazardous industries.

2.What's the application of flame resistant clothing?

When you hear of Flame Resistant Clothing you may think that it’s just for firefighters or someone who works in extremely hot environments. The truth is that many hazardous work environments require their workers to wear FRC. Electrical equipment is prone to catching fire as well as the chemicals in a refinery or even when processing paper and paint. You will find many electricians, pharmaceutical and factory employees use this type of clothing.

We are professional flame resistant clothing and fabric manufacturer.Any information,please feel free to contact us!

EN 20471 HIGH VISIBILITY CLOTHING - TEST METHODS AND REQUIREMENTS

The norm for High Visibility,EN 471, is one of the most widely known and used norms under the PPE directive.

In June 2013,The Official Journal of the European Union published the new standard EN ISO 20471:2013.

This harmonized standard has replaced the former standard

EN471:2004+A1:2007.Starting October 2013,therefore,all High Visibility products have to be CE marked and certified to ISO EN 20471.

Why do we need a new title?

The title of the new standard <<High visibility clothing - Test methods and requirements>> removes the previous distinction between professional and non-professional use and the new standard is concerned with risk assessment and risk analysis for the selection of the correct visibility clothing for high risk scenarios.

The standard specifies the requirements for high visibility clothing "which is capable of visually signaling the user's presence".

The new standard has broadened the usage base and distinction between different types of risk situations has been made.

The defined risk situations will be the basis for which norm is applicable for the user. ISO EN 20471 is applicable to high-risk situations.

For more information about EN 20471,please feel free to contact us.

Tips to choose best fabric for ppe welding clothing

Currently the fabrics used for making protective suits in basic/plasma welding companies and cutting processes, are generally weighty heavy items, either 100% cotton or FR fabrics. Depending on the intensity of the welding or cutting operations, protective clothing of these groups has a low durability. Moreover, in these cases skin or leather are also used and heavy weight (over 700 gr/m2), being a very uncomfortable solution by weight, low breathability and for its lack of flexibility.

Although the more effective level of tissues protection and the comfort problems previously mentioned, the leather has other drawbacks such as the fact that it cannot be washed or the veto in some countries for environmental reasons due to waste subsequent to manufacture and disposal.

After over two years of study and with the conviction that the Standard EN ISO 11611 does not reflect the real risk and hazard that the activity requires, Drotex has developed a new range of products under the name FRCOTTON, fabric weight of which is about 400 gr/m2, supporting 30 seconds of continuous welding after 25 washes, as you can see in our catalogue on our website.

The conclusion of this range of fabrics is to get the same or better protection of current solutions with more textile concept, i.e. without reducing the protection, having better values of comfort and durability.