The Life Saving

Benefits Of

Flame Resistant

ClothingPresented by

Reid Supply

Monday, May 31, 2010

Understanding Flame Resistant

Clothing Limitations, Benefits And

Requirements

• Why flame resistant clothing is

important

• Limitations of flame resistant

materials

• Safety issues with standard

industrial apparel

• How flame resistant clothing can

make a difference

• OSHA guidelines and recognizing hazardous situations

• What jobs need flame resistance industrial apparel

• Types of flame resistant clothing on the market

Monday, May 31, 2010

Why Use Flame

Resistant Clothing

• Some highly hazardous jobs necessitate

the use of flame resistant industrial

apparel

• Other jobs may not absolutely need to

use flame resistant clothing; however

workers would be safer if they used this

type of industrial apparel

• Workers in industrial environments are

at risk of falling victim to flash fires,

electrical arc fires and chemical fires

• Flame resistant clothing will better

protect workers working with electric or

flammable substances

Monday, May 31, 2010

Why Standard Industrial

Apparel Is Not Safe

• The use of this type of synthetic industrial apparel could lead to the fatality of the worker

• Regular industrial apparel is made out of synthetic fibers that will melt under intense heat

• The melted clothing adds to the severity of burns that the worker could get from a flash fire or arc fire

Monday, May 31, 2010

Benefits Of Flame

Resistant Clothing

• Flame resistant material protects workers from sudden,

intense heat

• If a worker is knocked unconscious because of an electrical

discharge or flash fire, flame resistant clothing can help to

protect them so that they can be rescued

• Flame resistant industrial apparel is either self-

extinguishing or non-combustible which will help stop the

clothing from continuing to burn

• The chemically treated fibers stiffen to form an insulation

around the worker instead of burning

• If the material fails because of the intense heat, it will flake

away rather than melt

Monday, May 31, 2010

OSHA Guidelines For

Industrial Apparel

• OSHA applies an effectiveness rating for flame

resistant clothing for protection against arc

fires

• The National Fire Protection Association

publishes a rankings chart to help electrical

workers identify appropriate apparel

• Guidelines are being expanded by OSHA to

include compliance mandates for certain

industries

Monday, May 31, 2010

Recognizing Hazards:

Flash Fires• Occur from the sudden ignition

of a high-density of flammable

vapors

• Primarily associated with

chemical and petroleum

companies

• Risk for these types of fires

extends to companies that use

fuel pumps, diesel generators

and other equipment that uses

fuel to run

• Once vapors are released, any form of ignition

can trigger a life threatening situation

Monday, May 31, 2010

Recognizing Hazards:

Arc Fires

• The current produces intense heat that burns skins and melts or burns untreated clothing

• Arc fires can occur when there are live electrical wires

• These fires are created when electrical currents jump from electrical lines

Monday, May 31, 2010

Jobs That Need Flame

Resistant Clothing

Numerous jobs use flame resistant industrial apparel,

including:

• Firefighters

• Emergency Personnel

• Chemical Workers

• Petroleum Company Employees

• Maintenance Personnel

• Coatings, Plastics and Paint Workers

• NASCAR Drivers and Pit Crew

Monday, May 31, 2010

Limitations Of Flame

Resistant Materials

• No existing industrial apparel is 100% fire proof

• The primary purpose of flame resistant material is to lessen the effect of heat and flames

• The material will not make individuals invulnerable to flames or heat

• Smoke inhalation can only be prevented through the use of a self-contained breathing unit

• No industrial apparel can protect workers from thousand degree heat for more than an instant

Monday, May 31, 2010

Types Of Flame Resistant

Industrial Apparel Available

Industrial apparel companies carry a

wide variety of flame resistant clothing,

including:

• Bibs and coveralls

• Jackets and coats

• Shirts and sweaters

• Pants

• Hats

Monday, May 31, 2010

About US

Reid Supply Company is a full service global distributor

of a diverse product mix of industrial supplies and

components that meet the needs of multiple B2B and B2C

industries.

Reid Supply Company provides a variety of industrial

equipment and products, including:

• Manual controls

• Plastic knobs and industrial handles

• Tooling component

Monday, May 31, 2010