Fireproof sweatshirts

In which case should you wear a flame-retardant sweatshirt?

Engineers, blacksmiths, welders… All these workers are regularly exposed to sparks, flames or splashes of molten metal. This is why it is imperative to wear appropriate work clothes, among others, the flame retardant sweatshirt. This product, designed in a high quality fabric, protects against flames, radiant heat, hot materials and steam. Models certified according to standards EN ISO 11612 and EN ISO 1411 are preferred since they reduce the risk of clothing catching fire after a short exposure. The sweatshirt can be combined with other flame retardant accessories in case of prolonged exposure.

Among the sectors of activity where the wearing of fireproof clothing is essential is for example:

• The energy sector (gas, electricity, oil, etc.)
• The chemicals industry
• The field of private and public maintenance
• The field of welding and metallurgy
• The domain of mining
• The manufacturing sector

In principle, fire-resistant clothing such as a flame-retardant sweatshirt provides high-level thermal protection that meets current safety standards.

The fireproof sweatshirt, a very discreet piece

Many employees wear sweatshirts made from flame retardant fabric without anyone noticing. Aside from its ability to reduce the risk of fire, this workwear combines comfort, lightness and softness, like any self-respecting PPE. The only difference is that flame retardant clothing reduces burns when exposed to fire.

How to choose your fireproof sweatshirt?

Being designed in a flame-retardant fabric, this professional clothing must provide the expected degree of protection during its lifetime of use. The choice of sweatshirt-shirt should therefore be determined according to the risk assessment in the exercise of the profession concerned. While conventional work clothes also offer protection, flame-retardant sweatshirts must take into account the risks of exposure to chemical substances and those of molten materials. In In addition, it is also essential that these garments resist laundering intended to get rid of flammable contaminants and retain their condition without loss of color or disproportionate change in appearance.

Inherent flame retardant sweatshirt or treated flame retardant sweatshirt?

While both provide worker protection, it is the responsibility of the employer to choose which is most appropriate for the work being performed.

For the inherent flame retardant models, the fabric used is made from flame resistant fibers. The structure of the fiber is not flammable, so the protection is permanent and cannot be altered by washing or wear. Once exposed to flames, these fibers swell and thicken to form a protective barrier between the worker's skin and the heat source. This barrier stays flexible before it cools down, providing a few extra seconds of protection.

As for the treated sweatshirts, they are made from fabrics that have been treated with a chemical that retards the flames, making them flame retardant. The fibers used, like cotton, provide a protective function and become fireproof when in contact with flames. Unlike inherent FR fabrics, treated fabrics may fade over time. Their flame retardant properties may even disappear depending on the washing mode used or the chemicals to which the garments have been exposed.

Most protective sweatshirts at Oxwork are made of modacrylic. It is a resistant and durable material, with anti-heat and flame resistance, but also antistatic. Thus, most of the flame retardant sweatshirts presented on the site are classified as inherent models, which is more interesting in relation to the fact that its protective ability does not deteriorate after washing. However, it does not discard the processed models.

In addition to fire-retardant fibers, there are also cotton and other materials in the composition of the fabric used to make these fire-retardant sweatshirts. This is what ensures the comfort of these PPE. Available in several colors, these safety sweatshirts also come in different sizes. You will find your size, whether you are large or size S. And of course, they meet the standards in force corresponding to fire and antistatic protective clothing.

You can also find in this collection,long-sleeved t-shirts as well assweaters. Among are the:

• High Visibility Work Sweatshirt , antistatic with protective ribbing,
• Flame retardant and antistatic sweatshirt and long-sleeved T-shirt,
• Class 1 plain or two-tone multi-standard work sweatshirt and pullover.