The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) defines flash fires as “a type of short-duration fire that spreads rapidly through a diffuse fuel, such as dust, gas, or other vapors of an ignitable liquid,
without the production of damaging pressure.”
The majority of burn related injuries related to flash fires are caused by non-flame-resistant clothing igniting and continuing to burn.
FR clothing compliant with NFPA 2112 is designed to self-extinguish once the ignition source is removed.
Although it cannot guarantee that the wearer will be unharmed, it can help protect the wearers from burn injury and may lessen the severity of a burn.
FR clothing is made from fabrics that are designed to self-extinguish once the source of ignition is removed.
Many different fabrics are used in FR clothing, including those that are treated to be flame resistant and those that are designed to be flame resistant.
If your employer requires the use of FR
clothing:
Ensure that the FR garments fit properly. The garment must have enough ease to trap air between the garment and the body. This adds an extra layer of insulation from the flame.
Routinely inspect your FR clothing for accumulation of petroleum-based contaminants such as oil or grease. Clothing soiled with combustible substances can compromise FR protection.
Make sure to notify your supervisor when clothing has tears, rips, or has
holes. These garment must be replaced or repaired.
Understand and read the manufacturer’s laundering instructions. Certain types of cleaning chemicals can damage FR garments.
Retire garments that cannot be safely and properly repaired. When retiring FR garments, they must be destroyed or disposed of in a manner that ensures that they will not be used again.
Remember, safety doesn’t have to be difficult, simple steps, such as
wearing FR clothing can prevent or lessen the severity of burn related injuries.
