Flame Retardant Workwear Buyers Guide

Your Guide to Choosing the Right Flame Resistant Clothing

Shop Flame Retardant Workwear >

Flame retardant (FR) workwear is essential for professionals exposed to fire, heat, sparks, or molten metal. At Best Workwear, we offer a comprehensive range of flame retardant coveralls, trousers, jackets, t-shirts, fleeces, and accessories from leading brands like Portwest, Blaklader, Click ARC and Fristads. Our FR workwear is designed to meet rigorous safety standards for industries such as welding, offshore oil and gas, renewables, metalwork, and industrial manufacturing.

Understanding FR Fabric Types

Flame resistant garments are typically made using one of two fabric types:

• Chemically treated cotton (e.g., Proban): Cost-effective and treated to resist flame. The flame retardant properties reduce after approximately 25 washes, making it suitable for harsh environments where garments are replaced regularly.
• Inherently flame retardant fabrics (e.g., Nomex, Protex): More expensive, but the FR protection lasts for the garment’s lifetime, even after repeated laundering. Ideal for sectors that require long-lasting protection and durability.

Why Choose FR Coveralls?

FR coveralls are among the most popular flame-resistant garments as they provide full-body protection with no gaps for sparks or molten material to enter. Features may include:

• Studded cuffs and collars to prevent spark entry
• Covered zips to prevent heat transfer from metal components
• High visibility tape for dual protection in low-light environments

Best Practices for Using FR Clothing

• Do not rely solely on FR clothing to extinguish flames—always ensure additional fire safety measures are in place.
• Wash FR garments according to manufacturer instructions; do not exceed specified temperatures or use harsh chemicals.
• Never wear FR garments beyond the manufacturer’s recommended number of washes.

Oil Contamination Warning

Even trace amounts of oil can eliminate the flame-resistant properties of protective clothing. Contaminated garments must be treated as hazardous and stored in metal containers until safely disposed of. Learn more at HSE RR883.

Anti-Static Workwear

In explosive environments with flammable gases, vapours, or dust, employers must provide anti-static flame retardant workwear. Electrostatic discharge from clothing can cause ignition, so garments with electrostatic protection are essential. More details can be found at the HSE ATEX guidelines.

Flame Retardant Safety Standards Explained

FR workwear sold in the UK must comply with EN/BS EN standards. These standards indicate the level and type of protection each garment offers. Here are some key ones to know:

Standard	Description	Features
EN ISO 11612	Protective clothing for workers exposed to heat and flame	Limited flame spread + protection from convective, radiant, or contact heat and molten metal splashes (A1, B1, C1 etc.)
EN ISO 11611	Protective clothing for welding and related processes	Flame resistance, spark protection, and coverage of vulnerable areas
EN1149-5	Electrostatic protection	Garments reduce the risk of static discharge in explosive atmospheres
EN533 / Index 1–3	Flame spread resistance of materials	Specifies durability of flame resistance after wash cycles
EN469	Protective clothing for firefighters	High-level protection against flame, radiant heat, water and vapour penetration

Ready to Buy?

Shop our full range of flame retardant workwear online at Best Workwear. We offer bulk discounts, fast UK delivery, customisation with embroidery or printing and expert support to help you choose the right garment for your industry. Stay compliant. Stay protected.