FAQ

These terms can be confusing but all represent distinct properties. When talking about something that is fireproof-this is mostly an old term that is used in pop culture but does not represent actual properties of garments. Few things are truly "fireproof" and clothing is not one of them. This is because with enough heat and time, most things will eventually degrade in some way. 

The term fire retardant is usually used to refer to a chemical or substance applied to an item to help it resist flame and heat. 

Flame resistant is a term used to describe the properties of an object. In our case, aramid fabrics are known as the premier flame resistant fabrics. They work by not allowing flame to propagate and they will not drip or melt when exposed to flame. Instead, they will carbonize to form a protective layer prior to complete breakdown. These fabrics are available in our shop in practical volumes sold by the running foot. Check out our shop to get yours today. 

Flame resistant fabrics vary in their properties and chemical resistance, however with aramid fabrics they should be kept clean and free from organic or flammable compounds. Aramid fabrics are inherently flame resistant so their ability to protect you after washing diminished very little in comparison to fabrics treated with fire retardants. In the case of the AzoShield 211 FR series gloves, we recommend spot cleaning if able. Gloves should not be used if saturated with organic compounds or if there are tears/perforations. Repairs should be made with comparable fabric and flame resistant thread for stitching. Thread for suit and seat repairs are available in our shop and are a must have in the shop! 

The internet can be a confusing place, especially when it comes to the different ways protective clothing is rated and marketed. However, these ratings and certifications are important for you as a consumer or employer to understand because it could be the difference between a career ending thermal injury and a good story over a cold beverage on a Sunday. 

The first agency to review is the SFI Foundation Inc (SFI). This is a non-profit organization founded in 1978 that certifies garments for use in motorsport. You may see an SFI patch on the inner arm or side of the arm of driver’s race suits on TV. There is usually a tag on gloves that may be visible on some camera angles as well. These patches show proof that the garment has met the standards set forth by SFI to keep the driver or crewmember safe. Gloves are governed under SFI 3.3 and race suits are governed under SFI 3.2. The nice part about SFI certification is that it provides a very specific grading scale that lets its customers know how long it takes to get a second degree burn when exposed to a certain heat energy. SFI displays this as a number system that will correlate with the Thermal Protective Performance (TPP). Generally, if you cut the TPP in half, this is the amount of time in seconds it takes to obtain a second degree burn. The most common suit and glove ratings in modern motosport is 3.2/5 and 3.3/5, which is rated for a TPP of 19. This means it takes about 10 seconds to get a second degree burn when exposed to a fire. Drag racers are required to have higher rated garments due to the type of fuel they use.

The next agency to look at is American National Standards Institute (ANSI). This is a non-profit organization founded in 1918 and has a number of standards that are applicable to gloves. These are commonly seen printed on the outside of gloves or on tags to let users know what the glove is capable of protecting against. The most common ratings you will see on gloves are conductive heat resistance, puncture resistance, cut resistance, ignition/burn resistance and abrasion resistance. These will be covered individually in depth in future blog posts so stay tuned! Generally, the higher the number with all of these the better, but it is good to know how the rating testing is conductive so you understand the limitation of the garment. 

The last organization for review today is the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). This is an organization that sets many standards for not only flame resistant clothing but many parts of your life that you may not even realize. The most applicable standards for FR clothing is NFPA 2112. This is the industry standard for flame resistant clothing and is most applicable in the fire service and industrial settings. More on NFPA 2112 later as well.