An FR clothing label shows how a garment performed in flame and arc tests. It lists the arc rating, shown as ATPV or EBT, plus standards and care steps. Read the FR clothing label before you buy FR clothes, because the label proves the protection. This guide explains each part in plain English.
What Does an FR Clothing Label Show?
An FR clothing label shows the proof behind a garment's protection. It lists the tests the fabric passed and how to wash it.
Most labels include:
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Arc rating in cal/cm², shown as ATPV or EBT
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Fiber content and fabric weight
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Standards such as ASTM F1506 or NFPA 2112
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Manufacturer name and care steps
Flame resistant clothing differs from regular work clothes in one way. Regular fabric keeps burning, while FR clothes stop burning once the flame source is gone. Some buyers search for FRC clothing, which means the same thing as FR clothing.
How Do You Read ATPV on an FR Clothing Label?
ATPV is the heat level, in cal/cm², that gives a 50 percent chance of a second-degree burn under the fabric. A higher ATPV means more protection.
ATPV stands for Arc Thermal Performance Value. Labs find it with the ASTM F1959 test, which compares the heat passing through the fabric with a skin burn curve.
Match the ATPV on the FR clothing label to your task. For example, a task with 6 cal/cm² of incident energy needs an ATPV of at least 6. NFPA 70E sets 8 cal/cm² as the minimum for PPE Category 2.
What Does EBT Mean on an FR Clothing Label?
EBT stands for Energy Breakopen Threshold. It is the heat level at which fabric has a 50 percent chance of breaking open in an arc test.
Labs report EBT when the fabric breaks open before they can find an ATPV. Both values count as an arc rating on the FR clothing label.
|
Feature |
ATPV |
EBT |
|
Full name |
Arc Thermal Performance Value |
Energy Breakopen Threshold |
|
Shows |
Heat causing a second-degree burn |
Heat causing fabric breakopen |
|
Unit |
cal/cm² |
cal/cm² |
|
Reported when |
Fabric stays intact |
Fabric breaks open first |
Do not rank EBT below ATPV. Treat each one as the arc rating.
What Do Arc Rating and Standards Mean on an FR Clothing Label?
An arc rating is the tested heat level, shown as ATPV or EBT, that a fabric handles during an electric arc. Arc ratings are expressed in cal/cm².
Standards show which hazard the rating covers:
- ASTM F1506: labeling rules for arc-rated fabrics
- NFPA 70E: electrical safety rules and PPE categories
- NFPA 2112: flash fire protection
An arc rating and a flash fire rating differ, so check that the standard on the FR clothing label matches your hazard. Flame resistant clothing for electricians needs an arc rating, because electrical work creates arc flash hazards.
How Do You Choose FR Clothing for Men Using the FR Clothing Label?
Choose FR clothing for men by matching the label to your hazard, then checking fit and care. This works for any FR work clothing, from shirts to jeans.
Use this checklist:
- Confirm the hazard: arc flash, flash fire, or both
- Find the required arc rating in your risk assessment
- Check the ATPV or EBT on the FR clothing label
- Confirm the standard matches the hazard
- Confirm your site's flame resistant uniform rules
- Read the care steps before the first wash
Avoid two common mistakes. Do not buy by price alone, and do not wear a melting synthetic undershirt beneath FR work shirts.
Shoppers also search for flame retardant clothing for men. Judge those products the same way, by reading the label.
Where Can You Buy FR Clothing with a Clear FR Clothing Label?
Where to buy FR clothing comes down to one test: does the seller show tested details on the product page?
NKE Safety Apparel, based in Plano, Texas, is an FR clothing store that sells FR clothing online and ships free on orders above $99.
Popular FR clothing shirts and jeans include:
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FR Stretch Basic Denim Jeans: classic indigo, waist sizes 29 to 48
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Eagle Crest FR Snap Shirt, Navy: 100% cotton, listed as NFPA certified
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Golden Eagle Crest FR Snap Shirt, Grey: 6.5 oz cotton ripstop with pearl snaps
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Black Eagle Crest FR Snap Shirt, Khaki: wash warm, no bleach or fabric softener
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FR Henley, Navy: long sleeve, three buttons, durable stitching
Check each page's Compliances tab against your required arc rating.
People Ask About an FR Clothing Label
1. What does FR mean on clothing?
FR means flame resistant. These fire-resistant clothes resist ignition and stop burning when the flame source is removed.
2. What does ATPV mean on an FR clothing label?
ATPV is the heat, in cal/cm², that gives a 50 percent chance of a second-degree burn.
3. What is EBT in FR clothing?
EBT is the heat level at which the fabric has a 50 percent chance of breaking open.
4. Is ATPV the same as arc rating?
No. ATPV is one way to express an arc rating, and EBT is the other.
5. What should I look for on an FR clothing label?
Look for the arc rating, the standard, the fiber content, and the care steps.
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