Because of the number of new flame-resistant (FR) fabrics being introduced into the market today, selecting garments for your FR program can be a daunting task. Given so many options for fabrics, manufacturers and suppliers, where do you begin when trying to determine which products are best suited to the needs of your workplace?
In order to choose wisely, it is important to follow an outline of evaluation criteria to help you make the best selections for protection, comfort and value.
Because FR garments are an expensive investment, you want to be sure your company gets the most for its money while providing the maximum protection and safety for your employees. Some of the key concepts to consider are:
1. What level of protection does the fabric provide, and will it deliver that same protection over time and after many launderings?
2. Will the next garment you buy from that supplier possess all the same qualities as the last garment you bought? Will the garments remain consistent in both quality and FR performance?
3. Can you be confident that a flame-resistant garment will provide your employee with the same level of protection over years in the field?
4. Will the FR garments you purchase over time from a particular supplier consistently pass all the same tests, since the fabric may have only been tested in the initial production lots (depending on the specifications of the given standard)?
5. Do you have confidence in the suppliers, both at the fabric and garment manufacturing level based on answers to the following questions:
a. Do they have experience?
b. Can they track every garment back to the
original roll of fabric from which it was made?
c. Do they fully disclose where their fabric is made and who made it?
d. Do both the garment and fabric suppliers follow an ongoing testing protocol?
e. Do they deliver the same quality each time?
f. Are the garments and/or fabrics certified?
g. Do they use all FR fabrics and findings in the manufacture of the garment?
h. Are they financially stable - will they be there tomorrow if you have any issues?