Flame Retardant vs Flame Resistant: What’s the Difference?

It may come as a surprise to discover that ‘flame retardant’ and ‘flame resistant’ have different meanings. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they refer to the different ways workwear protects against fire. Understanding their definitions is a crucial part of choosing the appropriate workwear to keep you safe in a high-risk environment with flames and extreme heat.

Flame-resistant (FR) workwear is specifically designed to resist ignition. They are made from fabrics that are inherently non-flammable by having flame-resistant substances woven into the fibres or treated with chemicals to withstand high temperatures and prevent the spread of fire when they come in contact with exposed flames. The manufacturing of flame-resistant workwear means it is highly durable and maintains its protective qualities over time.

Flame-retardant workwear is composed of fabrics that have been treated with chemical substances that impart fire resistant properties to the material. These chemicals form a protective layer over the garment, enabling it to extinguish flames and slow their spread. The main goal of flame-retardant workwear is to minimise the flammability of the fabric to prevent burns and injury to the wearer.

The construction of flame-resistant and flame-retardant clothing is the primary different between the two. Flame resistant workwear is made with non-flammable materials, while flame-retardant clothing can be made from flammable materials that become flame-retardant once treated with special chemicals.

Whether your job regulations require flame-resistant or flame-retardant uniform, the protection they both provide is so important. At Scarlet Workwear, we stock a wide variety of FR workwear to keep you safe on site.

If you have any questions about our FR range, get in contact with us and our team will be happy to help!