When To Replace The Fire Resistant Suit？

The cost of replacing fire resistance workwear garment can be high, so using it for as long as possible without sacrificing protection is an ideal goal. In addition to protection, other considerations for fire retard clothing include appearance and comfort. In the life of any FR garment, due to basic wear and tear, it is necessary to consider removing it from the service. While most recognized FR fabric brands maintain their flame retardancy over the life of the garment, physical damage can also result in the need to remove it from service. For most practical purposes, if the garment is found to be ineffective to protect the wearer after routine inspection, the garment can be stopped based on subjective assessment. Ultimately, returning the fire resistant suit is the responsibility of the end user. Part of the protective ability of clothing is the simple fact that fabrics provide a barrier to thermal hazards. The weight or quality of the fabric also affects the level of thermal protection provided. Visual inspections can identify items that may reduce the effectiveness of fire retard clothing and cause them to be removed from service - or at least evaluated for repair.

1. Worn appearance – Replace garments that have thin spots, holes, or excessive wear and abrasion, such as elbow or knee areas that can no longer be repaired.

2. Mechanical damage – Evidence of cuts, rips, tears, open seams and nonfunctional closures that can no longer be repaired indicate a garment needs to be replaced.

3. Noticeably altered – Garments that have been modified or altered in a manner that differs significantly from the original design should be removed from service.

4. Improper fit – If the garment is either too big or too small for the wearer, it should be replaced. If the garment is too big it can be a physical hazard, and if the garment is too small it loses some of its thermal protection. fire resistant suit should have a looser fit to allow the air gap between the wearer and the garment to help with insulation.

5. Heavily soiled – If there are flammable substances on a garment that cannot be removed by cleaning — such as solvents, solids, oils and other petroleum products — those substances represent a flammability risk. The presence of a petroleum or chemical odor can be evidence of a flammable substance. Clothing soiled with combustible or flammable chemicals should be handled by qualified individuals, using techniques approved for such materials, and in accordance with pre-established procedures. Failure to fully remove these chemicals could compromise the FR effectiveness of the garment.

If the garment has significant repairable damage, the ability to properly repair the damaged fire resistance workwear garment can be an effective way to reduce costs. However, some basic guidelines should be followed to effectively repair flame-retardant garments.Make sure to inspect your FR suits on a regular basis, repair them when necessary, and replace them when they are irreparable and fail to serve their primary purpose of protecting the worker.