What is Flame Resistant Clothing?

CAN/CGSB-155.20-2000 Workwear meeting this standard is intended to provide a degree of protection to the wearer and reduce the severity of injury should a hydrocarbon flash fire occur. For the purposes of this standard, "protective" does not mean that a wearer will suffer no burns if exposed to flash fire while wearing workwear meeting this standard.

NFPA 2112 - Standard on Flame Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire. Specifies the minimum design, performance, and certification requirements, and test methods for new flash fire protective garments. The NFPA 2112 has pass or fail (fail is greater than 50% body burn) at 3 seconds.

ASTM has substantial influence in the Flame Resistant Clothing industry.  During the time when the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued 1910.269, the ASTM F-18.65 Sub-Committee on Wearing Apparel was attempting to determine, through scientific means, the thermal hazards that affect utility workers.  Through years of research, the Sub-Committee has released several test methods and standards that quantify the hazards, define protection and further quantify the industry as a whole.