FR Clothing

FR Clothing for Oilfield, Electrical and Industrial Work

Flame-resistant (FR) clothing is what stands between you and a burn when an arc flash or flash fire happens. We carry FR shirts, FR jeans and work pants, FR jackets and coveralls from Ariat FR, Carhartt FR, Wrangler FR, Bulwark, Lapco and Native FR, and we fit crews for it every day at our store in Elk City, Oklahoma. It is built for oilfield hands, electricians, linemen, welders and plant operators who wear FR all shift, every shift.

Know Your Ratings: NFPA 2112, NFPA 70E and Arc Ratings

• NFPA 2112 is the standard for FR garments that protect against short-duration flash fire. It is the rating most oilfield, gas plant and refinery jobs call for.
• NFPA 70E is the electrical safety standard. It sets the arc flash PPE categories (CAT 1 to CAT 4) based on the hazard of the task.
• ASTM F1506 is the performance spec for arc-rated fabric worn by electrical workers.
• The arc rating (ATPV or EBT) is how much heat energy the fabric can take, in cal/cm². The higher the number, the more protection.

Arc Flash PPE Categories (NFPA 70E)

PPE category	Minimum arc rating	Typical FR gear
CAT 1	4 cal/cm²	Arc-rated long sleeve shirt and pants, or an arc-rated coverall
CAT 2	8 cal/cm²	Arc-rated long sleeve shirt and pants, or an arc-rated coverall. The most common level for daily-wear FR.
CAT 3	25 cal/cm²	Arc-rated clothing plus arc flash suit layers that add up to at least 25 cal/cm²
CAT 4	40 cal/cm²	Arc-rated clothing plus arc flash suit layers that add up to at least 40 cal/cm²

Your employer's arc flash risk assessment sets the category you need, and every arc-rated garment lists its rating on the label. Older paperwork may still say HRC 1 to HRC 4. Those are the same categories under their old name.

FR Clothing by Job

• Oilfield, gas plant and refinery crews: NFPA 2112 flash fire protection, and many sites also want arc-rated (dual hazard) FR. See our oilfield workwear page.
• Electricians, linemen and utility crews: arc-rated FR to NFPA 70E, usually CAT 2 or higher for daily wear. See linemen and utility workwear.
• Welders and fabricators: FR shirts and jeans that stand up to sparks and spatter, worn with the welding PPE your job requires.
• Construction and plant crews: FR plus hi-vis where the site calls for it. See construction workwear.

FR Clothing by Category

• FR shirts: button-up work shirts, pearl snaps, henleys, tees and polos
• FR jeans and work pants
• FR jackets, coats and vests
• FR hoodies and sweatshirts, and our guide to layering FR clothing for winter
• FR coveralls
• Men's FR clothing and women's FR clothing

FR Brands We Carry

• Ariat FR clothing: Ariat FR shirts and Ariat FR jeans built on Ariat's M4, M5 and M7 fits
• Carhartt FR: FR Force shirts, Rugged Flex FR pants and Quick Duck FR coats and bibs
• Wrangler FR: FR jeans in Wrangler's Original, Relaxed and 20X fits, plus FR work shirts
• Bulwark, Lapco and Native FR: FR basics and coveralls for company programs

Caring for FR Clothing

Wash FR the way the care label says. Skip chlorine bleach, fabric softener and starch, since they can coat the fabric or break down FR protection. Do not wear synthetic shirts or base layers under FR, because they can melt. Retire FR that is torn, worn thin or soaked with oil or grease, since contamination can burn.

Company FR Programs

Outfitting a crew? We run company FR and boot programs with voucher allowances, approved-item lists and logo embroidery for oilfield, utility and construction employers across Oklahoma and Texas. See how our employee allocation programs work.

FR Clothing FAQ

What does FR mean on clothing?

FR stands for flame-resistant. FR fabric resists catching fire and puts itself out once the flame source is gone, which limits burn injury in a flash fire or arc flash.

What is the difference between FR and arc-rated (AR) clothing?

All arc-rated clothing is flame-resistant, but not all FR clothing has been arc tested and labeled with a cal/cm² rating. Electrical work under NFPA 70E calls for arc-rated FR.

What FR category do electricians need?

It depends on the task. Your employer's arc flash risk assessment sets the PPE category. CAT 2 (8 cal/cm² minimum) is the most common level for daily-wear FR shirts and pants.

Where can I buy FR clothing in Oklahoma?

At Circle A Western and Outdoor, 3000 W 3rd St, Elk City, OK 73644, open Monday through Friday 8 to 6 and Saturday 10 to 5. We stock FR shirts, jeans, outerwear and coveralls in a full run of sizes so you can try them on before you buy. Call (580) 225-7363 to check a size, or read where to buy FR clothing in Oklahoma.

Do you outfit company crews?

Yes. We set up company FR and boot programs with spending limits, approved items and employee ordering. Here is how company programs work.