When it comes to protecting yourself on the job, especially in high-risk industries like electrical work, oil and gas, or utilities, the gear you wear can be the difference between walking away and suffering a serious injury. But when shopping for PPE, it’s easy to get confused by two commonly used terms: flame-resistant (FR) and arc-rated (AR) clothing.
They’re often used interchangeably but they’re not the same thing. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe and compliant.
What Is Flame-Resistant (FR) Clothing?
FR clothing is made to protect against fire-related hazards like flash fires. It self-extinguishes when exposed to flame, meaning it won’t melt, drip, or continue to burn once the flame source is gone.
FR Gear Is Ideal For:
- Oil & gas workers
- Chemical plants
- Refineries
- Industrial maintenance crews
Key Features:
- Meets NFPA 2112 standards
- Helps reduce burn injuries
- Provides critical time to escape a fire hazard
Featured FR Clothing at Dukel
· Bulwark iQ Series® FR Shirt – Lightweight, breathable, and NFPA 2112 compliant
Bulwark - iQ Series® Comfort Woven Men's Lightweight FR Shirt
· Ariat FR M4 Boot Cut Jean – Flint – Tough enough for work, comfortable enough for all-day wear
Ariat - FR M4 Relaxed Basic Boot Cut Jean - Flint
· Blaklader FR Utility Pants – Reinforced and built for rugged environments
BlakLader - FR Stretch Pants - 8,9cal, CAT 2
· Drifire FR Base Layer Long Sleeve Shirt – Perfect for layering under your outerwear
DRIFIRE Thermal Long Sleeve T-Shirt - Fire (FR) and Arc Flash Resistan
What Is Arc-Rated (AR) Clothing?
Arc-rated clothing is a step beyond FR it’s specifically tested to withstand the intense heat and pressure of an electrical arc flash. While all AR clothing is flame-resistant, not all FR gear is arc-rated.
AR Gear Is Required For:
- Electricians and linemen
- Utility crews
- Substation workers
- Maintenance techs working with energized equipment
Key Features:
- Tested to ASTM F1506 standards
- Carries a calorie rating (cal/cm²) indicating the arc flash protection level
- Required by NFPA 70E for electrical PPE
- Rated from CAT 1 to CAT 4 depending on protection level
Top Arc-Rated Picks at Dukel
-
Drifire FR Helix Long Sleeve Tee – CAT 2, 12 cal/cm²
Drifire FR Helix Long Sleeve Tee Shirts - CAT 2 -
Ariat FR Rev Pullover Hoodie – CAT 2, 22 cal/cm²
Ariat - FR Rev Pullover Hoodie -
FR Work Pants – CAT 2, 9.7 cal/cm²
FR Work Pants - Flash Fire/Arc Flash Resistant, 4 Pockets -
Blaklader FR Hooded Sweatshirt – CAT 2, 17 cal/cm²
BlakLader -FR Hooded Sweatshirt - 17 cal, CAT 2
FR vs. AR: What’s the Difference?
|
Feature |
FR Clothing |
AR Clothing |
|
Flame Resistance |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Arc Flash Protection |
Not always |
Yes |
|
Calorie Rating |
Not required |
Required (cal/cm²) |
|
Key Standards |
NFPA 2112 |
ASTM F1506, NFPA 70E |
|
Common Use |
Flash fire, oil & gas |
Arc flash, electrical work |
Why It Matters
Wearing the wrong gear could lead to catastrophic injury or worse. If you’re working around live electricity, wearing standard FR clothing without an arc rating won’t protect you from an arc flash.
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269 and 1910.132 require employers to provide appropriate arc-rated PPE for workers exposed to electrical hazards. Compliance isn’t just about avoiding fines—it’s about saving lives.
How to Choose the Right Protection
- For flash fire risks: Use gear certified to NFPA 2112
- For arc flash hazards: Wear AR-rated gear with the proper CAT level
- For layered risk: Choose apparel that’s both FR and AR tested
Shop Trusted Brands at Dukel
From Ariat and Drifire to Bulwark and Blaklader, Novarlo only stocks PPE that meets today’s toughest safety standards.
Explore All FR & AR Gear Now → Dukel.com
