Fire-resistant clothing is a necessity in many industrial jobs. Despite that, workers are given the choice to wear whatever they want as long as they reach the minimum of protection, which is why the topic of layering comes up often when talking about proper coverage. If you think that layering might be the way to go for your job, be sure to check out the rest of this layering guide for fire-resistant clothing in order to see if it’s the right choice for you.
Is It Even Okay To Do?
Depending on how people do it, layering is fine. You simply have to make sure that you layer with other pieces of flame-resistant clothing. Using regular clothes underneath defeats the purpose of fire-resistant ones since they’re not fireproof. Your everyday clothes would still catch on fire and burn you through your more protective layers.
The Reason Why People Layer
The primary reason why workers layer their clothes is due to the fact that stronger fire-resistant clothing is very heavy and holds in a lot of heat. Many job sites that require this level of protection are already incredibly hot. Layering allows workers to take off their top clothes when they’re not in a dangerous area and put them back on as needed.
Figuring Out Materials
Flame-resistant clothing comes in many different types. Some materials are better as lower layers for breathability, while others are better on the top for their more robust durability. Cost, comfort, and care requirements of the material are also critical components when determining which clothing material is best for you.
Necessary Requirements
There are a few key things to keep in mind when deciding on how to layer. The first is to make sure that your bottom layer has non-melting properties. Other than doing the obvious of not melting to your skin when hot, these materials are also great for keeping you cool and absorbing moisture. You need to ensure that your top outer layer is the one with the highest level of fire resistance. That way, you are the most protected.
For those who need to protect their whole body from possible flames, coverings with good visibility are another aspect that must be considered. People with face coverings need to have a clear view of anything that might be coming their way according to the ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Accessories.
Best Layering Options
Bottom layers are easy. Any form of fire-resistant clothing will do. The best option for top layers, however, is flame-resistant outerwear such as sweaters and jackets. We have a wide selection of outerwear available if you are interested in picking some up for yourself. Regardless of what you decide to do, we hope that our layering guide for fire-resistant clothing was informative and helpful for you.