Certified Flame Resistant Clothing Specialist Program (CFRCS)

Course Description

According to OSHA, Flame-Resistant (FR) Clothing is required under 29 CFR 1910 and is also mentioned in other sections of OSHA standards. FR clothing is used in industries such as petroleum, electrical, and other sectors where workers face hazards that could result in injury. These hazardous areas include electric, petroleum, and dust-related environments. The protective clothing is designed to reduce the risk of burns and provide workers with additional safety measures in high-risk workplaces.

A flash fire is a fire that spreads rapidly through a diffuse fuel, such as dust, gas, or vapors of an ignitable liquid, without producing damaging pressure. The intensity of a flash fire depends on the size of the gas or vapor cloud, with hydrocarbon (oil and gas) flash fires generating temperatures of 1,000 to 1,900 degrees Fahrenheit. NFPA 2112, the National Fire Protection Association Standard on Flame-Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire, 2007 Edition, provides guidelines for protective clothing against such hazards.

The duration of a flash fire can last up to five seconds. NFPA 2112 and NFPA 2113, which cover the selection, care, use, and maintenance of FR garments, apply to general industry workplaces, including drilling, well servicing, and production-related operations. Inherent flash fire hazards are associated with oil and gas well drilling, servicing, and production-related operations. Historically, the industry has experienced burn-related injuries and fatalities due to flash fire hazards when engineering and administrative controls have failed, prompting OSHA to require employers to provide and ensure the use of FR clothing during certain operations.

In the electrical field, electric arcs pose some of the most serious hazards for power industry workers. Arc blast or flash hazards can include extremely high temperatures (hotter than the surface of the sun) over fractions of a second, hot gases, intense pressure waves similar to having a hand grenade explode nearby, and shrapnel from vaporized and molten metal. Arc-related injuries can range from minor burns to severe outcomes such as blindness, hearing and memory loss, broken bones, or death. Proper clothing plays a critical role in mitigating the severity of these injuries.

FR clothing is essentially worn as insurance. In the unlikely event of a flash fire, electric arc flash, or other catastrophic incident, FR work clothing can reduce burn injury, provide additional escape time, and significantly increase the chances of survival. Although some injuries may still occur, the severity is dramatically reduced, often making the difference between life and death.

Attendees of this course will gain an understanding of the dynamics and dangers of electrical arc flashes, hydrocarbon flash fires, and the potential injuries and associated costs. The course covers the latest information on the performance of proven FR garments available today, emphasizing their effectiveness in protecting workers in high-risk industries.

This presentation is designed to educate attendees on the options available in the FR clothing market for Arc Flash and Flash Fire protection. Participants will learn how to differentiate between the Arc Flash and Flash Fire markets and gain insight into how to effectively “sell” into each, ensuring proper selection and use of protective garments for workplace safety.

What You'll Learn

• Understand the dynamics and dangers of an Arc Flash and Flash Fire events.
• Recognize the costs associated with burn injury.
• Understand the latest Flame-Resistant fabrics technology.
• Understand the technical terms surrounding Flame-Resistant Clothing.
• Recognize the difference between Flame-Resistant clothing and everyday workwear.
• Understand the different FR Clothing markets.
• Understand "how to sell" into core markets.

Who Should Attend

Safety & Health Professionals, Industrial Hygienists, Electrical Industry Personnel, Petroleum Industry Workers, and Training Managers.