Everything You Need to Know About Fire Resistant Gloves
Fire related hand injuries
Fire injuries occur when hands are exposed to direct or indirect flame, and—combined with the heat present—cause burn injuries. The depth of the skin damage determines the severity of the injury, anywhere from first-degree burns (surface damage to the epidermis) to third-degree burns (leaving the skin charred and causing nerve damage).
Fire-resistant (FR) gloves, designed to resist heat and flame exposure, are made from materials that can withstand high temperatures and prevent heat transfer to the wearer’s hands.
Everything You Need
to Know About Fire Resistant Gloves
Fire related hand injuries
Fire injuries occur when hands are exposed to direct or indirect flame, and—combined with the heat present—cause burn injuries. The depth of the skin damage determines the severity of the injury, anywhere from first-degree burns (surface damage to the epidermis) to third-degree burns (leaving the skin charred and causing nerve damage).
Fire-resistant (FR) gloves, designed to resist heat and flame exposure, are made from materials that can withstand high temperatures and prevent heat transfer to the wearer’s hands.
Forces at Workin A Fire-Resistant Glove
To understand fire resistance in gloves, we must first identify the ingredients that cause fire and how to counteract the effects.
THE FIRE TRIANGLE
The fire triangle displays the three necessary components needed to ignite and sustain a fire. These include:
- The Surrounding Air
- Source responsible for the initial ignition of fire. Heat also maintains the fire and allows it to spread
- Considered to be any material capable of burning
This is why fire-resistant gloves need to be made with materials that:
- Resist ignition or combustion
- Limit the area that catches fire
- Minimize the transfer of heat to the hands
- Do not sustain fire once the ignition source is removed
Note: Every material has a melting point and every material will eventually ignite and catch fire. What is important is how much of that material will burn over time and how quickly it extinguishes itself.
Materials used in fire-resistant gloves
FR materials are either treated to resist flames or made from inherently fire-resistant materials. The most common material used for protection against fire hazards is leather, due to its inherent fire resistance and durability. However, other materials are also used to manufacture fire-resistant gloves.
NEOPRENE
Leather is inherently fire resistant and a frontrunner to protect against fire. Its solid outer shell provides a natural barrier that makes it hard for flames or heat to penetrate.
WOOL
Wool is an inherently fire-resistant natural fiber that forms an insulating layer to prevent flames from spreading further. It is not flammable and has a very high ignition temperature, preventing it from easily catching fire.
If it does catch fire the wool will burn slowly and, when the fire source is removed, the fibers self-extinguish. For FR gloves, wool is often used as an inner liner in leather and knit gloves for extra protection and comfort.
Besides being inherently fire-resistant, wool is commonly used as an insulating liner that helps keep hands warm while working in cold temperatures.
COTTON
Cotton is a natural fiber that provides natural heat resistance. However, cotton must be treated with chemicals that resist fire in order to be fire resistant.
Like wool and modacrylic, cotton is most commonly used as a liner in leather and knit gloves for extra protection and comfort against fire hazards.
ARAMIDS
Both major aramids—para-aramid and meta-aramid—are synthetic fibers that are inherently fire resistant due to their chemical structure.
For FR gloves, aramids are often selected because of their superior natural mechanical protection, particularly para-aramids, since they offer protection against other hazards, such as cut and abrasion. Aramids are also frequently paired with leather to improve its natural flame and heat resistance.
MODACRYLIC
Modacrylic is a synthetic fiber that is inherently fire resistant. But, unlike aramids, it lacks any type of mechanical protection.
This is why modacrylic is often blended with other materials (natural or synthetic) to improve mechanical protection and comfort.
POLYMER COATINGS
Polymer coatings are synthetic materials traditionally used for manufacturing chemical gloves and also serve as palm coatings for knit gloves.
Common materials used for tasks involving fire hazards are:
- PVC: Synthetic plastic material and naturally fire resistant. PVC offers natural resistance to a lot of chemicals and is ideal for working in frigid temperature as it won’t stiffen.
- Neoprene: Synthetic rubber material and naturally fire resistant. Neoprene is primarily used for its natural high fire resistance. For instance, manufacturers use neoprene palm coatings in knit gloves to achieve arc flash protection (a more severe form of fire hazard).
- Silicone: Synthetic rubber material and naturally fire resistant. It offers high heat resistance, as it has a very high melting point, and good abrasion and puncture resistance. It is also adhesive resistant.
Safety Standards and Tests for Fire-Resistant Gloves
As mentioned earlier, this article covers everything you need to know about safety gloves designed for fire hazards that do not include flash fires or electric arc hazards. Standardized tests have been established to define FR protection claims and to create a common language for safety managers, distributors, and manufacturers to substantiate their claims.
Vertical Flame Test
Test ASTM D6413 is the standard test method used to determine fire resistance—also known as the Vertical Flame Test. This test aims to determine whether a fabric will continue to burn after the source of ignition (flame) is removed and to determine if any dripping or melting occurs. Performing the test involves using a swatch of the material enclosed and secured in a chamber. The bottom of the fabric is then exposed to a controlled flame for 12 seconds after which the flame is extinguished. At that point, the fabric is studied and measured to gauge:
If the fabric achieves the criteria listed above, it is deemed fire resistant
Vertical Flame Test
Test ASTM D6413 is the standard test method used to determine fire resistance—also known as the Vertical Flame Test. This test aims to determine whether a fabric will continue to burn after the source of ignition (flame) is removed and to determine if any dripping or melting occurs. Performing the test involves using a swatch of the material enclosed and secured in a chamber. The bottom of the fabric is then exposed to a controlled flame for 12 seconds after which the flame is extinguished. At that point, the fabric is studied and measured to gauge:
If the fabric achieves the criteria listed above, it is deemed fire resistant
AFTER FLAME
Seconds during which there is visible flame after the source of ignition is removed. After flame cannot exceed 2 seconds (i.e., the fabric must self-extinguish within 2 seconds).
CHAR LENGTH
The length of fabric destroyed by the flame. Char Length cannot exceed 102 mm (approx. 4 inches).
MELTING OR DRIPPING
No melting or dripping of the fabric can occur.
If you still have questions or concerns about your company’s current hand safety program, or lack thereof, contact our hand safety experts to request a free 1-on-1. Our specialists’ partner with you from the top of the hierarchy and work together to explore options that address each level all the way down to PPE.
If you still have questions or concerns about your company’s current hand safety program, or lack thereof, contact our hand safety experts to request a free 1-on-1. Our specialists’ partner with you from the top of the hierarchy and work together to explore options that address each level all the way down to PPE.