Fire Retardant Shirts

Fire Retardant Shirts - FAQs

What's the difference between HRC1/PPE1 and HRC2/PPE2, and how do I know which one I need?

HRC1/PPE1 covers a minimum arc rating of 4.0 cal/cm², HRC2/PPE2 covers a minimum of 8.0 cal/cm², roughly double the thermal protection. Our DNC HRC1/PPE1 Flame Retardant Anti-static Shirt 3407 is tested to an ATPV of 6.8 cal/cm² under HRC1. Our Hard Yakka FR Hi Vis Two Tone Taped Shirt Y04550 sits in the HRC2 tier instead.

Which one you need isn't a style choice, it comes down to the arc-flash risk assessment for your specific site or role, so check your site's PPE risk category before ordering rather than picking based on comfort alone.

What's actually measured by the ATPV rating, versus the HRC category?

HRC is a category, a band that a garment falls into. ATPV (Arc Thermal Performance Value) is the actual lab-tested number behind it, in cal/cm². Our DNC HRC1/PPE1 Flame Retardant Anti-static Shirt 3407, Patron Saint Flame Retardant Two-Tone Long Sleeve Drill Shirt 3406 and DNC HRC1/PPE1 Flame Retardant Workwear 3402 are all tested to ATPV 6.8 cal/cm², comfortably above the 4.0 cal/cm² HRC1 minimum.

Worth knowing if your site specifies a minimum ATPV number rather than just an HRC category, since two HRC1 shirts can still test at different ATPV values.

Our DNC HRC1 shirts come in cotton drill or a lighter synthetic blend — what's the practical difference?

The DNC HRC1/PPE1 Flame Retardant Anti-static Shirt 3407, Patron Saint Flame Retardant Two-Tone Long Sleeve Drill Shirt 3406 and DNC HRC1/PPE1 Flame Retardant Workwear 3402 are all 190gsm cotton drill, heavier, and the traditional trade-shirt feel most crews already know.

Our DNC Workwear Long Sleeve Flamearc Flame Retardant Shirt 3441 goes a different way, a lighter 180gsm synthetic blend with built-in FR mesh venting under the arms and across the upper back. Same HRC1 rating, but 3441 trades some of the familiar cotton-drill feel for better airflow in hot conditions.

What does “no metal components” mean on an FR shirt, and why does it matter?

Our DNC Workwear Long Sleeve Flamearc Flame Retardant Shirt 3441 is built with no metal components at all, FR nylon press studs and a concealed snap closure instead of metal buttons or zips. On a site with arc-flash or high-heat risk, exposed metal can heat up fast and cause a secondary burn even if the fabric itself holds up, so a no-metal build is a genuine safety feature, not just a design choice.

If your risk assessment flags metal hardware as a hazard, that's the detail to check on any FR shirt before you buy, not every FR-rated shirt is automatically metal-free.

Are there any lightweight FR shirt options?

Yes there are, we understand that most FR shirts can be heavy and cumbersome in hot environments. The Symik PPE2 Riptop FR Shirt ZW180 is an excellent lightweight option measuring at only 165gm and the Bisley Workwear Tecasafe FR Shirt BS8098T measures in at 197gsm. 

Besides men do you have any Women’s Fire Retardant shirts?

Yes some workwear suppliers do cater for women's sizes and fits in fire retardant shirts. Some of the popular choices include the Syzmik Workwear Women’s FR Shirt ZW170 and the Bisley Workwear Women’s FR BL8097T Shirt.