With fire being a common cause of death and injury worldwide, employers want to make sure workers wear the appropriate flame retardant (FR) garment. But today’s wearer demands have changed, and they not only expect protection, but also comfort and apparel that has a ‘fashionable’ appearance.

On the other hand, employers feeling the pressure to find fabrics that satisfy these demands, must also focus on meeting the stringent safety standards that are being put in place globally.

To respond to all the industry needs, textile manufacturers such as Carrington Textiles have developed a wide range of multifunctional and multinorm flame retardant fabrics so the wearer can be protected with fabrics that not only ‘resist’ fire, but also offer added properties including high visibility, antistatic, waterproof and chemical splash.

A wide range of industries benefit from the use of flame retardant fabrics, from construction, to utilities and all the way to the oil and gas industry. Especially in the Middle East, working in such industries involves being exposed to high temperatures and hot work environments, as well as being at risk of fire, so it’s important that the safety of the workers is uncompromised.

“a wide range of industries benefit from the use of flame retardant fabrics, from construction, to utilities”

Carrington Textiles’ Sales & Marketing Director, Paul Farrell, emphasised the importance of using natural fibres for the region’s climate: “Natural fibres like cotton are ideal for the Middle East because they are breathable, have great moisture absorbency and help control the body temperature of the wearer with their thermoregulating properties.  These properties help to reduce heat stress caused by working at high temperatures. For those also working outdoors over prolonged periods, natural fibres resist UV degradation, so you can be sure that the garment will retain its integrity unlike some made from synthetic fibres”.  

Another important aspect considered by customers when purchasing flame retardant fabrics is their launderability. In general, the expectation is that the product will withstand at least 100 washes at high temperatures without compromising its flame retardancy, colour fastness and appearance.

On this topic Paul added: “fabrics like our Flametuff 250 AS were developed to meet the worldwide industry standard NFPA 2112, so even after 100 washes, it maintains flame retardancy properties”.

Our credentials

As Europe’s leading supplier of Flame Retardant finished fabrics for workwear, Carrington Textiles offer a wide range of inherent and treated FR fabrics with added properties that include water repellency, antistatic, chemical splash protection, electric arc, high visibility, waterproof and UV protection.

Carrington Textiles manufactures fabrics that combine versatile performance with outstanding wearer comfort, appearance and durability, all produced in one of the most modern bleaching, dyeing, printing and finishing facilities in the world.

In the Middle East we’ve established longstanding relationships with the Royal Oman Police and militaries such as the Bahrain Army. With a warehouse in Sharjah and over 150,000 metres in stock, Carrington Textiles serves the Kingdom of Bahrain, Kuwait, Sultanate of Oman, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

As well as our Flame Retardant range of fabrics, we produce a wide range of Workwear, Waterproof, Defence and sustainable products with exceptional performance in the most demanding workplace environments.