FR Rain Gear - Arc Rated & Flame Resistant Wet Weather Apparel

NFPA 70E Article 130.7 requires that every layer worn in an arc flash environment be non-melting — including outer garments. Standard rain gear made from PVC, polyester, or nylon melts and bonds to skin at arc flash temperatures, causing severe additional burn injury even when the FR clothing underneath remains intact. Non-FR rainwear worn over compliant FR clothing does not satisfy NFPA 70E requirements and creates a life-threatening melt hazard.

FR rain gear certified to ASTM F1891 (arc flash) or ASTM F2733 (flash fire) uses flame-resistant PVC-on-Nomex®, polyurethane-on-FR-knit, or modacrylic/PVC constructions that resist ignition and will not melt or drip in the event of arc flash or flash fire exposure.

These are the only two ASTM standards developed specifically for flame resistant rainwear, and they address different hazard types:

• ASTM F1891 — Arc and Flame Resistant Rainwear: Required for workers in arc flash hazard environments (NFPA 70E). The garment must not ignite, melt, or drip when exposed to arc flash energy and must carry a documented arc rating (ATPV or EBT in cal/cm²). This is the standard for electricians, linemen, and utility workers performing energized work in rain.
• ASTM F2733 — Flash Fire Resistant Rainwear: Required for workers exposed to outdoor hydrocarbon or petrochemical flash fire hazards combined with wet weather — oil and gas field workers, pipeline and refinery crews, and midstream operations. Tests for predicted body burn in flash fire scenarios.

A garment that passes ASTM F1891 (does not ignite or melt) is not automatically ASTM F2733 compliant — the two standards test for different types and durations of thermal exposure. For workers facing both hazards, look for dual-certified garments explicitly meeting both standards. Check the product label and certification documentation.

FR rain gear in our collection carries arc ratings primarily in the 8.5 to 18.5 cal/cm² range, covering NFPA 70E PPE Category 2 (8+ cal/cm²). Popular styles include the Neese Dura Arc II rated at approximately 10 cal/cm², and the OccuNomix FR waterproof jacket rated at 18.5 cal/cm² (CAT 2). Some insulated FR rain parkas reach CAT 3–4 ratings.

The arc rating on FR rain gear applies to the jacket (or pants) as a standalone garment. When worn as the outermost layer of a layered system, the system's combined arc rating is not simply additive — only tested garment combination ratings may be claimed. Confirm the rating required by your site's hazard assessment.

Yes — the majority of FR rain gear in our collection is dual-certified to both FR/arc flash standards (ASTM F1891 and/or F2733, NFPA 70E) and ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 Class 2 or Class 3 high-visibility standards. These are the most-requested FR rain garments because most outdoor utility and road construction workers need all three: arc flash protection, waterproofing, and ANSI visibility compliance in a single outer layer.

Styles include ANSI Class 3 hi-vis lime yellow and orange FR rain jackets, full-length FR rain coats, FR rain bibs (ANSI Class E — Class 3 when worn with jacket), and complete FR rain suits. Brands include Neese Industries, OccuNomix, Lakeland, and NASCO.

FR rain gear uses specialized waterproof constructions that are fundamentally different from standard PVC or polyester rain gear:

• PVC-on-Nomex® — a flame-resistant PVC coating bonded to a Nomex® aramid knit backing. Used in Neese Dura Arc I and II styles. Fully waterproof, arc-rated, and extremely durable. The PVC coating is formulated to be non-melting and flame-resistant.
• Polyurethane-on-FR-knit — a breathable PU membrane bonded to a modacrylic or FR cotton knit. Used in OccuNomix and Lakeland FR rain jackets. Offers better breathability than PVC-on-Nomex and carries arc ratings up to 18.5 cal/cm².
• Modacrylic/aramid/PVC composites — used in some multi-layer rain suit constructions combining flash fire protection with waterproofing.

All waterproof components — including seam tape and zippers — must be non-melting and FR-compliant in a certified FR rain garment. A standard coated nylon zipper on an otherwise FR jacket would disqualify it from certification.

Care requirements for FR rain gear differ slightly from standard FR garments due to the waterproof coating:

• Follow the garment care label — some PVC-on-Nomex® styles require sponge cleaning or professional laundering only, not machine washing
• PU-on-FR-knit styles are generally machine washable warm; use standard detergent
• Never use bleach, solvents, or fabric softeners — these damage both the FR fabric and the waterproof membrane
• Do not tumble dry on high heat — heat can delaminate waterproof coatings; hang dry or tumble dry low only
• Inspect seam tape and coating integrity regularly; delaminated or cracked waterproof coatings should be dry cleaned or the garment replaced
• Ensure all flammable contamination (oil, grease, petrochemicals) is fully removed before returning the garment to service

NFPA 70E requires full-body arc-rated coverage — upper and lower body. A FR rain jacket satisfies upper-body coverage for the areas it covers. If you are wearing compliant FR pants underneath that are not covered by the jacket (e.g., below the jacket hem), those FR pants must themselves be arc-rated and non-melting. Standard rain pants worn over FR pants are non-compliant — they are a melt hazard.

For complete wet-weather compliance, pair an FR rain jacket with FR rain pants or FR rain bib overalls. Many FR rain suits are sold as matched jacket-and-bib sets with a single combined arc rating tested as an ensemble. Look for bib styles rated ANSI Class E, which achieve ANSI Class 3 when worn with a Class 3 jacket.