Flame Resistant Lab Coats — Arc Rated NFPA 70E & NFPA 2112

FR lab coats are required in environments where a professional or clean garment style is needed alongside arc flash or flash fire compliance. Key applications include:

• Electrical and electronic testing labs — workers testing or working near energized equipment subject to NFPA 70E arc flash requirements
• Industrial and utility control rooms — operators needing professional-style arc-rated clothing
• Food processing and pharmaceutical facilities — where FR protection must coexist with hygiene requirements; pocketless, smooth-surface FR lab coats meet both
• Petrochemical and refinery lab environments — where NFPA 2112 flash fire requirements apply to all personnel including lab staff

A standard white cotton lab coat labeled "FR" but without an arc rating (ATPV value) does not satisfy NFPA 70E — it must be arc-rated and tested to ASTM F1959 to count toward a PPE category.

FR lab coats in our collection carry arc ratings of:

• 4.4–5.6 cal/cm² (CAT 1) — Nomex® IIIA styles from Bulwark and Neese; lightweight, inherently FR, ideal for low-energy environments and daily wear in electrical labs
• 9–11 cal/cm² (CAT 2) — Excel FR® ComforTouch® (Bulwark) and FR cotton (Neese) styles; heavier and more durable for active industrial lab environments with higher arc flash exposure

Always confirm your site's arc flash hazard analysis to determine the minimum arc rating required. Most electrical lab environments require CAT 1 or CAT 2 protection for routine energized work at lower voltage levels.

Nomex® IIIA lab coats (4.5–6 oz, 93% Nomex/5% Kevlar) are inherently FR — flame resistance is built into the fiber and never washes out. They are lightweight, breathable, and carry a lower arc rating (4.4–5.6 cal/cm²). Preferred in clean environments, food processing, and pharmaceutical settings where lightweight and permanent protection matter most.

Excel FR® ComforTouch® (6 oz, 88% cotton/12% nylon from Bulwark) is a treated FR fabric — durable and soft with an arc rating of approximately 9 cal/cm² (CAT 2). The higher arc rating suits more demanding electrical testing environments. Protection requires proper laundering to maintain; avoid bleach and fabric softeners.

Only partially. An arc-rated FR lab coat satisfies the upper-body arc rating requirement for the areas it covers — torso, arms, and partially legs if knee-length. However, NFPA 70E Article 130.7 requires all layers worn under arc-rated outer garments to be non-melting. Polyester or nylon clothing worn under an FR lab coat is non-compliant and can melt in an arc flash event.

100% cotton or FR-treated clothing is acceptable beneath an FR lab coat. For lower-body coverage, FR pants must be worn if the lab coat does not extend below the knee. A full compliance assessment should confirm all exposed areas are covered per the required PPE category.

Yes. Bulwark offers women's-cut FR lab coats in Nomex® IIIA fabric (style KNL3RB) designed to provide proper fit and coverage for female workers. As with all FR garments, proper fit is a compliance requirement under NFPA 70E Section 130.7(C)(9)(e) — women's sizing ensures appropriate coverage without gaps at the wrists, waist, or collar.

Machine wash warm (up to 140°F) with standard laundry detergent. Do not use chlorine bleach, hydrogen peroxide, fabric softeners, or starch — these degrade FR performance on both Nomex and treated FR cotton garments. Tumble dry low or hang dry. For garments used in laboratory or food processing environments with chemical or grease contamination, ensure all contaminants are fully removed before returning to service; dry clean if standard washing is insufficient. Always follow the care label on your specific garment.