What Are Fire Resistant Clothes Made Of?

Wool is naturally flame-resistant.

Flame-resistant clothing is made from fabrics that are heavy and tightly woven. Many synthetic fabrics are also flame resistant. Flame-retardant chemicals sometimes are added to clothing, to make it particularly resistant to fire.

Wool

Wool is naturally more fire-resistant than other fabrics. It does not catch fire easily and does not burn as quickly as other materials. The tighter and heavier the wool, the more fire-resistant it is.

Synthetic Fabrics

Synthetic fabrics, such as nylon and polyester, take a longer time to ignite than cotton, linen or silk. Once these synthetic fabrics are afire, though, they tend to melt. The tighter and heavier the weave of the synthetic fabric, the more flame-resistant it will be.

Fire-Retardant Finishes

Fire-resistant coating is sometimes added to a fabric to decrease the likelihood that it will catch fire and burn. Specialty fabric companies make fabrics with these chemicals added.

References

• Textile Exchange: Textile Finishes for Flame Resistant Fabrics
• National Fireproofing Co.: Fire Retardants, an Advantageous Solution to Fire Protection
• Specialty Fabrics Review: Flame-Resistant Fabrics: Examine Your Options