No Melt No Drip vs Fire Resistant Uniforms

No Melt No Drip Vs Fire Resistant Uniforms

This article considers the topic of uniform capabilities for first responders other than fire fighters who already by their work function have fire protective garments suitable for a range of operations. It considers the difference between two common industry testing standards.

There is much in the media about No Melt No Drip and Fire-Resistant Uniforms. Sorting out what is fact from fiction is in the detail. Whilst No Melt No Drip is not really an industry standard it does offer a reasonable descriptor for what first responders are seeking. Whilst some uniform manufactures may say their garments are FR, Fire Resistant or No Melt No Drip the only way to really tell is to make sure the garment and fabrics are tested to best practice international standards and labelled accordingly.

No melt no drip capability in emergency service law enforcement uniforms has become a well-deserved priority for our first responders who need to be able to safety deal with attending accidents involving cars on fire, shopping centre evacuations due to fire, industrial accidents, active shooters, riots and civil disorder and incidents involving self-harm where persons douse themselves in petrol and threat of improvised explosive devices, bush fire evacuations etc. In any case there is a proven risk of daily incidents whereby first responders are required to as part of their duties attend and respond. The risk of serious injury or loss of life is quantifiably high.

Certainly, high risk teams entering hostage rescue situations where the building may be on fire or about to be set on fire or where sound flash grenades are going to be used reasons for a better level of protection than No Melt No Drip and a Inherently Fire Resistant Uniform.

Traditionally uniforms were constructed from natural fibres of wool and cotton but in recent years polyesters and synthetics have been used which aided use and maintenance of uniforms. Uniforms became lighter and easier to wash. Costs were also reduced however newer man-made fibres also meant a risk of the fabric catching fire and melting.

No Melt No Drip was a phrase originally coined during the recent wars in the middle east whereby troops in armoured vehicles were becoming susceptible to serious burns injuries resulting from roadside IED’s (Improvised Explosive Devices). They were mostly wearing uniforms made from a blend of cotton and polyester and some of their undergarments were just polyester or similar synthetic which easily caught fire melted and stick to the wearer causing horrible injuries and increasing the risk of death.

Uniform standards were rapidly adopted whereby uniforms were altered in their content of fibres so that the fabric would not catch fire easily and would not shrink and melt to the wearer. In some cases, uniform suppliers adopted already existing test standards such as EN ISO 11612 which had been developed for civilian industries such as mining, electrical, petrochemical and maritime industries where risk of injury from fire was a daily part of work. Whilst there is no such No Melt No Drip Standard the standards mentioned do test against flame spread and what happens to the fabric when it catches fire with it measuring the rate of spread and any melting of the fabric within certain parameters.

Why not dress First Responders in the same clothing fire officers wear? Well fire safety standards for fire fighters are a whole different level up from No Melt No Drip. Fire fighter uniforms are different in that they are designed to protect against long period exposure to latent and thermal heat. Usually not being very comfortable to wear for a complete shift each day until now!

Fire resistance standards usually incorporate the above ISO standards but testing to other standards like the NFPA 2112 and NFPA 70E which tests garments for protection of industrial personnel against flash fire are also used. First responder uniforms made from inherently fire-resistant fibres in lightweight breathable fabric that offer protection from short period exposure to flame and will not burn or melt within testing parameters.

ISO 11612:2015 (EN ISO 11612) Standard for Protective Clothing to protect against Heat and Flame

Based on the above standards No Melt No Drip does not mean it is Fire Resistant it will offer some protection from heat and flame but is the lessor of the two standards.

This International Standard provides minimum performance requirements for clothing used to protect the wearer’s body, excluding the hands, feet and head against heat and flame. This applies to clothing which could be worn for a wide range of end uses where in addition to limited flame spread properties, protection is required against one of the following: exposure to radiant, convective or contact heat; or exposure to molten metal splashes (aluminium or iron). In addition to this broader Standard, there are others which refer to quite specific products or end uses.

NFPA 2112 : FLASH FIRE PROTECTION STANDARDS

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) strives to reduce worldwide burden of fire hazards by educating people on fire prevention and providing standards for personal flash fire protection. One such safety code is the “NFPA 2112: Standard on Flame Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire.”

NFPA 2112 provides informative guidelines for specialized flash fire resistant clothing. FRC protects workers in hazardous industrial occupations where a flash fire (a sudden, intense fire which is short in duration but severe in potential danger) is always a risk. NFPA 2112 states, “The standard shall specify the minimum requirements and test methods for flame-resistant fabrics and components and the design and certification requirements for garments for use in areas at risk from flash fires.”
At time of writing there were NO Australian Standards for this industry. International, European EN, and US (NFPA) fire standards were compared for this article. If you are looking for a No Melt No Drip or Fire-Resistant uniform then ask what standards it is tested to and check the mandatory garment labels, but understand what it will and will not protect you from.