How to choose arc flash clothing in the UK: what ELIM, ATPV and APC ratings mean, which standards to check on the label, and how to layer FR clothing safely, with the MAXFR range compared.
Loading...
Hi-vis orange flame retardant arc flash cargo trousers for rail, electrical and utilities workers who need rail spec visibility with FR, anti-static and arc protection.
- Rail spec to RIS-3279-TOM, EN ISO 20471 Class 2 high visibility
- EN 61482-2 arc protection, ELIM 7.2 cal/cm2, ATPV 8.3 cal/cm2, APC 1
- Inherent flame retardant fabric, EN ISO 11612 A1 B1 C1 F1
- EN ISO 11611 Class 1 welding protection
- EN 1149-5 anti-static
- Internal kneepad pockets, two cargo pockets and one rear pocket
- Bespoke branding available through BrandIt
- Available in multiple sizes
MAXFR Hi-Vis Orange Flame Retardant Arc Flash Cargo Trousers - Rail Spec
Code
CL010010
Hi-vis orange flame retardant arc flash cargo trousers for rail, electrical and utilities workers who need rail spec visibility with FR, anti-static and arc protection.
- Rail spec to RIS-3279-TOM, EN ISO 20471 Class 2 high visibility
- EN 61482-2 arc protection, ELIM 7.2 cal/cm2, ATPV 8.3 cal/cm2, APC 1
- Inherent flame retardant fabric, EN ISO 11612 A1 B1 C1 F1
- EN ISO 11611 Class 1 welding protection
- EN 1149-5 anti-static
- Internal kneepad pockets, two cargo pockets and one rear pocket
- Bespoke branding available through BrandIt
- Available in multiple sizes
MAXFR Hi-Vis Orange Flame Retardant Arc Flash Cargo Trousers
Hi-vis orange flame retardant arc flash cargo trousers protect the legs of rail and electrical workers against flame, heat, static, welding spatter and the thermal effects of an electric arc. They are made from inherent flame retardant fabric in rail orange, with two bands of sewn-on reflective tape on each leg. Internal kneepad pockets, cargo pockets and side waist elastication suit long shifts kneeling at track level.
How FR Cargo Trousers Stop the Legs Being the Weak Point
Many crews wear an arc-rated top with standard hi-vis trousers, which are often polyester and can melt in a flash fire or arc. On site, that leaves the legs, closest to ground-level cabinets, cable troughs and conductor rails, as the weak point in the outfit. These trousers carry certified flame, arc, anti-static and rail visibility protection, so the outfit protects from collar to boot.
Key Features
-
Rail orange to RIS-3279-TOM: meets the rail industry hi-vis standard for work on or near the line.
-
Arc rated with APC 1: ELIM 7.2 cal/cm2 and ATPV 8.3 cal/cm2 in open arc testing, for assessed arc risks.
-
Welding protection to EN ISO 11611 Class 1: for less hazardous welding and cutting with low spatter.
-
Internal kneepad pockets: hold kneepad inserts inside the leg for kneeling at track level and in cable pits.
-
Triple stitching in aramid thread: reinforced seams sewn with high-strength, flame resistant thread.
-
Bar-tacked crotch panel: reinforced at the main stress point for squatting, kneeling and climbing.
-
Side waist elastication: flexes with the body through a long shift without a belt pulling tight.
Who is this for
Trades and roles
-
Track maintenance operatives
-
Overhead line engineers
-
Signalling technicians
-
Electricians
-
Cable jointers
-
Rail welders
Industries
-
Rail
-
Electricity transmission and distribution
-
Utilities
-
Power generation
-
Infrastructure maintenance
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product name | MAXFR Hi-Vis Orange Flame Retardant Arc Flash Cargo Trousers - Rail Spec |
| Product code | CL010010 |
| Garment type | Cargo trousers with internal kneepad pockets |
| Fabric | Inherent flame retardant |
| Protection | Flame retardant, anti-static, electric arc, welding, high visibility |
| Rail standard | RIS-3279-TOM |
| High visibility | EN ISO 20471:2013 + A1:2016, Class 2 |
| Electric arc standard | EN 61482-2:2020 |
| Open arc test (EN 61482-1-1) | ELIM 7.2 cal/cm2, ATPV 8.3 cal/cm2 |
| Box test (EN 61482-1-2) | APC 1 (4 kA) |
| Heat and flame | EN ISO 11612:2015, A1, B1, C1, F1 |
| Welding | EN ISO 11611:2015, Class 1 |
| Electrostatic | EN 1149-5:2018 |
| General requirements | EN ISO 13688:2013 + A1:2021 |
| Reflective tape | Two bands of sewn-on tape per leg |
| Pockets | Two cargo, one rear, internal kneepad pockets |
| Waist | Side elastication |
| Construction | Triple stitching, aramid thread, bar-tacked crotch panel |
| Brand | MAXFR |
| Colour | Hi-vis orange |
Size Selection
| Product code | Size | To fit waist | Leg length |
|---|---|---|---|
| CL010010-28R | 28 Regular | 71.1 cm (28 in) | 82.6 cm (32.5 in) |
| CL010010-30R | 30 Regular | 76.2 cm (30 in) | 82.6 cm (32.5 in) |
| CL010010-32R | 32 Regular | 81.3 cm (32 in) | 82.6 cm (32.5 in) |
| CL010010-34R | 34 Regular | 86.4 cm (34 in) | 82.6 cm (32.5 in) |
| CL010010-36R | 36 Regular | 91.4 cm (36 in) | 82.6 cm (32.5 in) |
| CL010010-38R | 38 Regular | 96.5 cm (38 in) | 82.6 cm (32.5 in) |
| CL010010-40R | 40 Regular | 102 cm (40 in) | 82.6 cm (32.5 in) |
Other Variations in the Range, Contact to Order
| Size | To fit waist | Leg length |
|---|---|---|
| 42 to 56 Regular | 107 to 142 cm (42 to 56 in) | 82.6 cm (32.5 in) |
| 28 to 56 Short | 71.1 to 142 cm (28 to 56 in) | 78.7 cm (31 in) |
| 28 to 56 Tall | 71.1 to 142 cm (28 to 56 in) | 87.6 cm (34.5 in) |
Compatibility
| Base material, tool or condition | Suitability |
|---|---|
| Work on or near the railway | Suitable, rail orange to RIS-3279-TOM |
| Assessed arc risk up to 7.2 cal/cm2 and APC 1 | Suitable as part of a full arc-rated outfit |
| Arc risk above 7.2 cal/cm2 or requiring APC 2 | Not recommended, use clothing rated for the assessed incident energy |
| Light welding and cutting with low spatter | Suitable, EN ISO 11611 Class 1 |
| Heavy welding with high spatter | Not recommended, use Class 2 welding clothing |
| Kneeling work with kneepad inserts | Suitable, inserts fit the internal kneepad pockets |
| Class 3 visibility from the trousers alone | Not recommended, the trousers are Class 2, check site rules for the full outfit |
| Areas where static build-up must be controlled | Suitable when worn with anti-static footwear |
| Polyester or nylon thermal leggings underneath | Not recommended, they can melt, use FR or natural-fibre layers |
| Chemical splash | Not recommended, no EN 13034 rating |
| Firefighting | Not recommended, this is industrial heat and flame clothing |
Typical Users and Projects
Rail contractors, overhead line teams and electrical crews wear these trousers on track renewals, possessions and lineside electrical work. The kneepad pockets and cargo storage suit long shifts kneeling at track level, in all weather. Wearers are usually trained rail operatives holding Personal Track Safety (PTS) or electrical staff working under an arc flash risk assessment.
Typical applications
-
Track maintenance and renewals where kneeling at rail level is routine.
-
Overhead line equipment work during night possessions.
-
Lineside signalling and cable route maintenance.
-
Substation and trackside electrical work where an arc risk has been assessed.
-
Light welding and cutting on rail and infrastructure projects.
-
Cable jointing in pits and troughs.
How to use
Step 1: Check that the incident energy in your arc flash risk assessment is within the garment’s ELIM of 7.2 cal/cm2.
Step 2: Choose the size by waist and leg length using the Size Selection table.
Step 3: Slide kneepad inserts into the internal kneepad pockets if the work involves kneeling.
Step 4: Wear the trousers with an arc-rated FR top, in rail orange for work on or near the line.
Step 5: Wear the legs over the boots, not tucked in, so hot spatter cannot fall into the boot.
Step 6: Check the trousers before each shift for holes, worn seams, contamination or damaged tape.
Common mistakes
-
Pairing FR trousers with a non-FR hi-vis jacket or top.
-
Tucking the trouser legs into boots during welding or cutting.
-
Wearing synthetic thermal leggings underneath in winter.
-
Assuming the trousers alone give Class 3 visibility.
-
Kneeling on ballast without kneepad inserts fitted.
Safety
On the railway, follow the principal contractor’s PPE standards for clothing worn on or near the line. For electrical work, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 put isolation first, and arc-rated clothing is the last line of defence. Base the full outfit on a documented arc flash risk assessment, from base layer to outerwear.
Maintenance
Wash at up to 40 degrees C, inside out and separately from ordinary clothing, using detergent rather than soap-based products. Fasten closures before washing and rinse thoroughly. Tumble dry on low or dry away from direct sunlight. Iron at up to 110 degrees C, avoiding printed areas. Do not bleach, boil or dry clean, and always follow the care label on the garment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What arc rating do these trousers have?
A: In open arc testing to EN 61482-1-1 they have an ELIM of 7.2 cal/cm2 and an ATPV of 8.3 cal/cm2. ELIM is the incident energy with no predicted second-degree burn, while ATPV is the point with a 50% chance of one. In the box test to EN 61482-1-2 they reach APC 1 at 4 kA. Use the ELIM when matching them to your arc risk assessment.
Q: What does 32R mean on trouser sizes?
A: The 32 is the to-fit waist in inches, which is 81.3 cm. The R stands for Regular leg, which is 82.6 cm (32.5 in). Short legs are 78.7 cm (31 in) and Tall legs are 87.6 cm (34.5 in).
Q: What do EN ISO 11611 Class 1 and EN ISO 11612 A1, B1, C1, F1 mean?
A: EN ISO 11611 Class 1 covers less hazardous welding and cutting, with low levels of spatter and radiant heat. Under EN ISO 11612, A1 means the fabric limits flame spread when a flame touches its surface. B1, C1 and F1 are protection against convective, radiant and contact heat, each at level 1, the first performance level.
Q: What are these trousers not suitable for?
A: They are not suitable for heavy welding with high spatter, which needs Class 2 welding clothing. They are not firefighting clothing and have no chemical splash rating. They are not suitable where the assessed arc incident energy is above 7.2 cal/cm2 or calls for APC 2.
Q: Why choose FR rail trousers over standard rail hi-vis trousers?
A: Standard rail trousers meet the orange visibility requirement but are often polyester, which can melt in a flash fire or arc. These trousers add flame, arc, anti-static and light welding protection while still meeting RIS-3279-TOM. One pair covers trackside visibility and electrical risk.
Q: What hi-vis class do I get when wearing these with a jacket?
A: The trousers on their own are certified to EN ISO 20471 Class 2. A combined Class 3 rating only applies when a jacket and trousers have been tested and certified together as an outfit. Check the certificates for both garments and your site’s hi-vis rules.
Q: Can I fit kneepads in these trousers?
A: The internal kneepad pockets take kneepad inserts made for trouser pockets, usually sold as EN 14404 Type 2. Slide the inserts in from the opening inside the leg so they sit over the knee. Check the insert material suits your FR and arc requirements.
