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.
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Hi-vis orange flame retardant arc flash coverall for rail, utilities and construction workers who need RIS-3279-TOM visibility with FR, anti-static and arc protection.
- Rail spec to RIS-3279-TOM Issue 2:2019, EN ISO 20471 Class 3
- EN 61482-2 arc protection, APC 1 box test
- EN ISO 11612 flame and heat protection, A1 A2 B1 C1 F1
- EN 1149-5 anti-static
- 50 mm flame resistant reflective tape
- Two-way front zip, action back and side-elasticated waist
- Bespoke branding available through BrandIt
- Available in multiple sizes
MAXFR Hi-Vis Orange Flame Retardant Arc Flash Coverall - Rail Spec
Code
HVAFROC
Hi-vis orange flame retardant arc flash coverall for rail, utilities and construction workers who need RIS-3279-TOM visibility with FR, anti-static and arc protection.
- Rail spec to RIS-3279-TOM Issue 2:2019, EN ISO 20471 Class 3
- EN 61482-2 arc protection, APC 1 box test
- EN ISO 11612 flame and heat protection, A1 A2 B1 C1 F1
- EN 1149-5 anti-static
- 50 mm flame resistant reflective tape
- Two-way front zip, action back and side-elasticated waist
- Bespoke branding available through BrandIt
- Available in multiple sizes
MAXFR Hi-Vis Orange Flame Retardant Arc Flash Coverall
Hi-vis orange flame retardant arc flash coveralls give rail, utilities and construction workers full-body protection against flame, heat, static and electric arc in one garment. This coverall is made from a woven flame resistant fabric with an antistatic fibre, finished with 50 mm flame resistant reflective tape for Class 3 visibility. An action back, side-elasticated waist and two-way zip make it easy to move, kneel and climb on site.
How a One-Piece FR Coverall Closes the Gap at the Waist
A separate FR jacket and trousers can part at the waist when a worker bends, kneels or reaches overhead. On site, that gap exposes the lower back at the moment the body is closest to cabinets, cables and track-level equipment. A one-piece coverall keeps flame, arc and rail visibility protection continuous from collar to ankle.
Key Features
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Rail orange to RIS-3279-TOM: meets Issue 2:2019 for work on or near the line.
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Class 3 high visibility: the highest class under EN ISO 20471, with 50 mm flame resistant reflective tape.
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Arc rated to APC 1: box-tested at 4 kA and assessed against EN 61482-2:2020.
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Action back and side-elasticated waist: room to reach, bend and climb without the coverall pulling tight.
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Two-way front zip with snaps: opens from the top or bottom, with snaps for a secure close.
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Eight pockets: two chest, two back, two tool and two angled side-access pockets for tools, permits and phones.
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Bartacks at stress points: reinforce pocket corners and seams that take the most strain.
Who is this for
Trades and roles
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Track maintenance operatives
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Overhead line engineers
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Signalling technicians
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Utility network operatives
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Electricians
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Maintenance engineers
Industries
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Rail
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Utilities
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Electricity transmission and distribution
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Construction
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Industrial maintenance
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product name | MAXFR Hi-Vis Orange Flame Retardant Arc Flash Coverall - Rail Spec |
| Product code | HVAFROC |
| Garment type | One-piece coverall with action back |
| Fabric | Woven flame resistant blend with antistatic fibre |
| Fibre composition | 52% polyester, 15% modacrylic, 14% cotton, 10% viscose, 8% aramid, 1% antistatic fibre |
| Protection | Flame retardant, anti-static, electric arc, high visibility |
| Rail standard | RIS-3279-TOM Issue 2:2019 |
| High visibility | EN ISO 20471:2013 + A1:2016, Class 3 |
| Electric arc | EN 61482-1-2:2014 box test, APC 1 (4 kA), assessed against EN 61482-2:2020 |
| Heat and flame | EN ISO 11612:2015, A1, A2, B1, C1, F1 |
| Electrostatic | EN 1149-5:2018 |
| General requirements | EN ISO 13688:2013 |
| Reflective tape | 50 mm flame resistant |
| Fastening | Two-way front zip with snap closures |
| Collar | Stand-up, snap closure |
| Cuffs | Snap |
| Waist | Side-elasticated |
| Pockets | 2 chest and 2 back with flaps and snaps, 2 tool, 2 angled side-access |
| Construction | Action back, bartacks at stress points |
| Wash limit | Maximum 15 wash cycles |
| Brand | MAXFR |
| Colour | Fluorescent orange |
Size Selection
| Product code | Size | To fit chest |
|---|---|---|
| HVAFROC-S | S Regular | 90 to 94 cm (35 to 37 in) |
| HVAFROC-M-S | M Short | 94 to 102 cm (37 to 40 in) |
| HVAFROC-M | M Regular | 94 to 102 cm (37 to 40 in) |
| HVAFROC-M-T | M Tall | 94 to 102 cm (37 to 40 in) |
| HVAFROC-L-S | L Short | 102 to 110 cm (40 to 43 in) |
| HVAFROC-L | L Regular | 102 to 110 cm (40 to 43 in) |
| HVAFROC-L-T | L Tall | 102 to 110 cm (40 to 43 in) |
| HVAFROC-XL-S | XL Short | 110 to 117 cm (43 to 46 in) |
| HVAFROC-XL | XL Regular | 110 to 117 cm (43 to 46 in) |
| HVAFROC-XL-T | XL Tall | 110 to 117 cm (43 to 46 in) |
| HVAFROC-2XL | 2XL Regular | 117 to 126 cm (46 to 50 in) |
| HVAFROC-3XL | 3XL Regular | 126 to 136 cm (50 to 54 in) |
Compatibility
| Base material, tool or condition | Suitability |
|---|---|
| Work on or near the railway | Suitable, rail orange to RIS-3279-TOM Issue 2:2019 |
| Assessed arc risk within APC 1 (4 kA box test) | Suitable as part of a full arc-rated outfit |
| Arc risk requiring APC 2 or a stated cal/cm2 rating | Not recommended, choose clothing with an open arc rating that covers the assessed incident energy |
| Night work and low light | Suitable, Class 3 with 50 mm reflective tape |
| Areas where static build-up must be controlled | Suitable when fully fastened, with anti-static footwear |
| Over FR or natural-fibre clothing | Suitable |
| Polyester or nylon base layers | Not recommended, they can melt, use FR or natural-fibre layers |
| Protection against electric shock | Not recommended, the coverall gives no shock insulation, use insulating gloves and tools |
| Welding and molten metal splash | Not recommended, no EN ISO 11611 rating, use welding-rated clothing |
| Chemical splash | Not recommended, no EN 13034 rating |
| Firefighting | Not recommended, not designed for firefighting |
| Reuse after arc exposure | Not recommended, replace the coverall after any arc exposure |
Typical Users and Projects
Rail contractors, utility crews and maintenance teams wear this coverall on track renewals, possessions, substations and industrial shutdowns. It suits outdoor work in all seasons as a single outer layer over FR or natural-fibre clothing. Wearers are usually trained operatives holding Personal Track Safety (PTS) or working under an arc flash risk assessment.
Typical applications
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Track maintenance and renewals during possessions.
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Overhead line and signalling work on electrified routes.
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Substation and switching work where an arc risk has been assessed.
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Utility network maintenance on roads and verges.
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Civil engineering work on rail and infrastructure projects.
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Industrial electrical maintenance during planned shutdowns.
How to use
Step 1: Check that your arc flash risk assessment is covered by an APC 1 box test rating.
Step 2: Choose the size and leg length using the Size Selection table.
Step 3: Wear FR or natural-fibre clothing underneath, never polyester or nylon.
Step 4: Fasten the zip fully and close the collar, cuff and pocket snaps.
Step 5: Add arc-rated gloves, face protection and anti-static footwear as your risk assessment requires.
Step 6: Check the coverall before each shift, and replace it if it is damaged, the tape is impaired or it has been exposed to an arc.
Common mistakes
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Wearing the coverall unzipped or with the top half tied round the waist.
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Tumble drying or ironing it, which the care instructions do not allow.
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Washing it beyond the 15-cycle limit.
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Reusing it after arc exposure.
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Wearing a synthetic layer underneath.
Safety
This coverall gives no electrical shock insulation, so live work also needs insulating gloves and tools rated for the voltage. Under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, isolation comes first and arc-rated clothing is the last line of defence. Keep the coverall free from flammable contamination such as oil and fuel. On the railway, follow the principal contractor’s PPE rules.
Maintenance
Wash at up to 40 degrees C, inside out and separately from other clothing, with all closures fastened. Rinse thoroughly. Do not bleach, tumble dry, iron or dry clean. Dry and store away from direct sunlight in clean, dry conditions, and keep a record of wash cycles against the limit in the Specifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What arc protection does this coverall give?
A: It reaches Arc Protection Class 1 (APC 1) in the box test to EN 61482-1-2:2014, at 4 kA, and is assessed against EN 61482-2:2020. No open arc ELIM or ATPV figure is published for this coverall. If your risk assessment specifies a cal/cm2 value, choose a garment with an open arc rating at or above it.
Q: What does L Tall mean on a coverall size?
A: L is the size, Large, which fits a chest of 102 to 110 cm (40 to 43 in). Tall is the leg length. Regular leg sizes run from S to 3XL, and Short and Tall legs are available in M, L and XL.
Q: What do A1, A2, B1, C1 and F1 mean under EN ISO 11612?
A: A1 and A2 mean the fabric limits flame spread when a flame touches its surface (A1) and its edge (A2). B1 is protection against convective heat, such as hot gases, at level 1. C1 is protection against radiant heat at level 1. F1 is protection against contact heat at level 1.
Q: What is this coverall not suitable for?
A: It is not designed for welding, molten metal splash, chemical splash or firefighting. It gives no protection against electric shock. It is not suitable where the risk assessment calls for APC 2 or a stated open arc rating. Do not reuse it after any arc exposure.
Q: Why choose a coverall over an FR jacket and trousers?
A: A coverall cannot part at the waist when you bend or reach, so protection stays continuous from collar to ankle. It is also one garment to put on, check and wash. Separate tops and trousers suit crews who need to remove a layer in warm weather.
Q: What should I wear under the coverall?
A: Wear FR or natural-fibre clothing, such as an FR polo or cotton T-shirt. Polyester and nylon can melt if the outer layer is breached in an arc or flash fire. For anti-static protection, keep the coverall fully fastened and wear anti-static footwear.
Q: How many times can the coverall be washed?
A: The coverall is rated for a maximum of 15 wash cycles at up to 40 degrees C. Keep a simple wash record and replace it once it reaches the limit. Replace it sooner if the fabric is damaged or the reflective tape is impaired.
