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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Orange treated flame retardant arc flash trousers for welders, fabricators and industrial electrical teams who need FR, anti-static and arc protection on the legs.
- Treated flame retardant fabric
- EN 61482-2 arc protection, ELIM 9 cal/cm2, ATPV 9.7 cal/cm2
- EN ISO 11611 welding protection
- EN ISO 11612 heat and flame protection
- EN 1149-5 anti-static
- Two bands of sewn-on reflective tape and basic pockets
- Bespoke branding available through BrandIt
- Available in multiple sizes
MAXFR Hi-Vis Orange Treated Flame Retardant Arc Flash Trousers
Code
CL010002
Orange treated flame retardant arc flash trousers for welders, fabricators and industrial electrical teams who need FR, anti-static and arc protection on the legs.
- Treated flame retardant fabric
- EN 61482-2 arc protection, ELIM 9 cal/cm2, ATPV 9.7 cal/cm2
- EN ISO 11611 welding protection
- EN ISO 11612 heat and flame protection
- EN 1149-5 anti-static
- Two bands of sewn-on reflective tape and basic pockets
- Bespoke branding available through BrandIt
- Available in multiple sizes
MAXFR Orange Treated Flame Retardant Arc Flash Trousers
Orange treated flame retardant arc flash trousers protect the legs against flame, heat, welding spatter, static and the thermal effects of an electric arc. The fabric gets its flame resistance from a treatment applied to the cloth, and two bands of sewn-on reflective tape add reflectivity in low light. They suit workshops, plant and industrial sites where certified hi-vis clothing is not required.
How Welding-Rated FR Trousers Protect Where Spatter Lands
Standard work trousers are often polyester-cotton blends that can melt or catch light when welding spatter or an arc reaches them. On site, the legs and lap catch much of the spatter from bench and floor-level welding. These trousers combine welding protection to EN ISO 11611 with flame, anti-static and arc protection, so one pair covers hot work and electrical risk.
Key Features
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High arc rating: ELIM 9 cal/cm2 and ATPV 9.7 cal/cm2 in open arc testing.
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Welding protection to EN ISO 11611: for welding, cutting and allied processes.
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Treated flame retardant fabric: flame resistance applied to the cloth and tested to EN ISO 11612.
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Anti-static to EN 1149-5: dissipates static charge when the wearer is earthed, reducing spark risk.
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Two bands of sewn-on reflective tape: stitched in place for added reflectivity in low light.
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Basic pocket layout: a simple design with fewer places for sparks and debris to collect.
Who is this for
Trades and roles
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Welders and fabricators
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Maintenance engineers
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Mechanical fitters
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Pipefitters
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Electricians
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Plant operators
Industries
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Manufacturing and fabrication
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Petrochemical and process
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Power generation
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Utilities
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Industrial maintenance
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product name | MAXFR Hi-Vis Orange Treated Flame Retardant Arc Flash Trousers |
| Product code | CL010002 |
| Garment type | Work trousers with basic pockets |
| Fabric | Treated flame retardant |
| Protection | Flame retardant, anti-static, electric arc, welding |
| Electric arc standard | EN 61482-2:2020 |
| Arc rating | ELIM 9 cal/cm2, ATPV 9.7 cal/cm2 |
| Heat and flame | EN ISO 11612:2015 |
| Welding | EN ISO 11611:2015 |
| Electrostatic | EN 1149-5:2018 |
| General requirements | EN ISO 13688:2013 + A1:2021 |
| Reflective tape | Hi-vis reflective tape, two bands sewn on |
| Pockets | Basic |
| Brand | MAXFR |
| Colour | Orange |
| Sizes | S to 3XL, Regular leg |
Size Selection
| Product code | Size | Size label |
|---|---|---|
| CL010002-S | S Regular | Small |
| CL010002-M | M Regular | Medium |
| CL010002-L | L Regular | Large |
| CL010002-XL | XL Regular | Extra Large |
| CL010002-2XL | 2XL Regular | 2 Extra Large |
| CL010002-3XL | 3XL Regular | 3 Extra Large |
| Size | Typical waist (inches) | Typical waist (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| S | 28 to 30 in | 71 to 76 cm |
| M | 32 to 34 in | 81 to 86 cm |
| L | 34 to 36 in | 86 to 91 cm |
| XL | 38 to 40 in | 97 to 102 cm |
| 2XL | 40 to 42 in | 102 to 107 cm |
| 3XL | 44 to 46 in | 112 to 117 cm |
Compatibility
| Base material, tool or condition | Suitability |
|---|---|
| Assessed arc risk up to 9 cal/cm2 | Suitable as part of a full arc-rated outfit |
| Arc risk above 9 cal/cm2 | Not recommended, use clothing rated for the assessed incident energy |
| Welding, cutting and allied processes | Suitable, EN ISO 11611 |
| Foundry work with molten metal splash | Not recommended, no molten metal splash rating is published |
| Workshops, plant rooms and industrial yards | Suitable |
| Sites that specify a hi-vis class | Check the site requirement before use |
| Work on or near the railway | Not recommended, rail work needs rail spec clothing |
| 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
Welders, maintenance fitters and industrial electrical teams wear these trousers in workshops, process plants and power stations. They suit indoor and yard work where hot work and electrical risks overlap but hi-vis clothing is not required. Wearers are usually trained trades staff working under a hot work permit or an arc flash risk assessment.
Typical applications
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Welding and cutting at benches and on structural steel.
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Grinding and hot cutting during plant maintenance.
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Electrical maintenance on industrial switchgear where an arc risk has been assessed.
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Shutdown work in petrochemical and process plants.
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Pipefitting and fabrication in workshops.
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Power station and utility maintenance away from roads and railways.
How to use
Step 1: Check that the incident energy in your arc flash risk assessment is within the garment’s ELIM of 9 cal/cm2.
Step 2: Choose the size using the Size Selection table.
Step 3: Wear FR or natural-fibre layers underneath, never polyester or nylon.
Step 4: Wear the legs over the boots, not tucked in, so spatter cannot fall into the boot.
Step 5: Add an FR top, plus welding or arc-rated gloves, face protection and anti-static footwear as the task requires.
Step 6: Check the trousers before each shift for holes, burns, contamination or damaged tape.
Common mistakes
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Wearing the trousers on roads or rail sites that require certified hi-vis clothing.
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Tucking the legs into boots during welding or cutting.
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Washing with bleach or soap-based products.
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Pairing the trousers with a non-FR top.
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Wearing synthetic thermal leggings underneath in winter.
Safety
Plan hot work under a permit, with fire watch and screening where your site rules require them. For electrical tasks, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 put isolation first, and arc-rated clothing is the last line of defence. Choose the full outfit from your risk assessments, including tops, gloves and face protection.
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 they have an ELIM of 9 cal/cm2 and an ATPV of 9.7 cal/cm2. ELIM is the incident energy with no predicted second-degree burn, while ATPV is the point with a 50% chance of one. Plan with the ELIM figure when checking them against your arc risk assessment.
Q: What does 2XL mean on trouser sizes?
A: 2XL stands for 2 Extra Large, two sizes above L. These trousers use letter sizes from S to 3XL, all with a Regular leg. Check your waist and leg measurements against the size before ordering.
Q: What does EN ISO 11611 mean on work trousers?
A: EN ISO 11611 is the European standard for protective clothing used in welding and allied processes. It covers resistance to small spatter of molten metal, short contact with flame and radiant heat. Garments are rated Class 1 for less hazardous welding or Class 2 for more hazardous work, so check the class against your task.
Q: What are these trousers not suitable for?
A: They are not rail spec, so they are not for work on or near the line, and sites that specify a hi-vis class should check their requirements first. No molten metal splash rating is published, so they are not for foundry work. They have no chemical splash rating and are not firefighting clothing. They are not suitable where the assessed arc incident energy is above 9 cal/cm2.
Q: What is the difference between treated and inherent FR trousers?
A: Treated FR fabric gets its flame resistance from a finish applied to the cloth, while inherent FR fabric is made from fibres that resist flame by their nature. Both can meet the same standards. These treated trousers add welding protection and a higher arc rating than the hi-vis orange inherent cargo trousers in the same range, which are the choice for rail and roadside work.
Q: Can I wear these with a welding jacket?
A: A welding jacket or FR top works well with these trousers, as long as every layer is flame retardant. For heavier welding with more spatter, add a leather welding apron or jacket over the top. Avoid non-FR fleeces or jackets, which can ignite or melt.
Q: Why do treated FR trousers need careful washing?
A: The care instructions rule out bleach, boiling and dry cleaning, and ask for detergent rather than soap-based products. Soap-based products can leave residues that affect performance, and dirty clothing may reduce protection. Wash at up to 40 degrees C and follow the care label every time.
