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 yellow flame retardant arc flash polo shirt with long sleeves, for electrical, utilities and industrial workers needing flame, static and arc protection.
- Long sleeves in inherent flame retardant fabric
- EN ISO 20471 Class 3 high visibility
- EN 61482-2 arc protection, ELIM 4.6 cal/cm2, ATPV 5.7 cal/cm2, APC 1
- EN ISO 11612 flame and heat protection, A1+A2 B1 C1 F1
- EN 1149-5 anti-static
- Three-button collar and ribbed cuffs
- Bespoke branding available through BrandIt
- Available in multiple sizes
MAXFR Hi-Vis Yellow Flame Retardant Arc Flash Long Sleeved Polo Shirt
Code
CL010006
Hi-vis yellow flame retardant arc flash polo shirt with long sleeves, for electrical, utilities and industrial workers needing flame, static and arc protection.
- Long sleeves in inherent flame retardant fabric
- EN ISO 20471 Class 3 high visibility
- EN 61482-2 arc protection, ELIM 4.6 cal/cm2, ATPV 5.7 cal/cm2, APC 1
- EN ISO 11612 flame and heat protection, A1+A2 B1 C1 F1
- EN 1149-5 anti-static
- Three-button collar and ribbed cuffs
- Bespoke branding available through BrandIt
- Available in multiple sizes
MAXFR Hi-Vis Yellow Flame Retardant Arc Flash Polo Shirt - Long Sleeved
Hi-vis yellow flame retardant arc flash polo shirts give electrical and utilities workers flame, heat, static and arc protection in a lightweight top. This long sleeved polo is made from inherent flame retardant pique, so the flame resistance is part of the fibre rather than an applied finish. It pairs Class 3 visibility with a three-button collar for a practical work shirt.
How Long Sleeves Close the Gap a Short Sleeved Polo Leaves
A short sleeved polo leaves the forearms bare, and the arms are often closest to the equipment during switching and testing. On site, that means a worker in an FR polo can still suffer burns to the forearms, or has to add a heavier layer in warm weather. This polo carries the same certified FR, anti-static and arc protection down to the wrist, in a fabric light enough to wear on its own.
Key Features
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Long sleeves to the wrist: certified protection covers the forearms, not just the torso.
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Inherent flame retardant fabric: flame resistance is built into the fibre rather than applied as a finish.
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Arc rated with APC 1: ELIM 4.6 cal/cm2 and ATPV 5.7 cal/cm2 in open arc testing, for assessed low-energy arc risks.
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Class 3 high visibility: the highest class under EN ISO 20471, for work near traffic and moving plant.
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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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Raglan sleeves: diagonal shoulder seams allow freer arm movement when reaching into panels or overhead.
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Ribbed cuffs with no thumb loops: keep the sleeves at the wrist without loops that can catch on equipment.
Who is this for
Trades and roles
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Electricians
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Electrical testers and inspectors
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Cable jointers
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Substation engineers
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Utility network operatives
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Maintenance engineers
Industries
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Electricity transmission and distribution
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Utilities
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Power generation
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Petrochemical and process
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Industrial manufacturing
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Construction
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product name | MAXFR Hi-Vis Yellow Flame Retardant Arc Flash Long Sleeved Polo Shirt |
| Product code | CL010006 |
| Garment type | Long sleeved polo shirt, three-button placket |
| Fabric | Inherent flame retardant pique |
| Protection | Flame retardant, anti-static, electric arc, high visibility |
| High visibility | EN ISO 20471:2013 + A1:2016, Class 3 |
| Electric arc standard | EN 61482-2:2020 |
| Open arc test (EN 61482-1-1) | ELIM 4.6 cal/cm2, ATPV 5.7 cal/cm2 |
| Box test (EN 61482-1-2) | APC 1 (4 kA) |
| Heat and flame | EN ISO 11612:2015, A1+A2, B1, C1, F1 |
| Electrostatic | EN 1149-5:2018 |
| General requirements | EN ISO 13688:2013 + A1:2021 |
| Certification | AITEX EU type-examination 26/10460/00/0161/B, valid 23/09/2026 to 20/03/2030 |
| Sleeves | Long, raglan |
| Cuffs | Ribbed, no thumb loops |
| Reflective tape | Solid heat-seal |
| Brand | MAXFR |
| Colour | Hi-vis yellow |
Size Selection
| Product code | Size | Size label | To fit chest |
|---|---|---|---|
| CL010006-S | S | Small | 88 to 94 cm (35 to 37 in) |
| CL010006-M | M | Medium | 94 to 102 cm (37 to 40 in) |
| CL010006-L | L | Large | 102 to 110 cm (40 to 43 in) |
| CL010006-XL | XL | Extra Large | 110 to 115 cm (43 to 45 in) |
| CL010006-2XL | 2XL | 2 Extra Large | 115 to 124 cm (45 to 49 in) |
| CL010006-3XL | 3XL | 3 Extra Large | 124 to 131 cm (49 to 52 in) |
| CL010006-4XL | 4XL | 4 Extra Large | 131 to 138 cm (52 to 54 in) |
Other Sizes in the Range, Contact Our Team to Order
| Product code | Size | Size label | To fit chest |
|---|---|---|---|
| CL010006-5XL | 5XL | 5 Extra Large | 138 to 145 cm (54 to 57 in) |
Compatibility
| Base material, tool or condition | Suitability |
|---|---|
| Assessed arc risk up to 4.6 cal/cm2 and APC 1 | Suitable as part of a full arc-rated outfit |
| Arc risk above 4.6 cal/cm2 or requiring APC 2 | Not recommended, use clothing rated for the assessed incident energy |
| Warm weather work as the outer layer | Suitable, lightweight pique worn on its own |
| Under an FR sweatshirt or jacket | Suitable, as long as every outer layer is also FR |
| Night work and low light | Suitable, Class 3 with retroreflective tape |
| Areas where static build-up must be controlled | Suitable when fastened, covering other layers, with anti-static footwear |
| Work on or near the railway | Not recommended, rail needs orange to RIS-3279-TOM, use the orange polo |
| Polyester or nylon base layers | Not recommended, they can melt, use FR or natural-fibre layers |
| 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, this is industrial heat and flame clothing |
Typical Users and Projects
Electrical contractors, distribution network operators and site maintenance teams wear this polo for testing, switching and installation work. It suits warm conditions and indoor plant rooms, where a sweatshirt is too heavy but forearm cover is still needed. Wearers are usually trained electrical or maintenance staff working under an arc flash risk assessment.
Typical applications
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Testing and inspecting distribution boards and switchgear where an arc risk has been assessed.
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Switching and isolation work in substations and plant rooms.
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Cable jointing and network maintenance for distribution network operators.
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Electrical installation and maintenance on construction and industrial sites.
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Working in yards and roadside areas near traffic and moving plant.
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Maintenance in process plants where static build-up must be controlled.
How to use
Step 1: Check that the incident energy in your arc flash risk assessment is within the garment’s ELIM of 4.6 cal/cm2.
Step 2: Wear an FR or natural-fibre base layer underneath if one is needed, never polyester or nylon.
Step 3: Fasten the placket and pull the cuffs down to the wrists.
Step 4: Wear it with arc-rated FR trousers so the lower body is also covered.
Step 5: Add arc-rated gloves, face protection and anti-static footwear as your risk assessment requires.
Step 6: Check the polo before each shift for holes, contamination or damaged reflective tape.
Common mistakes
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Pushing the sleeves up during arc risk work, which leaves the forearms exposed.
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Wearing a non-FR jacket or fleece over the polo in cold weather.
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Choosing this polo for tasks where the assessed incident energy is above its ELIM.
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Wearing a standard cotton-polyester T-shirt underneath.
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Using the yellow polo on rail sites that require orange.
Safety
Arc-rated clothing reduces burn injury but does not prevent an arc flash. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require live work to be avoided unless it is unreasonable to make equipment dead, so isolation always comes first. Select clothing from a documented arc flash risk assessment, and treat the full outfit as one system.
Maintenance
Wash at up to 40 degrees C, inside out and separately from ordinary clothing, using detergent rather than soap-based products. Rinse thoroughly, then 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. Store clean and dry, and always follow the care label on the garment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What arc flash protection does this polo shirt give?
A: In open arc testing it has an ELIM of 4.6 cal/cm2 and an ATPV of 5.7 cal/cm2. ELIM is the incident energy with no predicted second-degree burn, while ATPV is the point with a 50% chance of one. In the box test it reaches Arc Protection Class 1 (APC 1) at 4 kA. Plan with the ELIM figure when checking it against your arc risk assessment.
Q: What does 2XL mean on a polo shirt size?
A: 2XL stands for 2 Extra Large, the size above XL. The number counts the sizes above XL, so 4XL is 4 Extra Large. It fits a chest of 115 to 124 cm (45 to 49 in). Measure around the fullest part of the chest and choose the size whose range covers it.
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, the first performance level for each heat type.
Q: What is this polo shirt not suitable for?
A: It is not designed for welding or molten metal splash, and it is not firefighting clothing. It is not suitable where the assessed arc incident energy is above 4.6 cal/cm2 or calls for APC 2. It has no rated chemical splash protection. It is not for rail work that requires orange to RIS-3279-TOM.
Q: Why choose a long sleeved FR polo over a short sleeved one?
A: A short sleeved polo leaves the forearms unprotected, and the arms are often nearest the equipment during switching and testing. Long sleeves carry the certified FR and arc protection down to the wrist. That avoids adding a heavier layer just to cover the arms in warm weather.
Q: What does inherent flame retardant mean?
A: Inherent flame retardant fabric is made from fibres that resist flame by their nature. Treated fabrics, by contrast, get their flame resistance from a chemical finish applied after weaving or knitting. Either way, follow the care label, because dirty clothing may reduce protection.
Q: Can I wear a sweatshirt or jacket over this polo?
A: An outer layer is fine as long as it is also flame retardant and arc rated. A non-FR fleece or jacket can ignite or melt in an arc and cancel out the protection underneath. For cold weather, pair it with an FR sweatshirt or FR jacket that suits your risk assessment.
Q: When should the polo shirt be replaced?
A: Replace it if the fabric has holes, burns or contamination that will not wash out. Replace it too if the reflective tape is cracked, peeling or no longer bright in torchlight. Hi-vis yellow fades with wear, and a faded garment may no longer meet Class 3.
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