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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Navy inherent flame retardant arc flash cargo trousers for electrical, welding and maintenance teams who need FR, anti-static and arc protection with kneepad pockets.
- EN 61482-2 arc protection, ELIM 9.5 cal/cm2, ATPV 10 cal/cm2, APC 1
- Inherent flame retardant fabric, EN ISO 11612 A1+A2 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
- Elasticated waist
- Bespoke branding available through BrandIt
- Available in multiple sizes
MAXFR Navy Inherent Flame Retardant Arc Flash Cargo Trousers
Code
CL010003
Navy inherent flame retardant arc flash cargo trousers for electrical, welding and maintenance teams who need FR, anti-static and arc protection with kneepad pockets.
- EN 61482-2 arc protection, ELIM 9.5 cal/cm2, ATPV 10 cal/cm2, APC 1
- Inherent flame retardant fabric, EN ISO 11612 A1+A2 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
- Elasticated waist
- Bespoke branding available through BrandIt
- Available in multiple sizes
MAXFR Navy Flame Retardant Arc Flash Cargo Trousers
Navy inherent flame retardant arc flash cargo trousers protect the legs against flame, heat, welding spatter, static and the thermal effects of an electric arc. The fabric is flame retardant by the nature of its fibres, so protection is built in rather than applied as a finish. Internal kneepad pockets, cargo storage and an elasticated waist suit long shifts kneeling at panels, pipework and plant.
How Kneepad Pockets Keep FR Protection Intact When Kneeling
Strap-on kneepads worn over standard trousers can slip, and they are often made from materials that are not flame retardant. On site, that leaves the knees, which sit closest to floor-level cabinets and cable trenches, with gaps in protection. These trousers hold kneepad inserts inside internal pockets, so the FR and arc-rated fabric stays on the outside of the knee.
Key Features
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High arc rating: ELIM 9.5 cal/cm2 and ATPV 10 cal/cm2 in open arc testing, with APC 1 in the box test.
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Welding protection to EN ISO 11611 Class 1: for low-spatter welding, cutting and allied processes.
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Inherent flame retardant fabric: protection built into the fibre, tested to EN ISO 11612 A1+A2, B1, C1, F1.
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Internal kneepad pockets: hold inserts inside the leg, behind the FR fabric.
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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 cargo pockets and one rear pocket: storage for permits, testers and small tools.
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Elasticated waist: flexes with the body when kneeling, crouching and climbing.
Who is this for
Trades and roles
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Electricians
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Electrical engineers
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Substation engineers
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Cable jointers
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Welders and fabricators
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Maintenance engineers
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Plant operators
Industries
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Electricity transmission and distribution
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Power generation
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Utilities
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Petrochemical and process
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Manufacturing
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Facilities management
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product name | MAXFR Navy Inherent Flame Retardant Arc Flash Cargo Trousers |
| Product code | CL010003 |
| Garment type | Cargo trousers with internal kneepad pockets |
| Fabric | Inherent flame retardant |
| Protection | Flame retardant, anti-static, electric arc, welding |
| Electric arc standard | EN 61482-2:2020 |
| Open arc test (EN 61482-1-1) | ELIM 9.5 cal/cm2, ATPV 10 cal/cm2 |
| Box test (EN 61482-1-2) | APC 1 (4 kA) |
| Heat and flame | EN ISO 11612:2015, A1+A2, B1, C1, F1 |
| Welding | EN ISO 11611:2015, Class 1, A1+A2 |
| Electrostatic | EN 1149-5:2018 |
| General requirements | EN ISO 13688:2013 + A1:2021 |
| Certification | AITEX EU type-examination 26/10461/00/0161/B, valid 23/09/2026 to 12/02/2030 |
| Waist | Elasticated |
| Pockets | Two cargo, one rear, internal kneepad pockets |
| High visibility | Not a hi-vis garment |
| Brand | MAXFR |
| Colour | Navy |
Size Selection
| Product code | Size | To fit waist | Leg length |
|---|---|---|---|
| CL010003-28R | 28 Regular | 71.1 cm (28 in) | 82.6 cm (32.5 in) |
| CL010003-30S | 30 Short | 76.2 cm (30 in) | 78.7 cm (31 in) |
| CL010003-30R | 30 Regular | 76.2 cm (30 in) | 82.6 cm (32.5 in) |
| CL010003-30T | 30 Tall | 76.2 cm (30 in) | 87.6 cm (34.5 in) |
| CL010003-32S | 32 Short | 81.3 cm (32 in) | 78.7 cm (31 in) |
| CL010003-32R | 32 Regular | 81.3 cm (32 in) | 82.6 cm (32.5 in) |
| CL010003-32T | 32 Tall | 81.3 cm (32 in) | 87.6 cm (34.5 in) |
| CL010003-34S | 34 Short | 86.4 cm (34 in) | 78.7 cm (31 in) |
| CL010003-34R | 34 Regular | 86.4 cm (34 in) | 82.6 cm (32.5 in) |
| CL010003-34T | 34 Tall | 86.4 cm (34 in) | 87.6 cm (34.5 in) |
| CL010003-36S | 36 Short | 91.4 cm (36 in) | 78.7 cm (31 in) |
| CL010003-36R | 36 Regular | 91.4 cm (36 in) | 82.6 cm (32.5 in) |
| CL010003-36T | 36 Tall | 91.4 cm (36 in) | 87.6 cm (34.5 in) |
| CL010003-38S | 38 Short | 96.5 cm (38 in) | 78.7 cm (31 in) |
| CL010003-38R | 38 Regular | 96.5 cm (38 in) | 82.6 cm (32.5 in) |
| CL010003-38T | 38 Tall | 96.5 cm (38 in) | 87.6 cm (34.5 in) |
| CL010003-40S | 40 Short | 102 cm (40 in) | 78.7 cm (31 in) |
| CL010003-40R | 40 Regular | 102 cm (40 in) | 82.6 cm (32.5 in) |
| CL010003-40T | 40 Tall | 102 cm (40 in) | 87.6 cm (34.5 in) |
| CL010003-42S | 42 Short | 106.7 cm (42 in) | 78.7 cm (31 in) |
| CL010003-42R | 42 Regular | 106.7 cm (42 in) | 82.6 cm (32.5 in) |
| CL010003-42T | 42 Tall | 106.7 cm (42 in) | 87.6 cm (34.5 in) |
| CL010003-44S | 44 Short | 111.8 cm (44 in) | 78.7 cm (31 in) |
| CL010003-44R | 44 Regular | 111.8 cm (44 in) | 82.6 cm (32.5 in) |
| CL010003-44T | 44 Tall | 111.8 cm (44 in) | 87.6 cm (34.5 in) |
| CL010003-46R | 46 Regular | 116.8 cm (46 in) | 82.6 cm (32.5 in) |
| CL010003-46T | 46 Tall | 116.8 cm (46 in) | 87.6 cm (34.5 in) |
| CL010003-48R | 48 Regular | 121.9 cm (48 in) | 82.6 cm (32.5 in) |
| CL010003-50R | 50 Regular | 127 cm (50 in) | 82.6 cm (32.5 in) |
| CL010003-52R | 52 Regular | 132.1 cm (52 in) | 82.6 cm (32.5 in) |
Other Variations in the Range, Contact to Order
| Size | To fit waist | Leg length |
|---|---|---|
| 54 Regular | 137 cm (54 in) | 82.6 cm (32.5 in) |
| 46 to 54 Short | 116.8 to 137 cm (46 to 54 in) | 78.7 cm (31 in) |
| 48 to 54 Tall | 121.9 to 137 cm (48 to 54 in) | 87.6 cm (34.5 in) |
Compatibility
| Base material, tool or condition | Suitability |
|---|---|
| Assessed arc risk up to 9.5 cal/cm2 and APC 1 | Suitable as part of a full arc-rated outfit |
| Arc risk above 9.5 cal/cm2 or requiring APC 2 | Not recommended, use clothing rated for the assessed incident energy |
| Low-spatter welding and cutting | 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 |
| Areas where static build-up must be controlled | Suitable when worn with anti-static footwear |
| Roadside, rail or site areas that require hi-vis | Not recommended, navy is not hi-vis, use a hi-vis FR garment |
| Polyester or nylon thermal leggings underneath | Not recommended, they can melt, use FR or natural-fibre layers |
| Chemical splash | Not recommended, use clothing rated to EN 13034 |
| Firefighting | Not recommended, this is industrial heat and flame clothing |
Typical Users and Projects
Electrical maintenance teams, plant fitters and utility engineers wear these trousers in substations, switch rooms, workshops and process plants. The kneepad pockets suit work at floor-level panels, cable trenches and pipework. Wearers are usually trained electrical or maintenance staff working under an arc flash risk assessment or hot work permit.
Typical applications
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Switching and isolation at floor-standing switchgear where an arc risk has been assessed.
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Cable jointing in trenches, pits and substations.
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Low-spatter welding and cutting during plant maintenance.
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Pipework and valve maintenance in process plants.
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Electrical installation in plant rooms and data centres.
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Shutdown work where hot work and electrical risks overlap.
How to use
Step 1: Check that the incident energy in your arc flash risk assessment is within the garment’s ELIM of 9.5 cal/cm2.
Step 2: Choose the waist size 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 FR or natural-fibre layers underneath, never polyester or nylon.
Step 5: Add an FR top, arc-rated gloves, face protection and anti-static footwear, and wear the legs over the boots for welding.
Step 6: Check the trousers before each shift for holes, burns, worn seams or contamination.
Common mistakes
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Wearing strap-on kneepads over the trousers instead of using the internal pockets.
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Tucking the legs into boots during welding or cutting.
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Wearing the navy trousers on sites that require hi-vis clothing.
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Wearing synthetic thermal leggings underneath in winter.
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Using Class 1 welding protection for heavy, high-spatter welding.
Safety
Under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, isolation comes first and arc-rated clothing is the last line of defence. Plan any hot work under a permit with screening and fire watch where site rules require them. Choose the full outfit, including tops, gloves and face protection, from your risk assessments.
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.
10. FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What arc rating do these trousers have?
A: In open arc testing they have an ELIM of 9.5 cal/cm2 and an ATPV of 10 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 they reach APC 1 at 4 kA. Plan with the ELIM figure when checking them against 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), available to order.
Q: What do EN ISO 11611 Class 1 and EN ISO 11612 A1+A2, B1, C1, F1 mean?
A: EN ISO 11611 Class 1 covers less hazardous welding and cutting, with low levels of spatter and radiant heat. A1 and A2 mean the fabric limits flame spread when a flame touches its surface and its edge. B1, C1 and F1 are protection against convective, radiant and contact heat, each at level 1.
Q: What are these trousers not suitable for?
A: They are not hi-vis, so they are not for roads, rail or sites that require hi-vis clothing. They are not suitable for heavy welding with high spatter, which needs Class 2 clothing. They are not firefighting clothing and are not for chemical splash. They are not suitable where the assessed arc incident energy is above 9.5 cal/cm2 or calls for APC 2.
Q: How do these differ from treated FR trousers?
A: These trousers use inherent FR fabric, where flame resistance comes from the fibres themselves rather than an applied finish. They also have internal kneepad pockets, a certified welding class and a slightly higher arc rating than the orange treated FR trousers in the same range. Both suit workshop and plant work where hi-vis is not required.
Q: What kneepads fit 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 so they sit over the knee. Check the insert material suits your FR and arc requirements.
Q: When should FR trousers be replaced?
A: Replace them if the fabric has holes, burns or contamination that will not wash out. Replace them too if seams are worn through or the kneepad pockets are torn. Dirty clothing may reduce protection, so wash them regularly to the care label.
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