FR + Chemical-Splash Repellency. One Garment.
NFPA 2112 Certified FR/CP Garments for Dual Hazard Environments
Two hazards, one specification. FR/CP coveralls and lab coats give petrochemical, refinery, and laboratory teams NFPA 2112 certified flash-fire protection with AATCC 193-verified chemical-splash repellency in a single garment — selected from the site's complete hazard assessment, with flame resistance engineered to remain effective through industrial laundering per manufacturer care instructions. Browse: FR Lab Coats, FR Women’s Lab Coats.
Westex Shield CXP™ — Inherent FR + PFAS-Free Chemical-Splash Repellency
Westex Shield CXP™ is a 4.5 oz meta-aramid fabric with inherent flame resistance and a durable chemical-splash repellent finish made without intentionally added PFAS. The finish is designed per Westex Shield CXP™ manufacturer specifications to repel inadvertent splash from 98% sulfuric acid, DMSO, and 50% sodium hydroxide. The formulation, made without intentionally added PFAS, supports compliance with evolving environmental and workplace chemical regulations.
AATCC 193 Verified — Industrial-Launderable Chemical-Splash Protection
Chemical-splash repellency in Bulwark FR/CP garments is verified by the AATCC 193 A-to-D test method, confirming resistance across a range of chemical challenges. Westex Shield CXP™ is designed to maintain chemical-splash performance through repeated industrial laundering — making FR/CP garments suitable for ongoing use in active lab and processing environments.
Where FR/CP Fits — Industries That Specify It
Inadvertent chemical-splash exposure — small quantities, atmospheric pressure — is the daily reality in far more workplaces than traditional chemical PPE assumes. These are the environments FR/CP daily wear is designed for.
EDUCATIONAL & RESEARCH LABORATORIES
Daily wear for teaching & research benches
University, college, and research labs expose staff and students to small quantities of a wide range of chemicals alongside thermal sources. Lightweight, breathable FR/CP daily wear replaces the shared, task-based lab coat model — every person protected, all session long.
PHARMACEUTICAL & LIFE SCIENCES
Bench chemistry with documented compliance
Pharma and life-science benches combine solvent handling with strict PPE documentation. FR/CP lab coats put NFPA 2112 certification and AATCC 193-verified splash repellency on the same spec sheet — with a princess-seam women's line for the whole team.
CHEMICAL, PETROCHEMICAL & REFINING
From the process floor to the QC lab
Where flash fire is the baseline hazard and sampling points add splash exposure, FR/CP coveralls cover the floor and FR/CP lab coats cover the QC bench — one fabric standard across both.
LIGHT INDUSTRIAL & SERVICE OPERATIONS
Small-quantity chemical handling
Maintenance chemical handling, plating and finishing support, water treatment, and QA labs meet the exact profile FR/CP is designed for: inadvertent, small-volume splash at atmospheric pressure, day in and day out.
Shield CXP™ Chemical Performance — Tested, Rated, and Bounded
Specification-grade answers for the safety file: how the rating works, what the fabric repels, what it is not designed for, and how to keep the performance through laundering. Click any item.
The AATCC 193 A–D scale, explained +
A modified AATCC 193 test places a chemical droplet on the fabric and rates the interaction after ten seconds: an A rating means no interaction with the fabric; D means complete wicking through it. A and B ratings indicate the fabric resists penetration from an inadvertent splash for more than ten seconds — the window that limits wearer exposure.
What rates “A” on Westex Shield CXP™ +
Per manufacturer testing, Shield CXP™ rates A against corrosives including 98% sulfuric acid, 37% hydrochloric acid, 48% hydrofluoric acid, and 50% sodium hydroxide; strong oxidizers including 70% and 30% nitric acid, piranha solution, and 50% hydrogen peroxide; and polar organics including DMSO and 2-aminoethanol — both as received and after ten 140°F industrial wash cycles. Standard FR fabric without the Shield CXP™ finish rates D against the same challenges.
What FR/CP is not designed for +
Most other organic solvents rate D and are not recommended. FR/CP garments are for inadvertent, small-volume splash at atmospheric pressure — not primary protection against large quantities of liquid chemicals, pressurized chemical mixtures, or toxic and corrosive gases. Chemicals not on the tested list should be evaluated with the AATCC 193 method before the garment is specified for them; where a substance rates C or D, do not rely on the garment for that substance.
Care rules that protect the repellency +
Launder with low-alkalinity chemistry (500 ppm active alkalinity or less) to maximize splash repellency, and avoid bleach and fabric softeners — over-use of bleach can degrade repellency and fabric strength, though not the flame resistance. Spot-test repellency after laundering, and replace garments that have taken a chemical exposure in accordance with the site's safety protocol, since exposure may affect future chemical and flame-resistant performance.
Built as daily wear, not task-based PPE +
Shield CXP™ is light and breathable enough to wear all shift, replacing the grab-a-coat, task-based model that leaves people unprotected between tasks. Purpose-built details support the program: a black collar identifies CP garments at a glance on the floor, FR-only knit cuffs close the sleeve more safely than open cuffs, splash-resistant pass-throughs protect inner-pocket access, and the finish contains no intentionally added PFAS.
New to the badges on our product cards? See the full Icon Legend on our Bulwark FR page.
What chemicals does Westex Shield CXP™ protect against? +
Westex Shield CXP™ is designed per manufacturer specifications to shed inadvertent splash from 98% sulfuric acid, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and 50% sodium hydroxide, verified by AATCC 193 A-to-D test methods. This finish is designed for inadvertent splash, not immersion or prolonged chemical contact. Always consult your employer’s chemical hazard assessment to confirm appropriate PPE. Most other organic solvents rate D under AATCC 193 and are not recommended — evaluate unlisted chemicals with the AATCC 193 method before specifying the garment for them.
Is the chemical-splash repellency in FR/CP garments PFAS-free? +
The Westex Shield CXP™ finish contains no intentionally added PFAS — the manufacturer's precise formulation claim behind the "PFAS-free" shorthand — supporting compliance with environmental and workplace regulations restricting perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Splash repellency is verified by the AATCC 193 A-to-D method per the manufacturer's testing.
Are Bulwark FR/CP garments NFPA 2112 certified? +
Yes. Bulwark CP Chemical-Splash garments are certified to NFPA 2112 for flash-fire protection and arc-rated at NFPA 70E category CAT 1. The inherent Westex Shield CXP™ meta-aramid fabric builds flame resistance into the fiber — it does not wash out when laundered per manufacturer care instructions.
What garment styles are available in FR/CP? +
Bulwark FR/CP Chemical-Splash Protection is available in coverall and lab coat styles — including women’s lab coats — using Westex Shield CXP™ fabric. These styles are appropriate for petrochemical, refinery, pharmaceutical, and laboratory environments with dual thermal and chemical-splash hazards.
Can FR/CP garments be industrially laundered? +
Yes. FR/CP garments with Westex Shield CXP™ are designed for industrial laundering. Both flame resistance and chemical-splash repellency are engineered to remain effective through repeated wash cycles per manufacturer care instructions, making them practical for ongoing use in active environments.
What is AATCC 193 testing? +
AATCC 193 is the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists test method for aqueous and acid repellency of textiles. The A-to-D grading system tests a textile against increasingly challenging chemical solutions. Bulwark FR/CP garments with Westex Shield CXP™ are verified to the AATCC 193 A-to-D scale, confirming repellency against the chemical challenges relevant to industrial lab and processing environments.
Content on this page is provided for general information only and may contain errors or omissions; it is not safety or compliance advice. All certifications, arc ratings (ATPV), warranties, and product descriptions are the manufacturer’s — always verify specifications against current manufacturer documentation and product labels before final PPE decisions. Garment selection must be based on a qualified hazard assessment per NFPA 70E and NFPA 2112, and real-world protection depends on proper selection, fit, care, and use within your employer’s PPE program. Copperstone Workwear is an authorized Bulwark FR distributor. Page content © Copperstone Workwear; unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
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