Lower-Body FR Protection, Matched to the Hazard
NFPA 2112 Certified, Arc-Rated FR Pants for Your Crew
Workers in oil and gas who need NFPA 2112 certified flash-fire protection, and electricians meeting NFPA 70E arc-flash categories, can match cal/cm² protection to their hazard assessment. Flame resistance is engineered to remain effective through repeated industrial laundering per manufacturer care instructions. Browse FR Work Pants and FR Jeans to compare weights and fits.
NFPA 2112 Certified FR Pants for Oil, Gas & Pipeline Workers
Flash fires in oil and gas environments can ignite without warning when flammable vapors meet an ignition source. NFPA 2112 certified FR pants self-extinguish immediately when the ignition source is removed, limiting lower-body burn injury. Bulwark FR's inherent fabrics — Nomex® Comfort and Ten Cate Evolv™ — build flame resistance into the fiber so it cannot wash or abrade away.
Arc-Rated FR Pants for Electric Utility & Welding Crews
Electric utility workers and welders who require lower-body arc-flash protection need pants arc-rated to their specific hazard level. Bulwark FR work pants cover CAT 1 and CAT 2 at 5.2 to 12 cal/cm², while FR jeans extend coverage to CAT 3 at up to 21 cal/cm². Inherent cotton/nylon twill construction adds abrasion resistance for rugged field conditions.
What arc rating do Bulwark FR pants carry? +
Bulwark FR pants carry arc ratings (ATPV) from 5.2 to 21 cal/cm², covering NFPA 70E arc-flash PPE categories CAT 1 through CAT 3. Lightweight work pants typically rate at 5.2 to 8 cal/cm² (CAT 1), midweight work pants at 8 to 12 cal/cm² (CAT 2), and FR jeans reach 7 to 21 cal/cm² (CAT 2 to CAT 3). The arc rating required for your task is always determined by your employer's arc-flash risk assessment.
Are Bulwark FR pants NFPA 2112 certified? +
Yes. Bulwark FR pants are certified to NFPA 2112, the standard for flame-resistant garments used in flash-fire environments. Certification requires third-party testing of the fabric and finished garment, including flame resistance after 100 wash-and-dry cycles. Bulwark FR pants use inherent flame-resistant fibers so protection is built into the fabric and cannot wash out.
What fabrics are Bulwark FR pants made from? +
Bulwark FR pants use inherent flame-resistant fabrics including Nomex® Comfort, Ten Cate Evolv™, and 88% cotton/12% nylon twill. Inherent flame resistance is a property of the fiber itself — not a chemical treatment — so it cannot wash, wear, or abrade away. FR denim jeans use heavyweight FR cotton and stretch denim constructions.
Can I mix and match FR pants with FR shirts from different brands? +
System arc ratings depend on the specific combination of garments tested together. When layering FR garments, verify the system arc rating through your employer's PPE program and the garment manufacturer's system-testing data. All garments in a layered system should be flame-resistant; a non-FR garment beneath or over an FR outer layer can introduce a melt-and-drip hazard.
What is the difference between FR work pants and FR jeans? +
FR work pants are typically built from industrial-weight cotton/nylon twill or Nomex® fabrics with utility features like reinforced knees, cargo pockets, and gusseted crotches, and carry arc ratings from 5.2 to 12 cal/cm² (CAT 1–2). FR jeans use heavyweight FR denim construction for a familiar look and can reach higher arc ratings of 7 to 21 cal/cm² (CAT 2–3). Both are NFPA 2112 certified.
What arc-flash PPE category do FR pants cover? +
Bulwark FR pants cover NFPA 70E arc-flash PPE categories CAT 1 through CAT 3 depending on style. CAT 1 requires a minimum arc rating of 4 cal/cm²; CAT 2 requires 8 cal/cm²; CAT 3 requires 25 cal/cm². Browse FR Work Pants for CAT 1–2 coverage and FR Jeans for styles reaching CAT 3.
Garment selection should always be based on a qualified arc flash risk assessment or flash fire hazard analysis conducted by a qualified person per NFPA 70E and NFPA 2112 requirements. ATPV and cal/cm² ratings describe the garment's tested performance — proper garment selection, fit, care, and use within an employer's complete PPE program determine real-world protection. Copperstone Workwear supplies these garments as an authorized Bulwark FR distributor; all certifications and performance ratings are those of the manufacturer.
