Flame-retardant fabrics for protective clothing

The flame-retardant programme of XM Textiles: FR cottons, poly-cotton blends and inherent fabrics for welding, foundry, utilities and multinorm garments. Certified to EN ISO 11611 and 11612 with industrial-wash durability, and backed by matching FR threads and accessories.

FR cotton, blends and inherent constructions
EN ISO 11611 / 11612 certified, documentation included
Survives industrial washing cycles

Browse XM FireLine products Order the print catalogue

Photo BRD-F1

FR garment in its element — welder in FR clothing with sparks flying, garment sewn from a FireLine fabric

Portrait 4:5 · dark industrial setting · sparks as light source

How FireLine fabrics stop flames

Most FireLine cottons and blends are treated with THPC — tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium chloride, one of the most proven flame-retardant technologies in industrial use. The treatment polymerises inside the fibre itself, so the protection is built into the fabric rather than coated onto it — and it stays there, wash after wash.

The treatment, step by step

1
The fabric passes through a bath of THPC solution
2
Drying fixes the chemistry evenly through the cloth
3
Ammonia gas polymerises the compound inside the fibres in a sealed chamber
4
An oxidising bath neutralises the remaining ammonia
5
A series of wash baths removes every trace of residue
6
Final drying — the fabric leaves permanently flame-retardant

What that means on the wearer

Self-extinguishes within 2 seconds of the flame source being removed
No melting or dripping — protects against welding sparks and molten-metal splash
Protection verified through 100 industrial wash cycles

Care that keeps the protection alive

Wash at up to 60 °C domestically, 75 °C industrially
No chlorine bleach — it attacks the FR polymer
No natural tallow or anionic soaps — their deposits can mask the FR effect
Soft water is best; in commercial laundries, hard-water deposits are removed with an acetic-acid rinse

Treated and inherent FireLine fabrics are certified to EN ISO 11611 (welding) and EN ISO 11612 (heat and flame). The certificate behind each fabric is listed on its product page.