Flame Retardant Lab Coat Safety & Care Guide

Genius Lab Gear Flame Resistant and Flame Retardant (FR) Lab Coat User Information Guide

For Frequently Asked Questions, see the bottom of the page.

1. Pre-User Information

This Genius Lab Gear User Information Guide gives required information regarding the use, care, and maintenance of your Genius Lab Gear flame-resistant (FR) clothing. Upon receipt and continued service and inspection of your Genius Lab Gear FR clothing. Read this User Information Guide and refer to it for continued care, maintenance, and safe use of your Genius Lab Gear FR clothing. These instructions warn you of potential severe injury or death risks and reduce those risks. Following these instructions incorrectly may result in severe injury or death. Your responsibility is to familiarize yourself with this User Information Guide and use your garments to its instructions.

a. Safety Considerations

Your Genius Lab Gear FR garment is intended to provide limited protection to you in a short duration of thermal exposure ("flash fire") resulting from igniting a hydrocarbon atmosphere or one containing combustibles. It will provide limited protection to you in an electrical arc flash. Arc flash protection is noted by category level (1-4) on the garment.

Our lab coats do not provide complete protection against acids, bases, or other corrosives unless specifically noted in the spec sheets for that garment. They are only intended to provide a temporary barrier to give the user time to remove the garment before skin exposure occurs.

b. Limitations of Use

This Genius Lab Gear FR garment will not protect against extended exposure to direct flame or high heat. Genius Lab Gear FR garments are not intended to be used in firefighting or other emergency operations. These garments will not protect you from radiation exposure, biological agents, or hazardous materials.

This Genius Lab Gear FR garment alone will not protect you from all hazards. You or your employer must conduct a threat and risk assessment to determine the suitability of this garment for its intended purpose. Other garments or personal protective equipment may be necessary to provide you complete protection required for your working environment.

This Genius Lab Gear FR garment will not protect you if it is not correctly maintained as per the instructions on the garment. Do not use this garment if it is soiled, contaminated, or damaged. Clean this garment by the instruction provided in this guide. Contact Genius Lab Gear customer service if you have any questions regarding the condition of your FR garment.

It will help if you are trained in recognizing hazards in your specific trade and understand the limitations of use for this garment before wearing it. Even when used as directed, this garment will not protect you from burn injury under all conditions of use or exposure to hazards. Failure to understand the use limitations for this garment may result in a severe injury or death.

c. Marking Recommendations and Restrictions

The use of non-flame or non-heat-resistant emblems (e.g., patches, embroidery, silkscreens, heat transfers, etc.) may compromise your Genius Lab Gear FR garment in a flash fire. Electric arc exposure should be avoided if possible. If used, added non-FR emblems must be no larger than an average credit card.

Any marking of your Genius Lab Gear FR garment should be on the interior side of the garment. An industrial laundry marker can be used for hand-written markings. Do not mark on or through Certification on the garment.

d. Warranty Information

Genius Lab Gear stands behind the quality of our FR garments. A 90-day warranty from delivery covers Genius Lab Gear FR apparel. If a Genius Lab Gear FR product fails due to a material or manufacturing defect, Genius Lab Gear will repair, replace, or refund the garment. Genius Lab Gear will use reasonable discretion to determine the validity of warranty claims. This warranty does not cover Genius Lab Gear FR products damaged due to misuse, accident, modification, improper care, negligence, or normal wear and tear, including exposure to chemicals and flames.

2. Preparation for Use

a. Sizing/Adjustment

Choose a Genius Lab Gear FR garment size that correctly fits your body. It shouldn't be too tight or loose, shouldn't restrict your movements, and should be comfortable.

When selecting a Genius Lab Gear FR garment, refer to the sizing charts on the product listing to ensure you choose the size that correctly matches your body dimensions.

b. Recommended Storage Practices

After each cleaning, your Genius Lab Gear FR garment should be stored to protect it from prolonged direct sunlight, heat, and excessive moisture. Doing so may cause permanent damage that can compromise the integrity of your garment.

3. Inspection Frequency and Details

Genius Lab Gear FR garments should be inspected for damage/defects when received, before and after being used, cleaned, and at least once a month if out of service and storage.

Conduct visual inspection as follows:

• Inspect garment for damage of materials or components, paying close attention to the wear of fabric and stitching in areas of high wear such as knees, cuffs, elbows, shoulders, etc.

• Inspect all significant seams, such as inseams, outseams, shoulder, sleeve, shirt side seams, etc., for damage.

• Inspect all components such as buttons, snaps, shanks, zippers, hook & loop, etc., for any damage.

Garments with any indicated damage listed above or other noted defects must be retired from use or repaired/replaced.

4. Donning and Doffing Procedures

To ensure maximal protection as intended by design:

When donning (putting on) Genius Lab Gear FR garments, any adjustments must be made to ensure a correct fit, and all buttons, zippers, and fasteners must be secured when worn. Any fit adjustments must be fully extended to facilitate removal when doffing (taking off) Genius Lab Gear FR garments. All buttons, zippers, and fasteners must be unfastened to prevent damage.

5. Proper Use Consistent with NFPA 2113

NFPA 2113 specifies selection, care, use, and maintenance requirements for garments compliant with NFPA 2112: Standard on Flame-Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire. Consult the NFPA 2113 to ensure that the selection and use of your Genius Lab Gear FR garment are consistent with the applicable requirements.

6. Maintenance and Cleaning

Proper care, maintenance, and cleaning are critical to ensuring optimal performance, protection, and life expectancy of your Genius Lab Gear FR garment.

a. Cleaning Instructions and Precautions

To ensure optimal protection, clean your Genius Lab Gear FR garment after each use to remove dirt, abrasives, and contaminants that may compromise the garment's protective properties. For example, exposure to flammable chemicals may increase the flammability of your garment if not cleaned between uses. Clean your Genius Lab Gear FR garment according to the care instructions provided.

Failure to follow the care instructions may damage the garment and loss of its flame-resistant properties, invalidate all expressed or implied warranties, and increases the risk of injury. You should never bleach your FR garments as it will compromise the flame resistant properties.

b. Maintenance Criteria and Methods of Repair Where Applicable

You may need to perform maintenance or repairs to your Genius Lab Gear FR garment as time goes on to ensure the garment is fully functional and continues to provide optimal protection as intended. As unauthorized repairs made to your Genius Lab Gear FR garments may invalidate all expressed or implied warranties and increase your risk of injury to hazardous or life-threatening conditions, Genius Lab Gear recommends contacting your Genius Lab Gear customer service representative to discuss maintenance and repair or replacement options.

7. Retirement and Disposal Criteria

Damaged or defective Genius Lab Gear FR garments that cannot be adequately repaired should be discarded. Other factors to consider that may lead to the retirement of your Genius Lab Gear FR garment are:

• Excessive exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet rays
• General use where fabric integrity becomes compromised
• Exposure to improper care procedures
• Exposure to hazardous materials

Genius Lab Gear FR garments that have been retired from service should be disposed of in a manner that prevents their reuse. FR garments suspected to be contaminated must be disposed of in a manner consistent with local, state, and federal laws governing the disposal of the suspected contaminants.

FR Lab Coat FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

How long will my lab coat keep its flame retardant properties?

Your Genius Lab Gear FR lab coat is guaranteed to keep its rated FR properties for the usable life of the garment, provided that cleaning & care procedures are strictly followed and no damage is incurred from fire or chemical exposures. Check the tag for detailed cleaning instructions. 

What would cause deterioration of my lab coat's FR properties?

For cotton-based FR lab coats, which have an FR coating, the following incidents will cause some or total loss of FR properties:

1. Washing with chlorine bleach can remove the FR coating
2. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, especially UV rays, can degrade the FR coating. 
3. Washing and drying above the rated temperatures can reduce the lifetime of the coating
4. Exposure to some hazardous chemicals can cause local degradation of the FR properties.
5. Exposure to corrosives or mechanical abrasion can create holes in the fabric which allow entry points for flash fire to cause burns. 

What does the NFPA2112 and UL rating really mean in terms of flame protection?

The fabric and all components are independently rated and tested according to the NFPA 2112 test procedure. The fabric is tested for a burn percentage in a flash fire. To pass, the fabric must yield a <50% body burn. Our fabrics typically test at 15-30% body burn, among the best in the industry. This means that you can still be seriously burned in a strong flash fire. An explosion involving flammable liquids can coat the fabric and cause prolonged exposure to flames beyond the rated flash fire testing. These garments are not fire-proof and are not rated for prolonged exposure to heat and fire such as in firefighting or steel mills. Always use PPE as your last line of defense and follow all other safety procedures to reduce the risk of a flash fire.

Are the cuffs and buttons also flame retardant?

Every component is UL-certified to pass the NFPA 2112 requirements. The cuffs, buttons, snaps, zippers, and even the tags are specially made with flame resistant or flame retardant materials to survive and function in the event of a flash fire.