2018 was a busy time here at Bulwark, and 2019 promises to be another one for the books. As we enter into the new year, we look back at some of your favorite topics in all things FR, like what’s the difference between AR and FR, and how do you layer without sacrificing compliance? Check […]

The work you and your team accomplish is tough – and the weather doesn’t always cooperate. That’s why it’s important to be dressed properly while on the job, especially as winter approaches.  Our FR experts give their top five tips when it comes to choosing the right FR outerwear, so you can prepare for the […]

Whenever a new edition of a standard is released, all manufacturers of flame-resistant (FR) garments, fabrics and findings are required to retest and recertify their products to demonstrate continued compliance with the standard. With the updates to NFPA 2112 that came last year, we at Bulwark have been busy with an extensive, and extremely complex […]

There’s a lot of confusion when it comes to the terms “treated” and “inherent” FR. What’s the difference? And, more importantly, does one offer better protection than the other? In short, the answer is no. But in order to understand why, we must start by understanding what these terms mean and why they were applied […]

AR, FR, ATPV, OSHA. The list goes on and on. If there’s one thing that’s true about FR safety, it’s that there are a lot of terms to memorize. It’s not always easy to keep the various words and acronyms straight, but when it comes to building and implementing an effective safety program, knowing your […]

It’s likely you know a thing or two about FR. You know that FR clothing protects your guys against severe burn injuries and even death as a result of thermal incidents on the job. You know it’s also required by law in many different industries, under many different regulations. But all FR is not created […]

It’s hard to believe, but 2017 is already coming to a close. It was a busy year for us here at Bulwark. We asked you to share your burning FR questions with us and answered them throughout the year in the form of blog posts, webinars, infographics, whitepapers and more. Click through the topics below […]

You know you need to be wearing FR. And you know your FR clothing has to meet—or better yet, exceed—your required ATPV. A layered FR system is one great way to ensure you’re protected and keep you comfortable. But FR layering can get tricky. It’s not as simple as adding up the arc ratings of […]

  NFPA® 2112 is the well-known and often quoted safety standard to those who work in the Oil & Gas Industry — no matter where they fall in the stream. And while 2112 is an important standard on how to specify the minimum performance requirements and test methods for flame-resistant fabrics and components, it does […]

Depending on the line of work you’re in, there are any number of dangers you may encounter on the job. From slip-and-fall hazards to those due to working at height, there’s PPE to help keep you protected. When it comes to thermal hazards, your FR clothing protects you against two main hazards: Flash Fire and […]

According to NFPA® 70E section 130.7 (C) (12) (a), non-melting flammable garments (i.e., non-FR) are permitted to be worn under FR garments for added protection. In fact, putting an extra layer of clothing between your skin and your outer FR layers can provide an added level of protection and has the further benefit of absorbing […]

2016: Asked and Answered No matter how you slice it, 2016 was one for the books. Here at Bulwark, we dedicated the year to providing you with new FR knowledge every month of 2016. Through blog posts, webinars, infographics and whitepapers, we answered your most burning FR questions. Click through the topics below to see […]

To our friends and partners who’ve braved the storm in the Gulf Coast Region, we want to help you stay safe as you pick up the pieces and head back to work. So we’re offering 50% off Bulwark FR at Munro’s and FR Depot locations to help replace anything you may have lost during the […]

Make no mistake—keeping FR on their backs falls squarely on your shoulders. In the United States, the responsibility for worker safety rests solely on the employer. In 1970, the OSH Act created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and established the “general duty clause,” which delegated authority to OSHA to set the rules for […]

Building a PPE program that meets all safety requirements and meets your personal needs is no easy task. You must select the right garments based on the unique hazards of your industry, in addition to important factors like comfort, durability and laundering. But even the best PPE program in the world is ineffective without the […]

With every new bug season, come swarms of new questions as to how to properly use insect repellent while wearing FR garments. Here are Bulwark’s “do and don’t” details. Make that, DEETails.   DEET is the active ingredient in many well known, and often used, insect repellents (liquids, lotions, sprays, wristbands, etc.) It is used […]

What is ATPV, and how is it used in your hazard assessment? Put simply, ATPV—Arc Thermal Performance Value—is the most commonly reported test result of the effectiveness of FR clothing. It measures the amount of incident energy that your FR garment can protect you from before the onset of a 2nd degree burn. And the […]

Summer is in full swing, and the question on everyone’s mind is: “How do I help my guys stay cool in the hot summer months?” In fact, it may be the #1 question we at Bulwark receive this time of year, every year. That’s why we’re here to help guide you with some cold, hard […]

OSHA 1910.269 is the federal regulation regarding employee safety in the electric utility industry. Do you fully understand the requirements the standard presents? Are you confident your crew has the right FR apparel to match the hazards they face? Let Bulwark get you regulation ready with our condensed version of this long and complex document. […]

As most of us know all too well, there’s no such thing as wash-and-go when it comes to caring for your PPE. Proper care and maintenance of FR/AR clothing is essential to its effectiveness. Most industry standards recommend following compliant garment manufacturers’ instructions, while others offer more specific guidance. To keep it simple, we’ve compiled […]

When it comes to FR, the answer is: more than you might think. Even after assessing hazard risks and selecting the appropriate FR clothing, it also falls on the employer to ensure that each garment truly matches the hazard it’s designed to protect against. That’s why it’s especially important to identify proper labeling on the […]

Arming your crew with the appropriate FR gear is a feat in itself. Navigating the ever-changing sea of standards? Now that’s another beast entirely. Bulwark is here to help you choose the right FR program by ensuring you have a thorough grasp on the standards and what they mean for you—and your crew. When the […]

  For safety professionals, the job of making FR compliance a shared priority is a mighty task. You have an ever-changing sea of standards to navigate, and stay ahead of. The people under your watch don’t always understand the right way to wear, or care for, their flame-resistant apparel. And the apparel itself has historically […]

When you think about establishing a successful FR clothing program, what “check list” items immediately spring to mind? Generally speaking, the first two mental steps people in this industry take are: 1.) Evaluating the thermal hazard you are providing protection for; and 2.) Selecting the appropriate FR garments for that hazard. Rightly so. But for […]

The standards say you need to dress for total body flame-resistant coverage. The catch? Total body coverage, in FR, can become insufferable – especially come summertime. As the world’s #1 FR education resource, Bulwark is here with a simple infographic to help you reinforce what to do, and how to dress, to remain cool, comfortable […]

“How do I help my guys stay cool in the hot summer months?” That may be the #1 question we at Bulwark receive this time of year, every year. The world’s #1 FR brand is here to help guide you with some cold, hard facts.     Remember the 3 Rs: Rehydrate, Rest and Recognize […]

With every new bug season, come swarms of new questions as to how to properly use insect repellent while wearing FR garments. Here are Bulwark’s “do and don’t” details. Make that, DEETails. DEET is the active ingredient in many well known, and often used, insect repellents (liquids, lotions, sprays, wristbands, etc.). It is used to […]

In April of 2014, OSHA revised CFR 1910.269 mandating that certain employers must provide their employees with protective clothing that will not melt, drip, or ignite and that will not contribute to injury. Given the challenges the market is having adapting to this sizable regulatory shift, OSHA has released new 2015 compliance milestones. Even though […]

As the standard for electrical safety in the workplace, NFPA 70E is designed to help you, your workers and your organization properly identify potential workplace hazards, better understand and assess those risks, and determine which PPE is appropriate for which task. In the NFPA 70E 2015 edition, there are several significant updates, including a very […]

It’s a New Year. And with it comes a new update to two OSHA regulations that experts say will save nearly 20 lives, prevent 118 serious injuries, and result in monetized benefits of $179 million annually: 29 CFR 1910.269 and 29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart V. As the world leader in flame resistant apparel, training […]

In 2014, Bulwark – the world’s #1 FR apparel brand –broke the industry from the shackles of its bulky, itchy, sweaty past. With the introduction of the Bulwark iQ Series™, the world’s first performance FR. And the most comfortable FR apparel ever made, by any measure.(see iQ products here). The reception to this revelation has […]

According to NFPA 70E section 130.7 (C) (12) (a), layering of non-melting flammable garments is permitted to be worn under FR garments for added protection. However, the system arc rating of the innermost FR layer must be sufficient to prevent breakopen and ignition of the flammable under layer. If Table 130.7 (C) (9) is used […]

This year’s International Lineman’s Rodeo was marked by the largest attendance in the event’s history. And amidst the masses, Bulwark was there supporting and saluting, competing and connecting, oh – and throwing down the best ribs EVER! Special thanks to Team Ameren for competing so fiercely while wearing our Bulwark iQ Series™ Comfort Knit Henleys […]

For two days in October (Oct. 17 & 18), the best electric utility lineman on the planet will gather in Kansas City to compete in the International Lineman’s Rodeo (the full Expo runs Oct 15 -18). From simulated pole-top rescues, to “sprints” up 40-foot poles, to timed equipment repair challenges – they will put their […]

Check out our list of the top 3 most important announcements at NSC 2014. NSC Launches “Journey to Safety Excellence” initiative to make workers safer. OSHA’s Top 10 Violations for 2014 NSC recognizes the best that safety has to offer at National Awards Celebration.  

Back in January, we announced our launch of iQ Series, a revolutionary product line that delivers superior comfort through fabric and design innovation — without compromising the trust and safety of its wearers.  Read the announcement here: The Future Of FR Is Here We’ve seen a huge amount of interest and excitement regarding iQ Series. […]

Got Questions about OSHA 1910.269 and how it pertains to FR/AR Clothing? We’ve got Answers! Click the link below to view our Q&A:   Bulwark OSHA 1910.269 Q&A      

This week we announced our plans to debut our much anticipated iQ Series Comfort Knits and Wovens at the American Society of Safety Engineers’ Safety 2014 Expo in Orlando (Orange County Convention Center, West Building, June 8-10). The new iQ Series is set to rock the world of protective workwear wearability unlike ever before — […]

Our VP, Chris Holcombe, spoke with Creative Safety Publishing recently about our new iQ Series products. “Hot. Heavy. Stiff. Itchy. If you’ve worn flame resistant clothing, you know what it feels like. But that’s all changing.” Click here to listen to the full interview.

Hot. Heavy. Stiff. Itchy. Anyone who has worn a flame-resistant (FR) garment might use the four adjectives above to describe the experience of wearing such apparel. However, for many workers throughout the oil and gas value chain, uncomfortable FR apparel is a necessary burden in order to protect oneself from flash fire hazards on the […]

Recently we announced that we have partnered with Milliken & Company to take a fresh approach to solving a decades-old challenge in the flame-resistant apparel industry – that comfort has to be sacrificed in order to provide the right level of safety. With the development of the Bulwark iQ Series, and its exclusive Amplitude G2 […]

Today we announced the launch of the iQ Series™, a product line that delivers superior comfort through fabric and design innovation — without compromising the trust and safety of wearers. Designed to meet the needs of workers and linemen in the electric utility, oil and gas, emerging energy and NFPA 70E (manufacturing) industries, the iQ […]

According to NFPA 70E section 130.7 (C) (9) (a), layering of non-melting flammable garments is permitted to be worn under FR garments for added protection. However, the system arc rating of the innermost FR layer must be sufficient to prevent break open and ignition of the flammable under layer. Only FR layers within the layered […]

Most people would quip, predicting the future requires a crystal ball and some magical ‘sayings’.  In business, forecasting market dynamics is much more of an art than science.  However, business builds technology and departments on the science of the past to predict the promise of the future.  From revenue projections, inventory levels, and general investment […]

Two new booths a’ buzzin’. Countless connections made. FR Genius-ing at its finest. And showgirls – dozens of fantailed, feathered showgirls. Sprinkled (and quite impressively spangled) about the conference show floor. These are but a few of the glitzier highlights from Safety 2013 in Vegas. All memories that explain why we at Bulwark described our […]

Today we announced our plans to participate at the American Society of Safety Engineers’ Safety 2013 Conference in Las Vegas (Las Vegas Convention Center, June 24-27, 2013). A fantastic opportunity for “the FR outfit of No Compromise,” according to David Crace, VP of Marketing at VF Imagewear. “At Bulwark, we have come to think about […]

Because the tragedy in Oklahoma makes us heart sick. Bulwark has been serving the roughnecks, fuel haulers, and refinery workers of the oil and gas industry for over four decades. And nowhere is our story more entwined with theirs than in this remarkable – and resilient – part of the country.  Many of those impacted […]

That’s the title of an article from today’s Wall Street Journal. In it, the reporter paints (and quite eloquently so) a picture of the reality that we at Bulwark know all too well. And face every single moment. Pun fully intended, FR is hot. The oil-and-gas boom has generated countless new players. Many with mighty big […]

This week, we were approached with an opportunity to have our brand name appear on a NASCAR race car. We did it. But why? After all, the notion of safety apparel ripping around an oval at 200 mph does seem a bit contradictory, doesn’t it? But here’s what drove our decision. At Bulwark, FR is […]

This past Saturday evening, we made our NASCAR debut. We were honored to be a sponsor for No. 31 Jeff Burton.  In case you missed it, here is a recap of Jeff Burton’s run. Jeff Burton and the No. 31 Airgas/Bulwark Chevrolet team ran in the top 15 for 369 laps of the 406-lap night […]

The Arc Flash – we have all read the articles and listen to the numbers but do we really understand what the dynamics of these events are like and what potential dangers our electrical workers can encounter when working in and around energized equipment. 35,000 degrees that is the temperature that is created in the […]

If we agree consensus standards are the bare minimum (getting a group of people from varied backgrounds with varied agendas to agree on anything, come to consensus by default will result in the lowest common ground).  So if you are not specifying NFPA 2112 certified garments why are you willing to accept garments that have […]

Many companies call me to ask what is the proper way to wear FRC (flame-resistant clothing). NFPA 2113, the standard on selection, care, use and maintenance of Flame Resistance Garments for protection of industrial personnel against flash fire, does not give us any guidance on how to actually wear the garments. Without a formal standard […]

Most of you know the Bulwark design team is made up of 4 ladies ages 28-35.  What do we know about designing Flame Resistant (FR) clothing?  We didn’t grow up rough necking in the oil fields of south Texas.  We did grow up playing on the beaches of South Padre Island.  We didn’t grow up […]

As I was sending my daughter off to college, I leaned over her to make sure the seat belt was fastened and she was wearing it correctly.  I was struck by the idea of how similar seat belts are to FR clothing.  First of all, if you don’t wear your FR it’s the same as […]

What happens to Nomex,  untreated Cotton, and untreated Polyester/Cotton when exposed to a flash fire? Nomex extinguishes once the ignition source is removed.  The Untreated Cotton continues to burn until there is nothing left. The Untreated Polyester/Cotton blend continues to burn until there is nothing left too, but it also drips and melts. Which one […]

It’s the end of the day, you’ve worked hard and you are tired. You realize you have a nasty stain on your FR shirt. What do you do? Probably throw it in the hamper, who am I kidding…probably on the floor, and leave your wife to worry with it. Well, the first important thing to […]

Bulwark® Protective Apparel is the largest manufacturer of flame-resistant apparel and accessories.  Bulwark is part of VF Corporation, VF has been in business for over 100 years and is the world’s largest apparel manufacturer. Throughout Bulwark’s history, we’ve made it a priority to lead the industry with technological advances, the broadest product line, most robust […]