FR clothing is flame-resistant workwear that resists catching fire and stops burning once the flame or spark is gone, which limits burn injuries. This guide explains what FR, NFPA 2112 and CAT 2 mean, who needs FR shirts, how to wash them, and how to choose tactical pants and chef coats, with the best specialist workwear under $50.
What is FR clothing?
FR clothing is flame-resistant clothing: garments made from fabric that resists ignition and self-extinguishes when the flame or spark is removed, instead of continuing to burn or melting onto skin. It reduces burn injuries but does not make you fireproof. NY Threads FR shirts are 100% cotton with a flame-resistant finish.
OSHA’s electric power guidance says workers exposed to flames or electric arcs are “generally prohibited from wearing clothing materials made entirely of, or blended with, synthetic materials such as acetate, nylon, polyester, or rayon,” because clothing must not ignite and keep burning or melt on the skin (OSHA, Flame-Resistant Clothing).
| Shirt | Fabric | Standards listed | Sizes | Colors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s fire resistant work shirt | 240 GSM 100% cotton twill, oil- and water-repellent finish | EN ISO 11611, EN ISO 11612, NFPA 2112 | S to 3XL | Khaki, navy, grey |
| Men’s FR henley shirt, long sleeve | 220 GSM (6 oz) 100% cotton knit, Proban FR finish | EN ISO 11611, EN ISO 11612, NFPA 2112, CAT 2 | S to 3XL | Navy blue, army green, light grey |
Your employer’s hazard assessment decides what protection your job needs. Check the label inside the garment against that requirement before you rely on it.
What is the difference between flame resistant and flame retardant?
Flame resistant describes how a fabric behaves: it resists ignition and self-extinguishes. Flame retardant usually describes a chemical treatment that gives a fabric that behavior. Some fibers are inherently flame resistant, while cotton is treated to become FR. Both types are sold as FR clothing and must pass the same test standards.
NY Threads FR shirts are treated cotton. The FR henley uses a Proban finish on a soft cotton knit, and the fire resistant work shirt is a flame-resistant cotton twill with western-style snap buttons and two chest pockets.
What does CAT 2 mean on FR clothing?
CAT 2 is an arc flash PPE category from NFPA 70E, the electrical safety standard. Each category sets a minimum arc rating for clothing, measured in calories per square centimeter. Category 1 is 4 cal/cm², Category 2 is 8, Category 3 is 25 and Category 4 is 40. NFPA 2112 is a different standard, covering flash fire protection.
| PPE category | Minimum arc rating |
|---|---|
| Category 1 | 4 cal/cm² |
| Category 2 | 8 cal/cm² |
| Category 3 | 25 cal/cm² |
| Category 4 | 40 cal/cm² |
Source: Southern Utah University, Arc Flash PPE. The NY Threads FR henley is listed as CAT 2 in its product specification. For electrical work, always confirm the arc rating printed on the garment label against your site’s arc flash assessment.
Who needs to wear FR clothing?
Workers who may be exposed to flash fire, sparks, molten metal or electric arcs usually need FR clothing. That includes welders, fabricators, foundry workers, oil and gas crews, electricians and utility line workers. The employer decides the exact requirement through a hazard assessment. NY Threads FR shirts are made for welding, fabrication, foundry and oil and gas work.
- Welding and fabrication: EN ISO 11611 is the standard for protective clothing used in welding.
- Heat and flame: EN ISO 11612 covers clothing that protects against heat and flame.
- Flash fire: NFPA 2112 covers flame-resistant garments for industrial flash fire.
Both NY Threads FR shirts list all three standards. Browse men’s workwear and uniforms.
What is the best FR, tactical and chef workwear under $50?
Good specialist workwear under $50 should name the standard it meets and survive regular washing. From NY Threads, a UPF 50+ performance polo is $26.99, the short sleeve chef coat and the fire resistant work shirt are $38.99 each, ripstop tactical pants are $42.99 and the CAT 2 FR henley is $46.99.
| Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Men’s pique performance polo, UPF 50+ | Security, outdoor and uniform wear | $26.99 |
| Unisex short sleeve chef coat | Hot kitchens, bakeries, catering | $38.99 |
| Men’s fire resistant work shirt | Welding, fabrication, oil and gas | $38.99 |
| Men’s ripstop tactical pants | Job sites, trails, security work | $42.99 |
| Men’s FR henley shirt, CAT 2 | A softer FR layer for long shifts | $46.99 |
Standard shipping is free on every order with no minimum, and unused, unworn items with tags can be returned within 60 days of delivery.
How do you wash FR clothing?
Wash FR clothing on its own in warm water, about 40°C (104°F), with ordinary detergent, and tumble dry low. Do not use chlorine bleach or fabric softener, which can damage or coat the flame-resistant finish. Do not dry clean unless the label allows it. Replace any FR garment that is torn, worn thin or soaked with oil.
| Item | Wash | Dry | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire resistant work shirt | Machine wash at 40°C | Tumble dry low, iron low if needed | Bleach, dry cleaning |
| FR henley shirt | Machine wash at 40°C | Tumble dry low, iron low if needed | Bleach, dry cleaning |
| Ripstop tactical pants | Machine wash cold, gentle | Tumble dry low, iron low if needed | – |
| Short sleeve chef coat | Machine wash cold with similar colors | Tumble dry low | – |
What are tactical pants?
Tactical pants are tough cargo-style work pants first made for police and military use, with reinforced fabric, extra pockets and room to move. Many are ripstop, a weave with a grid of stronger threads that stops small tears spreading. NY Threads men’s tactical pants are a 65% polyester, 35% cotton ripstop with a water-resistant finish.
The men’s ripstop tactical pants have utility cargo pockets for tools, gloves and a phone, a flexible waistband and a straight leg. They come in black, khaki and dark grey, in sizes 30W to 44W with a 30 or 32 inch inseam. They are not flame resistant: polyester blends should not be worn where FR clothing is required.
Why do chefs wear white coats?
Chefs traditionally wear white because it signals cleanliness and shows stains straight away, so a dirty coat gets changed. The classic double-breasted front gives two layers of protection from spills, splashes, heat and steam. Many modern kitchens also use black coats and short sleeves. NY Threads chef coats come in white and black.
“In any kitchen seen from the dining room, an all-white uniform gives an impression of cleanliness and purity.”
The NY Threads unisex short sleeve chef coat is a 65% polyester, 35% cotton twill that is breathable and durable for hot kitchens. Short sleeves keep your arms free and cooler near the stove, and one unisex shape in sizes S to XXL simplifies orders for restaurants, bakeries and catering teams.
FR, tactical and chef workwear FAQs
Where can I buy FR shirts?
You can buy FR shirts from safety suppliers, workwear stores and online. NY Threads sells online at nythreads.com, the NY Threads store for the United States, and through the NY Threads brand store on Amazon. The NY Threads fire resistant work shirt costs $38.99 and the CAT 2 FR henley costs $46.99, with free standard shipping on every order.
Is 100% cotton flame resistant?
No. Untreated cotton is not flame resistant: it can ignite and keep burning. Cotton does not melt like polyester or nylon, which is why it is preferred near heat, but only cotton with a flame-resistant treatment, tested to a standard such as NFPA 2112, counts as FR clothing.
Can you wear a regular shirt under FR clothing?
Wear only natural fibers such as cotton or wool, or another FR layer, under FR clothing. Polyester, nylon and other synthetic base layers can melt onto your skin in a fire or arc, even under an FR shirt. Follow your employer’s PPE policy.
How much do FR shirts cost at NY Threads?
At NY Threads, the men’s fire resistant work shirt costs $38.99 and the long sleeve FR henley costs $46.99. These are regular prices on November 12, 2026, before any sale. Standard shipping is free on every order.
What is a good gift for a welder or a chef?
Practical workwear makes a useful gift. For a welder, a fire resistant work shirt ($38.99) or an FR henley ($46.99); check which standards their job requires first. For a cook or culinary student, a short sleeve chef coat ($38.99). See more ideas in gifts for tradespeople. Unused items with tags can be returned within 60 days.
Are NY Threads FR shirts and chef coats OEKO-TEX certified?
Yes. The NY Threads fire resistant work shirt, FR henley, ripstop tactical pants and short sleeve chef coat are OEKO-TEX® certified, so their materials are tested for harmful substances.
Our methodology
Every fabric weight, standard, size and care instruction below comes from the NY Threads product specification for that item. Workplace clothing rules come from OSHA, arc flash categories from Southern Utah University’s summary of NFPA 70E, and chef uniform history from the Culinary Institute of America. We checked 5 NY Threads product specifications on November 12, 2026 for this guide, and we update it when a product, size chart or care label changes.
Sources
Shop workwear and uniforms, read the workwear guide for coveralls, overalls and work pants, or read about NY Threads. Standard shipping is free on every order with no minimum, and unused, unworn items with tags can be returned within 60 days of delivery. Questions? Contact us.
More buying, fit and care advice: browse all NY Threads product guides.