The ABC’s of FRC Repair

You’ve noticed a hole in your arc-rated or flame resistant (AR / FR) work shirt. Do you know what to do next? Luckily, knowing whether or not your AR / FR garment can be repaired is as simple as knowing your ABC’s:

A) Acceptable Appearance: Consider whether or not your item should be repaired. Sometimes, in order to present a cohesive, professional appearance in the field, it makes more sense to replace rather than repair the garment. Consider the location and size of the damage, and consult your company’s image guidelines before proceeding with requesting a repair.

B) Basic Fixes: Garments can be repaired if damage is minor and routine. This includes minor tears, holes less than 1” in diameter, or repairing a seam. Proceed with a repair using one of the easy options below.

C) Clean Condition: Make sure that all flammable substances – oil, gas, grease, etc. – are removed. Make this determination both before the garment is worn again and before proceeding with repairing the garment.

• • • To help with difficult cleaning, try applying detergent directly to the spot or dry-cleaning.
    • Keep in mind: garments repaired by Tyndale must be sent to us in clean condition.

D) Detrimental Damage: Consider the size, extent, and location of the damage – as well as the garment’s overall age and condition. These factors make a difference in the viability, safety, and cost-effectiveness of repair.

• • • Garments that are aged or have been heavily used may develop thin or threadbare areas, unrepaired holes larger than 1” in diameter, excessive wear or abrasion, and damage like rips, cuts, tears, broken closures, or torn, open, or frayed seams. Garments with any of these wear indicators have reached the end of their useful lives and should be retired and replaced for safety.
    • Generally, it is more economical to simply replace garments in need of extensive repairs requiring more than one hour to complete.

E) Equivalent Materials: AR / FR clothing should be repaired using components equivalent to those used in the original manufacturing to preserve the garment’s performance properties. If the garment was purchased from Tyndale, we can help! Simply contact us using one of the options below to request a repair with FR materials.

Scott Margolin, Vice President of Technical, walks us through the considerations and options for repair:

How Do I Repair My AR/FR Clothing?

If the damage is minor, there are two easy options for repairing garments purchased from Tyndale. Contact our US-based customer service team at 800-356-3433 to:

1. Request a no-charge repair kit containing FR materials. You can use this kit to make basic repairs yourself, or take it to a local sewing shop to have the garment repaired professionally using the FR materials provided (at your own expense). If you are ordering from Canada, you must request the no-charge repair kit during the ordering process.
2. US-based customers can request a no-charge return shipping label. From there, you can ship the garment back to us – in clean condition. We’ll complete the repair and ship it back to you free of charge.

Take care of your AR / FR and it will take care of you. Tune in to these posts and training resources to make sure your AR / FR clothing is properly cleaned, maintained, and ready to protect you in an arc flash or flash fire:

• Training VIDEOS: care, maintenance, and inspection for arc-rated clothing and flash fire protective clothing
• How to Wash FR Clothing
• FR Clothing Care and Maintenance: Three Things to Know
• 3 Tips on How to Wash FR Clothing and its Useful Wear Life
• 4 Tips for Washing Your FR Outerwear

Need help? Have a technical question we haven’t answered yet? Take advantage of a free, one-on-one 15-minute technical consultation with Scott Margolin or contact a National Account Executive serving your area to explore AR / FR clothing and managed program options.