Hi-Vis, Flame-Resistant and Chemical Workwear: Classes and Types Explained
Workwear does three very different safety jobs: being seen by drivers and machine operators, resisting flame and heat, and keeping chemicals off the skin. Each has its own standard and its own codes, and a garment that is excellent at one can be useless, or even dangerous, for another.
The short answer: EN ISO 20471 hi-vis for anyone near moving vehicles: Class 2 for most sites, Class 3 for roads and night work. EN ISO 11612 flame-resistant coveralls for oil and gas, heat and molten metal, with EN ISO 11611 for welding. Chemical coveralls by Type, from Type 6 for light splashes to Type 3 for liquid jets.
Hi-vis clothing: EN ISO 20471
Hi-vis works in two ways: fluorescent fabric (yellow, orange or red) stands out in daylight, and retroreflective tape shines back in headlights at night. The standard grades garments into three classes by how much of each material they have:
| Class | Fluorescent fabric at least | Reflective tape at least | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | 0.14 m² | 0.10 m² | Low risk, slow traffic, often trousers or add-ons |
| Class 2 | 0.50 m² | 0.13 m² | Construction sites, warehouses, car parks, yards |
| Class 3 | 0.80 m² | 0.20 m² | Roadworks, highways, night work, poor visibility |
A vest on its own reaches Class 2 at most. Class 3 needs more coverage, such as a jacket with sleeves, or a vest worn with hi-vis trousers. American vests use ANSI/ISEA 107, with similar Class 2 and 3 levels.
Keep hi-vis working:
- Fluorescent colour fades in the sun and in the wash. A faded vest is no longer hi-vis.
- Reflective tape wears out. The label says how many washes it is tested for.
- Keep it clean. Dirt, cement and paint cover the fluorescent fabric.
- Wear it closed. An open vest flapping at the sides loses much of its area.
Browse hi-vis vests and workwear
Flame-resistant clothing
Ordinary cotton burns, and polyester melts into the skin. Flame-resistant (FR) clothing does not continue to burn when the flame source is removed, and it gives the worker vital seconds to escape.
EN ISO 11612: heat and flame
The label shows letters for each tested hazard. The number after each letter is the level, and higher is better:
| Code | Tested against |
|---|---|
| A1 / A2 | Limited flame spread (the fabric does not keep burning) |
| B1–B3 | Convective heat (hot gases from a flame) |
| C1–C4 | Radiant heat |
| D1–D3 | Molten aluminium splash |
| E1–E3 | Molten iron splash |
| F1–F3 | Contact heat |
A coverall marked A1 A2 B1 C1 F1 suits general oil and gas and industrial use. Foundries need D or E ratings. See heat hazards and oil and gas PPE.
Other FR markings
- EN ISO 11611 Class 1 or 2: welding and allied processes. Class 2 is for heavier welding with more spatter.
- IEC 61482-2: protection against the heat of an electric arc flash, for electrical work.
- EN 1149-5: antistatic. Needed where a spark could ignite gas or dust, such as refineries and fuel stations.
Wear FR properly: sleeves down, fully closed, and no synthetic clothes underneath. A polyester T-shirt under an FR coverall can still melt onto the skin. Wash FR clothing as the label says, since some treatments wash out over time.
Chemical protective coveralls
Chemical coveralls are graded by Type. The lower the number, the higher the protection:
| Type | Protects against | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Type 1 | Gases (gas-tight suit with breathing apparatus) | EN 943 |
| Type 3 | Pressurised liquid jets | EN 14605 |
| Type 4 | Liquid sprays | EN 14605 |
| Type 5 | Hazardous dry particles and dust | EN ISO 13982-1 |
| Type 6 | Light splashes and mists | EN 13034 |
Many disposable coveralls are Type 5 and 6 together, for dust and light splashes such as cleaning, painting and asbestos-free demolition. Spraying chemicals or handling liquids under pressure needs Type 4 or 3. Check the manufacturer's data for the specific chemical too, as fabrics resist different chemicals for different times. See the chemical hazards guide.
Seal the gaps: tape the cuffs over gloves and the legs over boots, and wear the hood under the respirator straps.
Heat stress
In Egyptian summers, heavy protective clothing adds its own risk: heat exhaustion. Choose the lightest garment that still meets the hazard, plan breaks in the shade, and make sure water is always available.
Questions buyers ask us
Which hi-vis colour is best?
Fluorescent yellow is the most visible in most conditions. Orange-red stands out better against green or yellow backgrounds, such as farmland, or where the site standard requires it. Follow your site or client's rules.
Can I put a company logo on hi-vis or FR clothing?
Yes, but the logo must not cover so much fluorescent area that the garment drops a class. On FR clothing, the logo must be made with FR-compatible materials. Ask us about logo printing.
Does FR clothing last forever?
No. Replace it when torn, heavily worn, contaminated with oil or flammable liquids that will not wash out, or when the label's wash limit is reached.
Buying for a team
Order by role and by size: hi-vis for everyone on site, FR coveralls for hot work and oil and gas teams, and disposable chemical coveralls by the box for cleaning and spraying. Send the list through For Companies and we will quote within 24 working hours, with bulk prices from 20 pieces.