Ariat FR Garment User Information Guide

Pre-Use Information

This Ariat User Information Guide gives important information regarding the use, care, and maintenance of your Ariat flame resistant (FR) garment. Upon receipt and throughout continued use and inspection of your Ariat FR garment, you should read this User Information Guide carefully and refer to it as needed for continued care, maintenance, and safe use of your Ariat FR garment. These instructions are intended to warn you of potential risks of serious injury or death, and to reduce such risks. Failure to follow these instructions may increase the risk of serious injury or death. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with this User Information Guide and to use your garments in accordance with its instructions.

Safety Considerations

Your Ariat FR garment is intended to provide limited protection to you in the event of a short duration thermal exposure (“flash fire”) resulting from the ignition of a hydrocarbon atmosphere or atmosphere containing combustibles. It will also provide limited protection to you in the event of an electrical arc flash.

Limitations of Use

This Ariat FR garment will not protect against any extended exposure to direct flame or high heat and is not intended for use in any firefighting or other emergency operations. These garments will also not protect you from exposure to radiological agents, biological agents, or hazardous materials.

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

This Ariat FR garment will not protect you if not properly maintained. Do not use this garment if soiled, contaminated, or damaged. Clean this garment in accordance with the instruction provided in this User Information Guide. If you have any doubt about the condition of your Ariat FR garment, contact your Ariat customer service representative for assistance.

You must be trained in recognizing hazards in your specific trade and understand the limitations of use for this garment prior to 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 limitations of use for this garment may result in a serious injury or death.

Marking Recommendations and Restrictions

The use of non-flame or non-heat resistant emblems (e.g., patches, embroidery, silkscreens, heat transfers, etc.) applied after purchase may compromise your Ariat FR garment in the event of a flash fire or electrical arc exposure and shall be avoided if possible. If used, they must be limited to the size no larger than a credit card.

Any marking of your Ariat FR garment shall be on the interior side of the garment. For hand-written marking, an industrial laundry marker may be used. Do not mark on or through Certification markings.

Warranty Information

Ariat International, Inc. stands behind the quality of our FR garments. Ariat FR apparel is covered by a limited lifetime warranty from date of purchase. If an Ariat FR product fails due to a material or manufacturing defect, Ariat will repair, replace, or refund the cost of the product. Ariat will use reasonable discretion to determine the validity of warranty claims. This warranty does not cover Ariat FR product damaged due to misuse, accident, modification, improper care, negligence, or normal wear and tear.

PREPARATION FOR USE

Sizing / Adjustment

Choose an Ariat FR garment size that properly fits your body. The garment should not be too tight or too loose, should not restrict your movement and should be comfortable to wear.

When selecting an Ariat FR garment, refer to the sizing charts below to ensure you select the size that correctly matches your body dimensions.

Recommended Storage Practices

After each cleaning, your Ariat FR garment should be stored in a place that will provide protection from direct sunlight, heat, and excessive moisture. Prolonged exposure to sunlight or storing while wet may cause permanent damage that can compromise the integrity of your garment.

INSPECTION FREQUENCY AND DETAILS

Your Ariat FR garment should be inspected for damage or defects upon receipt, before and after each use, after each cleaning, and at least once a month if out of use and in storage.

Conduct visual inspection as follows;

• Inspect for garment for damage of materials or components, paying close attention to integrity of materials and stitching in areas of high wear (e.g., knees, crotch, seat, cuffs, elbows, shoulders, etc.).

• Inspect all major seams (e.g., inseams, outseams, seat, shoulder, sleeve, shirt side seams, etc.) for breakage or damage.

• Inspect all components (e.g., buttons, snaps, shanks, zippers, buckles, hook & loop, etc.).

• Any garments found to have any of the above indication of damage or other noted defects must be retired from use and be repaired or replaced.

Donning and Doffing Procedures

In order to ensure maximum protection as intended by design;

• When putting on (donning) Ariat FR garments, all fit adjustments must be made to ensure proper fit, and all buttons, zippers and fasteners must be fully secured when worn.

• When taking off (doffing) Ariat FR garments, all fit adjustments must be fully extended to facilitate removal, and all buttons, zippers and fasteners must be unfastened to prevent damage during removal.

Proper use consistent with NFPA2113

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

MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING

Proper care, maintenance, and cleaning of is critical to ensuring optimal performance, protection, and life expectancy of your Ariat FR garment.

Cleaning Instructions and Precautions

To ensure optimal protection, clean your Ariat FR garment after each use to remove any dirt, abrasives, and/or contaminants that may compromise the protective properties of the garment. Clean your Ariat FR garment according to the provided care instructions.

Failure to follow the provided care instructions may result in damage of the garment and/or loss of the flame-resistant properties and invalidates all expressed or implied warranties as well as increases your risk for injury.

Maintenance Criteria and Methods of repair where applicable

Over time and use, your Ariat FR garment may require maintenance and/or repair to ensure the garment is fully functional and continues to provide optimal personal protection as intended by design. As unauthorized repairs made to your Ariat FR garments may invalidate all expressed or implied warranties and increases your risk for injury to hazardous or life-threatening conditions, Ariat recommends that you contact your Ariat customer service representative in order to discuss maintenance, repair, or replacement options.

RETIREMENT AND DISPOSAL CRITERIA

Ariat FR garments found to be damaged or defective that cannot be properly repaired shall be retired from use. Additional factors to be considered that may lead to retirement of your Ariat FR garment are;

• Excessive exposure to direct sunlight or ultraviolet light

• General use where fabric integrity become compromised

• Exposure to improper care procedures

• Exposure to hazardous materials

Ariat FR garments that have been retired from service should be disposed of in a manner that prevents their reuse. Ariat FR garments suspected of being contaminated shall be disposed of in a manner consistent with local, state, and federal laws governing disposal of the suspected contaminant.