Benchmark FR

Benchmark FR manufactures arc and flame resistant clothing and secondary PPE at its facility in Santa Ana, California. The company was founded in 2002 by a husband-and-wife team and has produced FR workwear for North American workers for more than 20 years.

Domestic manufacturing is the company's stated point of difference, which it says separates it from roughly 95% of US FR suppliers that largely import. Its stated specialties are garments built for warm weather climates and skin-safe materials.

Who the gear is built for

Benchmark FR supplies trades exposed to arc flash and flash fire:

• Electrical linemen
• Oilfield and refinery workers
• Welders
• Machine operators
• Supporting roles across the energy industry

Product range

• Shirts: button-downs, long sleeve and graphic T-shirts, plaid, Hawaiian, hi-visibility, welding shirts and lab coats
• Pants: Un-Holey FR jeans, Freedom Flex cargo and straight leg
• Coveralls: standard and hi-visibility
• Outerwear: jackets, sweatshirts and welding jackets
• Accessories: hard hat shades and liners, balaclavas, beanies, neck gaiters, sweatbands, welding caps and arc belts

A women's line runs across shirts, pants, outerwear and welding jackets, and a big and tall range is carried. Hard hat brim shades are made to fit Bullard C33, MSA V-Gard, Honeywell E1, Milwaukee Bolt Type II, Klein 60400 and Studson SHK 1 FB shells. Wholesale, B2B and Managed FR programs are available.

Arc ratings by garment

Compliance and traceability

Garments are UL Classified to NFPA 2112 and meet NFPA 70E requirements at Arc Flash PPE Category 2. Product listings also reference ASTM F1506, OSHA 1910.269, OSHA 1910.960 and NESC 2012.

Each garment carries an individual serial number, which the company describes as one of the industry's only individually serialized and traceable FR product lines. The Un-Holey denim jeans are Berry Compliant, and the Hot Rod welding shirt is listed as PFAS free.