Which rating do I need?
Your job specifies it, not the garment. Arc work is quoted as an arc rating in cal/cm²; flame exposure is quoted against the standard the garment is tested to. Bring us the requirement from your safety documentation and we will read it against the manufacturer's spec sheet — a category called "fire retardant" is not a compliance statement.
Can FR gear be branded?
Yes, but not by every method. It needs FR thread, and heat-applied transfers are generally out because the backing is not rated. We do this work in our own workshop, so we can tell you what a specific garment will take before you buy it rather than after.
How should it be washed?
Follow the manufacturer's instructions on that garment, and keep bleach and fabric softener away from it — softener leaves a residue that can carry flame. Industrial laundering has its own requirements again, which the spec sheet covers.
Does the protection wear out?
It depends on the fabric. Inherently flame-resistant fabrics such as Tecasafe keep their protection for the life of the garment because it is in the fibre. Treated fabrics rely on a finish, and that finish degrades with wear and with the wrong laundering. Worn, torn or contaminated FR clothing should be replaced, not patched.