Waterford Uniforms®Fire Clothing Materials; Explained.
Selection of Supply Partner.
Confidence in the selection of the correct manufacturer to construct the garment but also the correct material suppliers is the critical aspect of any protective clothing programme. Waterford Uniforms® works only with world class materials including; Nomex®, Kermel®, Advance Light™ and PBI®. Waterford Uniforms® garments can be produced from any of these fabrics in a range of colours and with various constructions (e.g. twin) and weave types (e.g. Plain, rip stop or twill). Additionally Waterford Uniforms® Quick Dry Protective Systems fights the proven problems of wet turnout gear by delivering a superior moisture management solution.
Outer Material.
The outer material probably has the most demanding role in the total configuration of Industrial Apparel. It can have numerous performance functions: to resist ignition from direct flame impingement, to protect the internal layers from rips, tears, slashes, abrasion, to provide resistance to water penetration, to provide visibility. The fibres used in the weaving of fire fabrics are generally either a para-aramid or a meta-aramid often blended with carbon fibres for anti-static properties. Fire materials must also provide for users comfort and mobility. In this regard the material weight, the material stretch, the colour fastness the breathability will determine the level of user’s satisfaction. Some outer shell materials can have modest impact on TPP tests or can resist water absorption better than others. The real test of an outer shell material is its ability to maintain its protective qualities under high thermal loads and to stand up on the fire ground.
Re-enforcing Outer Layers.
Shoulders, knees, elbows and cuffs should be reinforced to protect the wearer and extend the useful life of your turnout. It’s a lot less expensive to replace a single layer of reinforcement material than it is to try and repair a turnout that has an abraded outer shell, thermal liner and moisture barrier. In addition to reinforcement, high compression areas such as shoulders, elbows, yoke and knees should be cushioned to provide additional comfort and thermal protection to the fire fighter.
Moisture Barrier.
While the moisture barrier has a number of supplemental functions, its main job is to keep the thermal protective properties of the system intact by preventing external water from penetrating into the critical air spaces of the garment. A dry system is safer, more dependable, more comfortable and a lot lighter than a wet one. All moisture barriers will shed external water, but there are significant differences in their breathability, durability, thermal integrity and long-term reliability. Highly-breathable moisture barriers are intended to prevent water from entering into the thermal layers, while allowing body vapour from sweat to escape outward. A more breathable barrier will usually reduce the amount of moisture and body heat that can be trapped inside the gear. Moisture barriers are essentially constructed using a waterproof, breathable membrane laminated to an inherently fire retardant spun bonded non-woven or knitted substrate. There is a variety of types of membrane ranging from PTFE through FR polyester to FR polyurethanes and these barriers are all completely waterproof and provide good water vapour transmission rates for breathability.
Thermal Barriers.
The thermal layers are composed of similar fibres to those used in the woven fabrics and are generally needle felt, spun bonded non-woven or knitted structures. The protective value of the fabric composite is really found in the air that’s between the fire fighter and the heat source. Air itself is the greatest single source of the insulated qualities in protective clothing since air is a very poor conductor of heat. Best of all, it weighs nothing and it’s free! The most functional way to achieve the best protection is to use a multi-layer configuration in which each layer accomplishes part of the job. It is logical that the thermal barrier systems which have the most air spaces can create the most layers of air or can resist absorption (water replacement of the insulation air) will provide the most reliable protection. Thermal barriers that use slippery yarns on the fire cloth are, also less likely to bind and resist a fire fighter's movement. Lining fabrics are usually fixed to the thermal barrier by adhesive or stitch bonding and they are usually woven or knitted from a blend of FR and meta-aramid fibres.
How Waterford Uniforms® Quick Dry® Protective System Works.
Quick Dry® is a complete system of components (outer shell, moisture barrier, thermal barrier, and wristlets) that works together to reduce the water in your bunker gear and the dangers that water presents. Each and every material used is engineered to reduce the water intake. This reduces the heat storage capacity and working weight, promoting both comfort and safety of your protective ensemble. Less weight and faster drying mean’s more comfort. How many times have Fire Fighters to work in wet and clammy turnout gear because it had not dried from an earlier run? Fire fighters wearing gear with Quick Dry Protective Systems report their gear has been dry and comfortable in less than 30 minutes.
Being Seen.
The purpose of trim on turnouts, helmets and other garments is to make the fire fighter or medic more visible in both low light and daylight conditions. EN469 requires both retro reflective and fluorescent trim. 3M™ Scotchlite™ reflective material works as material is comprised of millions of tiny, almost round microspheres. Half of each sphere has a mirror coating. When light hits the microspheres, it is refracted through the surface and sent back out toward the light source. 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material is more durable and holds up well to heat in comparison to the other types of trim. 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material is available in red-orange, lime-yellow or what is often referred to as "triple-trim”, which is two bands of red-orange or lime-yellow with a band of reflective silver in between.