Properties against fire and heat are certainly the most important ones for protective clothing, whether for firefighters, police officers, anti-riot squads or gas and oil workers.
Our fireproof protective fabrics are burnt, stretched, washed,
ripped and undergo a series of other tests in order to achieve resistant, durable clothing that
meets each and every requirement of the NFPA 1971 standard. We create fireproof textiles ready to truly
protect our workers because they are ready to put their lives on the line.
Flash fire testing
The NFPA 2112 standard test named Manikin Testing or Flash Fire Testing is the most destructive and the best indicator of our fireproof fabric's durability. A manikin wearing our protective gear is exposed to average heat and flame of 84 kW/m2 for 3 seconds.
Sensors indicate the burn degree for each specific section of the manikin's skin, along with the total average for the entire body.
The body must be burnt at 50% or less to comply with the NFPA 2112 standard. Our percentage is always well below the minimum limit.
Total heat loss and thermal protection performance
Many representative samples of our flame-retardant fabrics are tested for extreme heat. The thermal protection performance test assesses the temperature of artificial skin covered by our protective clothing when exposed to a high heat. Sensors register the burn degree.
The total heat loss test measures fireproof fabric's heat absorption capacity
before the heat reaches the body. The fabric must be both resistant and well ventilated to release body
heat. Wet and dry clothing are tested on a heating device simulating transpiration. Our results surpass
the minimum requirements of the NFPA 1971 standard.
Dimensional stability
Protective clothing must resist repeated washing and drying.
Our fireproof fabric specimens are subject to a specific number of washing and drying cycles according
to the necessary standard compliance. The machine used as well as water levels, composition and
temperature are controlled, among other criteria, to ensure accurate results. Fabric dimensions are
assessed following the tests to confirm dimensional stability.
Thermal shrinkage resistance
Clothing frequently exposed to heat, like firefighter suits,
must be designed to keep its shape and protective properties. We hang our clothing samples in special
ovens for several minutes and examine them for evidence of burns, melted fabric, dripping or separation.
The oven temperature varies according to the standard to comply with and could reach up to 260 °C.
Static decay
In high-risk sectors like the gas and oil industry, a simple
spark could lead to a disastrous blast. Our fireproof textiles are comprised of carbon and are tested to
protect properly: our certified
independent laboratory
exposes them to more than 5,000 volts and then examines their electrical conductivity with a static
electricity detector.
Our fabrics are created to surpass all safety standards, whether for firefighters, welders, police officers, linemen & linewomen, or other workers in high-risk sectors. Our certified independent laboratory tests our fabrics according to the standards and regulations they must comply with.
