PPE: PRODUCT FOCUS
This fabric technology also allows for the manufacture of protective garments that feature extra benefits to comply with additional standards, such as those covering high visibility, chemical resistance and antistatic protection. There are also all sorts of ways in which the protective clothing can be tailored to suit individual needs. Consequently, SPIE conducted several wear trials before going ahead with procurement. This saw GORE-TEX PYRAD foul weather garments being tested in strategic areas of the business and at various times of the year. Garment manufacturer Iturri supplied SPIE with various prototypes, each time taking into consideration the suggestions of the trial participants. This approach has certainly led to more wearer acceptance.
FOR EVERYDAY WEAR: LIGHTWEIGHT
PROTECTIVE WORKWEAR WITH CLASS 2 ELECTRIC ARC PROTECTION
Ordinary foul weather garments do not always provide the level of protection SPIE employees need to go about their work. “There are many sectors in which customers specify that our technicians must wear clothing that complies with the requirements of class 2 electric arc protection,” explains Dr Polanz. “These workers can find themselves pushed to their limits, especially on hot summer days or in exceptionally hot buildings.” In such situations too much heat can build up inside the garment. In other words, not all foul weather garments produced for protection against electric arc hazards are entirely suitable for everyday wear.
Having seen how satisfied their employees were with the GORE-TEX PYRAD fabric technology, SPIE decided to try out the same technology in a set of lightweight protective garments intended for everyday wear: when waterproof protection is not required. The first step was to run a series of field tests with arc rated PYRAD by GORE-TEX LABS garments – a version of the smart technology developed for lightweight protective clothing for daily use. This material is windproof and extremely breathable. It can be worn in comfort all day long, even in dry environments and on warmer days. This is because body warmth does not accumulate inside the garment, not even during physically strenuous activities.
The ingenious thing about this technology is that, for the first time, a special membrane, the lightweight PYRAD by GORE-TEX LABS – consists of three components in a one ply solution: the outer shell, a wafer-thin non- flammable ePTFE membrane with an incorporated PYRAD by GORE-TEX LABS technology and a flame- retardant backer. As a consequence, the functional fabric feels thinner and is far more flexible than other options available in this sector. It weighs less than 330 g/m2 and is up to 50% lighter than previously available flame-retardant textiles, offering significantly enhanced freedom of movement without compromising on protection.
Early field tests revealed that the SPIE workers were just as satisfied with this non waterproof version of the PYRAD by GORE-TEX LABS product technology: “We had ten sets of clothing on the go. The feedback we received from our workers was overwhelmingly positive,” Oliver explains.
www.goretexprofessional.com/technologies/pyrad 24
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