WORKWEAR
Sponsored by Gore Workwear TIME TO SWITCH
Gore is a global materials science-based company with innovation, in-depth research and quality testing running through the core of every technology solution it creates for multiple health and safety markets. Its high-quality and durable safety fabrics, laminates and technologies provide top-to-toe protection and comfort to professionals whilst they work in often challenging and hazardous environments.
One of Gore’s recent new technology breakthroughs – new PYRAD Switch Suit by GORE-TEX LABS – offers a fresh new solution for electrical engineers and safety professionals who need Class 2/ ATPV ≥ 40 cal/cm² PPE protection against high-risk arc flash incidents.
Miguel Calixto, arc/FR product specialist at Gore, explains the relevance of this technology: “The high breathability of PYRAD switch suits is important for thermal regulation because end users are often working in arc flash risk areas indoors and in confined spaces. This means wearers are now thermally comfortable and no longer have to compromise between breathable comfort and reliable safety protection.”
WHY IS THIS TECHNOLOGY SUCH
A GAME CHANGER? Best-in-class mechanical integrity – When tested with arc flash exposure the laminate is proven to block convective and radiant heat, stop flame propagation and forms a carbonaceous char. The laminate keeps its physical integrity and will not flake or disintegrate and no holes are formed.
The only single-ply solution currently available – Class 2/ 40 cal switching suits, made up of bib trousers, jacket and full (bee-keeper style) hood, have until now been made from multi-ply fabric systems meaning they are bulky, restrict movement, heavy and uncomfortable to wear. New PYRAD Switch Suits by GORE-TEX LABS are made using the only single-ply Class 2 / 40 cal material currently available to electrical engineers.
Super lightweight and breathable – The fabric weighs in ≤330g/m² which means it is up to 20% lighter than other products currently available in the market. The wearer will instantly notice the benefits of these new switching suits because they aren’t bulky but are lightweight and breathable. In addition, this fabric offers up to 39% more flexibility, than existing products, which means a high freedom of movement which aids in the reduction of muscle fatigue.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND NEW PYRAD SWITCH
SUITS BY GORE-TEX LABS Four functional components have been engineered so that they interact with each other in a durable single-ply material.
42 | Tomorrow’s Health & Safety Yearbook 2024/25
Nylon outer shell – This fabric can be dyed into a number of different colour fast shades, has tensile strength and offers excellent abrasion and wear resistance.
PYRAD fabric technology – This adds durable heat, flame, and arc resistant protective properties to the nylon outer shell. The flame-resistant protection from PYRAD fabric technology is not a chemical treatment or coating and is inherent to the fabric. It is durable for the life of the product, doesn’t wear off over time and is made up of countless dots. These dots rapidly react to heat and expand to more than 10 times their original size during an arc flash exposure, even before the outer shell has chance to burn, to form a stable insulating protective shell of carbonaceous char. This blocks the transfer of heat to skin and stops flame propagation.
Membrane – An extremely lightweight and wafer- thin membrane which provides highly breathable and thermally stable properties for strength, flexibility, and mechanical integrity.
Flame resistant backer – This further reduces the transfer of heat to the wearer due to miniscule air pockets between the Gore membrane and this backer, which expand instantly on contact with heat to form an additional layer of protection.
www.goretexprofessional.com/uk
www.tomorrowshs.com
Gore introduces its latest innovation for electrical safety PPE - new PYRAD® by GORE-TEX LABS.
Switch Suit
https://news.goretexprofessional.com/en/new-pyrad-switch-suit-by-gore-tex-labs-presented-at-aa/
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