Month: December 2024

FlamePro Puts PPE To The Test

Posted on by Julie Roberts

FlamePro Raises the Bar for PPE Innovation with New In-House Testing Lab

 

 

“Every second counts in an emergency—and so does every layer of protection.”

That’s why we have invested in our own in-house state-of-the-art in-house testing laboratory at FlamePro’s UK headquarters near Hull. This £150,000 investment isn’t just about equipment; it’s about our commitment to safeguarding those who risk everything to keep us safe.

 

By housing cutting-edge testing technology under our own roof in Hull, we’re accelerating our ability to deliver revolutionary firefighter  PPE solutions to the market—faster than ever before.

 

Why This Lab Matters

 

Imagine the challenge, until now, as part of our product development process, fabric and clothing samples have been sent to external testing facilities to measure their protective qualities, slowing down the development process.  Whilst final design versions will still require testing by independent, accredited facilities, the on-site lab will save a huge amount of time in sample testing, helping us to quickly discover the most favourable designs and bring new innovations to market.

 

  • Faster innovations: Immediate results mean quicker decision-making.
  • Superior solutions: We can experiment more thoroughly with fabric combinations and design tweaks.
  • Global leadership: This lab cements FlamePro as a pioneer in PPE excellence.

 

Inside the Lab: A Revolution in Testing

 

The lab has been fitted out with a host of specialist testing equipment, the majority supplied by the market leaders in precision testing solutions for the textile industry.  The equipment includes:

 

Convective Heat Test Machine

 

When seconds stand between safety and burns, our testing ensures that garments meet EN ISO 9151 standards, providing maximum protection against flames. This device plays a critical role in measuring how much heat transfers through clothing when directly exposed to flames, as outlined by EN ISO 9151. It’s one of the most vital tests for meeting the EN 496 standard for structural firefighting PPE. The test is conducted on the fully assembled fabric—including the outer shell, thermal barrier, and inner moisture barrier—providing essential insights into how long the clothing can resist flames while staying cool enough to protect against burns.

 

Radiant Heat Test Machine

 

Firefighters don’t just face flames; they endure intense heat from surrounding smoke and structures. This machine tests how our fabrics perform under radiant heat, crucial for passing EN 469 standards.

 

At structural fires, firefighters face danger not only from flames but also from intense heat radiating from the fire, surrounding smoke, and the building itself. To tackle this, the radiant heat test machine measures how clothing performs under heat radiation, following the EN ISO 6942 standard. This crucial EN 469 test is a game-changer for our R&D efforts, allowing us to rapidly assess how fabrics respond to radiant heat when combined, driving innovation and enhancing protection.

 

Universal Strength Tester

 

From seams to entire garments, we test tensile strength and tear resistance to guarantee durability in the toughest conditions.

 

This cutting-edge device evaluates how clothing holds up when pulled in opposite directions, testing fabrics for both tensile strength and tear resistance. It’s an invaluable tool for quality control, ensuring seams remain strong under pressure and fabrics meet the highest durability standards.

 

Specialist Washing Machines

 

Durability matters—especially when PPE undergoes frequent washes. By testing fabrics under ISO 6330 conditions, we ensure they maintain their protective qualities wash after wash. We’ve installed specialist washing and drying machines designed to meet the rigorous procedures of ISO 6330. These machines allow us to test how well PPE holds up to repeated cleaning while maintaining its protective qualities. Each test wash is meticulously controlled, with precise weights, temperatures, and spin settings to ensure reliable results. The insights gained directly inform the care labels on our garments, ensuring wearers get the best performance and longevity from their PPE.

 

What This Means for PPE Innovation

 

Adrian Jaoudat, Head of Product Development, highlights the impact of the lab on our mission:

“At both FlamePro, we already have an excellent reputation for our quick turn-around of market-leading products and short lead times for new orders.  With the new lab, our world-class R&D department will become even more efficient and rigorous in the discovery of highly protective PPE solutions.”

 

Helen Briggs, Certification and Testing Manager, will be managing the day-to-day running of the new lab and testing procedures.  She adds:

“It’s very exciting to have our own testing lab on site!  Immediate access to state-of-the-art testing equipment will be hugely beneficial to our R&D and design endeavours, helping to consolidate our position as a leader in firefighter and arc flash PPE innovation.”

 

Our Vision for the Future

 

FlamePro’s new testing lab isn’t just an investment in technology; it’s an investment in lives.

 

And this is just the beginning. With in-house testing now in place, we’re opening the door to groundbreaking advancements that will redefine safety standards for years to come.

 

Lasting care and service

Posted on by Julie Roberts

Supporting Beyond Delivery

 

When you purchase kit from FlamePro, our job doesn’t stop there.  Optimal protection depends on PPE being clean, a good fit and in top condition for every call out.  Then at the end of its life, it needs to be disposed of responsibly.

 

 

After-sales care and maintenance is crucial to keep your team safe.  At FlamePro we take this responsibility seriously.  In the UK, we offer a full service package to ensure you consistently get the best from your PPE.

 

 

The risks

 

Dirty firefighting suits can be dangerous to health. Good quality PPE protects against contaminants like chemicals, blood, carcinogens and toxic smoke particles. But after an incident, these harmful substances remain on the outer layers of the PPE. Firefighters continue to be at risk until the kit is carefully removed and decontaminated.

 

 

The requirements

 

National and international guidance from the BSI and ISO states that firefighting PPE must be cleaned after every fire-related incident. The Fire Brigades Union DECON campaign is taking this further, calling for stricter monitoring and decontamination policies.

 

Fire and Rescue Services have a duty of care to their crews. They must minimise the immediate and long-term health risks.  To keep everyone at the station safe, exposed kit should be contained and professionally decontaminated.

 

Keep it clean and fit for purpose

 

You can depend on us to handle ongoing PPE cleaning and maintenance. Our full service package offers the benefits of a local service, combined with specialist expertise.  We clean and decontaminate PPE at 22 aftercare service depots across the UK.   Clean kit is returned within seven days, ready for action.

 

 

We use the latest technology at our depots to scan and inspect your kit for signs of damage.  Repairs are undertaken as part of the seven-day service and meet our high manufacturing standards. If repairs are un-economic, the kit is retired and replaced.

 

 

 

Take stock

 

Our Wardrobe Management Portal gives you real-time access to the history and status of each garment in our care. Track the date of manufacture, the wearer, and every clean and repair.  Place new orders and rank changes.

 

 

Size up

 

Accurate sizing is crucial to our after-sales service. Oversized garments can be too heavy and risk snagging. Tight garments reduce air gaps and compromise thermal protection and movement. It’s essential that firefighters get a good fit to operate safely.

 

FlamePro’s Sizing App revolutionises the sizing process.  Convenient, quick and accurate, it saves valuable time and resources. AI technology captures precise measurements, ensuring comfort, mobility and safety for each wearer.

 

For those that prefer a personal service, we offer an in-person sizing option.  Our sizing team will visit your crew members at all your locations to ensure correct size and fit.

 

 

Recycle

 

Our environmental impact matters. We work hard to protect firefighters, and we want to protect our planet too.  FlamePro is proud to offer a comprehensive, scalable recycling package for firefighting PPE.

 

The FlamePro Recycle scheme accepts firefighting clothing, boots and helmets from any supplier to be reused, repurposed and recycled. Our services are scalable, whether you require occasional box returns, or regular recycling bin collections across multiple sites.  These initiatives can help your organisation hit its sustainability targets. Together, we can all make a difference keeping firefighting PPE out of landfill.

 

 

Our global commitment

 

Whilst our full range of care and maintenance services is currently available in the UK, we’re actively sourcing worldwide partners to help us deliver these services globally too. Your FlamePro sales contact can advise on aftercare services available in your location.

 

Ultimately, taking care of your kit is taking care of your crew. From design to manufacture, sizing, tracking, cleaning, repairs and recycling, FlamePro will help you get the best out of your PPE for its lifetime and beyond.

The Design Behind The Protection

Posted on by Julie Roberts

Ultimate protection starts with uncompromising design – every detail of FlamePro kit is engineered to defend lives when it matters most.

 

Firefighting is dangerous. At FlamePro, we understand the unique challenges and risks firefighters face and how critical personal protective equipment (PPE) is to their safety.

 

Our garments strike the right balance between superior protection, durability and comfort.

 

There’s a huge amount of work that goes into creating our life-saving kit. Here we look at the key design considerations and the expert team behind our PPE.

 

 

The innovators behind our PPE

 

Our team of 17 have decades of experience between them!

 

Adrian heads up the product development team and has worked in the industry for 14 years, specialising in flame resistant garments.

 

Collectively, they have a deep understanding of the ever-evolving risks faced by frontline firefighters, the latest technologies and solutions on the market and the strict standards that need to be adhered to.

 

They work closely with industry experts and customers at every stage of the process and this input and feedback underpins all our designs to ensure we deliver exactly what firefighters want and need. It’s a real team effort!

 

 

Knowing the risks

 

Firefighters are exposed to many risks that are ever changing. Protection against extreme heat and flame, toxic chemicals and biological pathogens is vital. It’s also critical firefighters stay dry and cool and can move freely.

 

Our team understands the potential risks of every scenario. A comprehensive risk assessment informs every design decision, from fabric choices to garment structure. The team works closely with safety experts and firefighters to ensure we’re ahead of the game, offering unparalleled protection against the likely dangers.

 

 

Meeting strict standards

 

PPE regulations and standards vary from country to country. They dictate what level of protection and testing is required, how long PPE should last and how it should be cleaned and maintained.

 

Our Certification and Testing Manager works closely with our designers and Technical Product Manager to ensure that all of our PPE adheres to strict regulations and standards. Helen has worked in the industry for over 20 years, for testing houses and those setting standards, and her knowledge is second to none.

 

Our PPE conforms to all the latest standards including BS, EN, ISO and AS/NZ. Our team knows these standards inside out, ensuring that all our designs meet the necessary requirements and are fully compliant.

 

 

 The right fabrics for ultimate protection

 

Choosing the right fabrics is critical to PPE design and protection. PPE is constructed from two or three fabric layers depending on the level of protection required. Structural kit for example has three layers. The outer layer must be tough and protect against heat and flame. The moisture barrier must protect from liquid and chemicals and be breathable. The thermal layer must keep firefighters cool, protecting them from heat stress. How these layers work in combination are critical.

 

Our Technical Product Manager is a fibre and fabric expert and works closely with manufacturers to offer a wide range of options. He has more than 30 years’ experience working in the protective clothing and textiles arena for companies such as Rhodia, Kimberly-Clark and Ansell.

 

We select only the best suppliers and fabrics. Our Valiant range for example uses new fabric and membrane technologies and is renowned for its high durability and thermal performance that stands the test of time.

 

We’re constantly reviewing the latest technologies on the market and are not tied to any brand or supplier meaning we have the freedom to find the right combination to suit all requirements and budgets.

 

 

PPE that lasts

 

PPE is a major investment so needs to last. It must be durable and capable of withstanding regular washing. Fabric selection and design plays an important role.

 

Carefully positioned knee and elbow pads, for example, can provide extra strength. Extensive testing ensures that all fabric combinations stand the test of time, work well together and can be frequently washed.

 

We’ve recently invested £150,000 in a brand-new testing lab at our UK headquarters. Immediate access to state-of-the-art testing equipment helps us quickly identify and fine-tune the very best fabric combinations and design styles for firefighter protection.

 

Testing processes simulate real life conditions, and we go above and beyond what’s required. All designs are also independently tested, and wearer trials ensure they perform as expected on callouts.

 

To ensure longevity, we recommend regular maintenance and inspections. Our clients can take advantage of FlamePro’s Fully Managed Service for cleaning, repair, and decontamination.

 

 

Comfort without compromising safety

 

Comfort is just as important as protection. Firefighters need to be able to move quickly and easily.

 

Ergonomics is a key consideration when designing PPE. Our Valiant structural PPE is 3D with curved seams and shaped panels that follow body contours. Side panels enable extra movement and support. Seven-panel sleeves stop the jacket riding up when stretching or climbing. The shoulders and lower back are specially designed for comfort and to reduce injury when wearing breathing apparatus.

 

Getting the right fit is also critical. It takes time and expertise, especially when taking into consideration multiple layers and varying body shapes and sizes.

 

Our team also ensures that our helmets, gloves, and boots work seamlessly with our jackets and trousers to provide full-body protection without compromising on comfort.

 

 

Innovating to meet firefighters’ needs

 

We’re innovators, constantly pushing boundaries. Our kit goes above and beyond basic protection, incorporating innovative features that offer additional safety and convenience.  Our Valiant kit has a simple design to reduce the accumulation of toxic particles and makes it easier to clean and maintain. It also uses revolutionary glow in the dark and reflective tape.

 

PPE can be tailored as required. From fabric combinations to extra pockets, loops or badging. You name it, we can do it! We work closely with customers, ask the right questions and make sure firefighters have the right kit and the right level of protection for every job.

 

 

What’s next

 

We’re constantly researching new materials and technologies to improve our products, and we’re excited about the potential of smart PPE, which could monitor environmental conditions and firefighter health in real-time.

 

We’ve already introduced specially designed PPE for different jobs. For example, structural PPE specially designed to protect firefighters in intense and enclosed building fires. Wildland kit that is 50% lighter and ideal for long and high-intensity wildfires where maneuverability, breathability and durability are key. And finally technical rescue kit, which is light, visible, flexible and suitable for callouts such as road traffic collisions. But we’re doing more so watch this space!

 

As we continue to innovate and refine our products, we remain committed to providing frontline firefighters with high-quality PPE that offers protection, comfort, and durability.

 

Our intelligent PPE designs can be delivered in just 12 weeks and we have options for all requirements and budgets. To find out more get in touch today.