pdf 1 - Bristol Uniforms

Operational
A new approach to personal
protective equipment
design
Bristol Uniforms describe its approach to developing high performance protective
clothing for the full range of fire and rescue functions
This year sees the launch of a new systems
approach to emergency services protective
garmenting which will provide users, for
the first time, with access to a level of
procurement flexibility which is set to change the
way protective performance standards are
achieved.
Bristol’s new XFlex System for structural
garments affords the user a choice of outer
fabrics and several linings which, when used in
different combinations, provide a new
generation of ‘mix and match’ ensembles
offering a choice of solutions to achieving EN
469 Level 2 performance.
Reducing Heat Build-up
At the core of the new XFlex firefighter
garment system are two entirely new linings
developed exclusively for Bristol by Hainsworth®.
These are respectively the ECO-dry Cool and
the ECO-dry Active. As the names imply, the
ECO-dry Cool is a lightweight, 135gm 2 , fabric
whilst the ECO-dry Active is a heavier, 220gm 2 ,
lining.
These new linings are wickable and exhibit
high levels of breathability, as measured by the
RET test (resistance to evaporation of a textile), to
reduce heat build-up and enhance wearer
comfort. When used in combination with a
range of outer fabrics and moisture barrier, the
new linings provide more options to achieving
EN 469 Level 2. There are three principal options
available in the XFlex System incorporating
either Hainsworth® or PBI outer layer fabrics
with a Crosstech Fireblocker moisture barrier.
All options incorporate a 3M breathable tape
stitched with Trimsaver meta-aramid braid.
EN 469 performance tests show that the
results achieved in terms of protection from
convective heat and flame (EN 367), radiant heat
(EN ISO 6942) and water vapour resistance (EN
31092) for all the options comfortably exceeded
the standards required for Level 2 performance.
Combining a lighter weight outer fabric, either
PBI Matrix or Hainsworth® Titan, with the
heavier ECO-dry Active provides comparable
performance with the Hainsworth® Atlas
combined with the lighter ECO-dry Cool.
Having established the level of impact that
XFlex with Hainsworth Atlas and
ECO-dry Cool
different fabric combinations have on wearer
stress levels in its groundbreaking empirical trials
back in 2003, and further developed during the
ICP testing programme, Bristol’s product design
has focused on achieving maximum protection
without excess weight.
This approach saw the introduction of the
Ergotech and Ergotech Action designs and
the subsequent development and introduction of
new wildland and USAR protective garments,
incorporating the same design fundamentals,
from 2005 onwards. The parallel development of
new outer fabrics by PBI Performance Products
and Hainsworth® (using Nomex® fibres) has
enabled this approach to achieve new levels of
protection with improved wearer comfort.
Greater Choice
XFlex further extends choice through a
number of standard colour options. PBI Matrix
fabric in gold and Hainsworth® Atlas in dark
navy are complemented by a range of
Hainsworth® Titan fabric colours including blue,
red, grey and tan.
The XFlex system is rich in comfort features
incorporated into an overall design cut for
ergonomic fit. The coat design features a curved
hem, shaped shoulder yokes rather than seams
to provide greater comfort (especially when
worn with breathing apparatus), shoulder
shaping and underarm gussets which allow for
full rotational arm movement and sleeve hem
curved on the back of the hand for additional
protection.
A number of innovative features are included
in the coat’s styling. A double zip flap extends to
the neck whilst an internal zip guard protects the
throat and soft knitted inner lining to the collar
whilst a large landscape side pocket with shaped
flaps incorporates an integral pull tab.
As for the trouser, the waist incorporates a high
curved back whilst the legs have fully articulated
knee shaping with a more flexible reinforcement
fabric. In terms of style improvements, the
trouser comes complete with H-braces with
webbing slide adjuster, a neoprene-lined inside
hem to minimise boot abrasion as well as large
twin-pleated cargo pockets with shaped pocket
flaps with integral pull tab.
24 | September 2011 | www.fire-magazine.com

Operational
Bristol Uniform’s range of garments: XFlex with PBI Matrix and ECO-dry Active, XFlex with Hainsworth Titan and ECO-dry Active, XFlex with PBI
Matrix and ECO-dry Active
As with other Bristol structural PPE offerings, a
total of 28 male and female sizes are available as
standard with seven chest and four height
fittings.
The XFlex System is being introduced to
complement Bristol’s existing range of structural
garments, including the Ergotech range, and
will be followed during the next few months by
a number of other new products for technical
rescue and marine firefighting activities.
Continuous Research and Development
High performance protective clothing, designed
to ensure the safety of frontline emergency
service workers as well as many others in
hazardous occupations, results from bringing
together a number of key elements to achieve
innovation. These essential ingredients, founded
on a long-term strategy of investment in change,
include an ongoing research and development
programme, a continuous search for
improvements in fibres and fabrics, the
development and maintenance of collaborative
relationships with suppliers and a commitment
to embrace new technology.
In the field of emergency services PPE, and
especially in firefighter clothing, Bristol has
become a leading designer and manufacturer
since a major review of its business in the late
1990s saw the emergence of a new corporate
strategy. Its long term investment plans, aimed
clearly at firmly establishing itself as a leading
global supplier, have repositioned Bristol as an
innovative company capable of designing
leading edge garments through a process of
“In the field of
emergency services
PPE, and especially
in firefighter clothing,
Bristol has become
a leading designer
and manufacturer”
continuous R&D.
Revised Technical Standards in the Pipeline
Following a period, since 2005, during which
time there has been relatively little change in
European firefighter garment standards, this is
about to change as several new standards are
being developed and introduced by 2013. The
first to come into effect will be the new European
marine standard in December 2011 when,
depending on the composition, marine
firefighting garments will be required to meet EN
1486 or EN 469 or ISO 15538.
For structural garments, EN 469 (2005) is
currently under review and a revised standard is
also expected to emerge by 2013. EN ISO 11612
(2008) is the protection against general flame
standard. This has also started the revision
process and a new version is likely to come into
effect by 2013/14. In the meantime, a
completely new standard for USAR PPE is being
proposed and initial drafting is underway.
Product Improvement Programme
Bristol is committed to a programme of ongoing
product development and improvement as part
of its policy of helping to pioneer changes in
firefighter PPE aimed at staying at the forefront of
standards compliance. Pursuing a product
strategy, in which design is focused on
developing specific products for different uses,
has seen the introduction of bespoke designs for
wildland and technical rescue over the last five
years and will see the launch of new USAR and
marine firefighting garments later in 2011.
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