The Netherland’s IJsselland and North-East Gelderland fire brigades have ordered a total of 1850 new uniforms which give the optimal protection of inherently heat and flame resistant materials from TenCate Protective Fabrics. The order is the result of two European tenders.

TenCate has developed new protective fabrics that are said to provide permanent protection as well as a high degree of wearer comfort and quality. The company was already a market leader in the US fire-fighting market and together with its European partners TenCate Protective Fabrics is applying this expertise to raise the protection of fire-fighters in other geographic markets to a higher level.

TenCate recently already secured a major order for the Amsterdam-Amstelland fire brigade in the Netherlands and successes in this market have also recently been achieved outside the Netherlands.

Inherently flame-resistant fabric

The security region of IJsselland in the Netherlands has opted for fire-fighters' suits from the Dutch clothing manufacturer PWG Bedrijfsveilige Kleding bv, which will use protective fabric from TenCate Protective Fabrics to produce approximately 1200 uniforms. A favourable combination of price and performance is said to have been the major consideration when awarding the order.

Karin Klein Hesselink, end-use market manager at TenCate Protective Fabrics, explains: “The TenCate material to be used will mainly be the inherently heat and flame resistant fabric Millenia Light, MI 9180, from the TenCate Tecashield collection. This is the strongest and lightest outer fabric that is available on the market and it offers the greatest protection against heat, fire and mechanical stress. At the same time it provides protection against chemicals and water, thus delivering a unique performance. Fire-fighters who are confronted during their operations with a flash-over continue to enjoy optimal protection. Even when the material is exposed to intense heat and fire, it will not break open. This safe fire-fighting uniform allows the emergency worker to withdraw from such high-risk working conditions.”

Integrated system

The tender from the North-East Gelderland security region in the Netherlands, for the supply of approximately 650 uniforms, was awarded to the Dutch clothing manufacturer ICON Protect bv and here comfort, quality and lifespan costs were the main factors taken into account when awarding the order.

When considering the aspect of comfort, TenCate says it was breathability in particular that was assessed, which is essential for regulating the perspiration that occurs due to intense heat.

“TenCate Protective Fabrics’ integrated system with Millenia Light as the outer fabric notched up a high score on this point. Thanks to its many years of experience in materials technology, TenCate is able - as no other - to combine a range of characteristics so as to provide an integral solution,” TenCate says.

On the subject of TenCate Tecasystem Millenia 450, Karin Klein Hesselink says: “This system was developed on the basis of cutting-edge technology, for the outer shell and the thermal protective moisture barrier as well as the lining. This also includes the wear-resistant reinforcement inserts for knees and elbows. All this guarantees maximum commitment by fire-fighters. Each component of the system developed by TenCate has specific characteristics to provide optimal thermal protection, moisture regulation, breathability, durability, versatility and ease of maintenance.”

www.tencateprotectivefabrics.com