Fire & Safety GORE-TEX CROSSTECH® Virus and Bacteria Heat and Flame Wet Weather Contamination Garments

Heat stress management

As a firefighter, you face a broad range of challenging environments, and working in turnout gear is tough on your body. You definitely need protection against extreme heat, but the vast majority of your calls don’t involve this kind of challenge. Nevertheless, heat is still a problem, and the heat you encounter during most calls can contribute to heat stress.

SMALL INCREASES MATTER

The human body can be extremely sensitive to small increases in core temperature. U.S. military studies have shown that once your temperature reaches 100°F, each increase of 0.1°F is physiologically significant, leading to an increased risk of heat exhaustion.

YOUR CHOICE OF PROTECTIVE BARRIER MATTERS

A recent human study evaluated the physiological impact of protective barriers currently available in turnout gear. Conducted by a third party, this study confirmed that wearing the GORE® PARALLON™ liner system delivered the highest breathability followed closely by GORE® CROSSTECH® black moisture barrier. Both of the GORE® protective barriers performed significantly better than the competition. In fact, 40 percent of the trial participants could not finish the test when wearing the competitive barrier because their heart rates exceeded their maximum rates, which were established as part of the safety criteria before the trial began.

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THL VERSUS RET TEST METHODS

Testing the performance of the materials in your gear can provide valuable information for gear selection. The THL test has done a great deal of good for the firefighter, helping to improve how well gear can shed excess body heat; but it evaluates performance in a relatively mild environment, similar to a conditioned office space. And, it has been found that THL does not provide very useful information about how gear performs, particularly in warm or sunny conditions. The RET test can provide some of this valuable insight, which could be important to you in your gear selection.

In addition, THL did not predict the differences seen in the human trials, whereas the RET testing did.

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YOUR JOB IS TOUGH, AND NO GEAR CAN CHANGE THAT. BUT TURNOUT GEAR WITH GORE® PROTECTIVE BARRIERS MANAGE HEAT STRESS SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER THAN THE COMPETITIVE BARRIER. YOU WORK IN ALL TYPES OF CONDITIONS...SO SHOULD YOUR GEAR!

Human Impact

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GORE-TEX CROSSTECH^® Garments for Firefighters

As well as protecting firefighters from heat and flame, GORE-TEX CROSSTECH® garments are waterproof, breathable and provide crucial protection from viruses and bacteria found in blood and body fluids as well as chemicals.

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Physiological study into heat stress

A group of firefighters wearing turnout gear completed a defined work/rest cycle in a controlled environment as their body core temperatures, heart rates, and skin temperatures were monitored. Over a period of several weeks, the same participants repeated the trial three times so they could wear each set of gear containing one of the three different protective barriers. And the results are exceptional:

The GORE® protective barriers delivered the highest breathability — significantly better than the competition.
All of the firefighters were able to complete the trial while wearing gear with GORE® protective barriers; on the contrary, 40 percent could not finish the test when wearing the competitive barrier because their heart rates exceeded their maximum, which were established as part of the safety criteria before the trial began.
RET results directly correlated with the participants’ physiological responses, whereas THL did not.

Increase in Body Core Temperature

U.S. military research has shown that once a body core temperature of 100°F is reached, each increase of only 0.1°F is physiologically significant, leading to an increased risk of heat exhaustion. At the end of the human trial, the average increase of body core temperature varied depending on the protective barrier in the gear. The GORE® PARALLON™ liner system performed the best, followed closely by the GORE® CROSSTECH® black moisture barrier; however, the increase with the competitive barrier was the largest. These results confirm that GORE® protective barriers are the most breathable.

Body Core Temperature Response to Work/Rest Cycle

Rest cycles are crucial to enable your body to recover from the strain of the challenging environments in which you work. When the participants were wearing the GORE® PARALLON™ liner system or GORE® CROSSTECH® black moisture barrier, the rest periods were more effective and they were able to complete the entire trial; when they wore the competitive barrier, their temperatures continued to rise rapidly. In fact, 40 percent of them were pulled out during the second work cycle because their heart rates exceeded their maximum rates, which were established before the trial began.

RET (Resistance to Sweat Evaporation) versus THL (Total Heat Loss)

Before the trial began, each turnout gear composite was measured for THL and RET. While THL did not predict the differences seen in the human trials, the RET testing did. In fact, the THL results, which are what is commonly available to fire departments today, indicated that there should be NO difference in performance between the gear tested in this study. However, the trial confirmed that there were significant differences—the Gore technologies were more breathable and had a lower burden on the firefighters, as demonstrated by lower core temperatures, lower skin temperatures, and lower heart rates.

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NFPA 1851 Industry Support Program

(Elkton, Maryland, April 10, 2008) At FDIC 2008, W. L. Gore & Associates is announcing the Gore NFPA 1851 Industry Support Program, the latest in its 25-year commitment to working with the fire service industry to ensure safe personal protective equipment (PPE) for fire professionals. The 2008 Edition of NFPA 1851 places a new focus on the ongoing compliance and durability of turnout gear, emphasizing a more rigorous inspection and evaluation protocol for the individual components. With its new NFPA 1851 Industry Support Program, Gore continues to assist the industry by providing a comprehensive program including three key elements: an instructional guide on complying with NFPA 1851, free-of-charge materials for repair of normal wear and tear, and the most durable moisture barrier available in the market - CROSSTECH® 3-Layer Moisture Barrier.

The educational component of this new program addresses compliance with NFPA 1851 as it relates to Gore's family of moisture barriers. The Standard sets forth specific requirements for inspecting both the liner system as a unit and the thermal liner and moisture barrier as individual components. As a part of its NFPA 1851 Support Program, Gore has developed a CD-based instructional guide that discusses cleaning, inspecting, testing, and repairing Gore's NFPA 1971-compliant moisture barriers. For example, the guide includes demonstrations of each of the liner system tests required for compliance with the Standard and examples of what may be observed during moisture barrier inspection.

Another component of the Gore NFPA 1851 Industry Support Program addresses repairs. As evidence of its commitment to its products, Gore will provide free-of-charge materials (both tape and barrier) to manufacturers and verified independent service providers (ISPs) for repairs necessitated by normal wear and tear. This commitment applies to CROSSTECH® 2-Layer and GORE™ RT7100 Moisture Barriers for up to three years and to CROSSTECH® 3-Layer Moisture Barrier for up to five years.

The third, and probably most fundamental, element of the Gore NFPA 1851 Industry Support Program is the addition of CROSSTECH® 3-Layer Moisture Barrier to its family of NFPA 1971-certified barrier products. Through innovative membrane technology and the addition of a patent-pending second textile layer, this product provides rugged durability without compromising high total heat loss (THL). Designed for fire professionals working in the most rigorous environments, Gore's CROSSTECH® 3-Layer Moisture Barrier offers the best possible combination of durability, THL, and thermal protective performance (TPP) available in today's market.

Gore is excited to announce this comprehensive support package to the industry. According to Ron Bove of Gore's North American Fire & Safety Services business, “From its inception, Gore has always stood behind its products, and our commitment remains the same today. Years ago, Gore developed the first repair verification program for moisture barriers, and we trained cleaning and repair facilities in the proper techniques for repairing and seam-sealing our products. Complying with the 2008 edition of NFPA 1851 will require a steep learning curve for the fire service industry, and we feel it is important that we offer our support as a committed partner in this process.” .

With more than $2 billion in sales and 8,000 employees worldwide, W. L. Gore & Associates specializes in fluoropolymer innovations that improve the quality of life. Gore has applied its world-renowned expertise to thousands of high-performance solutions in pharmaceutical, consumer, industrial, electronic, medical, and surgical markets. Specifically in the protective fabrics arena, Gore has been a pioneer in developing high-performance barrier products for use in firefighting, EMS, technical rescue, law enforcement, military, and domestic preparedness applications. The company operates more than 45 facilities worldwide with headquarters in Newark, Delaware, USA. For more information about CROSSTECH® Moisture Barriers, call 800.431.GORE or 410.392.3600, or visit crosstech.com.

New Research Shows GORE® Protective Barriers to be Best Choice for Reducing Firefighter Heat Stress

Indianapolis, Indiana, April 20, 2016 – At the FDIC International 2016 Conference, W. L. Gore & Associates presented the results of a human study that evaluated the physiological impact of protective barriers currently available in turnout gear. Conducted by a third party, this study confirmed that wearing the GORE^® PARALLON™ liner system delivered the highest breathability followed closely by CROSSTECH^® black moisture barrier, with both significantly better than the competition.

A group of firefighters wearing turnout gear completed a defined work/rest cycle in a controlled environment while their body core temperatures, heart rates, and skin temperatures were monitored. Over a period of several weeks, the same participants repeated the trial three times so they could wear each set of gear containing one of the three different protective barriers. Before the trial began, each turnout gear composite was tested for Total Heat Loss (THL) and Resistance to Sweat Evaporation (RET) to determine which test method was more aligned with human physiological results. Several results of the trial were significant:

First, the firefighters’ physiological responses were the best when they were wearing gear with Gore’s protective barriers.
Second, all of the firefighters were able to complete the trial while they were wearing gear with Gore’s protective barriers. On the contrary, 40 percent of them could not finish the test when wearing the competitive barrier because their heart rates exceeded their maximum rates, which were established as part of the safety criteria before the trial began.
Finally, the RET results directly correlated with the participants’ physiological response, whereas THL did not.

According to Matthew Decker, research scientist in Gore’s Fabrics division, “The human body can be extremely sensitive to small increases in core temperature. U.S. military studies have shown that once your body core temperature reaches 100°F, each increase of only 0.1°F is physiologically significant. The results of this study clearly show that the choice of protective barrier in turnout gear has a measurable impact on a firefighter. And GORE^® protective barriers manage firefighter heat stress significantly better than the competitive barrier.” .

Visit www.GoreProtectiveFabrics.com/Heat-Stress-Management for more information about this study.

About W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

Gore is a technology-driven company focused on discovery and product innovation. Well known for waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX fabric, the company’s portfolio includes everything from high-performance fabrics and implantable medical devices to industrial manufacturing GORE^® Protective Barriers Shown to Reduce heat Stress Better CROSSTECH, GORE‐TEX, PARALLON, GORE and design are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates components and aerospace electronics. Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Newark, Delaware, Gore employs more than 10,000 associates worldwide. Gore is one of a select few companies to appear on all of the U.S. “100 Best Companies to Work For” lists since the rankings debuted in 1984. The company also appears regularly on similar lists around the world. Learn more at www.gore.com.

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Media Contact:
Marie Y. Smith
302.994.0117
mysmith115@comcast.net

New Gore Instructional Guide Available

(Elkton, Maryland - April 10, 2008) In an effort to assist the fire industry in implementing NFPA 1851, 2008 Edition, W. L. Gore & Associates has developed a CD-based instructional guide that addresses compliance with this updated Standard as it relates to liner systems and, specifically, to Gore's family of moisture barriers. Drawing on Gore's 25 years of expertise in leading-edge barrier technology, this guide discusses cleaning, inspecting, testing, and repairing CROSSTECH® 2-Layer Moisture Barrier, CROSSTECH® 3-Layer Moisture Barrier, and GORE™ RT7100 Moisture Barrier.

The new edition of NFPA Standard 1851 identifies the necessary considerations for selecting gear and procedures for reducing risks that result from poorly maintained or contaminated gear. As a result, the Standard now places a new emphasis on the ongoing compliance and durability of structural and proximity firefighting ensembles, which translates to a more rigorous inspection of the entire garment and all of its components. Gore's new instructional guide responds to this emphasis by providing information regarding inspecting, testing, and repairing its moisture barriers. For example, the guide includes step-by-step demonstrations of both the leakage evaluation test and the water penetration test to identify potential repairs needed to ensure barrier effectiveness. It also provides some basic information regarding the thermal liner light evaluation test.

According to Holly Blake, Gore's product specialist for structural firefighting garments, compliance with NFPA 1851, 2008 Edition means that departments have many issues to address - decisions like how to assign the various compliance responsibilities, how much of the compliance work to do within the department, whether to contract an independent service provider (ISP) for all or part of the services needed, and how to train all personnel on their individual responsibilities. Blake says, “For over 25 years, Gore has worked closely with the fire service industry to develop the most effective products to meet the industry's performance expectations of moisture barriers. As the industry addresses inspecting, testing, and repairing turnout gear, we felt it may be beneficial to share our expertise on these issues. By creating this instructional guide, we continue to support manufacturers, ISPs, and fire departments as they develop their specific procedures for ensuring compliance with NFPA 1851.” .

Gore Revolutionizes Turnout Gear Performance with GORE® PARALLON™ Liner System

Indianapolis, Indiana, April 22, 2015 – At the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC), W. L. Gore & Associates announced the next level of turnout gear performance with the GORE® PARALLON™ liner system. This revolutionary multi-barrier system maintains thermal protection better when your gear gets wet and enables a level of breathability beyond what is available today. While this new system replaces the thermal barrier and moisture barrier in traditional turnout gear designs, it is currently certified to the NFPA 1971 Standard, 2013 edition with several outer shells.

PROTECTION: As you work and sweat in turnout gear, moisture within the layers of your gear can change your thermal protection. The exclusive technologies of the GORE® PARALLON™ liner system help reduce potentially serious drops in thermal protection as your gear is exposed to moisture, particularly from sweat. This enables your gear to perform closer to the level that you expect when it is dry. When tested for an indicated time to 2^nd degree burn in an ordinary fireground heat exposure (i.e., 0.2 cal/cm²sec), wet conventional gear lost 34 percent compared to when it was dry. However, the thermal protection of gear with the GORE® PARALLON™ liner system lost only 4 percent, remaining relatively unchanged after it became wet.

COMFORT: The environmental conditions in which you work can cause your body core temperature to rise, and even small increases can impair your performance and potentially affect your safety and effectiveness. The GORE® PARALLON™ liner system enables your turnout gear to deliver unparalleled breathability across the broadest range of conditions — a level beyond what is available today in NFPA 1971 compliant gear. Achieving the lowest resistance to your sweat vapor transmission through your gear, this liner system helps to reduce the physical strain of working in turnout gear and minimize potential increases in your body core temperature.

According to Allen Maples, North American Product Specialist in Gore’s fire and public safety team, the technology behind the GORE® PARALLON™ liner system is a revolutionary shift in turnout gear performance for the fire industry. “For more than 35 years, Gore has been globally recognized as a pioneer in protection and human comfort science. We have combined our scientific research and deep product knowledge in heat stress, breathability, and barrier technologies to develop moisture barriers that are the most breathable in the broadest range of conditions. While CROSSTECH® moisture barriers provide the highest level of breathability in traditional turnout gear, the new GORE® PARALLON™ liner system takes breathability to a whole new level while also offering more consistent thermal protection.” For more information, visit www.GoreParallon.com or call 800.431.GORE (4673).

ABOUT W. L. GORE & ASSOCIATES, INC.

Gore is a technology-driven company focused on discovery and product innovation. Well-known for waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX fabric, the company’s portfolio includes everything from high-performance fabrics and implantable medical devices to industrial manufacturing components and aerospace electronics. Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Newark, Delaware, Gore employs more than 10,000 associates in 30 countries worldwide. Gore is one of a select few companies to appear on all of the U.S. “100 Best Companies to Work For” lists since the rankings debuted in 1984. The company also appears regularly on similar lists around the world. Learn more at www.gore.com.

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Media Contact:
Marie Y. Smith
302.994.0117

Introducing New CROSSTECH® 3-Layer Moisture Barrier

(Elkton, Maryland - April 6, 2007) W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., has announced an addition to its line of moisture barriers — CROSSTECH® 3-Layer moisture barrier. This addition provides an extensive level of durability with high total heat lost (THL) and an increased thermal protective performance (TPP). As the latest option for fire professionals working in the most rigorous environments, Gore's new CROSSTECH® 3-Layer moisture barrier offers the best possible combination of durability, THL, and TPP available in today's market.

In response to the needs of the firefighting industry, W. L. Gore & Associates designed a moisture barrier that consists of a proprietary expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) bicomponent membrane laminated on each side to a woven aramid textile, one of which is a patent-pending fabric designed by Gore. CROSSTECH® 3-Layer moisture barrier provides the breathability and comfort that firefighters have come to expect from Gore, but it also adds an increased level of durability against abrasion and flexing.

Holly Blake, Gore's product specialist for structural firefighting garments, says, “Every fire company's needs are different, and at Gore, we want to continue our 25-year tradition as industry leader by providing the broadest range of moisture barriers options. By adding our new CROSSTECH® 3-Layer moisture barrier, our product line now spans the full range of durability, breathability, and performance.” .

With approximately $2 billion in sales and 7,300 employees worldwide, W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., specializes in fluoropolymer innovations that improve the quality of life. Gore has applied its world-renowned expertise in fluoropolymer fabrication to thousands of technology-driven applications in consumer, electronic, pharmaceutical, and medical product manufacturing. Gore has been a pioneer in developing high-performance barrier products for use in firefighting, EMS, technical rescue, law enforcement, military, and domestic preparedness applications. The company operates more than 45 facilities worldwide with headquarters in Newark, Delaware, USA. For more information about GORE™ CROSSTECH® moisture barriers, call 800.431.GORE or 410.392.3600, or email CROSSTECH@wlgore.com .

Gore Expands Product Line with new CROSSTECH® Black Moisture Barrier

Elkton, Maryland, April 21, 2010 – At the 2010 FDIC show, W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., introduced a new member of its family of CROSSTECH® moisture barriers. Combining its extensive expertise in moisture barrier technology with its latest developments of durable, breathable fabrics for use in military protective clothing, Gore has engineered a new two-layer CROSSTECH® black moisture barrier that maintains the same high level of breathability as the original CROSSTECH® moisture barrier, with the specific benefit of more durable NFPA 1851 performance as demonstrated in recent field trials. This new barrier includes a warranty covering labor and materials for repairs of normal wear and tear through three years or the first complete liner inspection done in accord with the NFPA 1851 standard (up to 3.5 years from the date of manufacture).

CROSSTECH® black moisture barrier provides consistent, sustained breathability over a wide range of environmental conditions. According to Holly Blake, Gore’s North American product specialist for structural moisture barriers, the development team engineered this new moisture barrier by combining the proven performance of CROSSTECH® products with the latest technology used in the US Army’s third generation of ECWCS outerwear. Blake explains, “At Gore, we have more than 30 years of experience in engineering membranes and laminates for the industry’s leading moisture barriers. Although ECWCS does not have to meet the flame-resistance and blood-borne pathogen standards required for turnout gear, we were able to engineer our next generation of moisture barriers by combining the barrier technology used in ECWCS with our intimate knowledge of ePTFE membranes and laminates. This new product — which brings our most recent membrane developments into today’s turnout gear — is a highly durable, two-layer moisture barrier that withstands extended heat exposure without compromising the great breathability that has made CROSSTECH® products the choice of departments throughout North America.”

Component-recognized to the NFPA 1971 Standard, 2007 edition, CROSSTECH® black moisture barrier demonstrates high total heat loss (THL), which means the firefighter experiences less heat stress. Unlike some other barriers, this moisture barrier withstands high heat exposure and still delivers excellent breathability and long-lasting protection. Based on several thorough field trials of turnout gear built to the departments’ specifications, CROSSTECH® black moisture barrier was extremely durable and reduced repair costs by as much as 50 percent when the component was cleaned and inspected using a protocol well beyond that required of the NFPA 1851 standard. This improved durability, combined with the barrier’s warranty, makes it easier for departments to comply with the maintenance requirements in the 2008 edition of the NFPA 1851 standard.

CROSSTECH® black moisture barrier is ideal for departments that need increased NFPA-1851 durability combined with excellent THL in a two-layer barrier. However, some departments operate in rugged environments that demand the highest level of durability possible. Another Gore moisture barrier — CROSSTECH® 3-layer moisture barrier — is the toughest barrier available in the market today, engineered specifically for firefighters that are rough on their gear. Blake concludes, “Fire departments have different needs, and at Gore, we want to ensure that we have a full line of products that span the range of durability, breathability, performance, and value.” To learn more about the full line of CROSSTECH® fabrics for turnout gear, footwear, and gloves, visit www.CROSSTECH.com.

CROSSTECH® black moisture barrier and CROSSTECH® 3-Layer moisture barrier are the latest additions to Gore’s family of products for first responders, which includes GORE® CHEMPAK®, GORE-TEX, CROSSTECH® WINDSTOPPER®, and other Gore fabrics. With approximately 8,000 employees worldwide, W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., specializes in fluoropolymer innovations that improve the quality of life. Gore has applied its world-renowned expertise in fluoropolymer fabrication to thousands of applications in consumer, electronic, pharmaceutical, and medical product manufacturing. Specifically in the fabrics arena, Gore has been a pioneer in developing high-performance barrier products for use in law enforcement, firefighting, EMS, technical rescue, military, and domestic preparedness applications. The company operates more than 45 facilities worldwide with headquarters in Newark, Delaware, USA.

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Media Contact:
Marie Y. Smith
302.994.0117
mysmith115@comcast.net

CROSSTECH, CHEMPAK, GORE-TEX, WINDSTOPPER, GORE, and design are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

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