ABOUT BELL APPAREL
We have been designing and manufacturing protective clothing for people at work for over 30 years. From our base in the UK we are part of the global MSA group, also including MSA Bristol. Our protective clothing is used across diverse industries and in every continent. We have a strong reputation for the providing top quality workwear for the emergency services, specialising in public safety and flame resistant industrial garments for use by firefighters and workers in close proximity to electrical hazards.
Since its launch in the industry four years ago, our lightweight arc rated and flame retardant clothing has proven to be a popular choice for end users working in multiple hazard environments.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
One reason for our success is down to working closely with W. L. Gore and Associates UK for over 20 years, designing and developing garments using their fabric technology. Recently, we designed, tested and manufactured a new range of GORE-TEX garments using GORE® PYRAD® fabric technology. It’s a very smart fabric because it not only provides protection against foul weather but it also protects workers from electric arc, flash flames and is anti-static. These garments have been trialled and successfully rolled-out to workers in the electrical engineering industry.
INTELLIGENT DESIGN
Design at Bell begins with our extensive knowledge of industry needs, built up over decades of specialist product development. We constantly look for ways to improve our garments and offer end users the best products with high visibility, complete waterproofing and windproofing, good looking and comfortable to wear designs. For PPE, wearer comfort is key.
Our Product, Innovation and Development Team take design briefs all the way through the development and sampling process to finished products, using state of the art software. Bell garments using GORE-TEX fabrics are designed and manufactured to the strictest quality standards and controlled via our ISO 9001 Quality System procedures and requirements.
QUALITY TESTING
We always test to the appropriate European or International Standard at an independent UKAS accredited laboratory to provide product compliance, and wearers are assured of quality through clear garment labelling.
All GORE fabrics undergo significant testing before being used to manufacture our garments. Tests are for durability, moisture vapour transfer and water repellency. GORE also use their unique Rain Tower to test garments to meet EN 14360. Here, a rotating mannequin wearing the garment is exposed to the full gamut of rain conditions, including heavy and wind-driven. This test identifies leaks or weak spots for modifications to be made. Not until the performance is found to be perfect is the garment deemed to have passed the test.
SCOTTISH AND SOUTHERN ELECTRICITY NETWORK (SSEN) TRIALS
After our extensive laboratory testing and GORE’S testing, we make sure we test the garments on humans.
A recent set of trials with electrical engineers from SSEN helped us finely tune our new range of lightweight waterproof jackets and salopettes made with GORE® PYRAD® technology. SSEN workers are called upon in emergency situations and spend much of their time up poles doing repair work where there is always the possibility of exposure to an incident involving a high temperature arc flash.
LIGHTNESS AND FLEXIBILITY
Comfort is key and GORE® PYRAD® fabric technology is up to 45% lighter than anything else current in the market and is arc rated, durable and breathable. Previous garments were rated fit for purpose for electrical work, but common issues were around garment weight and lack of stretch. Our new range was designed to be much lighter and more flexible, so more appealing to the end-user.
SUCCESS
SSEN workers who took part in the trial reported improved comfort and flexibility, including greater breathability, stretch and freedom of movement. They said that the jacket and trousers dried quickly, even if left overnight in an unheated van. They did not overheat the end user when working in warmer weather conditions.
CONCLUSION
I think the success of this new range really represents a leap forward for workwear. Almost all of the main UK Distribution Network Operators are now using the fabric successfully. Bell is manufacturing salopettes, jackets and a coverall in yellow and orange but we will continue to develop our range in future for the safety and protection of hard working electrical engineers who need multi-norm protection.
This article first appeared in Tomorrow’s Health and Safety E-zine www.tomorrowshs.com.
