A Growing Need for Advanced Gear
Technical assistance now constitutes over 80% of firefighting operations across Europe, including responses to traffic accidents, floods, and industrial incidents. However, firefighters are equipped to handle flames and liquids with heavily insulated, robust protective clothing, which is often oversized for technical rescue operations. This significantly restricts their freedom of movement, is heavy, and lacks comfort. Conversely, lightweight rescue suits do not always provide the necessary protection.
To address these demanding situations, GORE-TEX Brand partners offer advanced rescue clothing featuring GORE-TEX CROSSTECH® PYRAD® Stretch product technology, delivering exceptional protection and comfort. This innovative technology protects from flame, flash fire, pathogens found in blood and body fluid as well as common chemicals such as petrol, battery acid and hydraulic fluid.
GORE-TEX CROSSTECH® PYRAD® STRETCH TECHNOLOGY
Key Features & Benefits
Protects against incidental flame and flash fire and forms a self-extinguishing char to protect the wearer. The material remains intact and does not break open.
Prevents penetration of liquid chemicals to EN ISO 6530, even after contamination.
Prevents penetration from body fluids and blood-borne pathogens in accordance with ISO 16604, even after contamination and 50 washes.
Elasticity allows for better fit. The fabric expands and contracts easily, moving with the wearer like a high-performance sports garment and allowing room to vary layers underneath to suit weather conditions.
Extremely light fabric can stretch four ways to allow the freedom of movement to work effectively in challenging rescue environments.
Durable waterproof protection from rain and inclement weather for long rescue incidents.
Allows sweat to evaporate out from inside the garment and keeps the wearer cooler during high exertion work.
Absorbs less water with efficient run off that prevents moisture build up and keeps wearer dry throughout extended operations.
The fabric does not degrade after repeated washing and decontamination
Fitness for Use TestING
In a test conducted by experienced pyrotechnicians, a stuntman wearing a GORE-TEX CROSSTECH® PYRAD® stretch protective suit was exposed to a realistic fire source.
The result: after contact with the flame, no traces of melting or dripping could be seen on the suit. Thanks to the GORE-TEX CROSSTECH® PYRAD® Stretch technology, a self-extinguishing charring layer forms when exposed to flames.
GORE-TEX CROSSTECH® PYRAD® stretch Products ensures adherence to a number of industry standards and norms, including:
- EN 16689: Protective clothing for firefighters - Performance requirements for protective clothing for technical rescue
- EN ISO 11612: Protective clothing - Clothing for protection against heat and flame - Minimum performance requirements
- EN ISO 14116: Protective clothing - Protection against flames - Materials, combinations of materials and clothing with limited flame spread
- EN 343 Class 4: Comprehensive weather protection
- ISO 16604, Test method C for protection against blood-borne pathogens
- ISO 13506: Protection against flames
- EN ISO 20471: High visibility high-visibility clothing for professional use
- EN ISO 15797, Table 1, washing process 2 at 60 °C and drying process A in the tumble dryer
Contact the GORE-TEX Brand
If you have questions about our product technology or need further assistance, please reach out to a GORE-TEX Brand representative via the form below.