Firefighters need to trust that when they deploy to an incident, they are doing so with complete protection that will allow them to do their job effectively. That’s why fabrics made with PBI fibre are the first choice of fire and rescue services all over the world.
Among the world’s most innovative companies, PBI works closely with only the best partners in fabric manufacturing to create head-to-toe protection for firefighters. Every PBI product performs to the highest levels required in all aspects of firefighting and rescue operations.
While it’s imperative that firefighters have the best possible head protection, it’s important that hoods are also breathable. We lose a significant amount of body heat through our head, so firefighter hoods must balance breathability with protection to ensure that the risks of heat stress are effectively mitigated. Lightweight hoods made with PBI fibre achieve this while offering extremely high flame resistance and, if needed, particulate protection. Firefighters can choose from a range of particulate-blocking hoods that intercept between 95% and 99% of carcinogenic particles. Like all PBI fabrics, the hoods will not shrink or go brittle when exposed to flame.
Outer shells for structural fire suits made with PBI fibre give designers incredible flexibility to create high-performance garments that do not sacrifice comfort and freedom of movement in achieving high levels of protection.
The latest example of this is PBI LP, which embodies the company’s drive to push the development of high-performance protective fabrics beyond industry norms. It is lighter than ever, improving comfort and movement but still offers the same protection as traditional heavier fabrics. Many fire and rescue services are now adopting PBI LP as their preferred structural outer shell fabric. It complements a range of PBI structural fabrics designed for every operational profile.
Advances in glove technology over recent years have made a significant reduction in the number and severity of injuries to firefighters’ hands. Protective gloves must maintain lifetime performance for a variety of risks that include heat and flame, sharp objects and contact with chemicals and other contaminants. PBI fabric is used in the manufacture of a wide range of firefighting gloves and gives the wearer the confidence to operate safely in the most extreme situations, at times undertaking intricate tasks in the intensity of a fire. Gloves made from PBI fabric deliver high-performance protection from heat and flame yet remain soft and comfortable with high levels of dexterity and thermal stability.
Boots are a vital component of head-to-toe protection and PBI fabric is used in firefighting boots to create lightweight footwear designed specifically to protect from the risks in the toughest situations on the fireground and in rescue operations.
Fabric made with PBI is lighter than traditional leather and rubber used in firefighting footwear, adding more flexibility and increasing comfort and breathability to reduce the risk of heat stress. The fabrics are washable and easy to clean, reducing the risk of contamination. Because PBI fibre is inherently flame proof, it offers extremely effective heat and fire protection.
Firefighters can count on head-to-toe protection from PBI solutions that will let them work in hazardous situations with the confidence that their gear is proven to offer the highest levels of protection.For more information, go to: www.pbi-int.com
