Bulwark Flame Resistant Fabric Information

EXCEL-FR™

EXCEL-FR™ BLEND

FIREWEAR®

FR COTTON KNIT

FR DISPOSABLES

FR RAINWEAR

INDURA®

INDURA® BLEND

NOMEX® IIIA

NOMEX® BLEND

PBI® GOLD

VINEX®


Bulwark Flame Resistant Fabric Information

EXCEL-FR™

Excel-FR™ is a Bulwark trademark for FR cotton fabrics produced with the gaseous ammonia or THPOH-NH  reaction. This process forms a high molecular weight polymer within the cotton itself. Cotton is soft and widely viewed as the most comfortable fiber. The ammonia cure flame resistant process has only a minor affect on either fabric hand or performance characteristics.

Applications  Most areas involving ferrous metals such as foundries, flame cutting, welding, etc. Also used in electrical utilities and chemical, oil, gas, and petro-chemical industries.

Not Recommended For  Use around molten "white metals" such as aluminum, magnesium, or zinc or for use in critical static control operations. Bulwark Excel-FR™ garments should not be worn in chemical operations where contact with strong oxidizers (e.g., >10% sodium hypochlorite, NaOCI) or reducing agents (e.g., sodiumhydrosulfite, Na, S, 04) is a consideration.

Flame Resistance  Excel-FR™ garments are permanently treated for life-of-the-garment durability.

 


Bulwark Flame Resistant Fabric Information

 

EXCEL-FR™ BLENDS

Excel-FR™ ComforTouch® is an FR cotton/nylon blend fabric consisting of a 75% cotton / 25% nylon warp and a 100% cotton fill. The resulting fabric has an overall blend level of 88% cotton / 12% nylon and is designed to provide increased abrasion resistance compared to 100% cotton. The fabrics are finished with the ammonia cure process.

Applications  Nearly all areas involving ferrous metals such as foundries, flame cutting, welding, etc. Other possible applications include electrical utilities, and chemical, oil, gas, and petro-chemical industries.

Not Recommended For   Use around molten "white metals" such as aluminum, magnesium, or zinc, or for use in critical static control operations. Use of phosphorus containing flame resistant cotton is not recommended in chemical operations where contact with strong oxidizers (e.g., 10% sodium hypochlorite, NaOCI) or reducing agents (e.g., sodium hydrosulfite, Na, S; 04) is a consideration.

Flame-Resistance  ComforTouch® garments are permanently treated for life-of-the-garment durability.

 


Bulwark Flame Resistant Fabric Information

FIREWEAR®

FIREWEAR® is a blend of 55% FFR (Fibrous Flame Retardant Fiber) and 45% combed cotton manufactured by Springs Protective Fabrics. The fabric is offered in knit constructions for T-Shirts, polo shirts, sweatshirts, and protective hoods and as a woven forshirts, pants, and coveralls.

Applications  Petrochemicals, utilities, and for firefighters station / work uniforms.

Not Recommended For   Use around molten substances or welding operations, or in critical static control applications.

Flame Resistance   The FFR fiber is spun with a flame retardant in the fiber forming polymer. Flame resistant properties are permanent and cannot be degraded by laundering. FIREWEAR® FR properties come from the FFR fiber which is self-extinguishing. When exposed to flame, or temperatures above 500°F, noncombustible gasses are released to prevent the fabric from burning. The manufacturer reports that these gasses have been extensively tested and are in no way harmful to the wearer.


Bulwark Flame Resistant Fabric Information

FR COTTON KNIT

The line of Bulwark®100% cotton durable FR knits consists of a 6.5 oz. interlock 100% cotton T-Shirt treated with Albright & Wilson Proban flame retardant chemistry. The process forms a high molecular weight polymer within the cotton itself. Cotton is soft and widely viewed as the most comfortable fiber. The ammonia cure flame resistant process has only a minor affect on either fabric hand or performance characteristics.

Applications   The T-Shirt can be worn alone for flame resistant protection, or as an undergarment as part of a multilayer system for protection from electric arcs.

Not Recommended For   Use around molten "white metals", such as aluminum, magnesium or zinc, or for use in critical static control operations. Use of this garment is not recommended in chemical operations where contact with strong oxidizers (e.g., > 10% sodium hypochlorite, NaOCI) or reducing agents (e.g., sodium hydrosulfite, Na^O,) is a consideration.

Flame Resistance   The durability of the FR finish is guaranteed for the life of the garment by the fabric supplier under home laundry conditions. This Proban treated T-Shirt conforms to EN531 Protective  Clothing for Industrial Workers Exposed to Heat (excluding fire fighters' and welder's clothing). It meets the requirements for Limited Flame Spread, Radiant Heat, and Convected Heat. This garment meets or surpasses a standard of two (2) seconds Afterflame and five (5) inch Char Length maximums when tested by Federal Test Method 5903.1, FTMSTD 191A (Flame Resistance of Cloth: Vertical Method).

 


Bulwark Flame Resistant Fabric Information

FR DISPOSABLES

Extend®* FR and Excel®* FR are Bulwark® trademarks for Precision Fab- rics Groups limited use / disposable hydroentangled fabrics which are top- ically treated with flame retardant chemicals. The FR treatment is a non- durable phosphate based compound with aflorochemical additive forwater and oil repellency. Water repellency allows Extend® *FR to withstand minor splashes without saturation. With Excel® *FR, the substrate fabric is lam- inated to a clear PVC film and hot melt polyurethane making an impervious laminate with chemical abatement properties. Both Extend® *FR and Excel® *FR will burn in the presence of an ignition source, but will self-extinguish when the ignition source is removed.

Applications   Extend®*FR is highly breathable and offers about 80% filtration efficiency against particles in the 2-5 micron range. It is classified as acceptable for use in Class C: Particulate Abatement activities. Garments made of this fabric can extend the life of more expensive thermal protective garments by preventing flammable contaminants from soiling the fabric.   Excel®* FR is an impervious laminate with chemical abatement properties. Chemical penetration testing of Excel® *FR has been conducted in accordance with ASTM F 1001, liquid challenges only, using ASTM F 903,  Procedure C.

Not Recommended For   Not for asbestos removal. Neither Extend®*FR nor Excel®*FR are designed as a primary source of thermal protection and must be worn over suitable flame resistant apparel.

Flame Resistance   Both Extend®*FRand Excel®*FR meet the flammability requirements of NFPA701-89. Excel®* FR also meets the flammability requirements of CAN/CGSB 4.2-M77.



Bulwark Flame Resistant Fabric Information

FR RAINWEAR

Flame resistant rain wear forms an effective barrier against rain and wind. Additionally, it must not melt, drip, or burn when exposed to the thermal energy generated in a flash fire or electric arc.   Non-breathable fabrics are made by single or double coating a NOMEX® substrate with flame resistant polychloroprene or other water proof, non-breathable substance.

Applications   Electric utilities, oil and gas operations, and other work activities where a risk of thermal exposure exists in a wide range of climatic conditions.

Not Recommended For   Use around any molten substances, welding operations, or in critical static control applications.

Flame Resistance   The NOMEX® fabric used in non-breathable rain wear is inherently flame resistant and this property cannot be degraded by laundering.   The waterproof coating on non-breathable rain wear is flame resistant.


Bulwark Flame Resistant Fabric Information

INDURA®

INDURA® is a Westex, Inc. trademark for FR cotton fabrics produced with the gaseous ammonia or THPOH-NH  reaction. This process forms a high molecular weight polymer within the cotton itself. Cotton is soft and widely viewed as the most comfortable fiber. The ammonia cure flame resistant process has only a minor affect on either fabric hand or performance characteristics.

Applications Most areas involving ferrous metals such as foundries, flame cutting, welding, etc. Also used in electrical utilities and chemical, oil, gas, and petro-chemical industries.

Not Recommended ForUse around molten "white metals"such as aluminum, magnesium, or zinc or for use in critical static control operations. INDURA® should not be worn in chemical operations where contact with strong oxidizers (e.g.,>10% sodium hypochlorite, NaOCI) or reducing agents (e.g., sodiumhydrosulfite, Na, S, 04) is a consideration.

Flame Resistance INDURA® FR garments are permanently treated for life-of-the-garment durability

 


Bulwark Flame Resistant Fabric Information

INDURA® BLENDS

Westex INDURA® Ultra Soft® is an FR cotton/nylon blend fabric consisting of a 75% cotton / 25% nylon warp and a 100% cotton fill. The resulting fabric has an overall blend level of 88% cotton / 12% nylon and is designed to provide increased abrasion resistance compared to 100% cotton. The fabrics are finished with the ammonia cure process.

Applications  Nearly all areas involving ferrousmetals such as foundries, flame cutting, welding, etc. Other possible applications include electrical utilities, and chemical, oil, gas, and petro-chemical industries.

Not Recommended For   Use around molten "white metals" such as aluminum, magnesium, or zinc, or for use in critical static control operations. Use of phosphorus containing flame resistant cotton is not recommended in chemical operations where contact with strong oxidizers (e.g., > 10% sodium hypochlorite, NaOCI) or reducing agents (e.g.,sodium hydrosulfite, Na, S; 04) is a consideration.

Flame-Resistance  Ultra Soft® garments are permanently treated for life-of-the-garment durability.

 


Bulwark Flame Resistant Fabric Information

NOMEX® IIIA

NOMEX® is an aramid fiber manufactured by DuPont. For clothing applications, it is usually blended with KEVLAR®, another DuPont aramid. A blend of 95% NOMEX® and 5% KEV-LAR® called NOMEX® III has been  offered for many years. To address concerns of nuisance static electricity generation, NOMEX® IIIA, a blend of 93% NOMEX®, 5% KEVLAR®, and 2%static dissipative fiber was introduced.

Applications  Petrochemicals, utilities, military applications, auto racing, volunteer  and professional fire fighters.

Not Recommended For   Use around any molten substances, welding operations, or in a critical static control application.

Flame Resistance   NOMEX® is inherently flame resistant and this property cannot be degraded by laundering.

 


Bulwark Flame Resistant Fabric Information

NOMEX® BLEND

Comfort Blend™ for shirts is a Southern Mills trademark for a 4.5 oz. blended fabric consisting of 65% Nomex® /35% Lenzing FR viscose.  Blending Lenzing FR with Nomex® produces a durable fabric with higher moisture regain than 100% aramid. Bulwark Protective Apparel markets this Nomex®/Lenzing FR Comfort Blend shirt fabric under the brandname "Cool Touch®".

Applications  Petrochemicals, utilities, and for firefighter station wear.

Not Recommended For   Use around molten substances or welding operations, or in critical static control applications.

Flame Resistance   Indura Blend is a mixture of inherently flame resistant Nomex® fibers with permanently FR treated Lenzing, which means that this property cannot be removed by wear or laundering.

 


Bulwark Flame Resistant Fabric Information

PBI Gold®

PBI is a synthetic polybenzimidazole fiber made by Celanese which may be used alone or in blends. 60% KEVLAR® aramid / 40% PBI blend fabrics are offered by Dominion Industrial Fabrics Company and Southern Mills for career apparel applications. (Common textile practice is to name fabric blends by mentioning the majority fiber first, i.e., 65% polyester / 35% cotton is called poly / cotton. However, blends of PBI and KEVLAR® are commonly referred to as PBI/KEVLAR®, PBIGold®, or just PBI, even though KEV-LAR® is the majority fiber).This review will refer to the fabric as PBI Gold®.

Applications  Turnout gear for professional firefighters and other career apparel.

Not Recommended For   Critical static control applications.

Flame Resistance  Inherently flame resistant and this property cannot be degraded by laundering.

 


Bulwark Flame Resistant Fabric Information

VINEX®

VINEX® FR9B® is a blend of 85% vinal (a synthetic fiber composed of vinyl alcohol units with acetal crosslinks) and 15% FR rayon, offered in the U.S. by Westex, Inc. Its primary use is in resisting molten aluminum splash.

Applications   Almost exclusively in the aluminum casting industry, where its unique ability to shed molten aluminum is valued.

Not Recommended For   Use in critical static control applications. Of limited use in aluminum smelters or pot rooms because cryolite (Na3AIF6) will stick to VINEX®. Not recommended for use where exposure to molten zinc is possible.

Flame Resistance   VINEX® (also known as FR9B®) is inherently flame resistant, and this property cannot be degraded by laundering.

 

About Red Kap Work Clothing

Red Kap, a division of V.F. Imagewear, is the largest manufacturer of occupational work clothing for men and women in the United States and is the benchmark of quality, durability, and selection in industrial uniforms. Located in Nashville, Tennessee Red Kap has fulfilled the occupational apparel needs of the nation since 1923. Today Red Kap uniforms continue to meet the needs of today's industries, with style, comfort, durability, and the largest selection of sizes in the business. Red Kap uniforms is the professional’s choice.

Superior Quality Uniforms

Red Kap provides defect–free work clothing that conforms to our customer’s requirements every time – on time. Comfortable Clothes for Work… Red Kap uniforms are the industry standard for industrial work clothing.