Protection saves lives in the fire industry, but how does this protection happen? We constantly talk about fire resistance and fire-resistant clothing, but how exactly does this fabric defend those who answer the call? With the highest technology available, designers, scientists, and entrepreneurs have evolved firefighting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from treated cotton to some of the most advanced inherently fire-resistant materials imaginable. At CrewBoss, we craft apparel with fabrics such as Nomex, Tecasafe, Advance, and Pioneer to protect all who trust us. Each of these fabrics has a story on how they came to be and has advantages that they bring along to the table. To protect yourself, you should know how your flame-resistant PPE protects you in the first place. Here, we will dive into each of these listed fabrics and discover their origin and why they are all commonly used in the fire service today.
To break it down, all four of these fabrics have a molecular structure that gives them heat resistance to fire. After changing or messing with this formula, you get different results with different effects. Some are more durable. Others will rip less. Others will breathe better, while some will dye different colors easier. Many fire-resistant fabrics are a blend of many different materials. When CrewBoss first began in 1988, we used treated cotton as our primary fabric for fire-resistant clothing. We moved away from this and now only stick to the inherently fire-resistant fabric. Designed fabric made to resist fire as its primary purpose. The best way to choose which fabric to purchase is to focus on your mission's overall needs.
Nomex
DuPont is the sole producer of Nomex, which they first designed and produced in the 1960s. Nomex fabric is fire resistant due to its unique chemical composition made of aramid fibers, which form a barrier against heat and flames, and prevent it from melting or dripping when exposed to high temperatures. It also has a high ignition point, which means it takes a lot of heat to start the fabric burning. Additionally, when it does burn, it creates a char that provides insulation, slowing the spread of flames, providing more time for evacuation or for firefighters to put out the fire.
Nomex is known as a durable fabric that can take on heat. It is less breathable than other fabrics, but its durability makes up for it. A common use for Nomex has been with CrewBoss Wildland coats. We offer several different styles of coats with different features that are all up to NFPA 1977 standards and offer freedom of movement when worn. Here are some examples of some of the features.
A full zippered front with a large interior storage pocket.
An alpine-style collar to make sure it all fits correctly.
A radio pocket with a microphone tab for ease of communication while out in the wilderness.
Full zippered front closure with #10 brass zipper mounted on Nomex tape.
Gusseted cuff with hook and loop closure for adjustment.
Even with all of these abilities, its foundational material is Nomex to keep you safe no matter where the fires take you. Click here to learn more about our Nomex Wildland Coats.
Tecasafe
Made by TenCate, Tecasafe works as a more cost-effective, breathable fabric for PPE. It was the first flame-resistant, multi-norm fabric to use lyocell fiber. The fabric focuses on comfort while still providing excellent durability. Tecasafe comes from more cellulosic material rather than the para- and meta-aramids of Nomex. It is a soft and breathable fabric with great moisture management, and they continue to look excellent even after multiple uses. The scientists at TenCate developed an exceptional blend of fibers that provide Active Moisture Management, which moves moisture away from the wearer while generating an evaporative cooling effect in warmer environments and regulating temperature in cooler climates.
Tecasafe, with Coolderm Technology, is a hypoallergenic textile that’s comfortable and easy to wear. The fabric arrives soft with ergonomic performance, so there’s no break-in period, easy donning and doffing, and no chaffing or irritation during extended wear. The fibers are inherently flame-resistant, so the protection is built-in. It will not wear or wash out after multiple uses. Tecasafe, with Coolderm Technology, is engineered as a more durable and comfortable option to chemically treated wildland fabrics.
One of the popular uses for Tecasafe is the Valor 1975 Short Sleeve Class B Station Wear Shirt. As the most visible part of a uniform, a class B shirt has to be crisp and professional while providing superior protection and functionality.
The CrewBoss Valor certified for class B shirts will not melt or catch fire under turnout gear and lasts substantially longer than traditional cotton station wear.
It is also NFPA 1975 certified, with decorative buttons that maintain a professional look.
The interlined collar still stays firm and crisp even after extended use.
Station wear is integral to any fire outfit, and Tecasafe’s comfortable feel and breathability make it perfect for what station wear needs in a fabric. To learn more about the Valor, click here.
Advance
Also created and distributed by TenCate, Advance fabric takes ripstop properties to the next level. The original thought behind the design was to combine the properties of DuPont's Kevlar and Nomex to create a new and innovative protective material. The result is a ripstop fabric with thermal protection that holds up time after time. The ripstop weave is what makes this all possible. Its durability is outstanding, and firefighters have worn it for almost two decades. While it may not be bulletproof, Advance is about as close as you can get to brush proof. Garments made with Advance are ideal for the roughest terrain and situations where your gear needs to last. Altogether, this has made Advance a popular pick for wildland apparel since it will withstand some of the tougher terrains and environments you may encounter and come across.
In the CrewBoss Wildland Ember line, we offer a pant with Advance fabric.
The pant is certified to NFPA 1977 standards with an elastic band for ultimate freedom and comfort.
It contains two generous rear pockets and a slash pocket on the front for even more room to store supplies.
It contains an extra roomy leg and seat cut with a crotch gusset for extra comfort.
This product sets the bar for top-tiered protection with a unisex fit. Be prepared for the job with these lightweight and durable bottoms, designed to handle anything they encounter. If you want to learn more about how the Ember product line came to be, you can read all about it here.
Pioneer
The Pioneer fabric is the first PPE fabric produced with TenCate’s ENFORCE technology. This innovative process utilizes Kevlar fibers in a double-helix formation to create a virtually impossible-to-rip fabric while still being lightweight and comfortable to wear. The fabric provides a full range of motion. Created originally as an outer shell for turnouts, TenCate's Pioneer is now the toughest material for brush pants. Due to its properties, Pioneer takes on colors and dyes much easier than other fabrics, so you can get it to match whatever uniform style you need while out on the job. Choosing this wonder material means you will no longer have to choose between breathability and protection from abrasion; Pioneer does it all.
The CrewBoss Elite Brush Pant has a Pioneer option that works great for Wildland fire.
These pants are 10% cooler and 30% stronger than their nearest competitor, thanks to the visible lines of black Kevlar running through its weave.
The Pioneer Elite Pant will keep you cool while conquering the roughest terrain season after season.
The pocket designs close as you put on turnout gear, and they’re high enough to keep contents from bumping into knees.
There are stress point bars at 34 locations for maximum durability with an exclusive crotch reinforcement panel.
We designed it to have an internal smartphone pocket inside the BDU pocket.
There are articulated knees for a natural motion with elastic sidebands on the waist that keep you from chafing on the lower back.
All this together, and you have a top-notch pant that will last you for the entire fire season, no matter what brush you encounter. To learn more about the Elite Pioneer Brush Pant, click here.
If you want to learn how to clean and maintain all of these garments, click here for tips and tricks.
CrewBoss offers the best inherently fire-resistant fabrics on the market. Our number one mission is to keep you protected so we only use the best materials to accomplish this. Choosing which fire-resistant clothes you want to use can be difficult, and hopefully, this guide will make your decision easier next time you shop with CrewBoss. Please, don’t hesitate to contact our sales team at CrewBossSales@crewbossppe.com to learn more about which PPE is best for you. There are a lot of great fabrics out there to use, but only you know which is the best one for the mission. Now, you are one step closer to finding that perfect fabric.
