“You get what you pay for” is a well-worn cliché, but in today’s global economy, it’s truer than ever. You see it in common purchases like electronics – where low-end laptops, tablets and phones may save you a few bucks initially but perform less well and break more easily than pricier alternatives – and across areas like vehicles, food, fashion and home materials.
For buyers who take the lower-priced road, savings may therefore end up being illusory. A purchase that doesn’t do what its purchaser needs may require replacement, supplementing with additional purchases, or fixing the new problems it caused.
The risks to that can be financial – such purchasers may ultimately end up spending more than they would have by investing a little more in something better on the front end – and, in some cases, safety-related. Consider stationwear – the apparel firefighters wear in station and beneath their turnout gear on calls. That can include a shirt (either t-shirt or button-up), uniform pants and station boots.
There are situations where stationwear, along with turnout gear, may need to protect its wearer from burns.
“Structure fires are very unpredictable, and any type of wildland fire is unpredictable, especially if there’s wind involved,” said Bart McCool, a retired Oregon firefighter who now works in end-user business development in the emergency response segment for TenCate Protective Fabrics. “Depending on how the heat and force hit you, I’ve seen people burned just from the screen printing on the t-shirt under their turnouts.
“If you were to wear an athletic shirt that’s made of polyester or nylon or another non-FR blend,” McCool added, “it’s possible you could be in a fire and get burned because your undergarment reached the temperature where it melts.”
This risk is why the National Fire Protection Association developed its NFPA 1975 Standard on Emergency Services Work Apparel. This standard spells out performance requirements for flame-resistant (FR) stationwear. It requires such attire to have a few key qualities, including construction from materials that are resistant to fire and are thermally stable – meaning they won’t continue to burn, melt or drip once the heat source is removed.
As you might suspect, materials matter a lot to this. In the heat of the moment, a firefighter may unintentionally forget to zip or close their turnout jacket all the way. In such an instance, FR garments won’t melt or drip when exposed to extreme heat. It’s this extra layer of protection that can really make the difference on the fireground: Stationwear garments that are flame-resistant (FR) can offer an extra layer of protection to firefighters.
FR PROVIDES VALUE OVER TIME
One thing to consider with flame-resistant materials is their cost – they can be more expensive than non-FR materials. However, inherently flame-resistant materials often provide a better value over time – resisting damage and requiring less-frequent replacement.
“It’s no secret that flame-resistant stationwear costs more than non-FR solutions,” said Karen Sarria, emergency response stationwear global market manager for TenCate. “However, the performance, durability and comfort benefits are real. This initial investment can lead to significant long-term financial and performance benefits for both departments and the firefighters wearing the garments every day.”
In the U.S., all fabrics used in TenCate Protective Fabrics emergency response garments are flame-resistant. Such fabrics also resist fading and benefit from the advanced moisture-management properties of the company’s COOLDERM technology.
The fit and finish of stationwear can be an underappreciated value in fire departments. Well-worn items fading can detract from overall uniform appearance and diminish the appearance of professionalism. TenCate Protective Fabrics’ flame-resistant fabrics incorporate the color at the fiber level, which helps navy and other dark hues stand up to repeated laundering.
“Colors are very important to fire departments,” and some even have their own shades, notes McCool. “Everything is very precise, but with these fabrics, you can keep it matched so everything looks uniform and more professional, and then it’s going to last a lot longer in the field.
“That’s a good investment for taxpayers, but it’s hard to convince people, because fire departments have fixed budgets they can spend for each item, and it’s hard to get past that sometimes.”
COMFORT MATTERS
Beyond safety and durability, comfort is the other big factor that impacts stationwear for firefighters. After all, if their stationwear isn’t comfortable, firefighters might bend the rules and wear something that is – but that’s less protective.
From knits to wovens, TenCate Protective Fabrics’ stationwear fabrics are moisture-wicking, lightweight and breathable.
“If stationwear is breathable and moisture-wicking, they’re more inclined to wear it correctly underneath as that added layer of security,” said Sarria. “Additionally, if the fabric is comfortable, it allows the firefighter to move more freely in high-risk situations and can help them mitigate heat stress.”
It’s an easy advantage to quantify. When factoring cost vs. value, it’s really valuable to keep personnel in the battle and functioning, rather than overheated and sidelined.
Gear that lasts longer can also be more sustainable – replacing the old every few years, rather than annually, can mean less waste in the landfill.
At the level of fire departments procuring stationwear, that’s a nice bonus. The more immediate concern for those decision-makers is getting the most bang for their bucks – apparel that will help keep crews protected and comfortable; stay strong against an unimaginable range of difficult conditions; and last long enough to justify investing in a higher level of protection and durability.
To explore which FR stationwear garments are the right fit for your department, reach out to your distributor and ask about TenCate Protective Fabrics stationwear, or visit TenCate Protective Fabrics to learn more.
