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| The materials provide protection against chemicals, water, heat, fire and mechanical stress |
The IJsselland and North-East Gelderland fire brigades in the Netherlands have opted for the optimal protection of inherently heat- and flame-resistant materials from TenCate Protective Fabrics. The order, which will involve a total of 1,850 uniforms, is the result of two European tenders.
TenCate has developed new protective fabrics that provide permanent protection as well as a high degree of wearing comfort and quality. The company was already the market leader in the US fire-fighting market. Together with its European partners TenCate Protective Fabrics is applying this expertise to raise the protection of fire-fighters in other geographic markets to a higher level. TenCate recently already secured a major order for the Amsterdam-Amstelland fire brigade in the Netherlands. Successes in this market have also recently been achieved outside the Netherlands.
Inherently flame-resistant fabric
The security region of IJsselland in the Netherlands has opted for fire-fighter’s suits from the Dutch clothing manufacturer PWG Bedrijfsveilige Kleding bv. This company will use protective fabric from TenCate Protective Fabrics to produce approximately 1,200 uniforms. A favourable combination of price and performance was the major consideration when awarding this order.
Karin Klein Hesselink, end-use market manager at TenCate Protective Fabrics, explains: “'The TenCate material to be used will mainly be the inherently heat- and flame-resistant fabric Millenia Light(TM), MI 9180, from the TenCate Tecashield® collection. This is the strongest and lightest outer fabric that is available on the market and it offers the greatest protection against heat, fire and mechanical stress. At the same time it provides protection against chemicals and water, thus delivering a unique performance. Fire-fighters who are confronted during their operations with a flash-over continue to enjoy optimal protection. Even when the material is exposed to intense heat and fire, it will not break open. This safe fire-fighting uniform allows the emergency worker to withdraw from such high-risk working conditions.”
Integrated system
The tender from the North-East Gelderland security region in the Netherlands, for the supply of approximately 650 uniforms, was awarded to the Dutch clothing manufacturer ICON Protect bv. Here comfort, the quality and the lifespan costs were the main factors taken into account when awarding the order. When considering the aspect of comfort, it was breathability in particular that was assessed. Breathability is essential for regulating the perspiration that occurs due to intense heat. The integrated system of TenCate Protective Fabrics, with Millenia Light(TM) as outer fabric, notched up a high score on this point. Thanks to its many years of experience in materials technology, TenCate is able - as no other - to combine a range of characteristics so as to provide an integral solution.
Karin Klein Hesselink says about TenCate Tecasystem(TM) Millenia 450: “This system was developed on the basis of cutting-edge technology, for the outer shell and the thermal protective moisture barrier as well as the lining. This also includes the wear-resistant reinforcement inserts for knees and elbows. All this guarantees maximum commitment by fire-fighters. Each component of the system developed by TenCate has specific characteristics to provide optimal thermal protection, moisture regulation, breathability, durability, versatility and ease of maintenance.”
