Bristol Uniforms releases new stock styles for structural PPE

by Products

Bristol Uniforms’ new stock styles for structural PPE are proving popular with fire and rescue services around the world, with orders received from Malaysia to Germany to Saudi Arabia, and many customers already putting their new kit through its paces.

Launched at the end of last year, the three stock styles (XFlex, Ergotech Action CEN and Ergotech Action NFPA) are particularly suited to international customers since they adhere to a variety of international standards and offer a cost-effective means of obtaining excellent quality PPE.

As the kit is ready-made, customers benefit from swift delivery times, while each coat can still be personalised by adding a heat-sealed patch to the back. Firefighters at Shannon Airport in Ireland were in need of a PPE upgrade and arranged a competitive tender.

According to Brian Casey, Airport Police & Fire Service Training Manager at the Airport, the XFlex stock kit was the clear frontrunner. He commented, “XFlex is good value and certainly offered the best quality. It was also recommended to me by others in the industry.”

Brian Casey’s team ordered 73 sets of XFlex stock PPE from Fireguard, Bristol Uniforms’ distributor in Eire

Brian Casey’s team ordered 73 sets of XFlex stock PPE from Fireguard, Bristol Uniforms’ distributor in Eire. The new kit was delivered in May. He continues, “The Bristol Uniforms stock kit is by far the best kit we’ve ever had. I can honestly say we’ve had no issues whatsoever with any of the items we received. They fit very well and are comfortable to wear. My crew is really pleased with them.”

Other satisfied customers include Kettershausen Fire Brigade and the Verallia Glass Factory in Germany, who recently received their stock XFlex PPE.

Uwe Raschel is the Owner of Fritz Raschel Feuerschutz GmbH, Bristol Uniforms’ distributor in Germany. He comments, “Both customers are fairly small fire services with a limited number of firefighters. They were impressed by the quality of the kit, but also particularly keen on the swift availability.”

The XFlex design is based on Bristol’s flagship XFlex structural firefighting range, providing excellent range of movement and breathability. It is certified to CEN standard EN469 Level 2.

The two Ergotech Action stock styles have been adapted for different certifying bodies. One adheres to the CEN standard EN469 Level 2, featuring a navy Hainsworth TITAN1220 outer layer and a Gore Crosstech Fireblocker moisture barrier. The second conforms to NFPA 1971:2018 and comes in a Desert Tan color, with box bellow pockets on both the coat and trousers.

Interest in the stock styles continues from all corners of the globe, with orders for Ergotech Action EN469 PPE received from customers in Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong. The Ergotech Action EN469 kit was also recently delivered to Kennelbach, Rothis and Riefensberg fire brigades in Austria, and to the Petronas oil and gas company in Malaysia.

www.bristoluniforms.com/

S-Gard: providing protection for fire and rescue services

by Passive

Current topics are weight reduction, breathability and freedom of movement. Another central topic that has been increasingly brought into focus in recent years is the avoidance of contact with hazardous substances. For example, fire smoke contains carcinogenic toxins such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). But other hazardous substances can also be deposited on clothing. There is an enhanced risk of absorbing the toxins, especially when the operational clothing is taken off. Appropriate operational hygiene is therefore of great importance.

On its YouTube channel S-Gard gives helpful recommendations in a video series. To deepen the knowledge, S-Gard regularly holds seminars on operational hygiene, cleaning and maintenance of protective clothing. S-Gard also has a list of cleaning companies certified specifically for the washing of protective clothing.

Ranger 2.0 – the protective suit for fighting wildfires

S-Gard also has new products available on the market, including Ranger 2.0 – the protective suit for fighting wildfires. During wildland operations, task forces are often exposed to high heat for hours and have to cover long distances on foot. Operational clothing must thus not only protect against heat, it should also be light, breathable and suitable for movement. For such applications S-Gard has developed the Ranger 2.0 protective suit. Jacket and trousers can be coupled with a zipper. In order to save weight, material doublings were dispensed with. Instead, a ceramic coating provides increased protection against abrasion.

S-Gard uses the highly breathable Ecodry from Hainsworth as the outer material. The suit also has ventilation openings on the arm and leg sides. Stretch zones made of elastic Nomex material, pant gusset and stretch pleats at the sleeve base ensure exceptional freedom of movement.

Hero 2.0 – The protective suit from S-GARD has been completely revised

The Hero jacket now features segmented reflective stripes, patch radio pockets and checker plate reinforcements at the elbows, cuffs and flaps. The multi-layer material is absolutely heat-resistant and very durable. S-Gard uses the highly breathable Gore-Tex Airlock membrane as a moisture barrier.

Its highlight: small silicone buffers provide space between the membrane and the outer fabric. This improves insulation in extreme situations, and the layer structure is also more flexible and less bulky. The three-dimensional special fabric DR3Lite is used for the lining.

www.s-gard.de

Kent FRS and Bristol Uniforms partner up to deliver PPE Framework benefits

by Breaking NewsProjects

Thirty-three Fire and Rescue Services (FRS), comprising over 33,500 firefighters, are now benefiting from the Local Authority Collaborative PPE Framework. Launched three years ago in June 2017, the Framework gives UK FRSs access to high quality PPE ensembles and volume discounts through a streamlined procurement process. The Framework was set up in response to calls from government and the industry for FRSs to work together to share best practice and deliver efficiencies.

It is run by Kent FRS, with PPE supplied by Bristol Uniforms, who was selected as the preferred supplier following a rigorous two-year tender process. Signing up via a purchase only or fully managed service contract, FRSs continue to reap the benefits of the Framework, which guarantees quality PPE that has been independently evaluated and tested, and can save considerable time and costs.

Utilising the latest technology

So far this year through the Framework, Bristol has delivered new PPE to seven FRSs, including Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service who opted for a Fully Managed Services Contract. Despite the Coronavirus pandemic, they were measured and received their kit on 1 June.

The safety of our firefighters is of the utmost importance to us here in Oxfordshire”

Chief Fire Officer Rob MacDougall said: “Bristol Uniforms uses the latest technology in firefighter clothing, and they design PPE to provide fire crews with the very best protection. The safety of our firefighters is of the utmost importance to us here in Oxfordshire. The kit is lighter in weight, breathable and offers more support for the wearer and we are proud to know we are now one of many fire and rescue services in the country to utilise this latest technology in protective clothing for our staff. Thank you to Bristol Uniforms for providing us with a first-class service.”

Fire And Rescue Service

Chris Colgan, Director of Operations at Kent Fire and Rescue Service, and Chair of the NFCC PPE/Clothing Committee, said: “The National Collaborative PPE Framework is the first of its kind for the fire and rescue service, enabling borderless provision of standardised critical kit.”

“So far, working with the team at Bristol Uniforms, we have made significant progress in demonstrating that the sector can work as one customer. However, more can be done. The pandemic has shown us that it is not an impossible target to expect all FRS to sign up to national arrangements delivered through the National Fire Commercial Transformation Programme and we are committed to continuing to build on the success of this arrangement.”

Working partnership

The selected styles combine innovative and ergonomic designs with the use of high-performance fabrics and fibres. 

“Bristol Uniforms has done a sterling job ensuring service continuity for all FRS throughout the disruptions caused by COVID-19, working closely with the contract management team at Kent FRS on behalf of the Sector. This has been one of the greatest tests of strategic relationship and service management and I am incredibly pleased that the result has been a real proof of concept.”

Roger Startin, Joint Managing Director at Bristol Uniforms said: “The demand for our cutting-edge PPE through the Collaborative Framework has been unprecedented as FRSs learn about the benefits of joint working. The Framework has significantly improved and simplified the procurement process and despite very challenging circumstances, we continue to size firefighters for their new kit, manufacture and deliver it on time and to budget.”

High-Performance Fabrics

PPE supplied by Bristol Uniforms within the Framework includes Full Structural Ensemble, a Layered Jacket, Rescue Jacket and USAR Ensemble. The selected styles combine innovative and ergonomic designs with the use of high-performance fabrics and fibres, offering maximum comfort, manoeuvrability and protection.