The Riot Collection is tailored to provide protection in each layer of clothing, from first layer to outer layer, so that they work together to meet varying weather, activities and operational challenges. The garments incorporate the inherent flame-retardance and heat-resistance that comes with PYRAD® technology.

A new PYRAD® Duty Uniform by GORE-TEX LABS combines lightweight, highly breathable comfort with flame retardance. The riot suit has very low water pick up, with fast redry for everyday comfort.  

 The GORE-TEX PYRAD® Riot Suit is lightweight, abrasion resistant, waterproof, breathable and comfortable while still protecting the wearer from liquids, common chemicals, heat and flash fire.  

Insulated versions offered from different laminates for the Riot Suit are ideal for officers for use in colder months. They can be designed using body mapping that ensures the insulation is only added where needed, reducing unnecessary bulk and improving freedom of movement. 

The unique flame-retardant GORE-TEX Stretch technology offers additional freedom of movement, not only, but especially in combination with protective vests. 

The GORE-TEX Professional product collection with flame-retardant protection solutions makes the job easier as it is lighter, softer and more comfortable than conventional clothing. With high levels of comfort and protection, officers will not be hampered by becoming too wet, too cold or too warm and can better concentrate in the task in hand.  

Katja Christof, Product Specialist at GORE-TEX Professional, said: “We are continuously innovating to expand and enhance the choice of high-performance protective clothing solutions available to police forces.  The GORE-TEX Professional Riot Product Collection delivers critical protection for officers and offer much greater flexibility to forces so that they can procure garments that are designed to meet their own specific operational needs. This will result in improved comfort and protection for officers, helping them to better perform their day-to-day duties and deal more effectively with the challenges of modern-day policing.”  

All the materials in the PYRAD® range are highly durable and designed to withstand the rigours of operational deployment in challenging environments with high abrasion resistance. They are available in a wide range of colours to suit the different corporate identity needs of police forces. 

Gore revolutionized the outerwear industry with waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX Fabric more than 40 years ago and remains a leading innovator of performance apparel. Gore fabrics products provide comfort and protection in challenging environments and in everyday life, enabling wearers to safely and confidently achieve and experience more. From hiking in downpours to defense operations and fighting fires, Gore’s deep understanding of consumer and industry needs drives development of products with meaningful performance advantages. gore-tex.com and goretexprofessional.com

Paul Jennewein, product specialist at GORE-TEX Professional for flame-retardant military clothing, explains: "The PYRAD® product technology takes soldiers' equipment to a new level. It offers critical protection against sudden flames whilst also providing a high level of comfort and freedom of movement, thanks to the lightweight fabric." 

Durable heat and flame barrier with and without membrane  

PYRAD® product technology is used for combat suits either without a membrane or with a GORE-TEX® membrane, depending on the situation and weather conditions. PYRAD® technology by GORE-TEX LABS provides effective protection against sudden heat and open flames - and combined with an integrated GORE-TEX membrane, also protects against common chemicals, common fuels such as gasoline and diesel, most diluted acids and alkalis. 

Combat suits with PYRAD® textile technology without a membrane are ideal for operations in warm areas. Soldiers then only need one combat suit with integrated flame protection. They are also suitable as a battle dress uniform (BDU), especially for physically demanding activities: the uniform contains only one textile layer and can therefore also be worn comfortably under a combat suit. 

PYRAD® technology from GORE-TEX LABS in a fitness-for-use test 

Gore had the "fitness for use" and operational suitability of the PYRAD® product technology simulated in a test emergency scenario. Both types of combat suits underwent tests which were conducted in a strictly controlled environment and with safety as a top priority:

Accident during refueling of military vehicles or aircraft 
Under combat conditions when refueling military vehicles and aircraft, fuel can get onto soldiers' clothing and ignite through contact with an ignition source such as open fire, sparks or extremely hot surfaces. In the test, a GORE-TEX PYRAD® Defence FR rain suit was sprayed with a diesel-petrol mixture and ignited by a small gas deflagration. 

Heat and flames from improvised explosive devices 
Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are a threat to soldiers on missions around the world. In the test a PYRAD® combat garment by GORE-TEX LABS was confronted with two large gas explosions, a continuously burning gas flame as a heat source and lycopodium used as an additional fire effect in the background. 

"The tests under real conditions have impressively shown that the PYRAD® technology delivers what it promises: our technology protects emergency personnel who stand up for our society - under the toughest conditions," Paul Jennewein, product specialist at GORE-TEX Professional for military clothing, evaluates the fitness-for-use tests.  

Gore revolutionized the outerwear industry with waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX Fabric more than 40 years ago and remains a leading innovator of performance apparel. Gore fabrics products provide comfort and protection in challenging environments and in everyday life, enabling wearers to safely and confidently achieve and experience more. From hiking in downpours to defense operations and fighting fires, Gore’s deep understanding of consumer and industry needs drives development of products with meaningful performance advantages. gore-tex.com and goretexprofessional.com

Protection against overheating and improved freedom of movement are at the top of soldiers' wish lists for operational clothing. This has been substantiated  by numerous surveys conducted by Gore amongst members of various military units. With GORE-TEX Stretch product technology, Gore offers a milestone for more comfort and protection: the material consists of elastic components between a membrane and robust polyamide outer fabric. The innovative material offers up to 20 percent elasticity, ideal for clothing with close-fitting cuts. The tighter fit reduces air pockets between the body and clothing. Breathability is up to 25 percent better compared to previous military clothing. In addition to significantly improved temperature regulation, the material is more comfortable to wear and can be easily combined with other layers of clothing without restricting freedom of movement. The GORE-TEX Stretch product technology is also permanently waterproof and windproof.

Put to the test: fitness-for-use test in snow, rain, and wind

How does the material perform when it counts? Two former special forces soldiers tested the GORE-TEX Stretch Defense rain suit on a parcours and in a two-day simulated reconnaissance mission in the mountains in the most adverse weather conditions of -5 to -1 degrees Celsius.  
The soldiers tested the flexibility of the GORE-TEX Stretch rain suit in terrain with slopes, thickets, and wet snow. The test showed that the protective clothing made progress in the mountains, sometimes climbing and crawling, considerably easier. During  physical exertion, the material regulates the body temperature. The test proved that the material could be worn for a long time - a big plus in situations where it is not possible to change clothes.

Oliver Opitz, Product Specialist at GORE-TEX Professional for Armed Forces, emphasizes: "In this fitness-for-use test, GORE-TEX Stretch technology showed what it's made of - protection and comfort in extreme weather conditions paired with maximum freedom of movement. Our test subjects were very impressed, which is in line with the feedback from many special forces to date."

Gore revolutionized the outerwear industry with waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX Fabric more than 40 years ago and remains a leading innovator of performance apparel. Gore fabrics products provide comfort and protection in challenging environments and in everyday life, enabling wearers to safely and confidently achieve and experience more. From hiking in downpours to defense operations and fighting fires, Gore’s deep understanding of consumer and industry needs drives development of products with meaningful performance advantages. gore-tex.com and goretexprofessional.com

The challenge: Military forces need robust, waterproof, and breathable footwear that reliably protects them during dangerous missions in all weather conditions and over varying terrains. Conventional military combat boots tend to be heavy and not very comfortable. Moreover, with increasing product life, the water-repellent impregnation wears off over time: the upper material becomes heavier and heavier the longer the boots are exposed to wetness. It often takes many hours to dry them out again after use. If the boots have to be worn again whilst wet, this can draw heat from the body - resulting in cold feet.

It is light, stays light and dries quickly

EXTRAGUARD uppers set a new standard for combat boots: when dry, they are 40 percent lighter than dry leather of the same thickness. Because EXTRAGUARD uppers absorb less moisture from the outside, they remain lightweight and dry significantly faster even in prolonged wet conditions. In addition, EXTRAGUARD uppers are flame retardant.

Combination of EXTRAGUARD upper and GORE-TEX Bootie 
The EXTRAGUARD upper reveals its full benefits when in combination with the GORE-SEAM® Tape and the GORE-TEX bootie. The EXTRAGUARD upper itself consists of three layers: a highly abrasion-resistant and flame-retardant outer protective layer, a functional layer for physical protection, and a construction inner layer with low water absorption. During the manufacture of GORE-TEX combat boots, it is sealed with GORE-SEAM® Tape so that moisture cannot penetrate through the seams. The upper is integrated into the boot with the GORE-TEX Bootie inside, which is waterproof and breathable. The GORE-TEX Bootie construction ensures that the boot is permanently waterproof, even if the water-repellent impregnation has worn off or the upper material is damaged.

Comfortable fit, easy cleaning, robust protection

In the field, the GORE-TEX combat boots prove themselves from the first minute: they are comfortable from the start, do not need to be broken in and remain dimensionally stable. The robustness offers reliable protection against sharp objects, common chemicals, and moisture. Care is simple, they can simply be sprayed clean with water. Specific care products are not necessary. Even after months of wear in wet environments, they remain permanently waterproof and breathable, not only meeting but exceeding the required values according to EN ISO 20345/347.

Result of years of research

"EXTRAGUARD upper technology is the result of years of research and close collaboration with defense forces around the world" explains Martin Pfister, Product Specialist Defense Footwear at GORE-TEX Professional. "Initial feedback from military field tests in a variety of challenging terrains confirm our lab results in the real world."

Gore revolutionized the outerwear industry with waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX Fabric more than 40 years ago and remains a leading innovator of performance apparel. Gore fabrics products provide comfort and protection in challenging environments and in everyday life, enabling wearers to safely and confidently achieve and experience more. From hiking in downpours to defense operations and fighting fires, Gore’s deep understanding of consumer and industry needs drives development of products with meaningful performance advantages. gore-tex.com and goretexprofessional.com

In Iceland, volcano eruptions are more commonplace as the last one erupted just a few months ago. While these spectacular eruptions are a marvel to view the power of nature in action, the dangerous conditions created by these eruptions put first responders and others at risk of injury. Working in these and other extreme conditions, the Icelandic search and rescue force ICE-SAR is protected by GORE-TEX product technology and always ready to step in and do what is necessary to protect people. Watch the work of ICE-SAR captured through the lens of Siggi.

The local ICE-SAR team in Grindavík, close to an active volcano site, is busy night and day. With the help from teams all over Iceland, they respond to callouts in the area, undergoing rigorous search and rescue missions alongside other challenging tasks in the uncertain first few weeks of an eruption. These members of the Grindavík team are on a regular patrolling mission in the first days of the eruption.

Thousands of ill-equipped and inexperienced people hike into volcano eruption areas on a daily basis. Icelandic ICE-SAR teams respond to what can be multiple callouts a day, from sprained ankles to heart attacks and everything in between, the teams must face hazardous conditions to rescue these people. To this day there are ongoing, regular callouts, accidents, and missing people in the eruption area as the volcano keeps going and shows no sign of stopping. These heroes need equipment that compromises on neither comfort nor safety, which is why they don themselves in GORE-TEX product technologies, keeping those who keep us safe, safe.

During the first days of an eruption, there is usually a lot of uncertainty. With new craters opening up regularly and poisonous gas coming up and settling in the valleys and around the volcano, ICE-SAR's role is, amongst other things, to measure and monitor gas pollution and inform & educate the thousands of people hiking into the area every day.

The EXTRAGUARD upper technology consists of three layers: The outer layer is highly abrasion-resistant and robust, the functional second layer, is variable in thickness and is designed to protect the foot from impact and shock. The third, innovative construction inner layer can be sealed on the back with GORE® Seam Tape - which prevents moisture from penetrating the upper from the outside via the seams.

"Our upper innovation will benefit workers in construction and demolition, railroads, utilities or agriculture, as well as power and water utility workers, who want to rely on rugged, durable protective, yet lightweight and comfortable safety footwear for heavy and medium-duty jobs," explains Helmut Klug, Footwear Product Specialist at GORE-TEX Professional. "EXTRAGUARD upper technology is designed for the toughest working conditions and provides rugged and comfortable protection even after months of use or continuous exposure to demanding, wet working conditions."

Safety footwear remain durably dry and light

The upper material is 40 percent lighter than leather when dry - and remains permanently light even in wet conditions: it absorbs hardly any moisture from the outside even after prolonged use or if the water-repellent impregnation is lost, and thus changes its weight insignificantly. The 3-layer construction ensures that GORE-TEX safety footwear with EXTRAGUARD upper material construction remains lightweight even during heavy use in rain or snow, as well as protecting against sharp and falling objects, heat, and abrasion. Moisture from the outside penetrates to a maximum of the innovative construction inner layer and is kept out by it. Therefore, moisture does not form between the upper material and the interior waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX technology (bootie construction). This reduces potential heat loss and prevents cold bridges.

Fast re-drying, easy cleaning

Conventional uppers for safety footwear become soaked in a damp environment once the impregnation has been lost. This makes them heavy. Thanks to the low absorption of moisture in the upper material, the re-drying time of GORE-TEX EXTRAGUARD safety footwear is much faster compared to safety footwear made with conventional uppers. A GORE-TEX safety footwear with EXTRAGUARD technology does not need to be broken in; it fits comfortably right from the start. Even after extensive wear, no annoying wrinkles form. The color and shape remain unchanged. For care and cleaning, spraying with water is sufficient and specific care products are not necessary.

"By combining durable low weight, low water absorption and fast re-drying time in a robust three-layer upper technology, EXTRAGUARD footwear offers the highest level of comfort and protection," concludes Klug.

New standards also in terms of sustainability

EXTRAGUARD stands for a new generation of upper technologies for safety footwear that also sets new standards in terms of sustainability: Less chemicals and less water are used in the production of EXTRAGUARD upper technology compared to conventional uppers. CO2 emissions are significantly reduced. The face material is manufactured without chrome and supplied in consistent quality on rolls - this also significantly minimizes material consumption. Finally, the durability of EXTRAGUARD face material technology also contributes to a better eco-balance.

First styles and collections at A+A 2023

At A+A 2023 in Düsseldorf, Gore and the following 11 Gore footwear partners will present the firstcommercial styles of GORE-TEX safety footwear with the new EXTRAGUARD upper technology: Atlas, Elten, Fal, Grisport, Haix, Obuv, Robusta, Solid Gear, Steitz Secura, TS Corporation, Unikhan and Upower. This great response from well-known manufacturers illustrates the need in the market for safety footwear that is robust, waterproof  and at the same time permanently lightweight and comfortable.

Gore revolutionized the outerwear industry with waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX Fabric more than 40 years ago and remains a leading innovator of performance apparel. Gore fabrics products provide comfort and protection in challenging environments and in everyday life, enabling wearers to safely and confidently achieve and experience more. From hiking in downpours to defense operations and fighting fires, Gore’s deep understanding of consumer and industry needs drives development of products with meaningful performance advantages. gore-tex.com and goretexprofessional.com

GORE-TEX EXTRAGUARD Safety Footwear - Is light and stays light!

Working closely with manufacturers and users of protective workwear, GORE-TEX Professional (Gore) has deep insights into the needs of wearers. Now, the functional apparel specialist has combined its expertise in workwear design trends with innovative PYRAD® technology. It protects industrial workers and people in the energy supply industry from the thermal hazards of electrical arcing, flames, and heat

High-tech safety materials ensure that electrical engineers and industrial workers can rely on their personal protective equipment (PPE). But time and again PPE is perceived as complicated, often heavy, and uncomfortable. This can lead to it not being worn, or not being worn correctly and as a result the protective function is also impaired.

Consulting starts with design and cut

With its design ideas, GORE-TEX Professional inspires the industry and supports PPE manufacturers in implementing state-of-the-art protective clothing. Because design and cut are becoming increasingly important for wearer acceptance.

Up-to-date design, ergonomic cut, well thought-out details, and lightweight high-tech materials that are pleasant to the touch ensure that PYRAD® jackets and trousers garments provide optimum protection and are extremely comfortable to wear. The more comfortable people feel in their PPE, the more focused their performance is at work. Only when worn correctly does it protect the user and the environment.

What wearers want - modern, lightweight PPE

From wearer trials, testing and feedback discussions, it is clear that wearer comfort and modern design is a key demand for end users and procurers. Workers want to wear modern and comfortable safety clothing in a professional environment, in the same way they wear functional and contemporary garments for sports and leisure.

What already exists in the workwear sector is now also possible for highly functional PPE. Gore has developed ideas that combine material science, technological knowledge, and design for high-performance PYRAD® protective workwear, illustrating what modern PPE can look like today.

Protective clothing with GORE-TEX PYRAD® product technology is durably waterproof and windproof, at the same time breathable and up to 45% lighter than conventional PPE within the same protection class. The garment can be combined as needed: offered with a 2-layer laminate in the form of lightweight, quick-drying rainwear for indoors and outdoors, or with a 3-layer laminate for extreme weather situations. Comfort Mapping -  (this considers the distribution of heat and moisture production in various parts of the body and uses contrasting textile materials for different parts of the garment) - prevents overheating on warm days or during heavy work. Assorted colour combinations, such as high visibility with solid colours, are also available. The arc rated protective clothing also integrates design elements from outdoor sports such as body-hugging cuts, ergonomically shaped sleeves, smart pocket solutions and detachable hoods.

Interview with GORE-TEX Professional designer Reza Jamshidi-Azad

How did you go about identifying these trends for PYRAD® protective workwear?

We talked to users of workwear and protective clothing about comfort, function, materials, and product details - and had them explain to us what their job looks like and what their needs are. At the same time, we keep a close eye on what is happening in fashion and sports.

Which professional groups are addressed by the different design trends?

Basically, all occupational groups that need PPE can avail themselves of all trends with the appropriate elements.

Why is it increasingly important that PPE not only protects, but is also stylish?

People love stories. And storytelling is also increasingly happening through clothing. It is a way of expressing pride in belonging to a particular company. What brands are in fashion, the factors of fit and design are in workwear. Ultimately, this is exactly what affects how PPE works: If it is comfortable and pleasing, the PPE will be worn gladly, continuously, and correctly - and can fully fulfill its protective function.

PYRAD® Technology at a glance

·         innovative by physical effect: PYRAD® fabric technology, together with the outer fabric, forms a stable, gap-free char layer in the event of an arc fault or high heat and flame, effectively inhibiting heat flow while maintaining mechanical integrity.

·         light and flexible, pleasant to the touch

·         inherently and permanently arc, heat and flame resistan

·         waterproof (only GORE-TEX PYRAD® protective clothing), windproof, breathable

·         can be combined with different textiles like nylon or polyester

For outdoor use in the rain: GORE-TEX PYRAD® Protective Clothing

GORE-TEX PYRAD® garments with arc flash protection are durably waterproof. It remains relatively lightweight even in the rain and ensures consistent comfort. The protective clothing is up to 45% lighter than comparable flame-retardant, waterproof textiles when wet and dry, making it much more comfortable to wear, which increases wearer acceptance.

For outdoor and indoor work on warm, dry days: PYRAD® by GORE-TEX LABS

Protective clothing with PYRAD® by GORE-TEX LABS technology is up to 50% lighter than comparable textiles with arc flash protection, offering noticeably more freedom of movement without compromising protection. The single-layer, windproof and breathable fabric is also comfortable to wear all day in dry working conditions and moderate temperatures, as body heat does not accumulate even during physical activity.

GORE-TEX PYRAD® as well as PYRAD® by GORE-TEX LABS protective clothing with arc flash protection Class 2 is certified for a number of European standards, first and foremost EN-61482-1-2 protective clothing for live working with thermal hazards caused by electric arcs. In addition, it meets other standards for protection against heat and flame, protection during welding and related processes, high-visibility warning clothing, protection against liquid chemicals, electrostatic properties and, last but not least, durability against washing cycles.

Gore revolutionised the apparel industry 40 years ago with its waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX fabric and remains a leading innovator in performance apparel. Gore products offer comfort and protection in harsh environments and in everyday life, so that wearers can achieve and experience more and more safely and with full confidence. From hiking in the pouring rain to military operations and firefighting, Gore's deep understanding of consumer and industry needs drives the development of products with significant performance benefits. www.goretexprofessional.com/uk

“The high breathability of PYRAD® switch suits is important for thermal regulation because end users are often working in arc flash risk areas indoors and in confined spaces. This means wearers no longer have to compromise between breathable comfort and reliable safety protection”, says Miguel Calixto, Arc/FR  Workwear product specialist at GORE-TEX Professional.

Switching suits, made up of bib trousers, jacket and full (bee-keeper style) hood are worn together when there is any risk of an arc flash incidents: IEC 61482-1-2 Class 2 and IEC 61482-1-1 APTV ≥40cal/cm².

Until now, typical Class 2/ 40 cal garments that are required to protect workers against the thermal hazards of electrical arc flashes with high incident energy risk exposures have been made from multi-ply fabric systems resulting in them being bulky, restricting movement, heavy and uncomfortable to wear. 

Science & technology behind new PYRAD® switch suits by GORE-TEX LABS

Gore’s research and development team have combined 4 functional components into a durable single-ply material that interact with each other. The fabric weighs in ≤330 g/m² which means it is up to 20% lighter than other products currently available in the market. It consists of a nylon outer shell, PYRAD® fabric technology by GORE-TEX LABS, an advanced membrane, and a flame-resistant backer.

Nylon outer shell: this fabric can be dyed into a number of different colour fast shades, has tensile strength and offers excellent abrasion and wear resistance.

PYRAD® Fabric Technology: this adds durable heat, flame, and arc resistant protective properties to the nylon outer shell. The flame-resistant protection from PYRAD® fabric technology is not a chemical treatment or coating. It is inherent to the fabric and as a result it is durable for the life of the product and doesn’t wear off over time. It is made up of countless dots which rapidly react to heat during an arc flash exposure, even before the outer shell has chance to burn.  The reaction of the dots causes them to expand by more than 10x larger than their original size and form a stable insulating protective shell of carbonaceous char. This blocks the transfer of heat to skin and stops flame propagation.

Membrane: an extremely light weight and wafer-thin membrane which provides highly breathable and thermally stable properties for strength, flexibility, and mechanical integrity.

Flame resistant backer: this component further reduces the transfer of heat to the wearer. Miniscule air pockets caught between the Gore membrane and this backer expand instantly on contact with heat to form an additional layer of protection.

Key Benefits and Features

When compared to multi-layer switching suits, the benefits of Arc Rated PYRAD® switch suits by GORE-TEX LABS made from the single-ply fabric technology include:

• Reduced bulk and high freedom of movement meaning less muscle fatigue,
• A unique combination of the lightest weight fabric with Class 2/ 40 cal arc protection,
• Breathable garments so wearer feel more thermally comfortable.

Extensive tests have proven that during arc flash exposure the laminate provides best-in-class mechanical integrity:

• Blocks convective and radiant heat,
• Stops flame propagation,
• Forms a carbonaceous char meaning, the laminate keeps its physical integrity and will not flake or disintegrate, and no holes are formed.

EU Multi norm compliance of the Arc Rated PYRAD® switch suits by GORE-TEX LABS includes:

• Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an electric arc, IEC 61482-1-2 Box test Class 2 (7 kA) and IEC 61482-1-1, Open-air arc test ATPV ≥ 40 cal/cm²
• Protective clothing against heat and flame, EN ISO 11612  A1, A2, B1, C1, D2, E1, F1
•  Protective clothing for use in welding and allied processes,
• EN ISO 11611 Class 1 A1+A2
• Electrostatic dissipative protective clothing, EN 1149-3/-5
• Protective clothing against liquid chemicals, EN 13034 Type 6
• OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 Certification

Following the trade launch of New PYRAD® Switch Suit by GORE-TEX at A+A 2023, garments utilising this new technology should be available from Gore’s licenced manufacturing brand partners in the course of 2024. 

Gore revolutionized the outerwear industry with waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX Fabric more than 40 years ago and remains a leading innovator of performance apparel. Gore fabrics products provide comfort and protection in challenging environments and in everyday life, enabling wearers to safely and confidently achieve and experience more. From hiking in downpours to defense operations and fighting fires, Gore’s deep understanding of consumer and industry needs drives development of products with meaningful performance advantages. gore-tex.com and goretexprofessional.com

The speed and strength of wind has a great influence on how cool a worker feels during outdoor work or operations. Personal protective clothing with PYRAD® WINDSTOPPER® technology by GORE-TEX LABS technology offers the lightest weight Class 2 arc protection for cold and windy conditions. It is totally windproof and thus protects against unpleasant cooling caused by wind chill. In addition, it provides maximum breathability for improved wearing comfort in windy weather. The laminate's lightweight construction facilitates freedom of movement for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) wearers, ideal for physically demanding jobs that require dexterity and flexibility. "PYRAD® WINDSTOPPER® technology by GORE-TEX LABS provides the most consistently warm Class 2 arc protection for cold, windy and moderately rainy weather conditions - without compromising weight or breathability", summarises Miguel Calixto, FR/ARC Multinorm Workwear Product Specialist at GORE-TEX Professional.

The PYRAD® WINDSTOPPER® laminate technology by GORE-TEX LABS consists of 3 layers - a water-repellent face fabric for protection against moderate rain, a special membrane that completely blocks wind while incorporating protective PYRAD® technology, and a soft backer for balanced thermal comfort protection. PYRAD® WINDSTOPPER® technology by GORE-TEX LABS is versatile and suitable for a variety of garment types including jackets, trousers, and coveralls.

PYRAD® technology: real-time protection through stable char layer

The PYRAD® product technology is based on a physical effect: it consists of countless small reactive dots homogeneously distributed over the fabric. When the fabric is strongly heated by a sudden flame or arc flash exposure, the dots react and expand by more than 10 times their original size to form a stable, gapless carbon layer that effectively inhibits heat flowing through the fabric. The result: no holes in the textile, no burning of clothing worn underneath, no burns on the skin even when exposed to the strongest heat.

Proven protection and comfort

PYRAD® WINDSTOPPER® technology by GORE-TEX LABS has been tested to IEC 61482-1-2 (Arc Rating Class 2) and IEC 61482-1-1 with an ELIM (Incident Energy Limit) value of ≥40 cal/cm² and an ATPV value (Arc Thermal Performance Value) of ≥45 cal/cm².  This ensures reliable and constant arc fault protection.  In addition, the innovative technology combination also meets EN ISO 11612 standards (ISO 11612 Class A1, A2, B1, C1, D1, E1, F1) for flame retardancy and EN 13034 for protection against liquid chemicals. It is EN ISO 11611 compliant and provides protection against sparks and metal particles during welding. The laminate of PYRAD® WINDSTOPPER® Technology by GORE-TEX LABS also has antistatic properties according to EN ISO 1149 3/5 and is available in high-visibility colors (Hi Vis Yellow and Orange) that comply with EN ISO 20471. The excellent breathability of the technology is certified by EN ISO 11092.

Sustainable manufacturing and material selection

The PYRAD® WINDSTOPPER® technology by GORE-TEX LABS is manufactured using PFC-free DWR (durable water repellency). Thanks to the use of 100% recycled polyester in the outer fabric plus a liner made from a carefully selected blend of fibres, the technology has a low environmental footprint (as measured by the MSI Higgs Index). It also complies with OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 and California's Prop 65.

Gore revolutionised the outerwear industry with waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX Fabric more than 40 years ago and remains a leading innovator of performance apparel. Gore fabrics products provide comfort and protection in challenging environments and in everyday life, enabling wearers to safely and confidently achieve and experience more. From hiking in downpours to defense operations and fighting fires, Gore’s deep understanding of consumer and industry needs drives development of products with meaningful performance advantages. gore-tex.com and goretexprofessional.com

The PYRAD® Technology by GORE-TEX LABS laminate combines three components in a single-ply fabric. Each component  is an integral part of the fabric structure: the 100% recycled polyester face fabric, a special ePTFE membrane which, for the first time, has the protective PYRAD® technology integrated onto both sides of this membrane, and a backer which is partly made from recycled content. This new application of PYRAD® technology onto both sides of the special ePTFE membrane has enabled Gore to use new sustainable textile components for the face and backer fabric to reduce the overall weight (280g/m²) and improve the suppleness of the fabric. “This unique construction of PYRAD® Technology by GORE-TEX LABS allows for an extremely lightweight and comfortable, yet durable and highly functional garment design with the highest level of arc flash protection" explains Miguel Calixto, FR/ARC Multinorm Workwear Product Specialist at GORE-TEX Professional.  With a water vapor transmission resistance (Ret value) of less than 13m² Pa/W, the new generation of technology features high breathability, resulting in less body heat accumulation - and providing a comfortable thermal wearing experience, especially during physical work.

"The new laminate's Class 2 arc protection rating gives engineers and workers in the industrial and electric utility sectors assurance that they are not only optimally protected from possible arc faults but are also completely comfortable. With this knowledge, they can fully concentrate on their important tasks," says Miguel Calixto. PYRAD® technology by GORE-TEX LABS can be used to manufacture lightweight arc flash PPE for everyday use that is just as comfortable to wear indoors as it is outdoors on warm dry days. 

Low environmental footprint due to sustainable material selection and production

The technology also scores in terms of sustainability: PYRAD® technology by GORE-TEX LABS is manufactured using non-fluorinated treatments. The 100% recycled polyester outer face fabric ensures its low ecological footprint (measured by the MSI Higgs Index), and the innovative technology also complies with the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. In addition, the backer is also constructed using partly recycled content.

PYRAD® technology: real-time protection through stable char layer

The PYRAD® product technology is based on a physical effect: it consists of countless small reactive dots homogeneously distributed over the membrane. When the dots are strongly heated by a sudden flame or arc disturbance, they react and expand by more than 10 times their original size to form a stable, gapless carbon layer that effectively inhibits heat flow. The result: no burns on the skin, no burning of clothing worn underneath, no holes in the textile even when exposed to the strongest heat.

Maximum safety through comprehensive protection

PYRAD® technology by GORE-TEX LABS has undergone rigorous testing in the GORE-TEX Professionals laboratories and meets the requirements of arc protection class 2 according to the European standard (IEC 61482-1-2 (Box test class 2), IEC 61482-1-1 (Arc rating ATPV ≥ 35 cal/cm²; ELIM ≥ 30 cal/cm²). In addition to arc protection, the new technology offers heat and flame protection (ISO 11612 class A1, A2, B1, C1, D1, E1, F1), antistatic properties (EN 1149-3/-5), protection against chemicals (EN 13034 type 6) and welding protection (EN ISO 116111 class 1 A1+A2 compliant).

Following the trade launch of PYRAD® Technology by GORE-TEX LABS at A+A 2023, garments utilising this new technology should be available from Gore’s licenced manufacturing brand partners in the course of 2024.   

Gore revolutionized the outerwear industry with waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX Fabric more than 40 years ago and remains a leading innovator of performance apparel. Gore fabrics products provide comfort and protection in challenging environments and in everyday life, enabling wearers to safely and confidently achieve and experience more. From hiking in downpours to defense operations and fighting fires, Gore’s deep understanding of consumer and industry needs drives development of products with meaningful performance advantages. gore-tex.com and goretexprofessional.com

The innovative EXTRAGUARD upper material is incorporated into GORE-TEX safety footwear, making it robust, waterproof and at the same time permanently lightweight - even in extreme weather conditions. Compared to leather, the material enables a wide range of design options because it can be processed differently - the best prerequisites for the 'EXTRAGUARD and AI' project.

"We see ourselves as an incubator of ideas, want to inspire our customers and open up new horizons for them as well as for us. This also includes thinking differently about shoe design with the support of AI," explains Leonhard Schlichting, Business Leader Workwear at GORE-TEX Professional. "But one thing is clear: AI can be used to quickly visualize footwear designs, but whether they can actually be realized still requires technical expertise from Gore and the customer."

The starting point for the AI experiment was a selection of keywords that were refined during the AI process, and from these, individual AI design variants were subsequently created. "In total, we developed four EXTRAGUARD categories with style variants, all in the safety footwear segment. Chelsea boots, rigger boots, athletic safety shoes and rubber boots - instead of rubber, with EXTRAGUARD material," says Cornelius Waiblinger, Managing Director at AI Alanis.

"There is already a lot of interest from customers in what the design of safety footwear with AI could look like. With this project, we want to initiate discussions for new GORE-TEX EXTRAGUARD styles and are already looking forward to the exchange with our customers," explains David Bastias, responsible for strategic marketing footwear at GORE-TEX Professional.

New arc rated GORE-TEX PYRAD® stretch technology is the result of intensive research and development. It combines GORE-TEX Professional’s (Gore) proprietary technologies with different engineering techniques: the resulting arc rated Class 2 fabric technology has a unique stretch attribute which provides electrical workers with an extremely comfortable, easy to wear and lightweight solution to arc rated foul weather protection.

This multi-norm compliance fabric technology stands far above other existing arc rated hardshell rainwear solutions, as typically norm compliant PPE for electrical workers is heavy and bulky, restricts freedom of movement and absorbs water. This new fabric technology is remarkably different because it has 50% more stretch than other existing products available. It is waterproof, lightweight, flexible, and noticeably soft and comfortable to wear. Unlike other fabrics which serve this industry to protect workers against the risk of an accidental arc, it is also remarkably quieter when worn.

Arc Rated GORE-TEX PYRAD® Stretch Jackets and Trousers deliver flexible comfort and improved overall fit and are 45% lighter than other Class 2 arc protection rainwear. Workers can easily bend, kneel, climb, and stretch without any restriction of movement thanks to the innovative new GORE-TEX PYRAD® stretch technology.

Miguel Calixto, product specialist at GORE-TEX Professional comments: “The new arc rated GORE-TEX PYRAD® Stretch fabric technology has been developed with real-work situations and end user needs in mind and I believe we are setting new standards in arc rated multi-norm protective apparel, combined with lightweight stretch wearer comfort.”

The fabric consists of 2-layers in combination with a flame-resistant liner, an outer shell fabric and an advanced elastic ePTFE membrane, coupled with the protective GORE-TEX PYRAD® fabric technology. Its increased stretch is the result of the elasticity of the laminate, which is determined and conforms to EN ISO 20932-1:2020 + A1:2021. At a load of 30N the new GORE-TEX PYRAD® stretch laminate achieves an elongation of more than 12% in warp direction. It recovers over 85% of its original shape after being stretched. Typically conventional, non-elastic fabrics stretch less than 5% and recovery back to its former shape is poor. The elastic properties are durable and will not deteriorate in use or when laundered.

Multiple Wearer Benefits

New GORE-TEX PYRAD® Stretch Jackets and Trousers are ergonomically designed to support natural freedom of movement without constricting the wearer. Arc Rated GORE-TEX PYRAD® garments are durably waterproof and resistant to common hazardous liquids. They totally block out the wind, even in the stormiest conditions, which eliminates any wind chill factor and helps to maintain a comfortable wearing temperature. Additional wearer comfort is achieved because jackets and trousers engineered with GORE-TEX PYRAD® stretch technology delivers a 25% increase in breathability. This helps to prevent a buildup of moisture on the inside of the garments.

How does the GORE-TEX PYRAD® fabric technology work?

During an arc flash exposure, GORE-TEX PYRAD® fabric technology (countless reactive dots) rapidly reacts to the heat even before the outer shell starts to burn. The reaction of the dots causes them to expand by a magnitude of more than 10x higher than its original size and form a stable insulating protective shell of carbonaceous char with the face fabric (without melting or dripping) stopping flame propagation, blocking convective and radiant heat from the arc flash exposure, and reducing the heat transfer to wearers skin. In addition, the physical integrity of the laminate is maintained after heat and flame exposure, which means no break or hole formation.

Norm Compliance of the new GORE-TEX PYRAD® stretch technology includes:

• Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an electric arc, IEC 61482-1-2:2014 class 2 (7 kA), IEC 61482-1-1:2019, arc rating (Arc rating ELIM ≤ 40 cal/cm²; ATPV ≤ 46 cal/cm²) tested with 120 g/m² aramid/viscose (50:50) lining.
• Clothing to protect against heat and flame, EN ISO 11612 A1, A2, B1, C1, D2, E3, F1 clauses 7.2 – 7.6 (code letters B, C, D, E, F) tested with 120 g/m² aramid/viscose (50:50) lining.
• Protective clothing for use in welding and allied processes, EN ISO 11611 class 1 A1+A2 clauses 6.8 – 6.10 tested with 120 g/m² aramid/viscose (50:50) lining.
• High Visibility Clothing, EN ISO 20471 HI-VIS yellow, HI-VIS orange
• Protection against rain, EN 343 class 4/4
• Electrostatic properties, EN 1149-3/-5
• Protective clothing against liquid chemicals, EN 13034 Type 6 (PB)
• Rain Tower Test, EN 14360

Gore revolutionised the apparel industry 40 years ago with its waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX fabric and remains a leading innovator in performance apparel. Gore products offer comfort and protection in harsh environments and in everyday life, so that wearers can achieve and experience more and more safely and with full confidence. From hiking in the pouring rain to military operations and firefighting, Gore's deep understanding of consumer and industry needs drives the development of products with significant performance benefits. www.goretexprofessional.com/uk

Step 1: Preparation

As a general rule of thumb, the more PPE is worn, the more often it must be washed. It all starts with the right preparation for washing. In this case, that means following the manufacturer's care instructions and preparing the clothing accordingly. Close and cover all Velcro and zips to prevent debris buildup and textile damage. Ensure all pockets are empty, remove detachable metal parts and loosen drawstrings. Pre-washing is recommended in case of heavy soiling.
 

Step 2: Washing process

PPE can be washed using a normal domestic washing machine and commercially available color detergent. The clothing should always be washed from the outside, i.e., with the outer material facing outwards. It is important that the detergents do not have a very high or very low pH value and do not contain chlorates or fabric softeners. Protective clothing must always be washed separately from other clothing to avoid cross-contamination of the outer fabric with other garments, for example, by deposits of foreign matter such as cotton lint or fluff. As well as cross-contamination of possible hazardous substances onto other non-work garments. Also, the washing machine should only be filled to two-thirds capacity.

Select an intensive wash programme with a pre-wash for optimal results. It is essential to follow the manufacturer's instructions for choosing the right temperature. For example, some garments require warm temperatures and others hot to achieve the best results. To remove all alkaline and flammable detergent residues, a total of four rinses are required. Conventional easy-care wash programs usually have three rinses, so the rinse programme should be repeated. The subsequent spin cycle should ideally be carried out in a separate programme so that the garments can be turned inside out - with the insulating lining facing out - beforehand.

For very heavily soiled protective clothing, chemical cleaning by specialists is recommended. It is particularly effective for non-water-soluble soiling (e.g., oil, grease, or bitumen).

Step 3: Drying

The best and easiest way is to dry in a tumble dryer. The heat of the dryer reactivates the water-repellent impregnation of the outer fabric. If a tumble dryer is not available, the clothing can also be air-dried. To prevent the color from fading, the protective clothing should not be dried in the sun or other UV light.
 

Step 4: Ironing

The last step in the drying process is ironing. If the clothes have been air-dried, this step ensures that the heat reactivates the impregnation. Ironing is done at a medium temperature (110 °C to a maximum of 150 °C) without steam. Reflective stripes should be covered with a cloth to protect them before ironing.
 

Step 5: Impregnation

If the water does not bead up on the surface of the garment after it has been washed and dried in the dryer, the factory-applied impregnation has worn out. In this case, the protective clothing should be retreated with a water-repellent polymer impregnation.

Step 6: Repair

As a rule, damaged garments should be professionally repaired as soon as possible to ensure continued optimum protection. Even though protective workwear with GORE-TEX® technologies are designed and tested to be durable, damage can occur during normal use - for example, if the wearer gets caught on sharp objects. A durable repair offers a sustainable solution to this. There are different ways to do this: a repair by a Gore-authorised repair centre or by the manufacturer, or the use of a repair kit. An example: Gore, together with Wenaas, a Norwegian international supplier of protective workwear, has developed a repair kit for GORE-TEX PYRAD® workwear with arc flash protection. The kit allows consumers to repair their GORE-TEX PYRAD® garments on their own: by applying a patch, the spread of a tear is prevented and the life of the GORE-TEX PYRAD® protective clothing is extended.
 

Step 7: PPE at end of product life

If it is no longer possible to repair the protective clothing, the used clothing can be incinerated at a waste incineration plant, which in turn recovers energy. Whether chemical recycling of used clothing is environmentally feasible and financially viable depends on many factors: not least the condition of the PPE, the degree of cross-contamination, the different elements of a multimaterial garment construction and, above all, whether there is an industrial recycling process available that can deliver high-quality products from the recycled material.
 

Plus points for care

These seven steps show that protective workwear with GORE-TEX technology is not only durable, but also extremely easy to care for. Proper and regular care, laundering or cleaning, and repair of PPE ensures its functionality and maximises its potential lifespan whilst minimising its environmental impact.

Police forces need robust, waterproof-breathable footwear that reliably protects them in all weather conditions and during dangerous operations or demonstrations. Until now, the robustness and waterproofness of the boots had to be compromised with comfort – conventional police action boots tend to be rather heavy. With increasing product life, they can lose their impregnation, so that conventional upper material can become soaked in the rain, making the boots even heavier. Another challenge is the re-drying of wet boots: it sometimes takes many hours before they are completely dry again. However, if they have to be worn again in the meantime, this can draw heat away from the foot and create cold spots.

Is light, stays light, and quick re-dry

With EXTRAGUARD, GORE-TEX Professional has developed a completely new, sustainable outer material technology that combines the advantages of robust leather with those of lightweight, flexible, and breathable textile upper materials. The technology consists of three layers: a highly abrasion-resistant and flame-retardant outer layer, a functional layer that protects against mechanical impact, and an innovative construction inner layer that absorbs hardly any water. The EXTRAGUARD upper material is 40% lighter than leather in the same thickness and dry state, and because it absorbs less moisture from the outside, it remains lightweight and dries significantly faster when wet. Combined with the waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX Lining, police forces have a new range of tactical boots.

"After years of research, we are very proud to have significantly increased key comfort features such as weight, re-drying time and breathability with EXTRAGUARD upper technology. We are also able to offer today a truly sustainable technology for tactical boots that supports police forces in their daily operations," explains Johannes Krieg, Product Specialist at GORE-TEX Professional. "Initial feedback from wearers confirms our approach and give reason to believe for a real shift in thinking about how police boots are made."

High performance and reduced environmental impact

With GORE-TEX EXTRAGUARD police boots, police forces can not only count on high performance and excellent wearing comfort, but the technology also sets new standards in terms of sustainability: the EXTRAGUARD upper is , according to Higg MSI (higg.com), is manufactured with less water and CO2 emissions, lower chemical use and chromium-free. It is delivered as rolled good, so there is less material waste during production. In sum, all factors significantly reduce the environmental impact.

Facts & Figures about GORE-TEX EXTRAGUARD Technology

• GORE-TEX EXTRAGUARD tactical boots are durably waterproof and breathable. They exceed the required values according to EN ISO 20345/347.
• The abrasion-resistant material is 40% lighter than leather when dry. Because it absorbs very little moisture from the outside, the GORE-TEX EXTRAGUARD boot stays dry even after long exposure to water or loss of initial impregnation.
• Heat and flame resistance according to DIN EN 15090: If these boots are exposed to an open flame for 10 seconds according to DIN EN ISO 15025-A/DIN EN 15090, no afterflame occurs.

About Higg Index

The Higg Index, developed by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, includes a set of tools that enable brands, retailers and factories of all sizes to accurately measure and assess a company's or product's sustainability performance at every stage of its development. The Higg Index tools measure social and environmental performance across the value chain, providing a holistic overview that enables companies to make meaningful improvements that protect the well-being of factory workers, local communities and the environment. https://apparelcoalition.org/the-higg-index/

Northern Powergrid manages and maintains the electricity distribution network that powers everyday life for more than 8 million people across 3.9 million homes and businesses in the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire. Its network of 63,000 substations and 60,000 miles of overhead power lines and underground cables safely delivers the electricity bought  from energy suppliers. As a 24/7, 365 business, it’s there for customers through a team of some 2,700 people including around 1,300 frontline utility workers. In an evolving energy industry, Northern Powergrid and its people have a key role in creating and managing future energy systems that increasingly interact with customers and smart and low carbon technologies.

Electrical Workers Needs

Utility and electrical engineering offer challenges to its workers, especially those who have to work daily in changeable weather conditions but with the potential risks of  the thermal hazards of electric arc flash.

Colleagues had remarked that the traditional wet weather PPE provided was bulky and heavy,  that it was often too warm to wear during strenuous work and that it took a long time to re-dry at the end of a shift. Arc rated PPE needs to offer the highest levels of protection for utility workers against the potential daily risks of thermal hazards from an electric arc, without weighing down the end user with garment bulk. When working with live electrical systems there is always a remote risk of a worker being exposed to an incident involving a high temperature arc flash. Such incidents are extremely rare but nevertheless, companies need to protect their engineers by procuring Class 2 arc rated protective workwear with flame retardant properties.  Garments which are Class 2 arc rated refer to the protection level of European Norm    IEC 61482-1-2 (Box test), which stands for: protective clothing against the thermal hazard of an electric arc. 

For wearer comfort, garments need to be light to wear – wet or dry – so they are able to be worn for long shifts, in changing weather conditions. Protective garments also need to be robust and durable to not only last, which makes them more cost effective but also help the environment because they have a longer wear cycle and need replacing less often. For engineers working at height, up on poles or platforms, PPE should enable free movement, be flexible and offer high visibility for safety.

In addition, Northern Powergrid workers may face a difficult journey before they start work to reach their assigned repair site. Sometimes, they are required to move through difficult terrain to locate a fault on the power network so clothing needs to be robust enough to protect the workers from more general hazards.

For these roles, the correct balance of protection, ruggedness, comfort and ergonomics is an essential prerequisite for the workers’ PPE.

Northern Powergrid’s PPE Developments

Sean Johnson, a Safety Engineer at Northern Powergrid for 39 years, responsibilities include legal standards, policy, accident investigation, risk assessments and operational controls.

Back in 2009, Sean was part of a project team at Northern Powergrid which analysed the protective characteristics of arc flash safety clothing through a study of the potential risks for operatives working within the network. This study helped determine what levels of protection were needed for the different roles and risks a frontline utility worker could face as part of their job.

Using this information, Northern Powergrid commissioned a number of key industry players to develop a specification that would answer protection requirements. The working group found solutions that would provide comfort, protection and the correct corporate palate, which at that time was black and red. Following wearer trials and agreeing the specification, a competitive tender was won by J & K Ross, UK based specialists in PPE, Health & Safety Clothing distribution. In 2013 Northern Powergrid clothing sets for the 1,300 strong workforce were produced and distributed in one logistical hit and within one month all colleagues had all the protective garments they required to work safety and with complete protection. The clothing sets contained a previous generation of GORE-TEX Heat and Flame wet weather garments arc rated Class 2 (Box test). One layer of clothing provided in excess of 8 cal/cm² of protection, while two layers would provide in excess of 30 cal/cm² of protection based on both the Arc Thermal Performance Value (APTV) and E_LIM Value.  

Recent Developments at Northern Powergrid

In 2020, Northern Powergrid set about developing new products with Gore, J & K Ross and Gore’s licenced manufacturing partner MSA Bell Apparel. Together, they started exploring how the new arc rated GORE-TEX PYRAD® technology might be adopted by the Northern Powergrid team.

Arc Rated GORE-TEX PYRAD® product technology is a waterproof, windproof and breathable multi-norm compliant lightweight flame-resistant fabric.  In the case of an arc flash exposure, the fabric stops flame propagation by rapidly reacting and forming a stable insulating protective shell of  carbonaceous char with the face fabric (without melting or dripping) Its functional protective mechanism reduces the transfer of heat to the wearers skin and blocks the heat flow from the arc flash exposure making it suitable for an end user who requires protection levels to protection levels to IEC EN ISO 61482-1-2, arc rated to Class 2 (Box test).

Based on arc flash testing according to IEC 61-482-1-1 (open arc test), it offers an incident energy limit value (ELIM) of 42 cal/cm² of protection. Additionally, it is electrostatic dissipative and protects against liquid chemicals. Being up to 50% lighter than other Arc rated Class 2 fabrics in the market, arc rated GORE-TEX PYRAD® product technology is the only solution that offers the perfect balance of multi-norm protection, comfort and durability.

The Procurement Project Team   

The vital importance of multi-protection PPE for Northern Powergrid colleagues was appreciated and understood by the working group. Severe weather protection, as well as the correct electric arc protection were top of mind.

Northern Powergrid identified it would need severe weather arc rated jackets, hoods, salopettes and a number of coveralls. Northern Powergrid assembled a wearer trial team which was made up of lines people, jointers and fitters. Working with the wearer trial team J & K Ross and MSA Bell Apparel listened to their feedback and requests and modified designs. Working closely with the GORE workwear team, GORE-TEX PYRAD® fabric technology was supplied in hi-vis orange. This ensured workers could be safely seen and identified as Northern Powergrid at distance – as other outdoor workers typically wear yellow and had the additional benefit that flying insects wouldn’t be attracted to the orange. 

GORE’S manufacturing brand partner, MSA Bell Apparel, produced small quantities of design prototypes in their UK facility using GORE-TEX PYRAD® fabric, which were fully tested in GORE’s state-of-the-art laboratory testing facilities to ensure they were fit for purpose.

The trial team feedback resulted in design improvement, specific to the worker’s needs, such as a request for a Nelson pocket on the jacket which was large enough to hold a switching book. End users also requested changes to the jacket cuffs so gauntlet gloves could easily be put on over these. A traditional jacket cuff proving too wide to allow this to easily happen. This resulted in a narrower cuff being incorporated into the design of the new jacket.

Only when all members of the procurement project team and the wearer trial team were fully satisfied with the final and fully tested design did the MSA Bell Apparel go into full production.

Chris Ross explained how he welcomed the introduction of GORE-TEX PYRAD® fabric technology to the market: “When it was launched, PYRAD was very much needed in the electrical PPE sector. It’s a brilliant fabric because it’s not stiff or heavy and provides complete comfort and protection.”

In July 2021, MSA Bell Apparel supplied the new issue of hi-vis orange jackets, hoods, salopettes and coveralls to J & K Ross for distribution. Industrial laundering company, phs Besafe supplied  unique bar codes which were then fitted by J & K Ross to every garment and these  were then assigned to every  Northern Powergrid industrial colleague. The bar-coding system allows phs to collect garments from depots, professionally clean and then return them directly back to the individual’s locker.

Harsh Weather Calls for Robust Protection

With 47 years of working at Northern Powergrid , Training Engineer David Reed is perfectly qualified to explain why quality PPE provision is required to cope with the reality of outdoor utility work: “Whatever weather comes we just have to be out in it and working. Weather can be an absolute enemy to utility workers.” 

Outdoor electrical workers are not afforded the luxury of staying indoors when the weather turns harsh. Indeed, extremes of weather, such as heavy storms, gale force winds, hale, snow and driving rain are a reality during autumn and winter months for those working on the front line to maintain, repair or upgrade Northern Powergrid’s electricity network.

The winter of 2021/2022 saw the UK – and Northern Powergrid’s operating area -  exposed to a series of severe and disruptive storms that provided real life testing for the newly supplied GORE-TEX PYRAD® jackets, salopettes and coveralls.

The multi-protection, multi-norm garments needed to do the following:

• offer Class 2 arc flash rated protective properties to IEC 61482-1-2
•  provide flame resistance
• contain antistatic properties: EN 1149-3/-5 
• provide protection against rain: EN 343 class 3/3
• dry out overnight and be ready to wear for the next day
• offer breathability so the inside of garments remained dry/ comfortable
• be comfortable to wear so that the garments are worn correctly by end users
• offer high visibility: EN ISO 20471 HI-VIS orange, which would not fade after laundering
• be durable to withstand the daily challenges of the utility worker  

Questionnaire Feedback

After several months of using their GORE-TEX PYRAD® garments, during some of the most extreme storm conditions to hit the UK for several years, Northern Powergrid’s frontline teams were asked to give their feedback via a questionnaire, distributed by team leaders. The job roles of respondents included:  jointers, apprentice fitters, faults coordinators, field engineers, apprentice cable jointers and overhead lines people working in the north of England covering North and West Yorkshire, Teesside and Humber regions.

Key findings include:

• Half of the respondents regularly work with a harness and at height; of these workers all stated they felt sufficiently warm whilst wearing their garments, 58% felt pleasantly dry and 83% found the ergonomic fit of the garment to be very soft and very flexible.
• The entire cohort, 100%, stated that the garments kept them dry.
• When considering the weight of their protective garments 19% found them to be very lightweight, 81% found them to be a comfortable weight.
• When asked how the GORE-TEX PYRAD® garment compared to their previous garment when worn in heavy rain, 84% found the new garments better, 16% found they functioned at the same level.
• Survey participants were asked to state how long their garments take to dry after being exposed to rain all day. 54% stated it took less than six hours, 30% considered it took less than 12 hours, (with 16% of the cohort unsure of the exact drying time.)

Within the questionnaire, Northern Powergrid team members were asked to state in their own words which design features they most valued about their GORE-TEX PYRAD® garments. The majority of responses related to the lightweight quality of the jacket and the fact they were totally waterproof. Additional responses referenced the design and position of the pockets, that the elasticated cuffs on the wrist help to stop the jacket from rising up when stretching. They also mentioned that the new cuff design meant putting on gauntlet gloves was now easier and that the hi-vis orange colour means that flying insects were not attracted to the jacket.

Individual Interview Feedback

In addition to the quantitative feedback from Northern Powergrid’s workforce, one to one interviews were conducted to gain qualitative insights from the end users.

For apprentice linesman Callam Hickling, 25, the toughest part of his job is being out in bad weather climbing poles with leg garter spikes and a harness, for him, good fitting kit is really important. He explains how he finds working outside in the elements: “Heavy wind and rain doesn’t help. Windchill can be an issue because its cold and windy when you are on top of a pole a good 10 metres, if not more, from the ground.” 

Commenting on his GORE-TEX PYRAD® jacket and salopettes Callam said: “I feel confident that the kit is going to protect me in bad weather. A while ago I worked for 16 hours in the rain and I was bone dry. The kit is dry by the next day for when I needed to next use them.”

When PPE doesn’t perform and isn’t fit for purpose, the impact on the wellness of utility workers should not be underestimated.  Jordan Ellis comments: “If I had gotten wet during those long 16-hour days recently would not have felt the best or particularly good the next day. I would definitely have been full of cold and would have been aching. Because the kit kept me warm, I think this helped my body so I could go out again the next day in the lashing rain and storm.”

Fellow apprentice linesman Bayley Rowlands, 22, noticed the difference in weight between his new kit and his previous issue: “They are really good being waterproof and they don’t let rain soak in.  They are lighter than the old kit  aswell and I do feel the difference in weight. The jacket fits really well and there isn’t any constriction of moment.”

Jordan Ellis, 22, evaluated his new GORE-TEX PYRAD® jacket and salopettes during a major incident before Christmas. Jordan explained the first time he really put his new kit to the test: “During Winter last year, I was wearing both my jacket and the salopettes and I had to climb up a pole because we had a conductor down and it was chucking it down with rain. It was dark because it was 7.30 in the evening by then and still raining. I had everything done up on my kit. I had thought I’d be freezing cold in my kit but I was ok, I got warm.  I was completely dry inside and I was really impressed that the kit was this good. Underneath it felt absolutely fine, bone dry, after a long 16-hour shift.”

Training Engineer David Reed, 63, is well versed to talk about the real hazards of working with live electricity and the need for quality PPE. After 43 years of working in this industry he explained: “I’ve never been exposed to an arc flash. Over the years I’ve seen electric arc and I’ve been close to one when we were on lines that were live and I’ve seen arcs a metre long.  I think the correct kit now will make a difference to the people coming through now so they can protect their bodies against all risks. I think it’s a great thing that Northern Powergrid is investing money in kit for our safety.” 

Conclusion

From the initial set up of the project through to the design modifications and the roll out of the new GORE-TEX PYRAD® jackets, salopettes and coveralls Northern Powergrid, Gore, J & K Ross, MSA Apparel and PHS have worked collaboratively with the focus on the end goal. The resulting fit for purpose waterproof and durable PPE provides Class 2 arc rated protection and lightweight wearer comfort for Northern Powergrid colleagues who work hard all year round on the front-line to provide high level service to its customers.

Sean Johnson, Safety Engineer at Northern Powergrid concludes: “Our teams work hard throughout the year to provide the high quality of service expected of them. They are exposed to the elements and the potential risk of heat, flame and thermal hazards associated with working with live electricity. Health and safety is our top priority and we have worked hard as an organisation to equip them with the durable, multi-norm Class 2 arc protection they deserve so they can remain focused on the task in hand and go home safe and well at the end of their shift.”

GORE-TEX Professional (Gore) raises protection for technical rescue teams to a new level with the introduction of a unique fabric that enhances comfort while protecting from blood borne and viral pathogens as well as flash fire. The new GORE-TEX CROSSTECH® PYRAD® stretch fabric pushes the envelope for high performance rescue garments, combining four of Gore’s proven technologies in technical rescue activities. This achieves unprecedented freedom of movement and mobility, while also protecting from the many risks encountered at rescue incidents.

Research shows that over 80% of callouts for fire and rescue services across Europe concern road traffic accidents, water or other technical rescue activities and these incidents are completely different from fire interventions. Until now, protection for rescue work has always involved compromise – either working in more insulated and robust structural gear that over protects for technical rescue situations or operating in lightweight suits that offer minimum protection and quickly become uncomfortable in cold, wet or very hot weather.

Firefighters need the confidence that their garments will protect them from all the risks that they face at a rescue incident. GORE-TEX CROSSTECH® PYRAD® stretch fabric is designed specifically to meet their needs, protecting from pathogens found in blood and body fluid as well as common chemicals such as petrol, battery acid and hydraulic fluid. The fabric is inherently flame retardant, shielding the wearer from incidental flame and flash fire.

The new specialized fabric for technical rescue is incredibly light and stretches four ways to achieve the exceptional freedom of movement required for working in confined spaces and unusual situations. The fabric moves with the wearer like a high-performance sports garment and the elasticity delivers optimum fit, expanding and contracting with any layers worn underneath.

Rescue teams no longer have to endure becoming wet and cold in bad weather at protracted incidents. GORE-TEX CROSSTECH® PYRAD® stretch fabric is waterproof and resistant to water pickup so that it does not become heavy when wet and dries quickly. High breathability ensures that sweat moves out through the garment, keeping the wearer dry and comfortable in hot weather.

“GORE-TEX CROSSTECH® PYRAD® stretch fabric sets a new standard for personal protection for technical rescue. After detailed research, we have brought together proven Gore technologies to create a solution that delivers previously unheard of performance, protection and comfort”, says Christophe Didelot, Product Specialist at GORE-TEX Professional. “Rescue teams often work for long hours at incidents and in all weathers. They need high levels of comfort and mobility that will also protect from the threat posed by blood borne and viral pathogens, chemicals, and flash fire. The new fabric technology eliminates the traditional compromise between comfort and protection for rescue work, delivering a specialized solution that is more advanced than alternatives”, he continues.

Responsible Performance

Gore is committed to continuously improving the environmental impact of its products without compromising on the durability of their performance. This is achieved by using the globally standardized (ISO 14040-14044) Life Cycle Assessment approach to measure and understand the environmental impacts of Gore products.

By keeping products in use for longer, their overall lifecycle impact is reduced. Because most of the resources and energy are consumed during the production and distribution processes, garments with a longer product life significantly reduce use of these resources. This improves sustainability of the product.

GORE-TEX CROSSTECH® PYRAD® stretch fabric for technical rescue work has a longer than average lifespan while still made to withstand the operational rigours and frequent decontamination and washing. The flame and pathogen protection does not degrade over time and the seams and fabric will remain intact to ensure performance throughout the lifetime of the garment. The longer operational lifespan reduces the number of replacements required, which in turn lowers environmental impact.

Facts & Figures

+ In independent ISO 13506 burn tests on a thermal manikin garment with GORE-TEX CROSSTECH® PYRAD® stretch fabric did not melt, drip or break open with no significant burns recorded.

+ The new product technology maintains its performance standards throughout the operational lifetime of the garment. The fabric has been tested to withstand over 50 industrial washes using ISO 15797 table1 method.

+ Garments made with GORE-TEX CROSSTECH® PYRAD® stretch laminates are complaint with EN ISO 20471 high visibility requirements for professional use. The unique PYRAD® technology allows for a range of hi visibility colours such as red, orange, and yellow as well as wider range to match specific requirements of Fire and Rescue services

More information on: https://www.goretexprofessional.com/uk/technologies/crosstech-pyrad-stretch 

Gore revolutionized the outerwear industry with waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX fabric 40 years ago and remains a leading innovator of performance apparel. Gore fabrics products provide comfort and protection in challenging environments and in everyday life, enabling wearers to safely and confidently achieve and experience more. From hiking in downpours to military operations and fighting fires, Gore’s deep understanding of consumer and industry needs drives development of products with meaningful performance advantages. https://www.goretexprofessional.com/uk

GORE® Cover stands for a comprehensive aerated system proven in multiple sites. It is equipped with an oxygen controlled, positively aerated system and an oxygen and temperature monitoring device. This creates ideal composting conditions within the heap while efficiently trapping odors and other emissions such as dust and VOCs. This results in a higher throughput on a smaller footprint of composting area – with little energy consumption and human involvement. Biological washing and filtration is not necessary. GORE® Cover is approved and proven in more that 150 composting plants in more than 20 countries. GORE® Cover meets the strictest of regulatory requirements worldwide. Facilities using GORE® Cover are fully comparable with established technologies – without the need for expensive buildings and bio-filtering installations.

For more information, visit our website

Coveralls: 1815-1885

The industrial revolution, it seems, produced the first version of the coverall: a loose-fitting suit that is still worn today over workers' entire bodies, except the face and hands. Men tasked with cleaning and checking coal-powered locomotive boilers had to climb through a tiny opening into the firebox of the steam train - and hence the name boiler suit. Evidently, negotiating a tight space in such conditions would have soon necessitated a practical one-piece, preventing soot from entering regular clothing and taking precautions against needless hazards - but the heavy canvas suits were soon protecting all kinds of manual labourers, complete with elasticated waistbands and large exterior pockets for tools. The late nineteenth century therefore saw this type of garment spread to global usage and its design hasn't actually changed too much since.

Overalls: 1775-1940

Their counterpart, however - overalls - provide less protection by nature and their history has not encompassed quite so many industries. Manual labourers made use of practical features such as the bib, which allowed for tools to be carried without the need for a belt. The early twentieth century then saw overalls become even more durable, with buckles instead of buttons to attach straps and waterproof styles in different colours soon becoming available.

A Uniform: 1860-1945

Both coveralls and overalls have been widely adopted and adapted in many different spheres over the years - as official uniforms and simply as a practical measure. Winston Churchill's famed WWII siren suit demonstrated a style invented for modesty and practicality in times of crisis and when women of the era stepped forward to replace men in the workplace, the garment found a whole new legion of wearers. But two occupations that have definitely adopted them in combined purpose are the military and the police. Having long made use of the garment, many different police units around the world still do so today and they are especially popular with SWAT units.

In Flight: 1917-1960

The use of the one-piece in the military though, centres largely on the flight suit, invented for British pilots during the First World War. Multi-layered to provide essential warmth, the "Sidcot" suit soon replaced leather outfits for high-altitude flying in unheated cockpits. The suits had multiple sealed pockets and were the precursor to more modern flight suits that were widely used by the RAF until the 1950s. Electrically heated suits and cotton suits treated for flame-resistance were also introduced and the G-suit was developed in the decades following WWI to stop fighter jet pilots from passing out due to the speed of their manoeuvres.

Fire Protection: 1930-2020

Full pressure suits were invented in the 1930s for flying, but they can now take us into space and fully flame-retardant materials are now also used all-round (most notably a lightweight spun aramid developed in the 1960s). Fire-resistance is a key feature of the workwear coverall today for firefighters, laboratory workers and those in the oil and gas industries as well as in many other contexts. Coveralls today must offer protection from the high risk factor of extreme heat and fire, however and wherever this is encountered. Contemporary PPE fabrics, offer high breathability, long-lasting durability and thermal protection.

Electrical Protection: 1989 – 2020

As far back as 1879, the use of electricity became widespread to illuminate streetlights but research shows scant provision for the protection for those working in this field and numerous injuries and death in service. Surprisingly it wasn’t until 1989 that OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration bought in strict regulations to reduce risk and help protect workers.

By late 1995, industry bodies decreed the requirement for protecting workers from electrical arc flash and burning from electrical explosions. About this time, to protect electrical engineers from arc flash hazards many organisations and governing bodies required a worker wearing clothing made from certain fabrics that couldn’t be ignited, burn readily, continue to burn or melt when exposed to flames or electric arcs.

Thankfully today, protection from arc flash and all electrical hazards is widely recognised as crucially important. To protect workers from accidents due to close exposure to electrical equipment, textiles were developed with three layered protection. Although these were highly effective for protection, they clashed with the need for comfort: were heavy, bulky and often hot and sweaty to wear. One recent fabric technology innovation now satisfies the seemingly contradictory needs of protection vs comfort. Arc rated GORE® PYRAD® protective garments are 50% lighter and crucially consist of only one layer, so are much more lightweight, offer breathability and are comfortable to wear.

Fully Suited, 2020

New materials for these suits are constantly being engineered today, whether lighter, moisture-wicking or more breathable. On the racetrack, both mechanics and drivers have worn flame-retardant coveralls for decades and recent styles see the latest technology deployed to keep them cool, comfortable and safeguarded in case of a crash. By contrast, workers needing personal protective equipment for exposure to hazardous materials today often wear impermeable hazmat suits that contain breathing apparatus - firefighters, paramedics, researchers and other emergency workers all require such suits in instances to protect against various chemical and biological dangers. The advanced uses of this kind of attire in the present day continue to evolve and as mentioned previously, wearers now expect not only protection, but comfort, lightness and intelligent wearable designs.

Future Workwear

So, with a progression as varied as this, there is no doubt that coveralls and overalls will undergo further modification in years to come, to cater for the needs of and to benefit by future scientific and technological developments. The workwear of the future will doubtless take into account changes in the needs of industry, the demands of legislation and the comfort and protection of wearers.

What is Comfort? 

When the human body feels uncomfortable we are very aware of this, however, if we are feeling comfortable then most of the time we don't really notice.   The word ‘comfort’ has a number of meanings, around a lack of discomfort or pain, or more positively in terms of a feeling of ease or contentment. While it’s possible to describe and explain the science of comfort, it is nevertheless a subjective experience. After all, some of us like the feeling of being out in all weathers or taking a cold shower, while others prefer being cocooned in warmth. For the human body to function properly, the temperature of our vital organs, i.e. the brain, heart, lungs and liver, has to remain at approximately 37°C at all times. Comfort has both a physical and a psychological or emotional element and they all interact. In other words, comfort combines human physiology and perception with physics and environment. Comfort is real but can best be understood as both objective science and subjective experience.

The Need for Protection and Comfort 

However it is defined, comfort is absolutely necessary for safety at work, especially when that work involves extreme conditions and/or specific risks such as working outdoors in foul weather or other factors such as fire or electrical hazards. Laws relating to safety at work cover elements such as appropriate equipment and PPE. For arc protection, for example, choosing Class 1 or Class 2 protection will be dependent on the type and level of electrical fault arc risk. Employers must consider whether an electric fault arc is a potential hazard and also whether there is an enhanced risk in the work environment.

This first step in obtaining the correct PPE will ensure protection, but historically, it has come at a price: comfort. In the past, to make PPE safe enough, garments have often been heavy, bulky, restricting movement, hot and frequently uncomfortable. However, recent changes in research have focused on the experience of wearers of PPE. Comfort scientists and designers have been hard at work looking at ways to balance safety with wearer satisfaction.

Importance of Breathability

For issues such as heat and cold, comfort science has much to tell us.  Our bodies naturally adapt by sweating or shivering when we become too hot or too cold. Our bodies can rise above a normal temperature due to hard physical activity or external factors like the weather. In these circumstances our circulation is increased and blood is pumped to the surface of the body. This triggers perspiration which acts to cool the body. This works well as long as the sweat generated has somewhere to go. If it can’t evaporate due to the nature of the clothing, workers stay hot and can feel uncomfortable. This not only results in loss of concentration but can lead to confusion, dizziness, even unconsciousness.

At the other extreme, being too cold leads to shivering, as our body’s way to warm us up. Again, cognitive and physical affects can be observed if we become too cold: loss of attention and poor muscle performance to name two. Where cold is concerned, the main requirements for PPE clothing are adequate insulation, windproofness and waterproofness. So, choosing clothing which incorporates wicking to take sweat away from the body and also protect from the effects of cold is essential consideration for comfort in relation to temperature.

Flexibility and Freedom of Movement

A garment that is flexible and fits well is more comfortable and should leave the worker unaware that they are being protected. In stressful and dangerous work situations, end users don’t want to be thinking about their PPE being too tight or too loose, nor should there be any opportunity for clothing to rub, chafe or for clothing parts to get caught in items such as loose cables within the work setting. Alarmingly, it is known that badly fitting or restrictive PPE tends to lead to workers wearing it incorrectly or discarding it altogether, making the situation more dangerous. Technical developments in PPE for electrical arc incidents must of course initially focus on safety, by considering the protective qualities of the fabric, such as multi-layering. Recent innovations have improved comfort through a more comprehensive range of sizes and greater suppleness and movement in the fabrics used. This means better ergonomics that allow for smoother, easier freedom of movement. A more mobile worker is better protected and a safe worker is more productive.

How weight reduction impacts on comfort

Along side fit and mobility, weight is a very significant aspect of comfortable PPE. Major progress have been made recently in reducing the weight of garments designed for protection. Textiles which are functional for Class2 arc fault protection can be extremely heavy weighing up to 650 g/m2, resulting in a final weight of a jacket of even more than 2 kilograms. Here again, feedback from wearers who have in the past found this kind of weight impedes comfort and therefore efficiency, has led to research into how lighter fabrics can deliver high-quality protection.  PYRAD® by GORE-TEX LABS technology is now able to make garments that are 50% lighter than previously available. As an added benefit, these garments are easier to look after, being machine washable and durable.

Getting comfort right

Workers in hazardous situations should not be impeded by the clothes they are wearing. Wise employers will buy the best PPE and ensure they are worn properly by consulting with and listening to wearers at all stages of the process. Safety should never be compromised, but the fine balancing act of protection versus comfort no longer needs to be in tension. As well as complying with stringent safety standards, employers can now offer workers lighter, less restrictive and breathable clothing. The implications and benefits are manifold. A comfortable worker is one who makes better decisions, works longer and more productively. They are less likely to lose concentration or to make mistakes that could lead to danger or to jobs being interrupted

Working with electricity in any environment can be highly dangerous. SPIE technicians work at great heights on pylons supporting high-voltage overhead lines, maintain the electrical substations of regional network operators and install lighting or information systems on high ceilings. Operating giant data centres with their huge electricity consumption is no less dangerous. The work of these technicians can have potentially fatal consequences in environments in which they are at risk of exposure to arc flashes. Such incidents arise from electrical arching between two parts of an electrical system. They produce clouds of plasma reaching temperatures of 5,000°C, burning clothing and causing severe burns within milliseconds.

This is why workplace safety is such a major concern. “The company has two guiding principles,” explains Dr Oliver Polanz, head of HSEQ (health, safety, environment, quality) at SPIE Germany and Central Europe. “Firstly, optimising workplace health and safety through leadership, good discipline and a culture of change. Secondly, no compromising when it comes to workplace health and safety.” At SPIE, this also applies to their employees’ workwear: “In situations in which personal protective equipment needs to be worn, it should have an ergonomic fit and be as lightweight as possible,” says Oliver Polanz. “Wearer acceptance is incredibly important when it comes to protective clothing. People will only wear it, if they feel comfortable in it.” The fact that SPIE employees are given a say in health and safety issues is evident in the day-to-day workings of the company. The employees had become increasingly dissatisfied with their existing multinorm workwear. It had a poor ergonomic design and did not offer adequate protection in wet weather. Furthermore, it caused excessive sweating during strenuous work because of poor breathability. One of the outcomes was frequent workplace absences due to colds.

Lightweight: innovative arc rated waterproof garments

The company set about looking for a replacement for their existing foul weather workwear. They conducted a detailed analysis, held consultations with Iturri, their supplier, did their own market research and discussed the issue with leaders and works council representatives. Ultimately, a decision was made in favour of waterproof workwear equipped with the innovative GORE-TEX PYRAD® product technology. This technology is durably waterproof and windproof and thus ideally suited to outdoor work in wind and rain. In addition to the waterproof GORE-TEX membrane, it features two textile layers: the outer fabric with the PYRAD^® by GORE-TEX LABS product technology and an inner lining. This innovative functional fabric means that GORE-TEX PYRAD® protective garments provide the highest level of class 2 electric arc protection. A porous insulating barrier forms on the lightweight outer fabric made of polyester or polyamide within milliseconds of sudden exposure to heat, or the moment at which an electric arc incident occurs. This barrier blocks the convective heat flow during arc exposure and keeps the wearer safe. All this happens “in real-time”. But what makes this solution more comfortable for the wearer? When wet or dry, this innovative material is up to 45% lighter than previously available flame retardant waterproof fabrics. This results in a lightweight garment that is still highly breathable, waterproof and windproof. This is essential because SPIE technicians work outdoors, whatever the weather. They have even been known to work on pylons in wind conditions reaching gale force six.

This fabric technology also allows for the manufacture of protective garments that feature extra benefits to comply with additional standards, such as those covering high visibility, chemical resistance and antistatic protection. There are also all sorts of ways in which the protective clothing can be tailored to suit individual needs. Consequently, SPIE conducted several wear trials before going ahead with procurement. This saw GORE-TEX PYRAD® foul weather garments being tested in strategic areas of the business and at various times of the year. Garment manufacturer Iturri supplied SPIE with various prototypes, each time taking into consideration the suggestions of the trial participants. This approach has certainly led to more wearer acceptance. The new protective garments were either leased or purchased, depending on the needs of the different areas of the company.

For everyday wear: lightweight protective workwear with class 2 electric arc protection

Ordinary foul weather garments do not always provide the level of protection SPIE employees need to go about their work. “There are many sectors in which customers specify that our technicians must wear clothing that complies with the requirements of class 2 electric arc protection,” explains Oliver Polanz. “These workers can find themselves pushed to their limits, especially on hot summer days or in exceptionally hot buildings.” In such situations too much heat can build up inside the garment. In other words, not all foul weather garments produced for protection against electric arc hazards are entirely suitable for everyday wear.

Having seen how satisfied their employees were with the GORE-TEX PYRAD® fabric technology, SPIE decided to try out the same technology in a set of lightweight protective garments intended for everyday wear: when waterproof protection is not required. The first step was to run a series of field tests with arc rated PYRAD® by GORE-TEX LABS garments – a version of the smart technology developed for lightweight protective clothing for daily use. This material is windproof and extremely breathable. It can be worn in comfort all day long, even in dry environments and on warmer days. This is because body warmth does not accumulate inside the garment, not even during physically strenuous activities.

The ingenious thing about this technology is that, for the first time, a special membrane, the lightweight PYRAD® by GORE-TEX LABS - consists of three components in a one ply solution: the outer shell, a wafer-thin non-flammable ePTFE membrane with an incorporated PYRAD® by GORE-TEX LABS technology and a flame-retardant backer. As a consequence, the functional fabric feels thinner and is far more flexible than other options available in this sector. It weighs less than 330 g/m2 and is up to 50 percent lighter than previously available flame retardant textiles, offering significantly enhanced freedom of movement without compromising on protection.

Early field tests revealed that the SPIE workers were just as satisfied with this non waterproof version of the PYRAD® by GORE-TEX LABS product technology: “We had ten sets of clothing on the go. The feedback we received from our workers was overwhelmingly positive,” Oliver Polanz explains. The approach adopted previously with garment manufacturer Iturri had been so successful that the same procedure was used again. It took several months and multiple field tests before the new safety workwear, designed around the specific requirements of the company, was ready for production. These garments were also tested in a wide variety of typical working environments and weather conditions. Iturri manufactured a series of prototypes, each time in the required quantities and reflecting the suggestions of the test participants. Workers can now choose between two alternatives depending on the working environment: the lightweight arc rated PYRAD® by GORE-TEX LABS protective garments for day in day out use and, whenever necessary, the wet weather version, the arc rated GORE-TEX PYRAD® foul weather garments.

To operate effectively, officers need to have full confidence and trust that their gear will protect them from the most extreme risks if a situation escalates quickly.  The GORE-TEX PYRAD® Riot Suit provides reliable protection from sudden incidental heat, flash fire, chemical penetration and inclement weather.

The GORE-TEX PYRAD® Riot Suit is inherently flame retardant and has been proven in independent test to protect the wearer from incidental heat and flash fire associated with petrol bombs and exploding cars. The suit also protects from common chemicals, including gasoline and most diluted acids and alkalis.

Working long shifts outside in in heavy, cumbersome gear can be very uncomfortable for officers. The GORE-TEX PYRAD® Riot Suit is lightweight and wears and feels like regular rainwear, delivering high levels of comfort for long periods of wear outside. It is less stiff and more flexible than traditional fire-resistant fabrics and absorbs less water so that it dries quicker. 

It is vital that officers have the best protection to prevent their concentration levels being inhibited by becoming too hot, wet or cold, hampering their decision making in rapidly changing situations. The GORE-TEX PYRAD® Riot Suit is waterproof, windproof and breathable, keeping the wearer dry from the outside elements while allowing sweat to pass out through the garment in warm conditions. This helps officers to keep their focus on the task at hand.

Katja Christof, Product Specialist at GORE-TEX Professional said: “The new GORE-TEX PYRAD® Riot Suit really is a game changer in personal protection for public order policing. It delivers the critical protection required from the most extreme risks such as incidental flash fire, while at the same time achieving high levels of comfort and freedom of movement. The lightweight fabric eliminates the traditional compromise between comfort and protection in a suit that is designed to achieve consistently high levels of performance throughout its operational lifetime.”

The new suit will withstand the toughest conditions with high resistance to abrasion and almost no pilling, and is available in a wide range of colors.

Gore revolutionized the outerwear industry with waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX fabric 40 years ago and remains a leading innovator of performance apparel. Gore fabrics products provide comfort and protection in challenging environments and in everyday life, enabling wearers to safely and confidently achieve and experience more. From hiking in downpours to military operations and fighting fires, Gore’s deep understanding of consumer and industry needs drives development of products with meaningful performance advantages. https://www.goretexprofessional.com/uk 

The Combat Uniform layering system consists of the following GORE-TEX Professional Products:

• The standard battle dress uniform will consist of PYRAD® by GORE-TEX LABS product technology – for comfort, durability, colour fastness and FR protection.
• The thermal suits will have the WINDSTOPPER® by GORE-TEX LABS product technology in the outer material, for windproofness, comfort and durability.
• The rain suit will have the GORE-TEX product technology and everything that that stands for, including durable waterproofness, windproofness and breathability.

Durable NCU layering system

To this end, Siamidis together with technology partner Gore made a garment layering system, based on GORE-TEX Professional fabrics technologies. In order to make sure that all NCU requirements were met, most of the Gore lab capabilities including durability and wet labs, rain tower, environmental and comfort chamber were utilized during the tender process to verify the performance and fitness-for-use of the complete uniform system, including the undergarment system provided by Aclima AS and Woolpower AB.

“We are happy and proud of being part of the team that has been awarded the NCU contract. We have successfully worked in a close partnership with Siamidis to develop the outer garments of the system. The whole project has been a fantastic journey and learning process for all of us. The user requirements of the NCU system have clearly been to protect the soldiers and at the same time focus on their performance”, states Åke Sahlgaard, Key Account Manager, Gore.

Michalis Siamidis, CEO, Siamidis SA, says: “We are proud and honored for the NCU award decision. The project is a great case of how our team and Gore cooperated closely to develop a high-performing system that is fit-for-use in various scenarios and climate zones. Our focus has always been on innovation, sustainability, durable protection, and comfort. The system has undergone extended laboratory and troop-trial testing. We feel high responsibility and excitement to start working for this contract”

Carl Henrik Myhre, Project manager at Layers AS says: “This project allowed us to really take a close and deep look into how and what technologies work together in various operations and scenarios. We could completely focus with the soldiers’ best interests in mind while designing this system.”

OEKO-TEX and solar energy

One important aspect within the NCU tender process was the focus on sustainability. Both, Siamidis SA and GORE-TEX Professional have put emphasis on durable product performance and at the same time a lower environmental impact. The final garments are certified STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®. And, as manufacturer, Siamidis has an “electrical consumption accounting” programme in place through which the energy needed to produce the NCU layers is compared with the energy produced by the company-owned solar energy installations (which produces more than 3.000.000 kWh per year).

“As a result of the sustainability measures, we are proud to say that the production of the PYRAD® by GORE-TEX Labs, WINDSTOPPER® by GORE-TEX Labs, and GORE-TEX® Products layers of the system does not have negative CO₂ footprint due to energy use”, says Michalis Siamidis. “In addition, the NCU system will be made from a value chain that is highly focused on quality, ethics, and environmental protection.”

“The ‘Nordic Combat Uniform System’ (NCU) project is a key highlight for Gore, and we are delighted to be part of the winning group. Through the various operational scenario requests and we were able to demonstrate our technical GORE-TEX products capabilities of protection and comfort together with the excellent manufacturing capabilities of our partner Siamidis. We are extremely pleased to be a partner of Oskar Pedersen in the NCU project”, says Åke Sahlgaard

The Nordic Combat Uniform is the first NORDEFCO procurement of its kind as it is the first time Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway join forces in a single procurement effort.

• Four nations signing this contract is a beneficiary and tremendous achievement for joint procurement of uniform systems and provides good solutions for the soldiers, says brigadier Øyvind Kvalvik head of Land Systems division in the Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency (NDMA).
• Although this is a joint procurement, each nation has signed individual contracts with the same contract terms, and the cooperation will continue during the contract period, says Finnish Major-general Kari Renko.

The Nordic nations requires a modern, functional and flexible combat uniform system in order to meet their military requirements in demanding Nordic climatic conditions. The system also includes configurations for jungle and arid desert conditions typical for international operations.

“The uniform system is a significant improvement for the soldiers in all four nations, and is designed to have an equal functionality and fit for both genders”, explains head of Logistics FMV, Jennifer Skjäl-Lundgren 

One system, one design
The NCU clothing system includes uniform configurations from underwear to outer layers.  

“The configurations are the same in all countries, but each nation will use its own national camouflage pattern on outer layers”, says Danish Major-General Christian Brejner Ishøj.

Also exempted are smaller items such as headgear, gloves, footwear or personal protective equipment. These are not part of the framework agreement, and will be procured by each nation independently.

Consortium

The NCU system has been developed as joint effort of a core group of partners known for their long-time commitment to innovation. Oskar Pedersen AS is the contractor and Layers AS the project manager. The manufacturing and technological partners of the system are: Siamidis SA – Lead technical solution, manufacturer of the combat, cold & wet weather layers, W.L Gore & Associates GmbH - Technology provider for the system, Aclima AS & Woolpower AB – Wool underwear.

“Working together with some of the best companies within the industry and engaging in various technological fields from wool underwear to lightweight rainwear was really challenging and equally rewarding for us. We learned a lot and are very much looking forward to the cooperation ahead”, says Carl Henrik Myhre, managing director in Layers. “We challenged ourselves to offer a European based technology-oriented system. This gave us a highly reliable value chain with focus on ethics, human rights, and environmental topics. The main manufacturer has their power source from their own renewable solar energy with a CO2 surplus equal to 3.6 million m2 of forest”, says Carl Henrik Myhre.

Facts: 
The Nordic Defense Cooperation (NORDEFCO) consists of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The overall purpose of NORDEFCO is to strengthen the participants’ national defense, explore common synergies and facilitate efficient common solutions.

For more information: Nordefco

The Gore Fabrics Division (Gore) announced today the achievement of a major milestone in its continuous efforts to reduce the environmental footprint whilst providing high performance products. Gore reached full Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certification of its manufacturing sites in Shenzhen (China) and Putzbrunn (Germany). GRS is an international, voluntary, full product standard that sets requirements for third-party certification of recycled content, social and environmental practices, chemical restrictions, and chain of custody (CoC). CoC requires each stage of production to be certified, beginning at the recycling stage, and ending at the last seller in the final business-to-business transaction. Material collection and material concentration sites are subject to self-declaration, document collection, and on-site visits.

Originally the GRS was developed by Control Union Certifications in 2008 and ownership was passed to Textile Exchange in 2011. The GRS is intended for use with any product that contains at least 20% GRS certified recycled material ; final products carrying the GRS logo must contain at least 50% GRS certified recycled material..The main goal of the GRS is to increase use of recycled materials in products and reduce or eliminate the harm to people and the environment caused by its production.

“Transparency guides the way the Gore Fabric Division is operating and building trust with buyers, customer, end-users, and partners. Therefore, we decided to become certified according to the Global Recycled Standard to ensure traceability of recycled content used in our products”, says Thomas Kiebler, Global Application Engineer Leader, W. L. Gore & Associates. “This success was only possible because of huge efforts undertaken by our manufacturing sites and beyond. We conducted pre-audits and implemented the environmental, social and chemical requirements of the standard which have not been covered yet by our existing certifications e.g., bluesign®, ISO 14001.”

Gore adapted its production and warehouse set-up which allows to separate GRS from non-GRS certified goods as required by the standard. Besides this – as Gore is also using external warehouses for shipping laminates to its licenced partners and buyers – the company worked with its warehouse partners to integrate them into the GRS system.

“After having successfully obtained the GRS certification, we are now embedding the processes and requirements into our existing management system to ensure we maintain the certification and will continuously improve our performance”, says Kiebler.

Mid of 2022, Gore plans to introduce GRS certified laminates to its customers on the consumer business side but also in the GORE-TEX Professional workwear business. This will require adaptations of the IT systems to allow Gore issuing product-related certifications, so called “transaction certificates”, to customers and buyers.

“We will introduce a more holistic portfolio management for our GRS certified laminates so that we can continuously expand our offering to customers and buyers. We will initially start with a small number of laminates of our Gore Fabrics portfolio, but we will work with our suppliers and manufacturing sites to certify all laminates with recycled textiles according to GRS in the future”, states Kiebler.

GORE-TEX Professional Press Office UK

Sally@rusecomm.co.uk

Tel. 07793815026

Gore Associates Paul Jennewein  and Thomas Meyer test immersion protection garments using GORE-TEX PYRAD® product technology from Viking-Life Saving Equipment in Lake Chiemsee, Germany.

in Iceland, volcano eruptions are more commonplace as the last one erupted just a few months ago. While these spectacular eruptions are a marvel to view the power of nature in action, the dangerous conditions created by these eruptions put first responders and others at risk of injury. Working in these and other extreme conditions, the Icelandic search and rescue force ICE-SAR is protected by GORE-TEX product technology and always ready to step in and do what is necessary to protect people. Watch the work of ICE-SAR captured through the lens of Siggi.

The local ICE-SAR team in Grindavík, close to an active volcano site, is busy night and day. With the help from teams all over Iceland, they respond to callouts in the area, undergoing rigorous search and rescue missions alongside other challenging tasks in the uncertain first few weeks of an eruption. These members of the Grindavík team are on a regular patrolling mission in the first days of the eruption.

Thousands of ill-equipped and inexperienced people hike into volcano eruption areas on a daily basis. Icelandic ICE-SAR teams respond to what can be multiple callouts a day, from sprained ankles to heart attacks and everything in between, the teams must face hazardous conditions to rescue these people. To this day there are ongoing, regular callouts, accidents, and missing people in the eruption area as the volcano keeps going and shows no sign of stopping. These heroes need equipment that compromises on neither comfort nor safety, which is why they don themselves in GORE-TEX product technologies, keeping those who keep us safe, safe.

During the first days of an eruption, there is usually a lot of uncertainty. With new craters opening up regularly and poisonous gas coming up and settling in the valleys and around the volcano, ICE-SAR's role is, amongst other things, to measure and monitor gas pollution and inform & educate the thousands of people hiking into the area every day.

Arc rated GORE-TEX PYRAD® fabric is a multi-functional and multi-norm solution for electrical workers who are exposed to the risks of an electric arc, electrostatic discharge and who often have to operate in foul weather conditions. Today, GORE-TEX Professional announced the introduction of a concept for arc-rated 3-layer overtrousers to its PYRAD® portfolio of products. Trousers utilising arc rated GORE-TEX PYRAD® fabric technology allow end users to stay Class 2 arc protected, dry, comfortable and focused on their work not their PPE. When compared to other Class 2 arc protection rainwear trousers currently available they are significantly lighter, less bulky and, in fact they are exceptionally comfortable to wear, remain dry on the inside and provide quick re-drying properties.

The concept of arc-rated overtrousers is constructed from GORE-TEX PYRAD® which is a 1-ply fabric with 3 layers: a face fabric, GORE-TEX membrane plus PYRAD® fabric technology and a flame-retardant backer. To support the introduction of this new technology to our partners, the GORE-TEX Professional design team has developed a new concept for overtrousers that is durable to stand up to tough working environments and designed so that they are easy to put on over existing non-weather protective clothing. The beneficial and functional design elements include: pre-shaped legs, safety zips which run from the hem to the knee so there is no need to remove safety boots to get them on or off and the back is shaped higher than the front to ensure all day wearer comfort in all working positions. As part of their concept design program, GORE-TEX Professional provides this overtrouser design as a service to customers.

Importance of protecting your legs

Legs account for approximately 36% of the body’s total surface area, once they become wet or cold this can impact on the overall warmth and well-being of the rest of the body. It is well documented and scientifically proven that chilled legs put a strain of the immune system. In addition, cold leg muscles have a higher risk of sustaining injury because muscle strength decreases as temperatures fall. GORE-TEX PYRAD® 3-layer overtrousers tackle such issues head on because they provide durable waterproof and windproof protection against rain and wind, which is key to preventing the wearer from getting wet and cold.

Arc rated GORE-TEX PYRAD® 3-Layer overtrousers are a protective and intelligent choice for all electrical workers who demand and deserve the following wide range of protective features: Class 2 arc rated protection, weather protection, flame protection, protection against the hazards of an electric arc, protection against electrostatic discharges and highly visible functionality.

*EN Norms and Standards of Arc rated GORE-TEX PYRAD® Trousers

Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an electric arc, IEC 61482-1-2:2014 class 2 (7 kA), IEC 61482-1-1:2019 arc rating ELIM 42 cal/cm² 

Clothing to protect against heat and flame, EN ISO 11612 A1, A2, B2, C1, D2, E1, F1

Protective clothing for use in welding and allied processes, EN ISO 11611 class 2 A1+A2

High Visibility Clothing, EN ISO 20471 HI-VIS yellow, HI-VIS orange

Protection against rain, EN 343 class 4/3

Electrostatic properties, EN 1149-3/-5

Protective clothing against liquid chemicals, EN 13034 Type 6

Rain Tower Test, EN 14360

Beginning of 2021, GORE-TEX Professional identified megatrends that are likely to have a significant impact on the workwear and protective clothing industry by 2025 (https://news.goretexprofessional.com/en/gore-identifies-workwear-megatrends/ ). Building on its existing research in design trends, GORE-TEX Professional is now going one step further and aims to inspire its manufacturers of protective clothing with new designs. This was preceded by intensive research into current and future market needs using focus groups. These interview results were then grouped into three distinct design concepts for workwear and PPE: “Heritage Handyman”, “High Performer” and “Street Operator”.

The “Heritage Handyman” concept shows protective clothing with traditional looks and the latest functionality - robust and comfortable at the same time.

“High Performer” offers an innovative solution for work clothing: sophisticated details and durable materials - a combination of active performance wear that meets protective clothing.

“Street Operator” is exposed to constant safety and weather-related challenges in the outdoors and relies on protective clothing that provides high visibility coupled with robust and functional design elements.

Gore revolutionized the outerwear industry with waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX Fabric more than 40 years ago and remains a leading innovator of performance apparel. Gore fabrics products provide comfort and protection in challenging environments and in everyday life, enabling wearers to safely and confidently achieve and experience more. From hiking in downpours to defense operations and fighting fires, Gore’s deep understanding of consumer and industry needs drives development of products with meaningful performance advantages. gore-tex.com and goretexprofessional.com

Accidents are more likely to happen when the supplied PPE is discarded or used only intermittently. For instance, a jacket that retains sweat or a pair of boots that leak will soon be abandoned. Studies show that workers are more productive if they feel well protected and can move freely while wearing appropriate work wear. So, making sure that the wearer is motivated to use PPE is just as important as sourcing the very best PPE in the first place.

The following seven key aspects should be considered when selecting PPE:

1. Asking the wearer

A good place to start is with those who need to wear PPE. Sensible employers know the regulations but also make sure their workers are consulted on what is important to them in their PPE. User trials may focus on how effective the design is in keeping workers safe in high-risk situations, but the wearer will want a product that keeps their body comfortable. Too hot, cold, leaky or heavy and it doesn’t matter how good the product is in protecting against danger, the wearer is less likely to use it. Increasingly, workers demand that their PPE is comfortable as well as safe.

2. Latest technology and functional design

In a competitive market, designers and manufacturers now need to be spot-on in terms of developing the latest fabrics for protection in combination with wearer comfort. Increasingly there is wider availability of lightweight multi norm garments which protect against more than just the elements but also against additional risks, such as electric arc flashes. An effective example of this, Arc Rated GORE® PYRAD® garments, offer Class 2 electric arc protection whilst being windproof, lightweight and comfortable for the wearer all day. A growing trend is the demand for stylish garments so designers must be innovative in balancing safety with functional style.

3. Providing an incentive to change

Even where currently used PPE is less than effective, some workers may be reluctant to try a new product. Wider acceptance can be aided via end-user trials or by hosting an Educational Roadshow, where the technology will be explained in detail and benefits of the new styles can be illustrated in a direct and practical way. In current conditions, this can be done safely online.

4. Availability

Once employers and end-users have selected their PPE, it is a smart move to work in partnership with suppliers to develop a speedy ordering and delivery system. A dedicated Cloud PPE Online Ordering System is used by some large-scale employers to ensure that products are delivered the next working day to the individual. 

5. Wash & Care for PPE

An important aspect is to care for the PPE. As garments get dirty and end-users sweat during work, the PPE must be washed in order to restore its performance. Employers should check if products are proven to withstand minimum 50 wash & care cycles and perform durably. Arc Rated GORE® PYRAD® laminates are proven to pass 50 wash/dry cycles in both home laundry and industrial laundry processes.

6. Sustainability and the environment

Companies throughout the supply chain, from sourcing raw materials to retail selling, are eliminating or reducing the use of potentially harmful materials, to protect humans and the environment. Employers more and more check environmental programs of manufacturers and suppliers when sourcing PPE. They look for ISO standardised method for environmental assessment of products and services including ISO 14001 or Life Cycle Assessment (LCA – ISO 14040) but also adherence to standards such as Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX.

7. Wearer satisfaction levels

In the end, PPE is worn by real people in real working conditions. It is no false economy to ensure that very high satisfaction levels can be evidenced in the chosen safety wear. Comfort, style and thermal regulation in high performance fabrics must work together so that the end-user is happy, safe and protected to work long hours in the supplied PPE.

Gore revolutionized the outerwear industry with waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX Fabric more than 40 years ago and remains a leading innovator of performance apparel. Gore fabrics products provide comfort and protection in challenging environments and in everyday life, enabling wearers to safely and confidently achieve and experience more. From hiking in downpours to defense operations and fighting fires, Gore’s deep understanding of consumer and industry needs drives development of products with meaningful performance advantages.  goretexprofessional.com