Hainsworth Protective Fabrics weaves natural fibres into firefighting PPE

September 27, 2024

Testing has found that a revolutionary PPE fabric, developed for wildland firefighting by Hainsworth Protective Fabrics and woven using Merino Wool, provides 17% more breathability than alternative blends.

The brand’s ECO-DRY fabric was Thermal Evaporative Resistance (RET) tested by an accredited independent test house against a prototype wildland fabric made from a 100% meta-aramid blend. RET testing is a type of fabric testing that quantifies moisture vapour transfer and breathability.

In RET testing, a lower value demonstrates increased moisture vapour transfer, which in this case means greater breathability. When testing was complete, ECO-DRY was found to be 17% more breathable than the prototype fabric, proving that it offers better moisture management properties than fabric made from a 100% meta-aramid blend.

Further testing was carried out at James Heal in Halifax – using their state-of-the-art WickView equipment. This machine tracks and records the real-time liquid transfer through the fabric, replicating how it performs when worn. This testing found that ECO-DRY demonstrates excellent wicking properties for a flame-retardant fabric, while the comparison fabric didn’t allow any liquid to pass through.

The meta-aramid version demonstrated no wicking properties in WickView testing and had lower breathability than the standard merino wool version, resulting in overall poorer moisture management. Reduced breathability and wickability can make the wearer feel uncomfortable and put them at risk of heat exhaustion. However, with the inclusion of Merino Wool in the ECO-DRY fabric, sweat is drawn away from the firefighter’s skin and through the fabric, which helps them maintain a manageable body temperature.

With wildland firefighting becoming increasingly challenging due to more frequent and severe wildfires, the need for protective clothing that can withstand extreme conditions while ensuring the wearer’s comfort has never been more critical. Clothing with effective wicking properties helps to evaporate heat more quickly and stops the wearer from overheating. This breakthrough will reduce the chance of heat stress and improve firefighters’ performance in the most demanding environments, improving safety and comfort.

Martin Haworth, Hainsworth Protective Fabrics Technical Manager, explains, “ECO-DRY fabric combines the natural properties of Merino Wool with advanced flame-retardant fibres, creating a material that meets and exceeds the rigorous demands of wildland firefighting. The integration of Merino Wool offers superior moisture management and breathability, crucial for maintaining core body temperature during intense physical activity. In addition, the fabric’s ability to wick moisture away from the skin ensures that firefighters remain dry and comfortable, reducing the likelihood of heat exhaustion.”

Hainsworth Protective Fabrics develops and weaves cutting-edge PPE fabrics that deliver unrivalled protection, comfort and quality and surpass international standards. Using a unique process called Fibre Positioning Technology, Hainsworth PPE fabric is trusted by thousands of emergency service professionals across the globe, including firefighters, police and emergency personnel.

Each fabric crafted by Hainsworth Protective Fabrics, a subsidiary of AW Hainsworth, established in 1783, is developed at a family-run heritage textile mill in West Yorkshire and tested at the company’s state-of-the-art laboratory and independently.

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