PBI Performance Products is enjoying continued growth across Europe as more fire and rescue services specify the company’s outer fabrics as the preferred choice to protect their firefighters.
PBI fabrics are internationally renowned for their exceptional flame resistance and thermal protection from radiant heat, built on a 30-year heritage of technical excellence and innovation.
In Sweden, Gothenburg Fire and Rescue Service recently changed to PPE with a new outer fabric, manufactured by Viking, choosing Neo, which provides excellent tensile strength and tear resistance, along with the inherent protective properties of PBI fibre. Katarina Appelqvist, Gothenburg Fire and Rescue Service, said: “PBI is integral to our new PPE system which was chosen after a rigorous trial and evaluation process to ensure the best combination of protection and comfort for our firefighters.”
In the UK, Manchester Fire and Rescue Service have also opted to protect their firefighters with PBI Matrix fabric in their new PPE ensemble, designed and manufactured by Bristol Uniforms. Steve McGuirk, County Fire Officer and Chief Executive, Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said:
“Our focus is on providing the best possible protection for our firefighters and PBI fabric plays an important role in achieving that in our new PPE.”
In the Netherlands, Rotterdam Fire Department’s firefighters will be protected by PBI Matrix fabric, which combines the high performing heat and flame protection of PBI Gold with a durable matrix of high strength denier filaments to reduce wear and tear. The brigade’s new PPE is manufactured by Texport. Jan Bosch, insert title, Rotterdam Fire Department said: “We are very happy with the new firefighting suit, which was chosen after a series of extremely challenging wearer trials and tests, during which the team praised the suit’s comfort and performance.”
PBI Matrix is also the preferred choice in Ireland, where Dublin Fire Brigade’s firefighters will also benefit from the high standards of protection delivered by the fabric, supplied by Hunter Apparel Solutions.
In procuring their new fire-fighting ensembles, all of these fire and rescue services undertook detailed and demanding evaluations, setting extremely high performance standards for the component fabrics, as well as the complete suits. In all of these tests and criteria, PBI fabrics exceeded the required standards.
Since the North American introduction of PBI Max in 2012, there has been huge success in PBI growth. With over 35,000 sets in the field, the comfort, protection and durability of PBI Max is unquestioned. Major metro city conversions include Phoenix, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Montreal, San Diego and many others.
Further new additions are Gemini XTL and Titan 1260 complementing the internationally renowned PBI Matrix and PBI Gold fabrics.
PBI fabrics are lightweight and strong and achieve a high standard of flame resistance. They will not become brittle, shrink or break open when exposed to flame and high temperatures. This also means that the integrity of the internal layers of the garment is protected and the transfer of any radiant heat is slower, allowing more time for firefighters to escape to safety in a situation such as a flashover.
The outer fabric is the first line of defence in any protective clothing ensemble and has to be strong and durable to cope with the impacts and abrasions that come with the job. It doesn’t matter how well a fabric protects the wearer if it won’t hold up to the working environment. PBI fabrics are very durable with high tear and UV resistance. They have a proven track record of maintaining performance and protection levels throughout the lifetime of the garment and that high durability also helps to ensure low maintenance.
Helmut Zepf, Vice President, International Sales & Marketing, PBI Performance Products said: “The continued success and growth of the business across all of our markets is a result of the quality and performance of our products and the commitment of our team to work closely with fire and rescue services to fully understand their needs.
“The specialist knowledge and expertise that we have developed through close relationships with our fire service end users and supply chain partners over the last 30 years informs our continued innovation and product development.
PBI fabrics protect front line firefighters all over the world in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the Middle East, North America and much of Europe, including Scandinavia
and Germany.
For more information, go to www.pbiproducts.com
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