is the first flame-retardant seamless underwear in this mix of materials which has all the relevant certificates. In addition, it has obtained excellent test results. The results from tests of breathability, moisture management, absorption speed and absorption capacity, as well as the results of the skin model test, prove: our functional underwear is always one step ahead of other products. In addition to its certified flame retardancy, wins wearers over with the same features as TESS’s other seamless underwear: flat seams, comfortable cuffs, quick drying times and minimal thermal bridges. Both the flame-retardant underwear and the industrial safety underwear are soft and extremely comfortable on the skin, keeping it dry and retaining the wearer’s full performance capacity, whether they are a firefighter, police officer, worker on an oil platform or a race driver.
You know: you can completely rely on
What does “flame-retardant” mean?
Flame-retardant fabrics cannot be ignited in a “normal” atmosphere of breathing air. The flammability of fibre substrates is measured by the so-called limiting oxygen index (LOI). The LOI indicates the percentage of oxygen in the air that has to be present to support combustion of a fibre material. Normal cotton fibres for example have a LOI of 19-20% which means that the fibres will burn. In case of flame-retardant fibres, however, the LOI is above 25, meaning that the fibres will not burn.
For fire-retardant protective clothing, it is essential that the textile fabrics used do not burn. In order to test and determine the protection performance and performance levels in a reproducible way, standards have been developed for flame-retardant protective clothing. For example, EN ISO 11612, “Clothing to protect against heat and flame”. meets all relevant standards for flame-retardant protective clothing, achieving excellent scores!
Flame-retardant clothing in motor sports
Spacesuits, firefighting clothing and race suits protect the wearers from intensive heat and fire. The Formula 1 FIA regulations (Fédération Internationale de l Automobile), for instance, place highest demands on the racewear worn by the drivers. The suits must resist a temperature of 820 degrees Celsius for at least ten seconds. This is the only way to protect the drivers from heat and flames if they get involved in an accident and reduce the risk of severe burns. To provide best possible protection, high-quality technical textile fibres are essential. is the ideal underwear for wearing beneath flame-retardant race suits and heavy workwear. Our fibre material meets all performance requirements set out by the FIA regulations. It has been tested for all criteria. We have even provided prominent race drivers with our underwear in order to test it directly on the track. Their unanimous opinion: The material reliably transports perspiration to the outside, has a positive effect on the temperature management of the body and compared to other products, feels extremely soft and pleasant on the skin.
What does “flame-retardant” mean?
Flame-retardant fabrics cannot be ignited in a “normal” atmosphere of breathing air. The flammability of fibre substrates is measured by the so-called limiting oxygen index (LOI). The LOI indicates the percentage of oxygen in the air that has to be present to support combustion of a fibre material. Normal cotton fibres for example have a LOI of 19-20% which means that the fibres will burn. In case of flame-retardant fibres, however, the LOI is above 25, meaning that the fibres will not burn.
For fire-retardant protective clothing, it is essential that the textile fabrics used do not burn. In order to test and determine the protection performance and performance levels in a reproducible way, standards have been developed for flame-retardant protective clothing. For example, EN ISO 11612, “Clothing to protect against heat and flame”. meets all relevant standards for flame-retardant protective clothing, achieving excellent scores!
International standard 11612: Clothing to protect against heat and flame
The international standard 11612 determines performance requirements for clothing made from flexible materials, i.e. for example knitted or woven fabrics. These have the function to protect the body from heat and flames. The performance requirements apply for the clothing of professions that are exposed to a limited flame spread. In addition, the clothing must protect the wearer reliably against radiant, convective or contact heat as well as against molten metal splashes. Apart from the requirements for protection against heat and flames, the standard also defines minimum requirements for tensile, tear, burst, seam strength and shrinkage after washing. meets all requirements defined by Standard 11612 and has been awarded the relevant certification.
Moisture absorption: speed and capacity
Professionals, who sweat a lot during their jobs due to physically demanding activities, a hot working environment or extreme stress situations, must be able to rely on underwear which quickly and efficiently transports perspiration away from the skin. The GATS test shows: underwear can do it. The GATS test measures the absorption speed and absorption capacity of water. The higher the scores, the dryer and more pleasant the garments will feel on the skin. For the test, the textile material is exposed to a certain quantity of liquid water from beneath and without pressure. Then the water absorption capacity and the absorption speed are measured.
High air permeability reduces heat stress
Air permeability
Moisture absorbtion- speed and capacity
The air permeability of underwear is an important factor for wellbeing and performance: The higher the permeability, the less the body will overheat. It is decisive that the generally moist, warm air can circulate well on the skin’s surface and can absorb the evaporating sweat in form of water vapour. This allows for a cooling by evaporation. The higher the air permeability of a knitted fabric, the faster it will dry.
underwear never clings to the skin in a moist or even wet state, but dries immediately. This stabilises the performance capacity of the wearer and drastically reduces the chances of getting a cold or any other infection.
Exceptionally good moisture and climate management
Moisture and body climate management
Moisture and body climate management
The “skin model” test proves it: Compared to other undergarments, the flame-retardant underwear scores extremely well. The test measures the short-term water absorption (Fi). This is an indicator for the ability of a textile to absorb and store perspiration in form of vapour for a short term. A high score indicates a high storage capacity. The skin model can simulate body heat and measure the moisture transfer of a textile material. It consists of a microporous, heated plate, representing the human skin. The resulting water vapour simulates body sweat. The test apparatus is positioned in a climate chamber, so that the specimen is exposed to a constant flow of air.
The test proves it: Fireshelter generates a cool touch on the skin
The Alambeta laboratory test method is designed to test the temperature sensation on the skin’s surface and determines how warm or cold underwear feels for the wearer. In the test, the specimen is placed between two plates. One of the plates is at ambient temperature, the other simulates the surface temperature of the human skin and is heated up to 35°C. Bringing the heated plate into contact with the specimen will generate a measurable difference in temperature. The tactile heat sensation on the skin is important for the wearer’s subjective feeling of well-being: Too much heat will immediately give rise to the unpleasant feeling of overheating, whilst a cool feeling during physical exercise is perceived as pleasant. The result is clear: generate a cool touch on the skin.