3o Trimestre10 | LUCHA CONTRA EL FUEGO Especial Fuego PROTECCIÓN LABORAL 64 | 3oTrimestre10 40 More energy, with Lenzing FR® protective clothing Lenzing FR® is present in more protective clothes than we can imagine. The high per- formance fibre protecting against heat, born over 30 years ago as Lenzing Viscose FR, is used every day in millions of clothes: for the military, police corps, fire fighters, and industry workers around the world. All of them benefited by its use. Since the re-launch of the fibre as Lenzing FR®, in 2004, and its shift to a Modal base, the fibre has been introduced to a full range of new PPE markets. Today, Lenzing FR® offers end users great advantages, for Modal fibres are the new generation of vis- cose fibres, highly resistant in both dry and humid environments, with fast colours and a smooth feel. The fibre and the brand are now gaining momentum with a full range of new protective fabrics for hazar- dous work situations. High-level protection against the heat Lenzing FR® is known both as a fibre offe- ring advanced flame protection and as a mixed fibre improving the performance of aramids. When Lenzing FR® is mixed with other fibres, fabrics will protect against the heat of molten metal spills, electric arc, fla- mes, flammable fluids, welding sparks and radiant heat. Due to its advanced mixture technology, it will cover a full range of hazards and protection requirements. And this, in addition to the possibility of uni- que clothing concepts, from head to toe, including socks and stockings, flame-retar- dant underwear, polars and warm clothes with flame retardant FR® properties. Protective clothing made with Lenzing FR means permanent protection incorpora- ted. So workers and industrial laundry ser- vices will never need to count washing cycles again. In tests carried out with dummies exposed to flame, clothes made with Lenzing FR® fibres protected the skin against the more serious burns, with greater resistance against tear and shrinkage cause by heat, when compared to equal-weight materials available in the marketplace. Inherently comfortable Comfort is an essential criterion for pro- tective clothing. Workers will refuse to wear protective clothing if it is uncomfor- table. End users choose Lenzing FR® because it offers the highest protection levels, combined with great comfort and flexibility. For over 30 years, clients have always praised the comfort offered by protective clothing made with Lenzing FR® as they value breathability and humidity mana- gement. Such positive reaction on the part of users caused manufacturers to place an empha- sis on communications, regarding comfort and physiological performance of protecti- ve clothing. The two-part project communi- cating advantages includes: · Measuring fabric standards in terms of comfort. · Studying physiologic performance of clot- hing, in collaboration with the Medical University of Graz (Austria). To measure comfort standards, a number of tests were developed, including the ‘skin model’ and other methods that help obtain information on fabric breathability, cool touch, humidity absorption, drying speed, and water activity (to determine bacterial growth rates). As a result, Lenzing FR® pro- ved to offer superior body temperature and humidity management when compared to other materials available in the marketplace. The physiologic performance study carried out at the University of Graz was compre- hensive and exhaustive, with a total 18 volunteers assessing 4 different material combinations (mixture of Lenzing Fr, FRT cotton, aramid and modacrylic/cotton), in long underwear and coveralls. The tempera- ture inside the test chamber was set at 35°C. Volunteers pedaled on a fixed bicycle and followed a progressive scale until they rea- ched the threshold of human physiologic resistant. Recorded standards included base body temperature, skin temperature, temperature decrease with combined clot- hes, skin and clothes humidity, concentra- tion of lactate and heart beat rate. By the end of the test, all consulted volun- teers commented on the different mate- rials used, and most of them stated it was hard to determine any differences, for they were more focused on ending the test than on thinking of clothes. However, most of them stated that the 100% aramid combi- nation caused thermal stress as they carried out the test. Results confirmed the excellent body tem- perature management properties of Len- zing FR® during physical activity, with a better performance as it is essential to keep the body cool to avoid thermal stress and overheating. Lactate concentration levels also confirmed that with Lenzing FR® pro- tective clothing volunteers could work lon- ger at a given level, than when wearing clothes made from other materials. This improved performance may save lives in critical situations! In conclusion, Lenzing FR® maximizes body performance while minimizing hazards that include burns, heat stress, heat stroke and – in extreme situations – life risk. These properties go to prove the validity of acceptance levels for this fibre on the part of users around the world.