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Every turnout composite system is made up of an outer shell, moisture barrier, and thermal liner. Taking the time to understand the importance of each layer and its benefits, is key to keeping your crew safe.

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Composites

Composite Systems

Before choosing which turnout materials make up the right combination for your department's safety, you need to understand how they work together as a composite system.

What is a composite system?  All fire suits are made up of 3 layers; the outer shell, moisture barrier, and thermal liner. When talking about these 3 fabrics together, we refer to them as a composite system. It is not possible to build safe gear that meets all NFPA requirements without one of these layers. Therefore, it is extremely important that each layer works well together to provide balanced protection.

Outer Shell Moisture Barrier Thermal Liner
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Composite systems determine:

  • How much the overall turnout gear will weigh
  • How easily your body will be able to self regulate back to a normal temperature
  • How much heat your turnout gear will endure while protecting you
  • How much strength it'll take for an object to penetrate through the protective layers
  • How easily you'll be able to move through a fire scene

Deciding on the right composite system for your fire department begins with determining your needs, then finding a suitable balance.

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Outer Shell

What is an outer shell?   The outer shell is the outer most layer of the composite system. It is the layer that displays your patches, reflective materials and pockets.

What is the Importance of an outer shell?   The main functions of the outer shell include:

  • Resistance To Flame
  • First Defense Against Abrasions & Tearing
  • Contributes to the overall weight of the garment
  • Impacts flexibility and breathability

All outer shells are non-fluorinated.

TECGEN71

Milliken Logo
TECGEN71 is built with a non PFAS water repellent finish.This patented material is designed to reduce heat stress while offering high performance levels in TPP, breathability, and an overall reduction of composite weight. Ripstop Twill Weave.
  • TECGEN71 Fabric - Tan SwatchGold
  • TECGEN71 Outer Shell - Black SwatchBlack

AGILITY™

A new fabric offering ease of movement with TenCate Enforce Technology. KEVLAR® / NOMEX® / PBO blend. Material Weight - 6.6 oz/yd2. Twill weave.
  • Light Gold
  • Dark Gold
  • Black/Gold

ARMOR™ APSafety Components Logo

Lightweight, flexible and strong. Content - 80% NOMEX®/KEVLAR® (40/60) blend spun yarn with 20% KEVLAR® filament yarn. Material Weight - 6.5oz/yd2. Twill weave.
  • Gold
  • Armor AP outer shell black Black
  • Khaki

Gentex® Dual Mirror® Aluminized Fabric

Aluminized PBI®/ Para-Aramid is a fabric blend that combines polybenzimidazole synthetic fiber with para-aramid to create a high-performing fabric. Material Weight - 7.0 oz/sq yd. Ripstop Knit.
  • Aluminized

PBI® XT

Great strength, thermal stability, and superior abrasion resistance. Content - 60% KEVLAR® /40% PBI®. Material Weight - 7.5oz/yd2. Plain weave reinforced with high strength KEVLAR® filament.
  • Gold
  • Black

KOMBAT™ FLEX

Light yet strong, greater ease of movement and more flexibility. Content - 70% PBI® /KEVLAR® blend spun yarn with 30% KEVLAR® filament yarn. Material Weight - 6.9oz/yd2. Twill weave.
  • Gold
  • Black

NOMEX® EssentialDuPont Nomex Kevlar Logo

Proven Economical Protection. Content - 93% NOMEX®, 5% KEVLAR®, 2% Anti-Static blend spun yarn. Material Weight - 7.5 oz/yd2. Plain weave.
  • Nomex Fabric in Yellow Yellow
  • Nomex Fabric in Tan Tan
  • Nomex Fabric in Black Black
  • Nomex Fabric in White White
  • Nomex Fabric in Red Red
  • Nomex Fabric in Navy Blue Navy

PBI MAX® LPSafety Components Logo

Lighter, stronger, with enhanced break open protection. Content - 70% PBI® LP/Para-Aramid spun yarns with 30% KEVLAR® filament yarn. Material Weight - 6.0oz/yd2. Twill weave.
  • Gold
  • Black

PBI MAX® 7ozSafety Components Logo

Extremely flexible, lighter weight, and strong. Content - 70% PBI®/ KEVLAR® blend spun yarn with 30% KEVLAR® filament yarn. Material Weight - 7.0oz/yd2. Twill weave.
  • Gold
  • Black

PBI Peak5® 5.6oz

Lightweight and strong. Content - 40% PBI®/ KEVLAR® blend spun yarn with 60% KEVLAR® filament yarn. Material Weight - 5.6oz/yd2. Twill weave.
  • pbi natural Natural
  • Peak5 black Black

PIONEER™

A new, innovative, lightweight twill weave with TenCate Enforce Technology. Content - KEVLAR®/ NOMEX®. Material Weight - 6.6 oz/yd2. Twill weave.
  • Gold
  • Khaki
  • Yellow
  • Black
  • Pioneer LIght Gold material swatch Light Gold

Moisture Barriers

What is a Moisture Barrier?  The moisture barrier is the layer of protection found in the middle of the composite system.

What is the Importance of a Moisture Barrier?   Although hidden from sight, the moisture barrier contributes to the following turnout properties:

  • Chemical, Liquid, & Bloodborne Pathogen Resistance
  • Insulation & Thermal Protection
  • Overall Weight Of The Garment
  • Flexibility & Breathability

  • CROSSTECH® 3-Layer

    Substrate : NOMEX® fabric woven from spun fibers (pajama check on front, proprietary weave on back)

    Membrane: Enhanced bicomponent GORE™ ePTFE film

    Total Weight : 7.0 oz/yd2

    Supplier Warranty : 7 years

  • CROSSTECH® BLACK

    Substrate : NOMEX® fabric woven from spun fibers (pajama check)

    Membrane: Enhanced bicomponent GORE™ ePTFE film

    Total Weight : 4.7 oz/yd2

    Supplier Warranty : 5 years

  • GORE RT7100

    Gore® RT7100

    Substrate :Nomex® nonwoven substrate

    Membrane: Enhanced bicomponent GORE™ ePTFE film

    Film : Bi-component ePTFE membrane

    Total Weight : 4.6 oz/yd2

    Supplier Warranty: 4 years

  • STEDAIR® 3000

    Substrate : NOMEX® non-woven spun lace

    Film : Bi-component ePTFE membrane

    Total Weight : 5.2 oz/yd2

    Supplier Warranty : 4 years

  • STEDAIR® 4000

    Substrate : NOMEX® non-woven pajama check

    Film : Bi-component ePTFE membrane

    Total Weight : 5.5 oz/yd2

    Supplier Warranty : 5 years

  • STEDAIR® GOLD

    Substrate : PBI®/NOMEX® blend non-woven spun lace

    Film : Bi-component ePTFE membrane

    Total Weight : 5.2 oz/yd2

    Supplier Warranty : 7 years

Thermal Liners

What is a Thermal Liner?   The thermal liner is the innermost layer of the turnout gear's composite system. It is the layer you see inside the coat as you pull it on.

What is the Importance of a Thermal Liner?   The thermal liner plays an important role in:

  • Moisture Wicking (Removing Sweat Away From The Body)
  • Breathability (Allowing Heat To Leave The Body & Have Somewhere To Go)
  • Overall Weight Of The Garment
  • Flexibility
  • Defender M SL2 Thermal Liner

    DEFENDER™ M ELITE NP

    Face Cloth : LENZING FR®/Aramid/Nylon blend spun yarn, plain weave. Available in brass.

    Batting : 1 layer aramid needle punch

    Total Weight : 7.0 oz/yd2

  • Glide Ice 1-layer Thermal Liner

    GLIDE ICE™ 1-LAYER

    Face Cloth : 3.6 oz/yd2 86% Aramid/14% Viscose Twill Weave

    Batting : Quilted 1 layer of 2.3oz/yd2 Aramid

    Total Weight : 5.9 oz/yd2

  • Glide Ice 2-layer Thermal Liner

    GLIDE ICE™ 2-LAYER

    Face Cloth : 60% NOMEX® filament yarn with 40% NOMEX®/LENZING FR® blend spun yarn, twill weave

    Batting : 2 layers of NOMEX® E89™ spunlace (1 layer each of 2.3 and 1.5 oz/yd2)

    Total Weight : 7.4 oz/yd2

  • Glide Ice Nomex Nano Thermal Liner

    GLIDE ICE™ NOMEX® NANO

    Face Cloth : 60% NOMEX® filament yarn with 40% NOMEX®/LENZING FR® blend spun yarn, twill weave

    Batting : 2 layers of NOMEX® E89™ spunlace (1 layer each of 2.3 and 1.5 oz/yd2)

    Total Weight : 7.4 oz/yd2

  • Milliken ResQ 8001 Thermal Liner

    Milliken® CoreCXP™ 2-Layer

    Face Cloth : 100% spun Nomex® 

    Batting : 2 layers of spunlace E-89

    Total Weight : 7.1 oz/yd2

  • Milliken ResQ 8001 Thermal Liner

    Milliken® CoreCXP™ 1-Layer

    Face Cloth : 100% spun Nomex® 

    Batting : 1 layer of spunlace E-89

    Total Weight : 5.6 oz/yd2

  • Prism 1-layer Thermal Liner

    PRISM™ 1-LAYER

    Face Cloth : 3.6 oz/yd2 68% Aramid/21% FR Viscose/11% Polyamide Dobby Weave

    Batting : Quilted 1 layer of 2.3oz/yd2 Aramid

    Total Weight : 5.9 oz/yd2

  • Q-8™

    Face Cloth : Meta-aramid, FR modacrylic (spun)

    Batting :     Aramid, FR rayon, needle-punch, non-woven

    Total Weight :     8.0 oz/yd2

  • QUANTUM 4I™ SL2i

    Face Cloth : KEVLAR® filament yarn with LENZING FR®/KEVLAR®/Nylon spun fibers, check weave

    Batting : Two layers of aperture PBI®G2™ spun lace

    Total Weight : 7.0 oz/yd2

  • Titanium SL2i

    TITANIUM™

    Face Cloth : Filament Nomex® and COOLDERM™ technology

    Batting : 2-layer, spun lace

    Total Weight : 7.7 oz/yd2

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