Features & Benefits
Captain Jim Fire Hood Features & Benefits
CLASSIC CAPTAIN JIM FIRE HOOD
MATERIALS: 2-layer Spentex (70% O-PAN, 28% Twaron & 2.0% FR Rayon)
SIZE/FIT: Designed to be one-size-fits-all, this hood is 20” long with an elastic face opening.
WICKING: The hood wicks away moisture (perspiration, water, and even steam).
THERMAL PROTECTION: Has an initial TPP rating of 29.5 which increases with washings and an Arc Thermal Performance Value (ATPV) rating of 34, meaning that it can tolerate and protect against 34 calories of heat per square centimeter.
CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS: Wash according to NFPA 1851 guidelines. The hood will air dry in approximately 2 hours.
CAPTAIN JIM HOOD WITH STEDAIR® PREVENT
MATERIALS: 1 outer layer 6 oz Spentex and 1 inner layer of Stedair® PREVENT.
SIZE/FIT: Designed to be one-size-fits-all, the Captain Jim Hood with Stedair® PREVENT has an extended bib for additional coverage and an elastic face opening to ensure a proper interfacing with any SCBA mask.
THERMAL PROTECTION: This hood is best known for its superior TPP, which comes in at 21.0 as received and 27.5 after 5 washes.
BREATHABILITY: Finding the right balance of particulate barrier protection and Total Heat Loss is important. The Captain Jim Hood with Stedair® PREVENT beats out its competitors using moisture barrier technology.
PARTICULATE FILTRATION: 99.9% even after 100 washes.
CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS: Wash according to NFPA 1851 guidelines. The hood will air dry in approximately 2 hours.
Fabric
TECGEN71 CONSTRUCTION
TECGEN71 features rip twill construction that puts the proven strength of 60/40 Kevlar®/Nomex® on the face of the fabric, while creating a super structure of the TECGEN® fiber inside. This combination provides a lightweight solution, weighing in at 6.5 oz/yd2.
What is TECGEN Fiber?
TECGEN fiber is a high-density carbon shell surrounding a flexible core, which offers increased durability, flexibility and comfort over typical carbon-based fibers.
TECGEN71 Composites vs. Typical Combinations:
Without sacrificing Thermal Protective Performance
TPP/THL
WHAT IS TPP AND THL?
From the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and FEMA, Thermal Protective Performance (TPP) “measures how well a fabric protects the wearer against second-degree burns in a flash fire. The higher the TPP value, the more thermal protection the fabric provides relative to other fabrics.”
Total Heat Loss (THL) measures breathability, or the ability of the total composite system to allow heat and moisture to evaporate. Breathability is a key factor in reducing heat stress.
The THL average of all the certified composites in the current NFPA 1971 standard is 248.4 with a TPP average of 43.0.
Most turnout gear options focus on TPP or reducing the weight as it is difficult to attain both measurements.
CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR PPE.
The lighter weight total composite system allows more breathability and flexibility, yielding a 50% higher THL without sacrificing TPP or durability.
Strength
Does More Strength Equal Durability?
The same inverse relations can be said for fabric strength and its impact to comfort by limiting the THL performance of 3-layer composite systems (outer shell, moisture barrier & thermal liner). Over the past few years, the industry is seeing stronger outer shells with tensile and tear strength numbers that are 3-4x the requirements in the NFPA 1971 standard.
Do these higher strength numbers provide more durability and if so, what is the trade-off for the increased strength?
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recognizes the importance of fabric strength (tensile and tear strength) and sets minimum requirements for performance. These requirements make outer shells in PPE the strongest materials in any industry.
Based on our years of manufacturing experience, we, at Fire-Dex, believe that at some point, a fabric is strong enough to withstand the demands of the fire service. Exceeding that point can compromise other more important attributes – mainly comfort and THL.
The ultimate goal for TECGEN71 was to create the most flexible, lightest weight, highest THL composite systems in the market without sacrificing thermal protection or durability in the process. Our focus is to address the leading cause of Line of Duty Deaths since NFPA began tracking in 1979 – Heat Stress.
FABRIC TEAR TESTING
Fabric tear testing is designed to demonstrate the capacity of an outer shell to resist tearing once a rip or cut has occurred. A fabric with adequate tear strength will help keep that rip or cut from becoming larger and potentially compromising the safety of the PPE. Tear strength is tested by a machine that uses a piece of already cut fabric and measures the force it takes to rip the fabric along the initial cut.
Why is Tear Testing important for fire safety? Firefighters are often in situations where small cuts or tears in the outer shell can occur. Wearing fabric that tests poorly can lead to a shorter life-span for turnout gear, other garment failures and increased risk of burns.
TENSILE STRENGTH TESTING
Tensile strength testing is used to measure how much force it takes to pull a whole, uncut or untorn, fabric apart. It is an indicator of how well a garment will stay together when it has forces applied to it from a variety of situations.
In the chart, you will see tensile strength differences between a traditional Kevlar®/Nomex® blend and a typical, high strength blend. While the high strength blend shows visibly higher tensile strength numbers, the Kevlar®/Nomex® blend is the most popular fabric in the market and has been proven over the years to be one of the most durable products ever in the fire service.
Durability
TABER ABRASION
Taber Abrasion tests involve mounting an outer shell material to a turntable platform that rotates while two abrading wheels apply pressure to create a rub-wear action against the fabric.
What Should Firefighters Know About the Taber Abrasion Test? While this test is designed to demonstrate accelerated wear testing and may have some value in material evaluation, extreme caution should be taken when comparing results of various fabrics.
***Taber Abrasion is not a required NFPA performance test and has been shown to provide inconsistent results, showing no correlation to durability or actual field performance.
TECGEN71 PERFORMANCE
On the Taber Abrasion test, TECGEN71 compares equally or better than comparable outer shells in the market. In the Fire-Dex laboratory, the Taber Abrasion test follows ASTM 3884 using two H-18 abrading wheels and it is weighted with a 500-gram weight on each side.
The following Taber Abrasion samples were tested at 500 cycles on the same machine, strictly following ASTM methods to ensure the most relevant comparison possible.
Taber Abrasion Results @ 500 Cycles:
Flexibility
CIRCULAR BEND TESTING
The Circular Bend Test determines fabric stiffness by measuring the amount of force that is required to push a fabric sample through a round hole. Testing is conducted on a steel platform with a 1.5” diameter hole in the center and uses a plunger to push the fabric through the opening.
This test is not a requirement of NFPA but is the optimal testing method to compare fabric stiffness. Less weight/force equals more flexibility.
Why is it Important to Consider Circular Bend When Purchasing Turnout Gear? Traditional gear can make it difficult to maneuver. While fighting a fire, you should feel comfortable and have a wide range of motion.
Composites
OUTER SHELLS
THERMAL
MOISTURE BARRIERS
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Black
-
GOLD
-
OMNI QUILT™
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STEDAIR®4000
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CROSSTECH® BLACK
TECGEN71 COMPOSITE PERFORMANCE
MES also offers custom built turnouts featuring TECGEN71. Visit the link below for available options.
Materials
OUTER SHELLS
NOMEX® IIIA
- Black
- Red
- Tan
- White
- Yellow
PIONEER™
- BLACK
- Gold
- KHAKI
- YELLOW
THERMAL LINERS
-
DEFENDER™ M ELITE NP
Face Cloth : LENZING FR®/Aramid/Nylon blend spun yarn, plain weave. Available in brass.
Batting : 1 layer of NOMEX® non-woven needle punch
Total Weight : 7.3 oz/yd2
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Q-8™
Face Cloth : Meta-aramid, FR modacrylic (spun)
Batting : Aramid, FR rayon, needle-punch, non-woven
Total Weight : 8.0 oz/yd2
MOISTURE BARRIERS
-
STEDAIR® 3000
Substrate : NOMEX® non-woven spun lace
Film : Bi-component ePTFE membrane
Total Weight : 5.2 oz/yd2
Supplier Warranty : 3 years
-
STEDAIR® 4000
Substrate : NOMEX® non-woven pajama check
Film : Bi-component ePTFE membrane
Total Weight : 5.5 oz/yd2
Supplier Warranty : 4 years
Material
COLOR OPTIONS
- Black
- Tan
- Navy (Level 3 Only)
Interested in learning more about the technology that allows TECGEN51 fabric to exhibit superior TPP while maintaining flexibility and durability?
Options
TECGEN51 FATIGUE OPTIONS
This lightweight gear comes in two models to accommodate your needs; Level 1 and Level 3. See comparison chart for specific details.
Features
WHAT MAKES TECGEN51 FATIGUES SUPERIOR?
EXTRA PROTECTION: Minimizes exposure to carcinogens.
COMFORT: Provides enhanced mobility for confined spaces.
LIGHTWEIGHT: Breathable, single layer garment reduces cardiac stress and fatigue.
DURABLE: Flexible TECGEN fiber provides increased durability over typical carbon-based fibers.
PRACTICAL: Reduces exposure of turnout gear to rips and UV light degradation.
STANDARD FEATURES
Products Featuring TECGEN51
TECGEN51 FATIGUES
Fully-constructed with TECGEN51 fabric, these single-layer firefighter fatigues are all you need for 90% of your calls!
EMS
Try our waterproof, breathable and blood borne pathogen-resistant EMS gear with the added benefits of TECGEN51 fabric.
USAR
The durable protection you require for technical rescue & emergency medical calls is available with TECGEN51 fabric.
Construction
FABRIC CONSTRUCTION
TECGEN51 fabric is a flame-resistant, twill weave material built from a combination of high-density TECGEN fibers and para-aramids. Its unique blend is balanced to achieve optimal strength, thermal protection and breathability.
What is TECGEN Fiber?
TECGEN fiber is a high-density carbon shell surrounding a flexible core, which offers increased durability, flexibility and comfort over typical carbon-based fibers.
FABRIC PREFORMANCE
The NFPA puts standards in place to certify that first responder PPE is strong enough to withstand the demands of the job. TECGEN51 fabric outperforms those standards. Refer to the chart below to learn more about TECGEN51 Fabric performance.
CONSTRUCTION | RADIANT PROTECTIVE PERFORMANCE (RPP) | THERMAL PROTECTIVE PERFORMANCE (TPP) | FLAME RESISTANCE AFTER 100 LAUNDERINGS | HEAT AND THERMAL SHRINKAGE | TOTAL HEAT LOSS (THL) | TEAR RESISTANCE | CLEANING SHRINKAGE | BREAKING STRENGTH |
6.5 oz Twill | 15+ | 15.7 | <0.5 inches | 1.0% x 2.1% | 780 W/m2 | 32 lbs | <1% | 221 lbs |
COLOR OPTIONS
- BLACK
- TAN
- NAVY
TECGEN51 fabric comes in 3 colors; black, tan and navy.
Visit the products tab to select your product of choice and see which colors are offered.
TECGEN71 OUTER SHELL- MES
TECGEN71 OUTER SHELL- MES
In the fire industry, we have all been trained to think you must sacrifice thermal protective performance (TPP) to achieve maximum total heat loss (THL).
Yet, TECGEN fiber offers additional thermal protection allowing it to be paired with the lightest thermal liners and moisture barriers on today's market. This ultimately yields a reduction in the total weight of a composite system.
Fire-Dex's exclusive outer shell was developed to lessen heat stress by reducing weight while increasing flexibility.
Certified to NFPA 1971.
MES EXCLUSIVE SYSTEM
6.5 oz TECGEN71 Outer Shell
6.2 oz Omni Quilt™ 1-Layer
CROSSTECH® Black, 2F or STEDAIR® 4000
Sizes
Sizing Information
JACKET |
|||
Regular | Tall | Sleeve (Reg) | Sleeve (Tall) |
SM | 33-36" | 33" | 34" |
MD | 37-40" | 34" | 35" |
LG | 41-44" | 35" | 36" |
XL | 45-48" | 36" | 37" |
2X | 49-52" | 37" | 38" |
3X | 53-56" | 38" | 39" |
4X | 57-60" | 38" | 39" |
Measured from center of back to wrist with elbow bent.
*Tall sizes are special order.
PANT |
|||
SM | 27-30" | All even sizes 26-36" | |
MD | 31-34" | ||
LG | 35-38" | ||
XL | 39-42" | ||
2X | 43-46" | ||
3X | 47-50" | ||
4X | 51-54" | ||
5X | 55-58" | ||
6X | 59-62" |
Coverall |
||
Size | Chest | Inseam |
SM | 33-36" | Short |
MD | 37-40" | Regular |
LG | 41-44" | Tall |
XL | 45-48" | |
2X | 49-52" | |
3X | 53-56" | |
4X | 57-60" | |
5X | 61-64" |
Egress Options
Emergency Egress & Bailout Options
Fire-Dex Custom Turnout Pants are available with many different options to accommodate any department's bailout equipment preferences.
Choose between our Internal Pant Harness (IPH) or an External Harness Strap option to accommodate your harness of choice.
Fire-Dex has also engineered multiple Egress Pockets to hold descent devices and rope/webbing for the fastest deployment possible.
Harness Options
XMHS-7 Straps for Gemtor Class II Harness
For use with left or right-opening Gemtor harnesses. The XMHS-7 has 7 harness loops (1.5x3.5“), set approximately 3.5" apart with hook & loop closure. Additional snap closure is available (shown above).
The configuration has 1 strap on the fly, 3 on rear and 2 in crotch. The 7th strap will be 4" from the right side seam on an XMHS-7L for a left opening harness, or it will be on the left side on an XMHS-7R for a right opening harness.
XMHS-6 Straps for Class II Harness
For use with most other NFPA 1983 Class II external harnesses. The XMHS-6 has of 6 harness loops (1.5x3"), set approximately 3.5" apart with hook & loop closure. Additional snap closure is also available.
The configuration has 2 straps on the front (1 on either side of the fly), 2 on rear waist of pant, and 2 in crotch.
XMHS-5 Straps for Escape/Ladder Belt
For use with escape/ladder belts, the XMHS-5 has 5 harness loops (1.5x3") set approximately 3.5" apart with hook & loop closure. Additional snap closure is also available.
This configuration has 2 straps on the front (1 on either side of the fly) and 3 straps evenly spaced on the back of the pant.
Egress Pockets
All Egress Pockets come with a full bellow pocket and a 14” rope pocket tucked away behind the oustide pockets, eliminating the need for bulky external bags. The internal rope pocket design maintains a low profile for the firefighter which helps minimizes catch points and the opportunity for rips, tears and snagging.
Each Egress Pocket is specifically designed to securely hold the descent device specified along with a crosby hook and/or carabiner, keeping them easily accessible while preventing tangling.
XPEG MULTI
The XPEG MULTI was designed with the assistance of one of the top training companies in the fire service. This pocket features a unique angled hook slot that can hold either a crosby or an aluminum hook securely and is angled to make access to the hook easier.
This pocket system also includes a descender cradle with rope slot, a 14”-deep Rope Pocket, and a 5.5”x8.5” bellow pocket.
Designed for use with any of the most popular descent devices, such as RIT, Sterling, Petzl, and CMC.
XPEG
The XPEG Pocket system consists of a 14”-deep Rope Pocket, a Crosby Hook cradle, a Carabiner strap, and a 5.5”x8.5” bellow pocket. Designed for use with the RIT AL2.
XPEG FLA
The XPEG FLA Egress Pocket comes with a 14”-deep Rope pocket, a 5.5”x8” Hook pocket and a 5.5”x9” Bellow pocket. Can be used with almost any descent device.
Additional Info
Shipping Weight
Approximate shipping weight: 0.5 lbs
Additional Info
Shipping Weight
Approximate shipping weight: 0.5 lbs