Heat stress management

    As a firefighter, you face a broad range of challenging environments, and working in turnout gear is tough on your body. You definitely need protection against extreme heat, but the vast majority of your calls don’t involve this kind of challenge. Nevertheless, heat is still a problem, and the heat you encounter during most calls can contribute to heat stress.

    SMALL INCREASES MATTER

    The human body can be extremely sensitive to small increases in core temperature. U.S. military studies have shown that once your temperature reaches 100°F, each increase of 0.1°F is physiologically significant, leading to an increased risk of heat exhaustion.

    YOUR CHOICE OF PROTECTIVE BARRIER MATTERS

    A recent human study evaluated the physiological impact of protective barriers currently available in turnout gear. Conducted by a third party, this study confirmed that wearing the GORE® PARALLON™ liner system delivered the highest breathability followed closely by GORE® CROSSTECH® black moisture barrier. Both of the GORE® protective barriers performed significantly better than the competition. In fact, 40 percent of the trial participants could not finish the test when wearing the competitive barrier because their heart rates exceeded their maximum rates, which were established as part of the safety criteria before the trial began.

     

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    THL VERSUS RET TEST METHODS

    Testing the performance of the materials in your gear can provide valuable information for gear selection. The THL test has done a great deal of good for the firefighter, helping to improve how well gear can shed excess body heat; but it evaluates performance in a relatively mild environment, similar to a conditioned office space. And, it has been found that THL does not provide very useful information about how gear performs, particularly in warm or sunny conditions. The RET test can provide some of this valuable insight, which could be important to you in your gear selection.

    In addition, THL did not predict the differences seen in the human trials, whereas the RET testing did.

     

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    YOUR JOB IS TOUGH, AND NO GEAR CAN CHANGE THAT. BUT TURNOUT GEAR WITH GORE® PROTECTIVE BARRIERS MANAGE HEAT STRESS SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER THAN THE COMPETITIVE BARRIER. YOU WORK IN ALL TYPES OF CONDITIONS...SO SHOULD YOUR GEAR!

    Human Impact

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    GORE-TEX CROSSTECH® Garments for Firefighters

    As well as protecting firefighters from heat and flame, GORE-TEX CROSSTECH® garments are waterproof, breathable and provide crucial protection from viruses and bacteria found in blood and body fluids as well as chemicals.

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    Physiological study into heat stress

    A group of firefighters wearing turnout gear completed a defined work/rest cycle in a controlled environment as their body core temperatures, heart rates, and skin temperatures were monitored. Over a period of several weeks, the same participants repeated the trial three times so they could wear each set of gear containing one of the three different protective barriers. And the results are exceptional:

    • The GORE® protective barriers delivered the highest breathability — significantly better than the competition.
    • All of the firefighters were able to complete the trial while wearing gear with GORE® protective barriers; on the contrary, 40 percent could not finish the test when wearing the competitive barrier because their heart rates exceeded their maximum, which were established as part of the safety criteria before the trial began.
    • RET results directly correlated with the participants’ physiological responses, whereas THL did not.

    Increase in Body Core Temperature

    U.S. military research has shown that once a body core temperature of 100°F is reached, each increase of only 0.1°F is physiologically significant, leading to an increased risk of heat exhaustion. At the end of the human trial, the average increase of body core temperature varied depending on the protective barrier in the gear. The GORE® PARALLON™ liner system performed the best, followed closely by the GORE® CROSSTECH® black moisture barrier; however, the increase with the competitive barrier was the largest. These results confirm that GORE® protective barriers are the most breathable.

    Body Core Temperature Response to Work/Rest Cycle

    Rest cycles are crucial to enable your body to recover from the strain of the challenging environments in which you work. When the participants were wearing the GORE® PARALLON™ liner system or GORE® CROSSTECH® black moisture barrier, the rest periods were more effective and they were able to complete the entire trial; when they wore the competitive barrier, their temperatures continued to rise rapidly. In fact, 40 percent of them were pulled out during the second work cycle because their heart rates exceeded their maximum rates, which were established before the trial began.

    RET (Resistance to Sweat Evaporation) versus THL (Total Heat Loss)

    Testing the performance of the materials in your gear can provide valuable information for gear selection. The THL test has done a great deal of good for the firefighter, helping to improve how well gear can shed excess body heat; but it evaluates performance in a relatively mild environment, similar to a conditioned office space. And, it has been found that THL does not provide very useful information about how gear performs, particularly in warm or sunny conditions. The RET test can provide some of this valuable insight, which could be important to you in your gear selection.

    Before the trial began, each turnout gear composite was measured for THL and RET. While THL did not predict the differences seen in the human trials, the RET testing did. In fact, the THL results, which are what is commonly available to fire departments today, indicated that there should be NO difference in performance between the gear tested in this study. However, the trial confirmed that there were significant differences—the Gore technologies were more breathable and had a lower burden on the firefighters, as demonstrated by lower core temperatures, lower skin temperatures, and lower heart rates.

    More insight on this Technology Application
    GORE-TEX CROSSTECH® Garments for Firefighters

    As well as protecting firefighters from heat and flame, GORE-TEX CROSSTECH® garments are waterproof, breathable and provide crucial protection from viruses and bacteria found in blood and body fluids as well as chemicals.

    Explore More
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    New Research Shows GORE® Protective Barriers to be Best Choice for Reducing Firefighter Heat Stress

    Indianapolis, Indiana, April 20, 2016 – At the FDIC International 2016 Conference, W. L. Gore & Associates presented the results of a human study that evaluated the physiological impact of protective barriers currently available in turnout gear. Conducted by a third party, this study confirmed that wearing the GORE® PARALLON™ liner system delivered the highest breathability followed closely by CROSSTECH® black moisture barrier, with both significantly better than the competition.

    A group of firefighters wearing turnout gear completed a defined work/rest cycle in a controlled environment while their body core temperatures, heart rates, and skin temperatures were monitored. Over a period of several weeks, the same participants repeated the trial three times so they could wear each set of gear containing one of the three different protective barriers. Before the trial began, each turnout gear composite was tested for Total Heat Loss (THL) and Resistance to Sweat Evaporation (RET) to determine which test method was more aligned with human physiological results. Several results of the trial were significant:

    • First, the firefighters’ physiological responses were the best when they were wearing gear with Gore’s protective barriers.
    • Second, all of the firefighters were able to complete the trial while they were wearing gear with Gore’s protective barriers. On the contrary, 40 percent of them could not finish the test when wearing the competitive barrier because their heart rates exceeded their maximum rates, which were established as part of the safety criteria before the trial began.
    • Finally, the RET results directly correlated with the participants’ physiological response, whereas THL did not.

    According to Matthew Decker, research scientist in Gore’s Fabrics division, “The human body can be extremely sensitive to small increases in core temperature. U.S. military studies have shown that once your body core temperature reaches 100°F, each increase of only 0.1°F is physiologically significant. The results of this study clearly show that the choice of protective barrier in turnout gear has a measurable impact on a firefighter. And GORE® protective barriers manage firefighter heat stress significantly better than the competitive barrier.” .

    Visit www.GoreProtectiveFabrics.com/Heat-Stress-Management for more information about this study.

     

    About W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

    Gore is a technology-driven company focused on discovery and product innovation. Well known for waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX fabric, the company’s portfolio includes everything from high-performance fabrics and implantable medical devices to industrial manufacturing GORE® Protective Barriers Shown to Reduce heat Stress Better CROSSTECH, GORE‐TEX, PARALLON, GORE and design are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates components and aerospace electronics. Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Newark, Delaware, Gore employs more than 10,000 associates worldwide. Gore is one of a select few companies to appear on all of the U.S. “100 Best Companies to Work For” lists since the rankings debuted in 1984. The company also appears regularly on similar lists around the world. Learn more at www.gore.com.

     

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    Marie Y. Smith
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    Gore Revolutionizes Turnout Gear Performance with GORE® PARALLON™ Liner System

    Indianapolis, Indiana, April 22, 2015 – At the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC), W. L. Gore & Associates announced the next level of turnout gear performance with the GORE® PARALLON™ liner system. This revolutionary multi-barrier system maintains thermal protection better when your gear gets wet and enables a level of breathability beyond what is available today. While this new system replaces the thermal barrier and moisture barrier in traditional turnout gear designs, it is currently certified to the NFPA 1971 Standard, 2013 edition with several outer shells.

    PROTECTION: As you work and sweat in turnout gear, moisture within the layers of your gear can change your thermal protection. The exclusive technologies of the GORE® PARALLON™ liner system help reduce potentially serious drops in thermal protection as your gear is exposed to moisture, particularly from sweat. This enables your gear to perform closer to the level that you expect when it is dry. When tested for an indicated time to 2nd degree burn in an ordinary fireground heat exposure (i.e., 0.2 cal/cm2sec), wet conventional gear lost 34 percent compared to when it was dry. However, the thermal protection of gear with the GORE® PARALLON™ liner system lost only 4 percent, remaining relatively unchanged after it became wet.

    COMFORT: The environmental conditions in which you work can cause your body core temperature to rise, and even small increases can impair your performance and potentially affect your safety and effectiveness. The GORE® PARALLON™ liner system enables your turnout gear to deliver unparalleled breathability across the broadest range of conditions — a level beyond what is available today in NFPA 1971 compliant gear. Achieving the lowest resistance to your sweat vapor transmission through your gear, this liner system helps to reduce the physical strain of working in turnout gear and minimize potential increases in your body core temperature.

    According to Allen Maples, North American Product Specialist in Gore’s fire and public safety team, the technology behind the GORE® PARALLON™ liner system is a revolutionary shift in turnout gear performance for the fire industry. “For more than 35 years, Gore has been globally recognized as a pioneer in protection and human comfort science. We have combined our scientific research and deep product knowledge in heat stress, breathability, and barrier technologies to develop moisture barriers that are the most breathable in the broadest range of conditions. While CROSSTECH® moisture barriers provide the highest level of breathability in traditional turnout gear, the new GORE® PARALLON™ liner system takes breathability to a whole new level while also offering more consistent thermal protection.” For more information, visit www.GoreParallon.com or call 800.431.GORE (4673).

    ABOUT W. L. GORE & ASSOCIATES, INC.

    Gore is a technology-driven company focused on discovery and product innovation. Well-known for waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX fabric, the company’s portfolio includes everything from high-performance fabrics and implantable medical devices to industrial manufacturing components and aerospace electronics. Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Newark, Delaware, Gore employs more than 10,000 associates in 30 countries worldwide. Gore is one of a select few companies to appear on all of the U.S. “100 Best Companies to Work For” lists since the rankings debuted in 1984. The company also appears regularly on similar lists around the world. Learn more at www.gore.com.

     

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    Marie Y. Smith
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    Gore Supports Fire Industry as Co-Sponsor of IAFF Cancer Summit

    Elkton, Maryland (January 29, 2018) — In response to the increasing concern about occupational cancer among firefighters, W. L. Gore & Associates’ Protective Fabrics Division is proud to join the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and other fire industry leaders to sponsor the IAFF Cancer Summit on February 1, 2018.

    Gore is supportive of the efforts by the IAFF and its partners to identify and protect firefighters from the potential hazards that can cause cancer. The summit will address critical topics such as firefighter health and fitness, fire-ground decontamination, best practices for cleaning gear, and innovations in PPE.

    Gore has a long history of collaborating with firefighters to identify and address their concerns, beginning with the issue of heat stress caused by heavy, non-breathable barriers. Gore has continued to address this problem by delivering the most breathability in the broadest range of conditions with GORE® CROSSTECH® moisture barriers and the GORE® PARALLON™ liner system.

    Allen Maples, Gore’s global leader of the Fire and Public Safety business explains, “As the fire industry continues to learn more about the impact of fireground contaminants on the health and safety of firefighters, Gore is working closely with IAFF members and other industry leaders to support research and development efforts in the PPE arena. We leverage this expertise in materials and comfort science to create solutions that can help firefighters wear their gear longer at the fire scene and reduce their exposure to fireground particulates.” .

    More recently, an IAFF study found that the neck and face areas of firefighters were not adequately protected against fireground particulates. Seeing this as an important issue, Gore developed a particulate-blocking hood that exceeds the NFPA Standard in providing protection at the fireground. 

    The IAFF Cancer Summit will follow the Vincent J. Bollon Affiliate Leadership Training Summit & Ernest A. “Buddy” Mass Human Relations Conference and will be held at Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Separate registration is required for the IAFF Cancer Summit. Learn more by visiting IAFF Cancer Summit.
     

    About GORE® Protective Fabrics

    For more than 35 years, GORE® Protective Fabrics has been trusted by major fire and emergency response agencies throughout North America to protect their first responders. Gore has been a pioneer in developing high-performance protective barriers for use in fire, EMS, military, law enforcement, and CBRN applications. Gore specialists work closely with gear manufacturers during initial gear design, laboratory and field testing, and final product performance — all to ensure that the protective barrier in your gear does what Gore says it will do. Learn more at GoreProtectiveFabrics.com.

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    Media Contact
    Marie Y. Smith
    302.994.0117
    mysmith115@comcast.net

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    Gore Protective Fabrics Expands Warranty Program in Further Support of Fire Industry

    Elkton, Maryland, January 5, 2016 – W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., recently announced an enhancement of the warranty program for its line of moisture barriers and liner systems. This comprehensive program is aligned with the needs of fire departments as they continue to adopt the requirements of NFPA 1851: Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, 2014 Edition.

    Gore’s new warranty program covers materials and labor performed by participating verified Independent Service Providers (ISPs) and garment manufacturers. The warranty time and specific materials vary depending on the product:

    • CROSSTECH® 3-layer moisture barrier (4A): 7-year warranty.
    • CROSSTECH® black moisture barrier (2F): 5-year warranty.
    • GORE® PARALLON™ liner system (B2): 5-year warranty for the body-side layer, which is tested as the moisture barrier per NFPA 1971 Standard requirements.
    • GORE® RT7100 moisture barrier (3D): 4-year warranty (previously material only).

    In addition to lengthening the warranty on these products, Gore is also extending the warranties retroactively for all of its moisture barriers currently in the market.

    According to Allen Maples, North American Product Specialist in Gore’s fire and public safety team, the technology behind the GORE® PARALLON™ liner system is a revolutionary shift in turnout gear performance for the fire industry. “For more than 35 years, Gore has been globally recognized as a pioneer in protection and human comfort science. We have combined our scientific research and deep product knowledge in heat stress, breathability, and barrier technologies to develop moisture barriers that are the most breathable in the broadest range of conditions. While CROSSTECH® moisture barriers provide the highest level of breathability in traditional turnout gear, the new GORE® PARALLON™ liner system takes breathability to a whole new level while also offering more consistent thermal protection.” For more information, visit www.GoreParallon.com or call 800.431.GORE (4673).

     

    About W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

    Gore is a technology-driven company focused on discovery and product innovation. Well known for waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX fabric, the company’s portfolio includes everything from high-performance fabrics and implantable medical devices to industrial manufacturing components and aerospace electronics. Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Newark, Delaware, Gore employs more than 10,000 associates worldwide. Gore is one of a select few companies to appear on all of the U.S. “100 Best Companies to Work For” lists since the rankings debuted in 1984.The company also appears regularly on similar lists around the world. Learn more at www.gore.com.

     

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    Media Contact:
    Marie Y. Smith
    Public Relations Consultant
    302.994.0117

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    GORE-TEX CROSSTECH® Garments for Firefighters

    As well as protecting firefighters from heat and flame, GORE-TEX CROSSTECH® garments are waterproof, breathable and provide crucial protection from viruses and bacteria found in blood and body fluids as well as chemicals.

    Explore More
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