Fireproof Underwear

[Steven Humphrey]

Hi all. I've had a good look through previous threads but can't seem to find a straightforward answer-is fireproof underwear a good idea or a waste of money (I'm talking from a trackside marshal's point of view-I can see the need for pitlane marshals where refueling is taking place)?

[zakeriath]

I was always told that as a marshal, if you ever needed fire proof underware, your far too close.

Remember the fire truck should not take longer than 45 secs.

[Guinness2702]

If fire got through your probans and what you are wearing beneath them, then you are already badly burnt. You really shouldn't be getting anything like that close to fire.
If you where that concerned, you'd be better off investing in a fire-proof suit of some sort, to protect your whole body, but to repeat what I said above, you shouldn't be getting close enough to fire to need it.

[Nighthawk]

Just a Personal view..A waste of money like all have said you shouldn't be getting close to the fire to need this sort of thing.....

[mini1400]

Don't wear anything made of man-made fibers under your probans, especially not your shell suit!

[JimW]

Originally Posted by mini1400

Don't wear anything made of man-made fibers under your probans, especially not your shell suit!

Bit of a snag there. Nomex is man-made; indeed it is a form of Nylon.

The real answer as people have said is: Runaway!

Regards

Jim

[Woolley]

Depends on what you're thinking of wearing them for. They're designed for more than just fire retardancy.

They're comfortable, they seem to help with cooling/sweat dispersal on a hot day and retention of heat on a cold day, you know they're made of something that won't melt if you're unlucky enough to be attending something that goes up subsequently, and since you're only using them for marshalling you can keep them with your gear and not have to think what to wear under the probans or worrying about them getting grubby. They also tend to be good quality and so last a long time. That's basically why I wear them. I've had them so long and washed them so often I very much doubt that there's any retardency left in them anyway.

If you think you need them for protection from fire then you're probably not firefighting correctly. In 20-odd years of marshalling, I've only seen one incident where you might have thought the marshal might have benefitted from them and even then they weren't necessary.

So a waste of money? No, I think mine have been extremely good value. necessary or even advisable as a safety garment? No.

[Pistonbroke]

I agree with Woolley. I wear the flame-retardant (not fireproof) kit because I find it comfortable (and no more expensive than some people might pay for a T-shirt & jeans), and there's just a glimmer of a thought that if a fire starts when I'm at an incident the undies might give me a fraction of a second more to get away without injury.

The drawback is the need to change, as opposed to just removing the Probans, before going to the pub after a meeting!

[greenbean]

i agree with wooley . i have always warn fire retardant underware as it keeps you warm in the winter and is better than wearing normal ones . i still wear them even when i am on rescue

[flagwaver]

I also agree with woolley I wear mine because I find them comfortable.

[Steven Humphrey]

Thanks guys-seems to split people down the middle with this one! I think it maybe something I invest in later on (only been marshalling 6 months) when my job is a bit more secure (another story). And in the meantime-stay away from fires

[numbersix]

I asked this some time ago and finally made the decision to buy some of the nomex kit that drivers use. A bit pricy but I definitely like it. It's warm, has a high collar, long sleeves and as for fireproofing it's like what the Clarkson says about waterproof watches - if you're thirty metres below the surface you're not going to care if your watch leaks - but it's a buzz to know it won't.

Arguably, none of us need probies, ordinary overalls would do, indeed ordinary kit would do, perhaps with a tabard for safety. The reality is that for many it's a uniform that binds us together - a team thing - and if you think that Sparco or Nomex writ wide across your chest is better than M&S or Reduced To Clear then that's fine either way.

As for fire retardancy, wool and cotton is cheap and more than enough for our purposes. Warm and dry is more important.

Funny, but this fire-discussion is always about underwear and yet many marshals (myself included) will buy a fleecy hat made of polyester mix and not think twice about it. We obviously value our catangers more than our hair.

[greenbean]

Originally Posted by numbersix

We obviously value our catangers more than our hair.

you can recrow your hair but you cant recrow catangers

[Steven Humphrey]

Originally Posted by numbersix

I We obviously value our catangers more than our hair.

Think a light breeze would put out what little hair I have

[aland]

just looked at one of the beanies i wear at the track 100% acrylic, not going to wear that again. Okay then t-shirt 100% cotton, Denim jeans, y-fronts are 100% cotton and socks are 80% cotton 20% polyester but are in my rigger boots. dont usually wear a jumper under my probans. Cant wear wool as I am allergic to it

[Motorsportgirli]

Originally Posted by aland

y-fronts are 100% cotton and socks are 80% cotton 20% polyester

Alan you ever heard of too much info i now have a mental image i didnt want!!!!!

[Guinness2702]

Originally Posted by Motorsportgirli

Alan you ever heard of too much info i now have a mental image i didnt want!!!!!

In that case, you probably don't want to know what underwear I wear, either

[TerryD]

I was a Fireman in London for 23yrs and never had to wear fire-proof undies! There are a lot of other bits that burn before it gets to your underwear.Running is always a good way of not burning?????

[aland]

what sara, you thinking nawty thoughts :-) better come up to my van at the hill lolol

[cowchap]

wouldnt have thought the hi-vis waterproofs we all wear on those rare rainy days are overly fireproof

[Bodysnatcher]

Originally Posted by cowchap

wouldnt have thought the hi-vis waterproofs we all wear on those rare rainy days are overly fireproof

you could always invest in these

http://www.nascoinc.com/petrowear/petrolite.htm

$260 of those American dollars

I found it when I was looking for a Hi Viz 48" waterproof coat like the American cops wear.
ie these

http://www.nascoinc.com/policewear.htm
or
http://www.nascoinc.com/policewear/PoliceWear80.pdf

edited to add - seems even these are flash flame proof.
It's always such a faff getting waterproof overtrousers on. Seriously, anybody know of anywhere in Europe that does Hi Viz coats?

Anyway back to topic - Ebay can be your friend for posh undies. I have Sparco nomex gear, but it's not FIA homologated - therefore much much cheaper.

[Woolley]

I remember going to a sprint once and seeing one marshal turn up in full sou-wester. I had the cruel thought that 'I hope there's a fire, I want to see him shrink-wrapped'!

[Frailloop]

My fireproof underwear came from ebay - surplus USAF pilot issue, and cheaper than race type. Seem reasonable quality, but I never plan to get close enough to a fire to find out.

As said before they help keep the frostbite out when it keeps chilly. That'll do for now!

[Micky.H]

Wouldn't be without mine, comfortable to wear (no bulky cuffs or folding the bottom of trousers around), cool in summer, warm in winter. Yes pricey as an initial buy but last ages - search around for deals though, i found a 'Rally' shop in Wales to be about £10 cheaper per item than the usual Demon Tweeks type shop.

[sputnik421]

I got nomex underwear and carbonX t shirt from ebay. Look up this seller racesuits4u this is AWS's ebay shop. You maybe lucky enough to find a racer who is selling their undies on there, as I did with one of my purcheses.