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26 Feb 2009, 11:29 (Ref:2404478) | #1 | ||
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Fireproof Underwear
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)?
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I used to be with it, until they changed what it is. Now what I'm with is no longer it. |
26 Feb 2009, 11:34 (Ref:2404487) | #2 | ||
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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. |
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26 Feb 2009, 11:36 (Ref:2404491) | #3 | ||
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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. |
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26 Feb 2009, 12:11 (Ref:2404508) | #4 | ||
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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.....
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26 Feb 2009, 12:59 (Ref:2404555) | #5 | ||
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Don't wear anything made of man-made fibers under your probans, especially not your shell suit!
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26 Feb 2009, 13:29 (Ref:2404589) | #6 | ||
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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. |
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26 Feb 2009, 14:19 (Ref:2404639) | #7 | ||
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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! |
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26 Feb 2009, 15:40 (Ref:2404689) | #8 | ||
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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
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26 Feb 2009, 17:37 (Ref:2404762) | #9 | ||
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I also agree with woolley I wear mine because I find them comfortable.
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26 Feb 2009, 17:47 (Ref:2404770) | #10 | ||
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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
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I used to be with it, until they changed what it is. Now what I'm with is no longer it. |
26 Feb 2009, 18:11 (Ref:2404786) | #11 | ||
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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. |
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26 Feb 2009, 18:49 (Ref:2404808) | #12 | |||
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lifes a peach.i am the human touch |
26 Feb 2009, 19:31 (Ref:2404846) | #13 | |||
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Quote:
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I used to be with it, until they changed what it is. Now what I'm with is no longer it. |
26 Feb 2009, 19:41 (Ref:2404851) | #14 | ||
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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
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26 Feb 2009, 20:50 (Ref:2404900) | #15 | |||
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26 Feb 2009, 21:19 (Ref:2404913) | #16 | ||
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what sara, you thinking nawty thoughts :-) better come up to my van at the hill lolol
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knockhill marshal and proud opinions are my own and not those of any organisation I may be involved with |
26 Feb 2009, 21:40 (Ref:2404919) | #17 | ||
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wouldnt have thought the hi-vis waterproofs we all wear on those rare rainy days are overly fireproof
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27 Feb 2009, 00:24 (Ref:2405020) | #18 | ||
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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'!
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27 Feb 2009, 00:45 (Ref:2405032) | #19 | |
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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! |
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27 Feb 2009, 08:16 (Ref:2405180) | #20 | ||
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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.
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27 Feb 2009, 09:26 (Ref:2405212) | #21 | |||
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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. Last edited by Bodysnatcher; 27 Feb 2009 at 09:31. |
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27 Feb 2009, 10:03 (Ref:2405253) | #22 | |||
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1 Mar 2009, 15:42 (Ref:2406692) | #23 | ||
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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?????
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25 May 2009, 10:39 (Ref:2468676) | #24 | ||
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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.
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25 May 2009, 11:11 (Ref:2468696) | #25 | ||
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