nomex racesuit lifetime?

[schitarella]

hello,

i have an early 2000's model top of the range FIA 3 layer Sparco race suit from many years ago (so no longer in homologation but it was at the time). It is 1986 standard 05.238.csai.98 and would have been manufactured in the early 2000's i think (it's not from 1986)

The suit has not been use much and i want to know if this suit would still have it's safety benefits or if the nomex's safety aspect would deteriorate over time?


Would it still provide it's safety aspect (but of course probably not as good as a new modern day suit)?

Thanks

[midgetman]

The Norme 86 suit is not legal for racing in the UK or on the continent, you have to have FIA 8856-2000 registration on it.

Issues with Nomex suits are down to regular use.

Fire protection doesn't wash or wear out of Nomex, it is inherently flame retardant, what may compromise the protection are:

- Sweat, oil, dirt etc trapped in the fibres which can either burn or transmit heat
- Compressed layers flatten out the air gaps and reduce the insulation efficiency, meaning the suit may not perform as the test requires
- Embroidery etc through the layers of the suit allowing passage of heat/flame
- Rips, tears etc

Basically, if your overall has been hung up it should perform perfectly well. However, it will not be legal to race in.

Hope this helps. If you want any more info PM me.

Max

[schitarella]

hi Max thank-you for the information you provide. Yes I aware I cannot race in the suit but I was thinking to use it for some testing. Yes it is in very good condition and basically unused so it doesn't have much wear or tear.

Thanks again for your answer and explain it to myself

[roadrunner055]

am i right in saying the norme 1986 is still ok for hillclimb and sprint?

[Dan Friel]

Originally Posted by roadrunner055

am i right in saying the norme 1986 is still ok for hillclimb and sprint?

Yes, ok for speed events.