Fire-Dex turnout system verified for UL particulate ingress requirements

Fire-Dex verification covers AeroFlex configuration

Fire-Dex has announced that UL Solutions has verified particulate ingress results for its AeroFlex turnout system under UL Verification 1641.

The company said the verification confirms performance to NFPA Particle Inward Leakage testing requirements when the ensemble is worn in a specific configuration.

The evaluated setup included the AeroFlex coat with a properly engaged SCBA, along with AeroFlex pants fitted with the optional particulate-blocking barrier.

Results are published by UL Solutions under Verification 1641.

Test method and reported findings

Testing used a controlled particulate chamber in which a firefighter performed prescribed actions for 20 minutes.

Researchers then assessed skin contamination after the gear was carefully doffed.

According to Fire-Dex, UL’s verification posting reports less than 1 microgram exposure on the wearer across the ensemble.

The findings confirm that a properly engaged SCBA helps seal the coat-to-pant interface, preventing particulate migration into the torso area even without an added particulate barrier in the coat.

The optional particulate-blocking barrier in the pants provided added lower body protection.

AeroFlex design and company comments

Fire-Dex said the AeroFlex turnout system is built around zoned breathability.

It places VaporLite breathable composite panels at the side seams, armpits, inner thighs and behind the knees.

It also integrates AeroVent Technology within those zones to move warm humid air outward under pressure, with an integrated particulate-blocking element in the vent.

Todd Herring, V.P. of Product Innovation and Strategy, Fire-Dex, said: “Particulate barriers in pant/coat interfaces add protection from contaminants, but the trade-off is that they can limit breathability.

“AirFlex is designed differently, with vents that help hot air escape from inside turnouts but that also keep particulates out.

“That gives departments a clearer path when weighing particulate protection and heat management inside the coat, because our UL-verified system addresses both in one ensemble.

“This design supports breathability, wearer comfort, and operational mobility while maintaining required certified performance.”

Fire-Dex said AeroFlex was engineered to address the effect that added particulate barrier layers can have on moisture vapour transport through a structural coat.