PGI Safety discuss protective gear with a purpose
Isabelle Crow
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PGI Safety Managing Director Andy Slater outlines changing protection needs, international expansion, particulate research and the impact of firefighter-driven feedback
Firefighters face daily exposure to harmful particulates, with long-term health consequences now better understood and harder to ignore.
Protective equipment has had to adapt, with greater attention placed on how garments balance safety, comfort and durability.
PGI Safety, a technical garment manufacturer with roots dating back to the 1940s, has positioned itself at the centre of this shift.
The company combines certified protective clothing with education initiatives, giving fire and rescue services the evidence and practical knowledge they need to make informed choices.
Leading the effort is Andy Slater, Managing Director across the UK, Europe and Asia Pacific.
With two decades’ experience in safety equipment – and a personal motivation through his firefighter son – he is guiding PGI’s expansion and focus on solutions that respond directly to frontline concerns.
IFSJ Editor Iain Hoey sat down with Andy to discuss the changing demands in firefighter protection and what’s next.
When meeting firefighters or procurement teams, what key concerns do they raise about required on-the-job protection?
The key concern now is that protection is essential. If you go back a few years, there wasn’t so much scepticism as a need for proof and more detailed studies.
That evidence is now available – through the work of organisations like the FBU, Hertfordshire University and from statistics alone.
The challenge for firefighters and procurement teams is navigating the pitfalls. Sadly, as has been publicised, it’s not just about protecting against particulates.
They also need breathability and comfort. It’s about understanding the testing, the standards and what good really looks like.
For example, some manufacturers claim NFPA certification when they don’t actually have it.
There is no specific EN standard for particulate hoods – NFPA is the only global benchmark and it is very difficult and expensive to achieve. We pride ourselves on meeting both NFPA and EN Certification.
Andy Slater
So from the customer’s perspective, the question is: what does good look like and why is your product as good as you claim it is? For us, the answer is proof.
That means hard data, recognised certification, and real-world results from wearer trials.
It’s not just about making claims—it’s about giving customers the tools to understand exactly what performance clothing can and should do, and guiding them through the data so they can make sense of it with confidence.
With increasing awareness of long-term health risks from exposure, how is PGI addressing this growing challenge?
When I joined PGI, it was clear there was an education gap. Some authorities understood the research, others knew far less.
We started with a small knowledge-sharing session involving people like Robbie Burns and John Lord and that grew into our particulate and decontamination seminars.
The first was at Biggin Hill Airport. We combined science, current evidence and practical solutions – not just products, but behavioural changes like showering within the hour and proper handwashing.
We also showed participants how to check standards, labels and certificates.
The seminars have been good for us and for the wider community. Authorities have even brought projects forward after attending.
The science and data matter, but the personal stories are what really resonate. PGI has invested heavily in particulate protection, with millions spent on R&D.
Andy Slater
Our Barrier Gold hood is now our biggest seller worldwide and we continue to improve it.
What are the main focus areas for your future seminars and how are you planning the next one?
We always try to introduce new subjects, but our top priority is keeping the message alive – PSA tests, SNOMED codes and raising awareness.
At the same time, we focus on educating people about available solutions. The challenge is convincing authorities to allocate budgets.
We get strong feedback and sometimes projects move forward, but momentum can fade once people return to daily work. That’s why we keep updating the data, which changes quickly.
Andy Slater
We also work to keep seminars fresh. Much of the message is the same, because cancer is cancer, but we adapt the focus and stay close to universities, professionals and influential voices like Robbie Burns and John Lord, who connect directly with audiences.
The next seminar is planned for February or March, though dates aren’t finalised.
How do you ensure industry feedback and experience directly shape the development or updating of products?
The seminars are interactive, usually around 100 people and we learn as much as we share. Ideas raised there feed back into our R&D, guiding product development.
Simple measures like snoods and base layers can reduce exposure significantly. Cross-contamination is also a big issue – in the past, firefighters took kit home to wash and families were exposed.
Everything we do is tested against standards and practicality. If it has to be washed a hundred times, it needs to stand up to that.
Andy Slater
These discussions help us refine fabrics, products and approaches, ensuring solutions are practical and effective.
Crews often highlight comfort and mobility – how do you balance these needs with garment performance standards?
Although we have a facility in the UK, our main production is in the US, so everything we make meets NFPA standards as a minimum.
Take hoods as an example. They must filter particulates but also remain breathable. Heat stress is the second biggest killer of firefighters.
Early products blocked contaminants but overheated users, like wearing a plastic bag.
Standards now require breathability, moisture management, flame resistance and durability through repeated laundering.
Andy Slater
Needs differ. Instructors face high exposure and may accept less breathability for greater protection. For them we developed a laminate version of our Nanoflex based Hoods.
The standard achieves 97–98% efficiency, while the laminate reaches 99.9%. Whilst it is marginally less breathable but ideal for controlled training environments.
Which areas of innovation are you focused on and how might fire service needs change?
We are constantly developing, but hoods remain a priority because they are one of the simplest changes an authority can make.
Firefighters already wear them for heat and flame protection, so swapping to a hood with a protective membrane is an easy upgrade.
It is equally comfortable and breathable but now adds particulate protection.
Some authorities are further ahead than others. Often that comes down to budgets and resources rather than a lack of awareness. For those who adopt them, it is a quick, straightforward improvement.