Five Reasons Why Nomex® is an Ideal Protection Against Flash Fires

Flash fires are a major cause of the loss of property, resources, and human life. It is typically a brief, sudden, intense fire caused by the ignition of dispersed flammable or combustible substance in solid, liquid, or gas form, in the presence of Oxygen. High temperature, short duration, and a rapidly moving flame are characteristics of a flash fire. Flashfire spreads through diffused fuel such as dust, gas, or vapors of an ignitable liquid and occurs in the oil and gas, petrochemicals, and alcoholic beverage industries.

In a flash fire, the skin burns due to exposure to thermal radiation. The impact and severity of the heat burns depend on the intensity of the heat and the duration of exposure.

Fortunately, since flash fires last for a short duration, the workforce can be protected from fatal or major injuries by single-layer Fire Resistant Clothing.

Around the world, Nomex^® is known as the best barrier to fire and heat. Used by race-car drivers, astronauts, fire-fighters, the workforce in the oil and gas industry, utilities, manufacturing, transportation, and military personnel, as well as in day-to-day items like household oven gloves, it is a trusted ally when it comes to resisting fire.

Invented in DuPont labs by Dr. Wilfred Sweeny in 1961, Nomex® was commercially produced after 8 years of research. By achieving major milestones in the last 70 years, the fire-resistant material has revolutionized several industries and improved performance and efficiencies.

1. Science

The protective apparel made with Nomex^® is inherently flame-resistant, and since the protection is built into the advanced fiber, it can never be worn or washed away. Created in the DuPont R&D lab, the actual structure of the fiber itself is inflammable, which gives it a permanent fire-resistant property. Nomex^® fiber consolidates and thickens when exposed to high heat fluxes, and prevents exposure of skin to the heat, or fire, and thereby protects from second-and third-degree skin burns.

2. Trust

Fire is unpredictable and swift. It can be fatal or cause long-term damage. Around the world and across industries, workers who face on-the-job threats of flash fire hazards rely on fire-resistant clothing made with DuPont™ Nomex^®. The workforce trusts the advanced flame-resistant properties of Nomex^® to help bring them home safely.

3. Qualities

Nomex^® is created with the protection and comfort of the workforce in mind. It can withstand up to 370°C (700°F), has a tensile strength of 2.9 gpd, and has an elongation to break > 20%, which is better than most inorganic materials. It provides excellent thermal, chemical, and radiation resistance for a polymer material. FR clothing made with Nomex^® features the lowest possible weight at the highest level of protection; breathability for reduced heat stress; and the ability to effectively wick away moisture, giving unparalleled comfort to the wearer.

4. Durability

Long-lasting Nomex^® protective apparel is known for its durability. Experts estimate that the apparel may last for as long as five years! Also, it can be washed and worn at least 125 times without compromising its protection, shape, comfort, and professional appearance.

5. Testing

Nomex^® has been rigorously tested in labs to provide superior fire protection and has proven itself in real-life scenarios for the last 40 years. Across lab testing, Nomex^® has proven and displayed protective solutions that continue to meet or exceed global standards for heat, flame, and arc flash protection.