Firefighting Intervention Jacket S-GARD ULTIMATE Nomex® Advance® Truecolor®, Parallon HYBRID - DTS

INTERVENTION SUIT S-GARD ULTIMATE 

Firefighter protective suit S-GARD ULTIMATE is designed for the most demanding firefighters, made for all types of firefighting operations. This firefighting garment of the highest quality combines high utility properties and the highest quality materials.

The GORE-TEX® PARALLON HYBRID membrane is a new concept membrane for firefighting garments. This membrane functions as a system and physically consists of multiple layers that interact and provide their effect. Parallon has multiple layers compared to other membranes, thus providing the highest possible protection against internal attacks. The idea of the membrane is to distribute moisture across the surface and thus spread it over a larger area so that it can more easily pass through the membrane. This creates a better microclimate in the garment. One of the layers also contains bubble-like protrusions that are soft and serve for easier and faster air circulation inside the garment.

The ULTIMATE professional series is intended for both external and internal attacks with a breathing apparatus, offering exceptional flexibility and superior protection.

A special feature of the suit is that when exposed to heat between the outer layer and the inner layer, it creates an air layer that allows for even better insulation and a better microclimate inside the suit. Another special feature is the outer layer, which provides excellent results in terms of heat resistance, strength, and resistance to abrasion/sliding.

The colour combination of the ULTIMATE suit is thoughtfully designed to allow for maximum visibility, as the sandy/gold colour is more visible than dark blue, while areas more prone to getting dirty are in darker colours, especially the shoulder area and where the suit is more frequently touched with gloves.

INTERVENTION FIREFIGHTING JACKET S-GARD ULTIMATE

The utility of the jacket ULTIMATE is very broad, such as an ergonomically designed collar, slightly cut around the chin area and adjustable in width, allowing for better head movement, while providing the highest possible protection against heat when transitioning from the helmet to the suit.

MOVE+3D SYSTEM

The MOVE+3D system of the S-Gard Ultimate line consists of two key features:

1. MOVE+ SYSTEM

S-Gard's intervention suits are made of 3 layers – an outer layer, inner lining, and a membrane between the two layers. To ensure maximum comfort for the firefighter's movement, S-Gard has quilted all three layers under the armpits, allowing for exceptional movement of the firefighter even in extreme conditions. This quilting system of all three layers of the jacket under the armpits is called the MOVE+ system. In practice, this means that when the firefighter raises their arm during work, the jacket does not lift up as it would if all three layers were not quilted, which means that it maintains high coverage, especially in the lower back with the trousers, which is crucial for extreme external influences on the firefighter (exposure to fire). This truly allows for the greatest possible freedom of movement.

2. 3D COMPONENT or "ACTION DESIGN"

The sleeves of the S-Gard Ultimate jacket are pre-curved, meaning they are designed to anticipate movement (so-called "action design"), which allows for easier arm movement and thus easier work when needed the most.

Therefore, the MOVE+3D system is the next generation of the MOVE+ system, enhanced with the feature of "Action design".

DTS SYSTEM AND IRS BELT

Another very important feature of ULTIMATE line jackets is a tunnel that runs through the entire back of the jacket, allowing for the threading of an IRS belt (Integrated Rescue and Restraint Sling), which is essentially a belt with a carabiner or a Q-LOCK quick connector, enabling belt attachment in just 3 seconds. The IRS belt replaces the traditional harness. The system is designed so that the belt remains inside the jacket at all times, positioned under the armpits, thus not interfering with our work and also not obstructing the wearing of a breathing apparatus.

In addition to the tunnel with the belt, the jacket also features a special patented system called the DTS system, which includes a special handy pocket called the DTS rescue strap pocket, where the rescue strap with a carabiner is stored and ready for use.

When putting on the jacket before an intervention, we fasten a quick buckle located on the chest. Once fastened, it is then covered with a flap, and the system is ready. This way, we achieve what would take much longer with a traditional harness, and the main two pockets on the front of the jacket remain available as they are not covered by the harness strap.

The IRS rescue belt is one of the most innovative products on the market and meets two standards:

• EN 358 (standard for personal protective equipment for work positioning and prevention of falls from height)
• EN 1498 (standard for personal protective equipment for protection against falls – rescue loops)

Ways of using the DTS system

The DTS system is useful in various ways, including when used simultaneously with firefighting intervention gloves.

1. The first way to use the DTS system is when working at heights.

For example, when on a ladder, one hand can be used to hold the ladder while the other hand can be used to retrieve the attached carabiner and secure in 3 different ways, depending on the length of the strap needed. The first method is to directly attach the carabiner to the outer support, the second method is to thread the carabiner through an external support and attach it to the installed ring on the rescue strap, and the third method is to thread the carabiner through an external support and attach it to a ring located directly next to the quick connector on the chest.

In the event of a fall from height, it is much better to have the DTS system than a traditional harness, as the DTS system grips around the armpit area, where there are no soft organs, and prevents head rotation or internal organ injuries in the abdominal area.

2. The second way to use the DTS system is in firefighter rescue

If an injured firefighter has the DTS system in the jacket, we can attach it with our DTS system and easily extract them from a hazardous area, as the IRS belt is located in the armpit area, where most of the firefighter's centre of gravity is. This proves to be an excellent solution, especially when a lighter firefighter is rescuing a heavier one.

The DTS pocket is standard on all S-Gard Ultimate jackets, while the IRS belt can be purchased optionally.

PRACTICAL POCKETS

The chest and hip pockets are ergonomically positioned at an angle, making it easier to access the contents of the pockets. The radio pocket on the left side is adjustable for various radio sizes, as the pocket size can be adjusted with an attached hook and loop. On the right side, there is also a strap for attaching a flashlight, along with a carabiner for fastening. Both main front pockets are equipped with loops for carabiners, where the loops fasten with a press stud, limiting the possibility of the garment tearing. Both main pockets have additional reinforced flaps with DuPont™ Nomex/Kevlar® material with an apertured finish of silicone and carbon fibers. Both main jacket pockets are also known as true or bellows pockets, as the pocket's contents will not press against the body.

JACKET FASTENING

The jacket closes with a quick zipper, allowing for quick opening in a heat emergency (so-called "panic zipper"). The zipper is sewn and adapted for use so that it can be closed even with gloves. Inside, next to the zipper on the front, there is also a smaller pocket called the "Napoleon pocket". Both main front pockets are equipped with loops for carabiners, where the loops fasten with a press stud, limiting the possibility of the garment tearing.

CUFFS AND SLEEVES

Additional reinforcement is also found at the ends of the sleeves, made of DuPont™ Nomex/Kevlar® material, which extends the lifespan of the sleeve while the sleeves are designed so that the back of the arm is more covered. The cuff inside the sleeve where the palm goes is called the ITC system, which means it is not just a loop but a larger, more comfortable cuff that is easier to adjust to different sizes of a firefighter's hands. The elbow reinforcement is made of DuPont™ Nomex/Kevlar® material with an apertured finish of silicone and carbon fibers, allowing for greater resistance.

REFLECTIVE STRIPS

All reflective strips are double double-stitched, thus providing twice the strength needed to tear the strip. The strips are segmented, meaning they are cut, allowing for a softer feel when wearing the suit.

INSPECTION OPENINGS

The jacket has two inspection openings that allow for inspection of the jacket's interior, enabling checking both sides of the membrane to see their condition. It is recommended that firefighters check the membrane's condition after each internal attack to ensure there are no damages. If the membrane is damaged, it should be repaired or replaced for personal safety.

ADDITIONAL JACKET FEATURES

The back of the garment is extended to ensure that when bending, the back remains covered and not exposed to external elements.

Inside the jacket, there is also an internal pocket with a special ID tag, where the user's name, firefighting unit, or other information can be attached, while this should not be done anywhere else on the garment as it can damage the suit.

MEMBRANE

The jacket features a special membrane - Parallon HYBRID membrane, currently offering the utmost in membrane technology available on the market. The Parallon Hybrid membrane consists of 2 Parallon membranes - PARALLON 600 and PARALLON 500, where one provides the highest possible protection, and the other offers the highest comfort possible.

More about this special membrane can be found in the article HERE.

• intervention firefighting suit of the highest possible quality
• intended for all firefighting operations, internal and external attack (also with the use of a breathing apparatus)
• exceptional mobility and comfort
• excellent colour combination for increased visibility
• black colour areas for parts that get dirty faster
• 3-layer suit (outer layer + membrane + inner layer)
• material: Nomex® Advance® Truecolor®
• membrane: Gore-Tex® Parallon® HYBRID
• ergonomic collar with adjustable width
• S-GARD® MOVE+3D system: all three layers in the suit are quilted in a way that allows the firefighter greater mobility, with sleeve articulation made according to the "action design" principle
• DTS system - tunnel for IRS belt and DTS pocket for storing tape with a carabiner or Q-LOCK quick coupling (DTS pocket is standard on all Ultimate jackets, IRS belt can be purchased optionally)
• pocket for radio station on the left side with depth adjustment
• right chest pocket, with loop for flashlight and carabiner
• inner pocket ("Napoleon pocket")
• two main pockets with loops and carabiner
• slanted pocket on the upper part of the sleeve on the left side
• reinforced flaps of main pockets with DuPont™ Nomex/Kevlar® with silicone and carbon fiber finish
• elbow protection made of DuPont™ Nomex/Kevlar® with silicone and carbon fiber finish
• trim with DuPont™ Nomex/Kevlar® with silicone and carbon fiber finish
• ergonomically designed sleeves for optimal protection and easier movement
• woven cuff in sleeves with ITC adjustment system (i.e. cuff adjustment system based on the user's hand size)
• waterproof front closure with quick zipper
• twice double-stitched segmented reflective strips
• 2 inspection openings for inspecting the membrane in the suit
• extended back of the jacket for increased safety
• inner pocket with ID tag for person identification
• colours available: sand (golden)
• sizes available: XS – 3XL / Short sizes: KXS – KXXL / Long sizes: LS – LXXL
• standards: EN 469:2005 Level 2, EN 1149-5

WHAT IS "DTS and IRS SYSTEM" AFTER ALL?

Read the article on our BLOG.