Firefighting Intervention Jacket S-GARD ULTIMATE Nomex® ATC, Fireblocker - 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 highest quality combines high utility properties and top-quality materials.

The GORE-TEX® FIREBLOCKER membrane is the membrane known as the basic membrane. Being basic does not mean it is poor. This membrane contains everything a firefighter needs in hazardous situations. It is smooth, giving the firefighter a feeling of lightness and comfort. It is extremely popular among users and many firefighters across Europe swear by this membrane.

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

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

The colour combination of the ULTIMATE suit is thoughtfully combined to allow for maximum visibility, as the sand/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 likely to be touched with gloves.

INTERVENTION FIREFIGHTER JACKET S-GARD ULTIMATE

The utility of the ULTIMATE jacket is very broad, for example, with an ergonomically designed collar, with a slight chin cut and adjustable width, allowing for better head movement and providing the maximum possible protection against heat when transitioning from the helmet to the suit.

PRX9000 PROTECTION

PRX9000 is the result of years of development by S-GARD experts and is one of the company's important patents.

PRX9000 is made of a special polymer that is foam, permanently elastic, and fire-resistant.

Its purpose is to have an impact on the microclimate inside the jacket. This is achieved by upright ribs (strips) that allow for easier and faster air circulation in the suit as the firefighter moves, thereby preventing heat stroke, which is a dangerous occurrence in firefighting when combined with sweating, poor air circulation, and extreme conditions.

PRX9000 also helps in alleviating pressure on the heavily belted shoulder and back area, thus in addition to regulating the microclimate in the suit, it also enables comfortable wearing of the breathing apparatus.

MOVE+3D SYSTEM

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

1. MOVE+ SYSTEM

S-Gard 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, maintaining a high level of coverage, especially in the lower back area with trousers, which is crucial in extreme external conditions for the firefighter (exposure to fire). This truly allows for the maximum 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"), allowing for easier arm movement and thus easier work when needed most.

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

DTS SYSTEM AND IRS BELT

Another very important feature of the ULTIMATE line jackets is a tunnel running through the entire back of the jacket, allowing for the threading of an IRS belt (Integrated Rescue and Restraint Sling), which is in practice a belt with a carabiner or a Q-LOCK quick connector, enabling belt installation in just 3 seconds. The IRS belt replaces the traditional belt. The system is designed so that the belt remains inside the suit at all times, placed under the armpits, thus not interfering with our work, nor is it an obstacle when wearing a breathing apparatus.

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

The jacket is equipped with a quick buckle, located on the chest. Once fastened, it is covered with a flap, and the system is ready. This way, we achieve what would take much longer with a traditional belt, and the main two pockets on the front of the jacket remain available, as they are not covered by the belt strap.

The IRS rescue belt is one of the most innovative products on the market and has 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 several ways and also when using firefighting intervention gloves simultaneously.

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

For example, when on a ladder, with one hand, you can hold onto the ladder at all times, while with the other hand, you can extract the attached carabiner and clip in in 3 different ways, depending on the length of strap needed. The first method is to directly clip with the carabiner to an external support, the second method is to thread the carabiner through an external support and clip it to a ring attached to 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 belt, as the DTS system grips in the armpit area where there are no soft organs and prevents head rotation or internal organ damage in the abdominal area.

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

If an injured firefighter has the DTS system in the jacket, we can clip in with our DTS system and easily extract them from a dangerous area, as the IRS belt is located in the armpit area, which is also the center of gravity for the firefighter. 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 reach the contents of the pockets. The radio pocket on the left side is adjustable for different radio sizes, as the pocket size can be adjusted with an attached hook-and-loop. On the right side, there is also a loop for attaching a flashlight, along with a carabiner for fastening. Both main front pockets are equipped with loops for carabiners, where the loops are fastened with press studs, limiting the risk of tearing the suit. Both main pockets have reinforced flaps with DuPont™ Nomex/Kevlar® material with an apron of silicone and carbon fibers. Both main pockets on the jacket are also so-called real or bellows pockets, as the pocket contents will not press against the body.

JACKET FASTENING

The jacket closes with a quick zipper, allowing for quick opening in case of heat exposure (the so-called "panic zipper"). The zipper is sewn and adapted for use so that it can be closed even with gloves. Inside the zipper on the front, there is also a small pocket called the "Napoleon pocket". Both main front pockets are equipped with loops for carabiners, fastened with press studs to prevent the suit from tearing.

CUFFS AND SLEEVES

Additional reinforcement is also found at the ends of the sleeves made of DuPont™ Nomex/Kevlar® material, which extends the life 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 the ITC system, meaning it is not just a loop, but the cuff is larger, more comfortable, and easily adjustable to different sizes of firefighters' hands. The elbow reinforcement is made of DuPont™ Nomex/Kevlar® material with an apron of silicone and carbon fibers, providing even greater resistance.

REFLECTIVE STRIPS

All reflective strips are double-stitched twice, ensuring twice the strength needed to prevent the strip from tearing. 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, allowing us to inspect the inside of the jacket, so we can check both sides of the membrane and their condition. It is recommended that the firefighter check the membrane's condition after each internal attack to ensure there are no damages. If the membrane is damaged, it needs to be repaired or replaced for personal safety.

ADDITIONAL JACKET FEATURES

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

Inside the jacket, there is also an inner pocket with a special ID tag, where the user's name, fire unit, or other information can be attached, while this should not be done on any other part of the suit as it could damage the garment.

• intervention firefighting suit of the highest possible quality
• intended for all firefighting operations, internal and external attack (including when using a breathing apparatus)
• exceptional mobility and comfort
• excellent colour combination for increased visibility
• black areas in those parts that get dirty quicker
• 3-layer suit (outer layer + membrane + inner layer)
• material: Nomex® ATC
• membrane: Gore-Tex® Fireblocker®
• ergonomic collar with adjustable width
• shoulder and back protection PRX9000
• 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 designed on the principle of "action design"
• DTS system - tunnel for IRS belt and DTS pocket for storing tape with carabiner or Q-LOCK quick release (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
• internal pocket ("Napoleon pocket")
• two main pockets with loops and carabiner
• slanted pocket on the upper part of the left sleeve
• 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
• hem with DuPont™ Nomex/Kevlar® with silicone and carbon fiber finish
• ergonomically shaped sleeves for optimal protection and easier movement
• knitted 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
• double double-stitched segmented reflective strips
• 2 inspection openings for checking the membrane in the suit
• extended back of the jacket for increased safety
• internal pocket with ID tag for personal identification
• colours available: sand (gold)
• sizes available: XS – 3XL / Short sizes: KXS – KXXL / Long sizes: LS – LXXL
• standards: EN 469:2005 Level 2, EN 1149-5

PRX-9000 S-GARD® Mat

The mat is particularly sensitive in the area where the breathing equipment is located. The PRX-9000 elements are made of a special polymer that is foamy, permanently elastic, and fire-resistant. Due to the perfect fit to the S-GARD® protective clothing, they help cushion the pressure on the heavily belt-laden shoulder and back area.

Thanks to the vertical arrangement in the form of straps, the design of the elements contributes to better airflow from the back to the front, significantly improving comfort during wear.

WHAT IS "DTS and IRS SYSTEM" ANYWAY?

Read the article on our BLOG.