Details

Carbon Shield™ is a flame resistant fabric breakthrough based on carbon fiber technology.

Longer length for maximum coverage
Tapered back and notched shoulders enable bib to lie flat on back and front
Flat stitched seams
X-heavy 1/2" wide elasticized face opening
Cover stitched bound drape
Label is sewn down on all four sides for comfort and permanency
UL Classified to NFPA 1971: Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting – Current Edition

Considered the ultimate high-tech fabric for thermal protection and comfort. During the torch test, after about 5 seconds, traditional FR fabrics combust, severely shrinking and charring. Carbon Shield™remains dimensionally stable even after 90 seconds, giving you the extra time you need to get out safely.

Recommended for STRUCTURAL FIRE FIGHTING as well as other industries which require protection from flash fire, radiant heat, electric arc or cold weather.

Properties of Carbon Shield™ include:

Non-flammable
If exposed to extreme heat or flame fabric glows but won’t burn. It retains a certain tenacity at temperatures exceeding 2300°F for over 90 seconds.
Non-melting
Absolutely melt-proof and doesn’t become stiff. It remains soft to the touch after being exposed to fire.
Arc Resistant – ATPV 23.3 HRC 2
Superior Protection from Welding Sparks and Molten Metal
Resists pin-holing from welding sparks and splatter. Sheds most molten metals and will not melt, ignite or burn even in the most severe levels of exposure offering unparalleled protection from molten metal splash.
Non-Shrinking
The space between the clothing and the body reduces and protects against burns. Carbon Shield™ is almost totally non-shrinking when exposed to flame and heat.
Forms No Openings
If an opening should form, fire comes into direct contact with the body and increases the possibility for burns. Because fabric doesn’t melt or stiffen and is non-shrinking, it develops no openings.
Deposits No Tar
When clothing melts or stiffens and decomposes in a fire, it deposits a by-product tar in the form of a liquid, which has a similar effect as melting increasing the risk of burns. Carbon Shield™ deposits no tar.
Low Heat Conductivity – (Disburses Heat Energy)
In order to ensure the time to escape from fire, clothing must possess the property of delaying the transmission of heat. PGI’s Carbon Shield™ has a low heat conductivity.
Infrared Non-Reflective
Excellent for police/swat teams as well as military applications.
Natural Black Color Hides Soil
Lightweight Yet Excellent TPP
Weighs only 6.5 oz. /sq. yd. which is over 20% lighter than most NFPA compliant hoods, yet still has excellent Thermal Protection Performance (TPP) rating of 28.

Excellent Stretch & Recovery Properties
1 x 1 Rib knit construction. Knit to allow 200% stretch for maximum stretch and recovery.
Comfortable
Fabric has an excellent moisture regain (approx. 8%) and wicks moisture away from the skin to the outer shell, enabling it to evaporate at a rapid rate. The aspect of wicking moisture off the body not only offers a more comfortable garment but also improves protection.
Chemical Resistance
Excellent resistance to organic solvents, weak alkalis and weak acids.
Excellent Shape Retention
Unlike some hood fabrics which don’t hold their shape after laundering, Carbon Shield™ has extremely low shrinkage and looks virtually unchanged after repeated washings and dryings. Also, after laundering fabric showed no change in flame resistance or thermal protection.
Odor Absorbing Qualitiesâ€¨
Has ability to absorb and neutralize unpleasant odors, a considerable advantage when opportunities for washing are limited.
Resistant to Ultra Violet Rays
Will not fade or weaken when exposed to UV rays.
Highest Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI)
Flame resistance is commonly measured by LOI, the amount of oxygen needed to support combustion. The higher the LOI value, the more flame resistant the material. Carbon Shield™ has an LOI which is over 50% higher than Nomex® and 33% higher than PBI FR Rayon blends.
Meets NFPA Requirements
UL Classified to meet the current hood requirements of NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting (Classic, Ultimate and Elite Styles).
Meets CAL-OSHA REQUIREMENTS
Passes Fed. Test 191, Method 5903.2: CAL-OSHA Sections 3406(d)
Complies with OSHA Rule 29 CFR Part 1910, 269
Meets CE Requirements
Meets or exceeds Draft European Standard prEN 13911 (Classic, Ultimate and Elite Styles).
Compliant with NFPA 70E – Current Edition.
Meeting the performance specifications of ASTM-F-1506 (On double ply hoods)

SPECIFICATIONS:

FABRIC:

Outer shell and lining are a blend of Carbon/High Strength Aramid - approx. 6.5 oz. sq yd.
1 x 1 rib knit fabric - knit to allow approx. 130% stretch for maximum stretch and recovery.
Calendered to minimize laundry shrinkage.

STITCH TYPE AND SEAMS:

All stitching conforms to Federal Standard 751 Specifications (FED-STD-751).
Major seams are flat seam assembled, stitch type 607.
Drape attachment to top is done with stitch type 401 and reinforced with stitch type 605.
Elastic in face opening is serged in with stitch type 503 and reinforced with bottom cover-stitch, stitch type 406.
Binding is applied with bottom cover-stitch, stitch type 406.

THREAD: All seams are sewn with 100% Nomex thread size Tex 40.

CONSTRUCTION:

Composed of two layer top and bib
Top is seamed from top of face opening to bib in back with a six thread flat seam for comfort. Bib is assembled and joined around circumference of top with two thread serge and then 5 thread cover-stitched for extra strength.
Face opening is circular in shape and serged with x-heavy duty ½"-wide elastic around the perimeter. The elastic is then folded back ½" and cover stitched. The face opening stretches a full 16" (which is 25% more than conventional hoods.) for easy donning and a snug fit around face of SCBA mask. Face opening maintains original shape after repeated launderings.
The bottom edge of bib is bound with self-material bias binding and contoured at shoulders allowing the hood to drape on the chest and back for maximum coverage.

Face opening is circular and measures between 4.6" to 5.6" in diameter
Length of hood below face opening approx. 11"
Length of hood at side from top to bottom approx. 15"
Length of hood at back from top to bottom approx. 19"

FABRIC PERFORMANCE VALUES:

Arc Thermal Performance Value (ATPV)	23.3
Thermal Protective Performance
Initial (seconds)	24
After 5 washings (seconds)	27.6
After Flame
Initial (inches)	0 x 0
Warp (wales) x Fill (Courses)
After 5 washings (seconds)	0 x 0
Char Length
Initial (inches)	2 x 1.9
After 5 washings (inches)	1.4 x 2.3
Fabric Burst Strength (N)	287
Seam Burst Strength (N)	469.1
Heat and Thermal Shrinkage
After 5 washings	0%
Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI)	55
Melt or Drip when exposed to flame	None

One size fits all
Each hood is clearly labeled to identify material contents, NFPA acceptance, UL Classification, Date of Manufacture, and Care Instructions. Included with each hood is a complete user’s information guide.
Meets or Exceeds Industry Standards
UL Classified to meet or exceed NFPA 1971-Current Edition; Compliant with CAL-OSHA. Sections 3406 and 3410(d) and OSHA Rule 29 CFR, Part 910, 269. Compliant with NFPA 70E - Current Edition and meets performance specifications of ASTM-F-1506. Arc Rating 23.3 - Hazard Risk Category - 2