ATLANTA, GA - TenCate™ SouthernMills™ protective fabric makes news in the Netherlands. The Dutch municipality of Hellendoorn recently set a European and global precedent by officially equipping both its regular firefighters and members of the town’s youth corps fire service with Millenia Light outer shells.
When purchasing Hellendoorn’s new turnout gear, careful attention was paid to a number of key features and benefits, including: excellent protection against high temperatures, durable material, and comfort. Based on requirements, the fire service ultimately chose clothing made from the new Millenia Light® material, a special inherent heat and flame-resistant fabric from the TenCate SouthernMillls Tecashield® collection.
The Millenia Light® fabric was developed based on tried and tested technology that TenCate SouthernMills has used for a number of years in the United States. Over half of the fire services in the United States own a fire suit made from TenCate SouthernMills materials. By using the suits, the Hellendoorn corps has set a national and European precedent; and the youth service even set a worldwide precedent. The Hellendoorn fire service opted for the Fireman Tiger Twente model, supplied by Nijhof Safety bv in collaboration with DEVA.
Comfort
Hellendoorn’s old firefighting suits were purchased in 1998/1999, and after intensive use had become worn and in need of replacement. The outer layer of the new clothing offers superior comfort, is exceptionally strong and durable and has unique thermal features. Millenia Light® remains intact far longer under exposure to fire and heat than other fire-resistant materials. Additionally, the fabric is extremely lightweight and, combined with the special thermal liners and moisture barriers, superior to other materials.
Natural gold
This outer shell is only available in a natural gold color. That is the color of the super-strong, high-tech fiber materials used in the Millenia Light® fabric and those fibers cannot be dyed. However, they do offer the greatest possible strength, durability and resistance to fire and heat in a super-light form.
Individual Dutch fire stations are responsible for regular maintenance and cleaning of dirty suits. Structural maintenance assures that the materials, and therefore the entire suit, last longer; making the Hellendoorn fire service a trendsetter.
Youth fire service clothing sponsorship
Members of the youth fire service, currently 14 in total, were also given the new clothing. The new fire suits made from the Millenia Light® material, have resulted in the youth corps setting a worldwide precedent.
What went before
To give a unique systemwide appearance to Hellendoorn’s turnout gear, a regional clothing commission was set up a number of years ago following contact with the region. This commission worked out a basic specification concept for turnout gear. The municipality’s local authority took up this basic specification and continued to develop it.
Realistic tests and market development
While working out Hellendoorn’s turnout gear specifications, various combinations of firefighting clothing were considered and tested, for example during a practice week in the lifeline practice center in Revinge in Sweden. In the interim, contact was maintained with TenCate SouthernMills regarding product development. TenCate SouthernMills developed an entirely new, flame-resistance fabric and brought it onto the market: Millenia Light®. The Hellendoorn fire service clothing project is made up of multiple layers and certified in accordance with European standard EN 469. This project ensures an ultimate combination of materials, light performance and optimal comfort.
TenCate™ SouthernMills™ MILLENIA LIGHT™
Outer shells made from MILLENIA LIGHT reduce the weight on your back to keep you going longer. Its special construction, engineered from a blend with DuPont™ KEVLAR® brand fibers, provides high strength, durability and thermal protection. This outer shell material is 30% lighter than regular outer shell fabrics and as tough as any competitive product. It is the lightest outer shell fabric on the market for NFPA1971 structural turnout gear (30% lighter than regular). The light weight and flexibility create shells that reduce heat stress to keep you going longer. It’s extremely tough with superb durability, excellent resistance to flame, and exceptional strength after thermal exposure. MILLENIA LIGHT delivers peace of mind when lives are on the line. Only by TenCate™ SouthernMills™. Email us or call us at 800-241-8630.
