Waubridge Specialty Fabrics, LLC, and Fireman’s Shield, LLC, announced that its Alpha structural firefighting glove has achieved full NFPA 1971-2007 certification as tested and verified by Safety Equipment Institute Labs (SEI) in McLean, Va. Certification of the Alpha structural glove is attributed to its unique thermal liner made from the patented high-performance Kovenex fabric–which is completely flame-, heat- and tear-resistant.
“We are extremely excited to achieve NFPA certification, a necessary credential for any piece of high-performance professional firefighting equipment,” said James Xu, president of Fireman’s Shield, LLC. “The revolutionary Kovenex thermal liner combined with the rugged, yet highly flexible, exterior shell design, makes the Alpha glove the safest, most flexible and most protective structural firefighting glove on the market today.”
Kovenex fabric (U.S. Patent # 6,102,128) far surpasses the performance of traditional thermal fabric glove liners, refusing to burn or tear, while still giving users the much needed dexterity for grasping small objects and tools. Kovenex is a non-woven, engineered fiber blend that has inherent flame-, heat- and tear-resistant properties and a unique stitch bonding that creates top durability to withstand the rigors of the firefighting profession. With a TPP rating of 18.8, the fabric provides fire professionals with critical protection against fire, intense heat and burn, shattered glass particles and sharp metal edges they may encounter on the job. The fabric also is used in the Kovenex Rapid Response Blanket used by fire and rescue professionals to cover and protect victims from further injury during extrication situations.
“NFPA certification is a validation of the many years of research and testing that have gone into perfecting the Kovenex fabric and the Alpha glove,” said Jeff Siffert, general manager of Waubridge Specialty Fabrics, LLC. “The Kovenex thermal liner provides structural firefighters with the fire and heat protection they need while giving them a glove that is pliable enough for grasping tools and equipment. Never before has such a high-performance glove been available to the firefighting profession.”
The Fireman’s Shield Alpha glove with Kovenex is available for purchase at www.firemanshield.com and www.kovenex.com, as well as through such fire and rescue product distributors as Chief Supply, ESI Equipment, First-out Rescue Equipment, Hoosier Fire and Safety and Advanced Rescue Equipment.
About Kovenex
Kovenex, manufactured and marketed by Chester, Va.-based Waubridge Specialty Fabrics, LLC, is a high-performance engineered fabric blend with inherent flame-, heat- and tear-resistant properties. Specifically developed for the first responder profession, Kovenex is currently used in fire blanket, structural and extrication glove applications. Waubridge also is developing consumer applications for Kovenex fabric. For more information please visit www.kovenex.com or call 866.681.7976.
