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FABRIC - THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR
1) TYPE OF PROTECTION REQUIRED
Different work environments require different work-wear to clothe and protect their employees. It is important to begin by choosing the right fabric for the work-wear, based on the level of protection and performance required by the prevailing industrial regulations or employer’s own safety standards. The following questions are basic and pertinent to FR fabric choices:
• Is Flame Retardant (FR) performance required?
• If Yes, is NFPA or EN standard required?
• Is cold weather protection required?
Remember that there are many FR fabrics in the market. They serve different purposes and budgets.
2) FABRIC QUALITY
Shrinkage
• Shrinkage is a common problem in industrial work-wear because of the heavy washing treatment it usually receives in industrial laundering. Unless proper shrinkage treatment is carried out, there will very often be sizing and fitting problems with the work-wear, especially with regard to leg-length, sleeve length and body length.
• All fabrics, whether synthetic or 100% cotton, need to be pre-shrunk to avoid excessive shrinkage. The degree of pre-shrinkage required depends on the likely extent of staining or soiling that the work-wear will be subject to. The more stubborn the stain or soiling, the higher the temperature of the industrial or commercial washing is required.
• General industry requirement according to EN/ISO standard is: Maximum 3.0% shrinkage @ 60° Celsius for 3-wash cycle with tumble dry Specific industry higher requirement according to EN/ISO standard is: Maximum 3.0% shrinkage @ 90° Celsius for 3-wash cycle with tumble dry
Color Fastness
• Color fastness is a measure of how well and enduring a dye color keeps on a fabric, assuming all washing methods and routines being the same. It is highly dependent on the quality and type of dyeing chemicals used, dyeing methods and skills of the fabric maker. A good dyeing process will produce a high degree of color fastness which in turn enhances work-wear consistency and helps maintain the wearer’s corporate image in the workplace.
Strength
• There can be no safety without strength, especially for Flame Retardant work-wear. The type of fiber used and the method of fabric construction determine how strong the fabric is, which in turn determines the durability and pilling tendency.
Hand-feel & Comfort
• Beside fabric construction, the finishing treatment and process also determine the texture of the fabric and the way the wearer’s skin will feel when it comes into contact with it. Wicking or the osmosis process by which moisture is moved from the underside of the fabric or the wearer’s skin to the surface is also an important feature of a fabric that can determine comfort.
WORK-WEAR DESIGN
• Coverall or a Jacket/Trousers suit, the type and nature of work is the key determinant.
• For comfort, an elasticated waistline is a must.
• To facilitate stretch and movement at work, a pleated action back is necessary.
• A minimum of 5-6 pockets are required in a suit to provide the wearer with sufficient support and convenience, especially for holding small tool and personal item. To facilitate the securing of pockets, it is best to use Velcro or zipper.
STITCHING WORKMANSHIP
• At stress points, bar-tacking reinforcement is a must.
• To increase durability, inter-locking and/or over-locking of seams are necessary.
• In a piece of work-wear, stitching can be single-needle, twin-needle or triple-needle stitch, depending on purchaser’s specification, fabric weight and thickness. Only fabrics heavier than 6.5 oz/yd 2 may require triple-needle stitching.
• The choice of good threads for work-wear is material.
ACCESSORIES
• In Flame Retardant work-wear, the accessories and trimmings used in the garment should be Flame Retardant too, i.e. FR pocket lining, FR reflective tape, FR threads, FR Velcro and FR zipper.
• The Company’s logos and name tags can be directly or indirectly embroidered, heat transferred or silk-screen printed.
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