Questions about sewing letters on tournout gear does this compromise the gear at all?

[MeasterBFD]

One of my buddys said that sewing on turnout gear by anyone other than the manufacturer is not good and takes away some of the protective ability. Do they use any special thread?

[distchief60b]

People who repair and do maintenance on gear are supposed to use NOMEX Thread. Sewing letters on the coat does not compromise the coat unless you break the vapor barrier or thermal barrier. The letters are sewn on outer shell and therefore there is no problem. No different than the stitching for the seams...

[MeasterBFD]

Originally posted by captstanm1
People who repair and do maintenance on gear are supposed to use NOMEX Thread. Sewing letters on the coat does not compromise the coat unless you break the vapor barrier or thermal barrier. The letters are sewn on outer shell and therefore there is no problem. No different than the stitching for the seams...

Thanks.

[janiceSilva]

Where can you get Nomex Thread?

[EastKyFF]

Originally posted by janiceSilva
Where can you get Nomex Thread?

I don't know, but if you find out, ask them where to get a needle that will go through the dang outer shell!

[TWEJFD]

Where can you get Nomex Thread?

Our turnout gear supplier sells small spools of nomex thread. Fortunately, he's local so we just have to run up the street to get it.

[KParker]

I don't know, but if you find out, ask them where to get a needle that will go through the dang outer shell!

Amen to that, we had to send our gear off to get some stitching done on it because the local dry cleaners (that does sewing as well) could not do it...

[distchief60b]

www.glovesinc.com.

www.turnoutgearcleaner.com

There is another company called "Solutions"

In Florida there is Bay Area Gear Repair in Port Richey (Pasco County)

You should not under any circumstances send your gear to a dry cleaner. They have no training or certification to repair firefighting gear. Read the NFPA Standard (1851). It calls for repairs to be made by a certified company. One that has training in repair of vapor barriers and is familiar with the different stitching. Additionally, if you send it to them for repair (the dry cleaners) will no doubt clean it. The "Perc" they use will damage the shell and cause it to begin to degradate. Dry cleaners use harsh chemicals that are corrosive. Think about it...do you want your gear cleaned with a "corrosive" It severely damages the outer shell, vapor barrier and thermal barrier and will compromise the safety of the ensemble.

Use a company that specializes in cleaning and repairing of fire gear and can show you their certificates of training.

Besides....Why do you think dry cleaners do not have the type of needly and thread you need.....because they have no business repairing and cleaning your gear!!!!!

[MeasterBFD]

My grandmother can sew them for me. She has been a seamstress for years. Do I really really need nomex thread? I am not FF1 cert and won't be for a while. I figure if the thread is going to burn I have more things to worry about then letters falling off. But I plan on just pulling the liner out and having her machine sew them on. If the thread is that big of a deal I can always order some.

[Medic129]

What about dept. patches? Can you sew them on as well. Using the Nomex thread and only on the outer shell of course. I once heard that in a situation where there is heat impingment on the area where the patch is, it causes the retention of heat, thus causing a burn to the skin. Is there any truth to that?

[captain247]

Each mfg has different requirements and standards. Why don't you contact the mfg of your gear and get the proper answer from them. In general I know that they all require nomex thread.

Gary

[CALFFBOU]

West coast info...

Here is a good source on the West coast for any
turnout issues and questions. They got a toll-
free # and the guy there is pretty nice to chat
with.
-Bou

Turnout Services- Factory Authorized and trained.
(800) 480-6108
www.turnoutservices.com

[distchief60b]

Limits of liability

I just had a discussion with a manufacturer this morning. If you have gear repaired or items added by a non recognized or non certified agency or person (ie., Dry Cleaners, Shoe and Leather Repair Store, Grandma) that voids the warranty and manufacturers limits of liability.

Sewing your patch on the coat is not a problem as long as you use nomex or kevlar thread. As far as I know it has no bearing on heat retention, but it may contribute to damaging the outer shell In fact the shoulder patch (since it is non fire retardant) could possibly burn in a room and contents situation even at lower temps. It would be the same is having direct flame contact to the outer shell if it caught fire. However, I do know of Departments that have sewn patches on the gear and had no problems.

[LoudounFF]

The boys up here in DCFD have been putting company patches on their running coats for years. Haven't heard of any problems with patches lighting up, but they sure do get pretty charred

[mcaldwell]

Originally posted by LoudounFF
The boys up here in DCFD have been putting company patches on their running coats for years. Haven't heard of any problems with patches lighting up, but they sure do get pretty charred

While training up north in Kemano a couple of years back, one of my guys got a small second degree burn from a black manufacturer's patch applied to the arm of his brand new turnout gear. There was no doubt what gave him the burn, as it was exactly the size and shape of the little patch.

Surprised the hell out of us, especially since it came on the gear. We take those little patches off now.