Why do there have to be four layers? What is the function of each layer? What are important aspects for purchase of fire-fighting gloves?

Almost all styles in our production have four layers.

- Kevlar knit lining (4) is the layer directly connected with the hand. The lining of a fire-fighting glove must not melt, drop away or catch fire at temperature 180°C. Moreover, we know that Kevlar has excellent results in protection against mechanical risks (cutting, piercing), so Kevlar is one of best options for lining. The only possible weakness of this material is its small ability to drain away perspiration. Another fact is that carbon dirt often gets to the glove when a fire-fighter works and carbon is an element which aids growth of bacteria. Therefore we recommend to store and wash gloves carefully.
- Porelle membrane is the next layer. It is polyurethane (PU) membrane that does not transmit water but it is highly permeable. It makes an effective barrier against viruses and germs transmitted by blood in glove. The membranes are made by the English company PIL Membranes Ltd (www.pilmembranes.com) that developed a special range of fire resistant membranes for fire-fighting gloves – the membrane does neither burn nor drop away. The membrane is put in the glove as an insert prepared before and in this way risk of sewing through the membrane during production is eliminated. Ratio of weight and firmness is undeniable advantage of PU membranes. Unlike competitive materials the basic film is so firm that it does not have to be connected with non-woven fabrics that would make the glove heavier and less sensitive. A user of Holik glove cannot feel Porelle membrane, however, it is this layer which makes the gloves high-tech products.
- Non-woven textile from aramide fibres (Kevlar and Nomex fibres) is the next inner layer. Its main function is protection against heat. The non-woven textile is a layer of airy felt and this air is the source of thermal insulation. Strong protection against heat is gained with minimum increase of weight of glove. At the same time this layer is another protection against cutting and piercing as these are aramide fibres again. Another important factor is to put this layer between the membrane and the upper material which enables better protection of the membrane and makes its life longer.
- Information on upper materials can be found in the chapters Special Leathers and Special Textile Materials.
- A fire-fighting glove is a complex product where only all details put together create the whole product. Therefore it is important to have all information available to judge quality of gloves or to purchase them. On the market there are three-layer or only two-layer fire-fighting gloves. However, it is necessary to consider the fact that such styles will meet only minimum requirements following from EN659:2003 standard. It is very important to consider the purpose of the gloves. The glove that is sufficient for fighting open forest fires does not have to be sufficient to fight fire in buildings. Some producers offer gloves as four-layer gloves but they are actually gloves with three and half layers as only some parts contain non-woven textile which is missing e.g. between fingers or on palm. However, heat or sharp tin cannot be cheated and they find their way to a human body if there is such possibility in the glove construction.