TEST RESULTS FOR 7 oz. KOVENEX FABRIC

Test 1: Thermal Protective Performance (TPP)

The minimum rating for firemen’s protective gear is 35. NFPA tests of the 7 oz. Kovenex resulted in a TPP of approximately 12.

Traditional fire retardant wool blankets flamed and melted away.

Conclusion: The patented fiber blend in Kovenex delivers breakthrough performance in flame resistance and heat blocking.

Test 2: Heat and Thermal Shrinkage

When placed in a chamber at 500º F (260º C) for five minutes, Kovenex became slightly discolored with minor shrinkage. By comparison, wool blankets smoked heavily, blackened and virtually disintegrated when removed from the chamber.

Conclusion: Kovenex far surpasses the performance of traditional treated wool blankets.

Test 3: Vertical Flame Resistance

This test measures the flame resistance of fire fighting apparel. A fabric swatch is exposed to a 1 1/2 inch high vertical flame for 12 seconds. This test was not necessary for the 10 oz. fabric because it exceeds the performance of the 7 oz. in every category.

Results of the test are measured against standards set by the NFPA and include:

1. amount of burn time after 12 seconds had elapsed.
2. amount of glow time after 12 seconds had elapsed.
3. char length of fabric.

TEST RESULTS FOR 10 oz. Kovenex FABRIC

Test 1: Thermal Protective Performance (TPP)

What it measures: Heat transfer through the fabric when exposed to conditions constituting an emergency fire-fighting situation. TPP value 2x provides time (in seconds) to second-degree burns.

Results: This test indicated the Kovenex was rated at a TPP of 20. When folded or doubled over, it rated an amazing 76. Exposure to the radiant/convective heat source only blackened the Kovenex test swatch while the traditional fire retardant wool blanket flamed and melted away.

Conclusion: Kovenex (10 oz.) delivers breakthrough performance in flame resistance and heat blocking vital to rescue and extrication efforts.

Test 2: Heat and Thermal Shrinkage

What it measures: This test measure shinkage and areas of melting and ignition when the product is placed in a 500º F (260º C) chamber for 5 minutes … a sustained high-heat situation.

Results: The EMS Kovenex was slightly discolored with minor shrinkage. (The wool blanket smoked heavily, was blackened and virtually disintegrated when removed from the chamber.)

Conclusion: Kovenex (10 oz.) delivers breakthrough performance in flame resistance and heat blocking vital to rescue and extrication efforts.

Results:

Measurement	NFPA Standards		Wool Blanket
After flame (seconds)	< 2	0	30
Afterglow (seconds)	< 2	.5	*
Char length (millimeters)	< 100	13	304
* Not measured because the wool blanket had to be extinguished.

Kovenex products also show no signs of melting or dripping during the testing.

Conclusion: Wool blanket burned furiously. Kovenex demonstrated superiority by refusing to support flame under any test conditions.

NORTH CARLONIA STATE UNIVERSITY PYRO-MAN TEST

A mannequin equipped with 122 sensors was wrapped in a Kovenex blanket. It was then subjected to a series of 4-second exposures to flames with temperatures of 1000° F (538° C) in the Pyro-Man chamber. Results showed that the EMS Kovenex reduced projected burn injury to a point where a victim would likely survive these extreme and often fatal conditions.

CONSUMER PRODUCTS SAFETY COMMISSION (CPSC) GREASE FIRE LAB-TESTING

A test was administered to measure the performance of Kovenex as an alternative to hand-held fire extinguishers. The Kovenex Commercial Kitchen Blanket extinguished the fire by starving the flames of oxygen while allowing the hot vapors to escape through Kovenex’s breathable fabric. The CPSC concluded that Kovenex is a better and safer first response tool than a fire extinguisher in smothering or extinguishing a grease fire.