Setting the standard for quality and performance

Over the last 30 years Gore has invested heavily every year in research and quality assurance programmes that ensure its products are fit for purpose and will meet or exceed relevant quality and performance standards for the lifetime of a garment.

That continued investment has resulted in a range of ground-breaking products such as GORE-TEX Moisture Barrier with GORE^® CROSSTECH^® Product Technology as well as the revolutionary GORE-TEX Moisture Barrier with GORE^® CROSSTECH^® Product Technology GORE^® PARALLON^® System.

All Gore technical fire fabrics comfortably exceed international PPE performance standards and are certified to EN469, ASNZ4967 and the OEKO-TEX^® Standard 100, as well as NFPA 1951, 1999 and 1971

Gore only partners with garment suppliers who can guarantee a total quality approach throughout the manufacturing process. Companies that make Gore products must comply with Gore Manufacturing Standards. These standards require the manufacturer to adhere to specific quality levels for machinery used in the manufacturing process. Gore specialists provide recommendations to production sites to ensure that manufacturing standards are met and implemented, at which point the manufacturing plant receives a Gore license. Certification is audited and reviewed on an annual basis.

Manufacturers that are licensed by Gore can rely on the company’s ongoing support. Gore specialists advise and train management and staff at the manufacturing site on the use of Gore machinery and assist in the optimisation of the manufacturing process. Regular site tests ensure that the manufacturer is achieving consistent high quality and samples are regularly taken from the production line for comparison against the original prototype garments. This is to ensure stability and performance throughout the lifetime of the garment.

Gore stands behind the consistent performance of every one of its products and every year invests around ten per cent of turnover in research and development, with state of the art laboratory testing facilities that are used to ensure every fabric will meet its performance claims.

The company’s test labs are comparable to those used in many of the independent institutes and in many cases Gore has developed specific test methods where previously no standardised tests existed.

Biophysics and flame protection labs allow Gore engineers to measure the properties of component materials, Gore laminates and fully constructed garments, as well as footwear.

Biophysics and flame protection labs allow Gore engineers to measure the properties of component materials, Gore laminates and fully constructed garments, as well as footwear

The Environmental Chamber can recreate up to 95 per cent of the environments on the earth’s surface and the Heat and Flame Protection lab allows Gore to precisely measure and analyse the ability of its products to provide the three key elements of burn protection: flame resistance, thermal insulation, and thermal stability.

From the start of the testing process every aspect of the product’s real world use is examined in detail to inform the design and engineering process. It is important that protective clothing is functional and comfortable, so Gore designers will advise manufacturers on potential innovations, such as special closures or waterproof collar solutions.

All Gore technical fire fabrics comfortably exceed international PPE performance standards and are certified to EN469, ASNZ4967 and the OEKO-TEX^® Standard 100, as well as NFPA 1951, 1999 and 1971. They maintain that level of performance thanks to outstanding resistance to wear and abrasion and the ability to consistently retain high breathability and waterproofness after exposure to extreme cold and heat. Gore products are renowned for their consistently reliable thermal stability.

Almost every firefighter in the UK and a great many firefighters around the world are protected by a Gore product in a wide range of applications that includes structural firefighting and USAR garments, boots, and gloves. They can have confidence that they have the best protection from a company that is a committed guardian of their safety.

Fire Editor

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