PBI has become a global force in firefighter protection thanks to the company’s unwavering commitment to continuous research and innovation that keeps breaking new ground in fabric performance technology.
In the 32 years since opening for business in Charlotte, North Carolina, PBI Performance Products has become a leader in firefighter safety in the Middle East, USA, Europe. In Asia and Australasia PBI fabrics protect firefighters in a number of fire services including Hong Kong, New Zealand, Melbourne, Tasmania, South Australia and Queensland.
Firefighters put their trust in PBI outer fabrics as the first line of defence in managing challenging situations. Their safety depends on firefighting garments that protect from immediate risks and allows time to escape from a deteriorating or explosive situation in a burning building.
The company takes seriously its responsibility to maintain that trust and undertakes an ongoing process development to innovate new high-performance fabrics that results in garments that are lightweight, flexible and protect the wearer in changing environments, without compromise.
PBI’s high performance protective fabrics are renowned for their proven protection from heat and flame, but they are also amongst the most lightweight and breathable available today.
It is this unique combination of lightweight, breathable high-performance outer fabric that has created high demand for the company’s products around the world. To meet this demand, PBI has an extensive range of outer fabrics designed specifically for the many different needs of fires services. It includes PBI Gold, PBI Matrix, PBI Max, Gemini XTL Titan 1260, ENFORCER 24k with PBI and Ibena X55.
PBI is able to offer such a wide range of fabric options because it works so closely with supply chain partners. This helps manufacturers’ design teams to be even more innovative in the creation of new protection systems, driving forward product development to meet the needs of modern firefighting.
The company takes the same approach to working with fire and rescue services and invests significant time with firefighters to develop the best possible understanding of their needs and all of the operational situations and risks that they have to deal with. PBI regularly hosts firefighters at independent test and certification centres so that they can see how their fabrics perform in comparative tests with other products, which is a mark of the confidence the company has in the consistent high performance of its products.
All PBI outer fabrics are lightweight and strong and achieve high flame resistance. They deliver excellent tensile strength and will not become brittle, shrink or break open when exposed to flame and high temperatures. This means that the integrity of the internal layers of the garment is protected and the transfer of any radiant heat is slower, allowing more time for firefighters to escape to safety in a situation such as a flashover.
Thanks to their proven high performance, PBI fabrics are consistently chosen for new PPE solutions that are emerging as the market continues to innovate. Firefighters who wear PBI can do their job with the confidence and peace of mind that their PPE is has been tested and proven to offer the highest levels of protection.
For more information, go to www.pbiproducts.com
