Project Specifications: Design and manufacture a comfortable, fire retardant lumbar pad to support a self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) worn by firefighters. The lumbar pad needed to be light weight, but comfortably support the weight of an oxygen tank in conjunction with the customer’s back brace. The lumbar pad needed to pass the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1981 Code.
Custom Solution:
- Polo chose to manufacture a compression molded lumbar pad. The lumbar pad was constructed from a 3/8” thick polyethylene foam that was laminated to Fireware® flame resistant material. The laminate was placed in a mold and thermoformed to take its shape.
- A 1” Kevlar® webbing was sewn to the one side of the pad to create straps. A 1 5/8” Kombat® PBI/Kevlar® blend binding was sewn on the outer perimeter of the lumbar pad.
Project Specifications: Design and manufacture a harness assembly that would be worn by miners, hazmat workers, and rescue personnel in confined spaces. Material suggestions were needed and design changes needed to be made to assure proper fit. The harness needed to be durable enough to hold a closed circuit SCBA, but comfortable enough for a worker to wear up to four hours.
Custom Solution:
- Waist and shoulder pads were compression molded. A poly/cotton twill material was selected for the waist and shoulder pads. This material was laminated to a 3/8” #3 density charcoal polyethylene foam.
- The laminate was placed in a mold and compression molded to take its shape.
- Nylon webbing straps with side release buckles were attached.
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