August 12, 2010 by Austin Cushing.

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Have you ever wondered to yourself what exactly those airport security people see when they look into your bags with an X-ray machine? Do you ponder what they could possibly be doing with your shoes when they run a check on them for explosives or narcotics? Do you contemplate how accurate their metal detectors can be to detect everything from a loaded firearm down to a spare house key you forgot to take out of your jacket pocket? Do you want to know why they insist on having you remove your laptops and other major electronic devices from your bags before scanning them? Read on and learn more.

Flying in the modern world can be a nuisance. The versatility of determined people who want to smuggle contraband, weapons, or bombs onto a flight is responsible for the many procedures any airport traveler must endure on the way to their flight. A typical business traveler might expect to have to remove his shoes for examination, remove his laptop from his bags for X-ray scanning, have his bags swabbed, and pass through a metal detector for the dubious privilege of purchasing ’secure’ drinks at the airport gate restaurant for exorbitant prices while waiting for his flight. However, every step of this thorough examination has a purpose, to limit the ways in which a terrorist threat or illegal cargo can board an airplane.

The traveler himself typically has to pass an inspection via metal detector. A standard FAA-approved metal detector such as the AUTOClear CheckGate 8000 is fairly straightforward - the person to be tested passes through the metal detector, and a loud tone is emitted if a metal object is detected on their person. To prevent inadvertent alarms from nearby objects, quality metal detectors usually are built to screen out electromagnetic and radio frequency noise (so the cell phone of the guy behind you who refuses to put it in the X-ray machine until the very last moment won’t get you in trouble) and calibrated to their environment (so as not to generate large amounts of false positives from poor design choices like placing the metal detector on a metal walkway.) They usually are also calibrated so that, for example, the metal in the zipper of your trousers won’t set it off, but the hula girl letter opener you forgot to take out of your jacket pocket will, by determining a given ’safe’ threshold that must be exceeded for the alarm to sound.

When more careful examination is required, TSA officials and other security personnel rely on hand wands - lightweight metal detectors that provide variable tones based on the amount of metal present. This allows security officers to quickly, efficiently, and noninvasively scan people for weapons without an intrusive physical search, and provides evidence to authorize a physical search if necessary.

Meanwhile, your carry-on luggage is subjected to X-ray scanning from a TSA-approved cargo screening X-ray scanner such as the AUTOClear 6040, which feeds luggage through on a conveyor while allowing security personnel to see the contents and determine the materials thereof. Modern scanners like the 6040 allow security personnel to see organic, inorganic, and composite materials in different colors (orange, blue, and green, for the AUTOClear line), with darker colors indicating greater density. This allows the machine operator to easily pinpoint potential bomb and weapon components, as well as narcotics and other smuggled goods, without requiring an invasive (and possibly dangerous) search of every bag by hand. This is why airport security requires that you remove laptops and other bulky electronics to be scanned separately, among other restrictions - to avoid false positives made when a set of innocuous contents resembles an explosive on the X-ray monitors. Since the TSA must take every potential threat seriously — after all, they will have to handle the explosive consequences firsthand — cutting down on these misidentifications ensures a safer environment for them and the public, and ensures less delays in travel.

While you may not directly see this in action (unless you regularly travel with large amounts of electronics), trace detectors such as the AUTOClear E5000 are also used on your checked luggage (and occasionally on yourself and your carry-on luggage) to detect possible traces of explosives and narcotic substances, either by analyzing them for a match to specific known compounds or by attempting to match them to the components commonly found in explosive substances. This commonly requires a simple surface test of the object to be scanned, and takes less than a minute to perform. As someone who has personally seen these tests in action from previous airport trips, I can assure you that they are non-invasive (usually a simple cotton swab over the surface area, or a close ’sniff’ by the nozzle of the device, is all that is necessary), and simply allow for a presumptive scan of an object or area in the same way that a drug-sniffing or bomb-sniffing dog’s perusal can give probable cause to more carefully inspect a suspicious item or person. Detecting the residue of military explosives on one’s shoes might simply mean they are a soldier on their way home from active duty, but it also might mean that someone’s been building bombs in their basement — probably not the person you want sitting next to you on a long flight.

The Transportation Security Administration uses X-ray scanners, trace detectors, and metal detectors to screen passengers and luggage to provide safety and security to passengers and flight crew with as little impact on speed as possible. New advancements in scanning technology mean faster processing at the airport terminal and safer flights for all concerned. The TSA has a difficult, dangerous, and often thankless job to do, and security scanners such as those manufactured by AUTOClear ensure they can do their job to the best of their capabilities.

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August 6, 2010 by Austin Cushing.

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The NIJ Standard 0101.06 is a comprehensive standard for testing the protective values of ballistic armor such as that used by law enforcement and military personnel. In order to qualify under this standard, ballistic armor must pass a series of rigorous performance tests to ensure that they live up to expectations.

Ballistic armor is rated by level of protection, with higher levels offering increasingly effective protection against penetration and blunt trauma impact from larger caliber rounds; in order to pass certification, a vest must prevent penetration by the test bullet at the test firing speed, and more importantly must prevent deformation as a result of blunt force trauma on the test surface. Soft armor (such as the concealable vests worn by law enforcement) consists of Level II-A, Level II, and Level III-A, and is meant to protect mostly against small arms fire. Hard body armor consists of rigid plates that can be inserted, and are rated Level III or Level IV, for protection against rifle rounds.

The important points of the NIJ standard can be explained by pointing out the changes in testing requirements from the 0101.06 standard and the interim NIJ 0101.05 standard; after reviewing tests of the previous standard, as well as performance in the field, the National Institute of Justice has determined that more strenuous testing requirements are needed to ensure a minimum lifespan of five years, and to protect against larger and faster bullets than in previous testing.

Under the NIJ 0101.05 standard, for IIA through IIIA testing, a total of six panel samples were required for testing purposes. Each panel was to be of a standard size, with six shots per panel and a minimum spacing between shots of 2 inches. Two shots (#4 and #5, specifically) were to be performed at a 30-degree angle from the armor, to test angled impacts. To test the effects of water on the material, armor was subjected to a six minute spray before testing. All test shots were performed on areas a minimum of 3 inches from any edge. Four tests of ballistic limit testing were performed to test its resistance to penetration; two tests of backface signature testing were performed to test for deformation of a test material (soft clay) behind an impact point, with a maximum allowable deformation depth of under 44 millimeters. Body armor would fail testing if it allowed greater deformations from the test bullets, or if the first test bullet completely penetrated the ballistic armor.

The NIJ 0101.06 standard provides more rigorous testing of these requirements. Specifically, 28 test samples are required - 22 large samples, and 6 small samples. Each panel still receives six test shots, but the spacing is more rigidly defined - shots one through three are spaced a minimum of two inches apart, with a minimum distance from edges of 2 inches. Shots 4 through 6 must be grouped in a circle with a max spread of 3.94 inches. Shot 4 is still tested at a 30 degree angle, but shot 5 is tested at a 45 degree angle. Wet testing is performed by completely immersing the armor for 30 minutes. Ballistic limit testing is performed on both the first and second rounds per type, with ten tests performed per type. Backface signature deformation testing requires three measured deformations of less than 44 millimeters, with a second measuring of any result over 40 millimeters, and one outlier permitted. Failure occurs if greater deformations are recorded, or if the armor is perforated by any portion of the projectiles tested.

The NIJ 0101.04 standard required that vests to be certified to level IIA withstand testing from a 9mm round traveling at a relative velocity of 1120 feet per second and a .40 caliber round traveling at 1055 fps. Level II armor had to withstand a 9 mm round at 1205 fps (+/-30) and a .357 magnum round traveling at 1430 fps. Level IIIA armor was required to stop a 9mm round at 1430 fps and a .44 magnum round at 1430 fps.

The NIJ 0101.06 standard increases requirements at all levels; armor to be rated level IIA must now withstand a 9mm round at 1225 fps, and a .40 caliber round at 1155 fps. Level II armor must now withstand a 9mm round at 1305 fps, as well as a .357 magnum at 1430 fps. Level IIIA armor must now be able to withstand a .357 SIG round at 1470 fps, as well as a .44 magnum at 1430 fps. These tests must all be performed according to the requirements listed above.

In addition, NIJ Standard 0101.06 tests for the effects of environmental conditioning from water, long-term use, and temperature exposure. These tests put one batch of eight panels (six large and two small) into a rotary tumbler set at 149 degrees Fahrenheit with 80% relative humidity. This batch is cycled for 72,000 cycles at five revolutions per minute over a period of roughly ten days, then removed and tested against both threat calibers at a reduced test velocity (Level IIA requires testing of 9mm rounds at 1165 fps and .40 caliber rounds at 1065 fps after conditioning; Level II requires testing of 9mm rounds at 1245 fps and .357 magnum rounds after conditioning; Level IIIA requires testing of .357 SIG rounds at 1410 fps and .44 magnum rounds at 1340 fps after conditioning.)

The level of protection one wears is typically based on one’s need for concealability, comfort, and overall protection. Level II-A is the thinnest and lightest armor available, and stops penetration from a majority of threats, but is less effective against blunt trauma injury. Level II armor provides a balance between blunt trauma protection against high-velocity rounds, cost, and thickness while remaining concealable. Level III-A armor provides the best protection in soft armor and minimizes blunt trauma injury to the wearer, allowing them to respond more quickly to imminent threats, but is less concealable, heavier, and more expensive.

With the new standard comes new products, so look forward to new concealable ballistic armor that meets NIJ Standard 0101.06 from GatorHawk Armor Systems and Max Pro Police and Armor this month, and contact us for more information on purchasing these and other tactical armor solutions.

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July 26, 2010 by Austin Cushing.

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With the temperature soaring, heat exhaustion is a clear and present workplace hazard in practically any location. Throw in the hectic pace of a job that requires you to do heavy labor outdoors or in an unventilated warehouse, or in an environment where fires are a direct hazard, and you need a better solution than a bottle of water to keep you cool. You need heat stress gear.

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) requires employers to “furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees”. What does this mean? This means that in conditions of extreme heat, the safety of workers must be provided for.

So what do you do about this? Well, fortunately, manufacturers like OccuNomix specialize in occupational safety gear, including cooling gear. Cooling gear comes in a variety of forms: cooling vests, hats and headbands, inserts for hard hats, wristbands, and cooling wipes. Each type of heat stress relief is useful, depending on the work environment involved.

Cooling vests may consist of simple poncho vests with crystals that cool the user when wettened, to mesh vests that use cooling pack inserts that essentially work as wearable ice packs, maintaining coolness and comfort in the hottest of temperatures. There are even fire-resistant cooling vests for use by firefighters, those at risk of arc flash hazards, and others in workplaces where fire is a constant hazard.

For those who need a more lightweight cooling solution, cooling headbands work similarly, with cooling crystals that relieve the effects of high temperatures while keeping perspiration out of your eyes, while cooling hats use the same crystals to keep you cooler while keeping the sun out of your eyes. For the working person who needs to keep cool while protecting their head, there are hard hat inserts for relief in situations where hard hats are required, and practically anyone can benefit from cooling wipes, disposable wipes that are useful for creating immediate evaporative relief to transfer heat from the skin without requiring special clothing.

With the summer as blazing hot as ever, you can’t afford not to invest in cooling solutions for your workplace. Clothing especially intended for heat stress relief is a necessary expense to prevent worker health hazards and maintain OSHA safety standards, while increasing the comfort of your workers. Even individuals can benefit from these items made specifically to help beat the heat. When it comes to cooling gear, don’t let the heat stress you - check out the solutions available, and keep cool this summer.

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July 12, 2010 by Austin Cushing.

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When you’re shopping for a product that may just save a life, you want to be absolutely certain that it works as advertised, and you want to be absolutely certain that what you’re buying fits the exact specifications your job requires. You want to know that it will perform under the circumstances you need it to, without encumbering or inhibiting you. There are five basic things you can do to ensure that you get the quality you need.

First, you need to select a distributor. Many manufacturers do not sell directly, but sell their products through a distributor who handles the order-taking process and can usually offer a diverse assortment of brands to meet varying needs, whether you need a set of coveralls built to handle arc flash protective requirements or one more suited to fighting wildland fires. As an example, Anchortex Corporation offers many brands of popular and reliable flame resistant products, including OEL Protective Gear, Lakeland Protective Apparel, Topps Safety Apparel, Workrite FR Work Clothing, Refrigiwear FR, and Bulwark Protective Apparel. Each brand specializes in meeting a particular set of needs, and choosing an appropriate brand will ensure that you are meeting OSHA regulations and getting the best product for your purposes.

Second, you need to evaluate the manufacturer. FR fabric manufacture is a large and important business, but making quality FR gear that can stand up under actual use conditions requires diligent effort and knowledge. Ensure that you know the manufacturer of your potential lifesaving materials is a legitimate company with experience in the field, and that you know about them and what they do.

Third, you need to get a better grasp on the fabrics themselves - figuratively, and literally. Most companies are willing to provide sample swatches of materials upon request, as well as information about their internal and external testing processes, documentation on their manufacturer, and quality control standards. When your life might be on the line, you want to know as much as you can about the product before you have to use it.

Fourth, you need to learn who else is using a product you are considering purchasing. Most distributors and manufacturers succeed because they can back up their product claims with satisfied customers who have been using their products for years. Don’t be shy about asking - remember, when it comes to something that can prevent employee injuries or other significant costs, you can never be too prepared.

Fifth, you need to ensure that vital information about the product is presented clearly and visibly at all times. When ordering, you need to ensure that you are requesting (and being provided with) the specific FR fabric you need to perform the job. Quality manufacturers sew labels directly into their garments for identification purposes, to ensure that customers have accurate information about the exact garment available without having to wonder whether an off-brand generic fabric happens to be rated for their specific needs. Products that maintain a specific certification (such as NFPA 1977) will clearly display this on the label, for example. Furthermore, important care information on the label must be followed exactly to ensure that your FR protective clothing maintains the level of protection you expect over the lifespan of the garment.

By following these five steps, you can ensure that the flame resistant clothing you purchase will meet your needs and expectations, and avoid getting burned by generic products and manufacturers who don’t stand behind their products. Anchortex Corporation will always be happy to provide customers with information direct from the manufacturer regarding our name-brand products. Contact us today and ask us for information on our OEL arc flash protective gear, our Bulwark flame resistant work clothing, our Topps and Lakeland emergency personnel apparel, and our many other FR options to meet your safety needs - or shop direct from our website and receive $10 off of a purchase of $100 or more in FR apparel by entering pricing code FRSafe.

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June 25, 2010 by Austin Cushing.

Due to a power outage at our main offices, Anchortex Corporation will be unable to respond to quote requests or orders until Monday, June 28th. We apologize for the inconvenience.

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June 22, 2010 by Austin Cushing.

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The term ‘asbestos underwear’ tends to come up in Internet discussions frequently as a tongue-in-cheek reference to needing intimate protection from the searing heat of flames, Internet or otherwise. However, there is a real-world solution that is far more practical - and less itchy - than asbestos underwear: DriFire Base Layer undergarments.

So what’s so important about base layers, anyhow? To put it simply, base layer clothing rests directly against the skin - in short, undergarments, such as T-shirts, boxer shorts, sports bras, and other lightweight clothing. Due to their intimate contact with the user, it is important that they remain comfortable to wear in addition to providing protection against fire hazards. The protections they provide must be permanent, and must not deteriorate over extended wear or frequent washings.

So aside from jokes, why do firefighters, electricians, technicians, emergency responders, soldiers, and many other professionals need fire retardant underwear? Clothing that ignites, drips, or melts under extreme heat or flames is a significant hazard, and 100% cotton or other non-flammable undergarments are required to maintain the level of safety people expect from their fire resistant clothing choices. Nobody wants the experience of having their intimate apparel melted to their intimate parts, after all - this is why crews requiring arc flash protection require that 100% cotton or other non-flammable undergarments be worn under protective gear.

Where does DriFire come in, then? DriFire provides an ideal solution to the problem of base layer flame resistance with their silk weight, mid weight, and heavy weight pants, shirts, underwear and accessories. Aside from providing a basic level of flame protection, they also provide other vital features such as moisture management and antimicrobial protection. Moisture management is important for comfort, but is also vital for preventing steam burns from trapped moisture becoming heated in high-temperature situations. Antimicrobial protection is all about odor control - helping you stay fresh and clean even under the stress of extended shifts and heavy workloads.

All in all, DriFire underwear and other performance products are the protective equivalent of the humorous ‘asbestos underwear’, with none of the discomfort. The next time you settle in for a flame war on the Internet, or wage war against flaming infernos in a structure fire, or prepare to march into the battlefield, spare a thought for DriFire base layer apparel - it just may mean the difference between a comfortable afternoon and getting burned.

Posted in Flame-Resistant, Articles | No Comments »

June 21, 2010 by Austin Cushing.

Anchortex Corporation will be attending the 24th Annual Police Security Expo tomorrow, looking for the best and the newest in law enforcement and security gear to offer our customers!

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June 21, 2010 by Austin Cushing.

We have updated our Firefighting and EMS section to hopefully provide a smoother experience for our customers and visitors, and to match the new style we have been incorporating into the rest of the site. As with our other sections, we will be expanding and improving on it steadily throughout the year.

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June 16, 2010 by Austin Cushing.

We just launched our June VIP Club newsletter, with a promotion code good for 10% off on our new Propper flame resistant Army Combat Uniforms and Airman Battle Uniforms. Didn’t get the newsletter? Then you need to join our VIP Club! Click here to submit your name and email address and join our VIP Club - you’ll receive mail about new and interesting products and promotions, as well as exclusive discounts on our featured products every month!

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June 8, 2010 by Austin Cushing.

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Anchortex Corporation prides itself on serving our nation’s military forces by providing them the widest selection of mission-critical military equipment and optional support gear available. Now we are pleased to announce our new flame-resistant Army Combat Uniforms and Airman Battle Uniforms manufactured by Propper International, leaders in quality mil-spec uniform apparel.

For our Army and Marine soldiers, we offer our Propper F5468 Flame Resistant Army Combat Uniform Coat and F5268 Flame Resistant Army Combat Uniform Trousers. These are sewn to military specifications GL/PD 07-13 and 07-14 using Defender M, a flame-resistant combat fabric used by the United States Army and Marine Corps that exceeds ASTM D 6413-99 flame resistance standards. This fabric contains Lenzing FR, allowing it to absorb and evaporate perspiration faster, improving durability and resistance to wear, and giving it the ability to self-extinguish without melting or dripping. Both are fully NIR-compliant and meet all standard requirements as a part of the Army Combat Uniform.

For our Air Force soldiers, we offer the new NFPA 1975 certified F5257 Airman Battle Uniform Trousers and F5457 Airman Battle Uniform Coat. These are both sewn to mil-spec FQ PD-06-11B and PD-06-08B, are fully NIR compliant, and manufactured from 100% cotton ripstop fabric. Importantly, they are fully certified to NFPA 1975 (Standards for Station/Work Uniforms for Emergency Services - 2009 Edition) by Underwriter Laboratories, Inc., and can be used upon approval by unit commanders by personnel requiring a fire-retardant fabric.

The men and women who serve our country deserve equipment that meets and exceeds their expectations for durability and survivability under the most extreme conditions nature and man can throw at them, and thanks to Propper, Anchortex Corporation is capable of delivering with fire-retardant uniform apparel that can keep our uniformed men and women safe while retaining a regulation appearance.

Are you deploying soon and need new uniforms - for yourself or the entire squadron? Contact Anchortex Corporation with your size, rank, and nametape specifications to receive a customized quote for your uniform supply needs.

Posted in Flame-Resistant, Military, Articles | 1 Comment »