Elkton, Maryland, April 21, 2010 – At the 2010 FDIC show, W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., announced the addition of a five-year warranty for its CROSSTECH® 3-layer moisture barrier and a three-plus year warranty for its new CROSSTECH® black moisture barrier. To support departments that are trying to comply with NFPA 1851's requirements, Gore added these warranties, which include labor and materials for repairs caused by normal wear and tear.
As the toughest barrier in the industry today, CROSSTECH® 3-layer moisture barrier delivers rugged, long-lasting protection. In fact, it is so durable that it comes with a full five-year warranty. In addition to being very resistant to abrasion and wear, this barrier still provides a high total heat loss (THL). According to Ron Bove, Gore's North American Fire & Public Safety business leader, these warranties illustrate Gore's commitment to the quality of its products. Bove explains, “Departments that want to comply with NFPA 1851's inspection and repair requirements may need to address many types of garment damage. Combining a full warranty with the rugged durability of these two moisture barriers makes it easier for departments to comply with the standard."
The new CROSSTECH® black moisture barrier is ideal for departments that want increased durability combined with excellent THL in a two-layer barrier. This latest generation of moisture barrier is highly durable and withstands heat exposure without compromising the great breathability that has made CROSSTECH® products the industry leader in North America. The warranty on the CROSSTECH® black moisture barrier is the first of its kind because it specifically covers repairs through the first complete liner inspection set forth in the 2008 edition of NFPA 1851 (or up to 3.5 years from the date of manufacture, whichever comes first). The particular issue with a regular three-year warranty is that compliance with the NFPA 1851 standard calls for a complete liner inspection after the garment has been in use for three years. Bove continues, “Providing a three-year warranty does not really cover repairs that result from the first complete liner inspection because the warranty expires right before the inspection is normally scheduled. Therefore, we felt that it was important to extend our warranty beyond this inspection to demonstrate our commitment to the fire departments using our products. Field tests have shown that CROSSTECH® black moisture barrier demonstrated more durable NFPA 1851 performance, and this warranty is further evidence of how we always stand behind our products."
For more than 30 years, W. L. Gore & Associates has been a pioneer in developing high-performance fabrics for first responders, including CROSSTECH®, GORE® CHEMPAK®, GORE-TEX®, and WINDSTOPPER® products. With approximately 8,000 employees worldwide, Gore specializes in fluoropolymer innovations that improve the quality of life. Gore has applied its world-renowned expertise in fluoropolymer fabrication to thousands of technology-driven applications in consumer, electronic, pharmaceutical, and medical product manufacturing. Specifically in the fabrics arena, Gore has been a pioneer in developing high-performance barrier products for use in firefighting, EMS, technical rescue, law enforcement, military, and domestic preparedness applications. The company operates more than 45 facilities worldwide with headquarters in Newark, Delaware, USA. To learn more about Gore's full line of fabrics for first responders, visit www.GoreProtectiveFabrics.com.
