S2000 Racing and Competition The S2000 on the track and Solo circuit. Some of the fastest S2000 drivers in the world call this forum home.

Do nomex suits expire?

Thread Tools
 
Old 08-19-2009, 05:52 PM
  #1  

Thread Starter
 
TheWingMang's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 201
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default Do nomex suits expire?

This should be an easy question for you guys, though I searched and couldn't find the answer.

Right now I'm just doing autocross, but next season my team will be competing in our first 24 Hours of LeMons. For that I'll need a suit that is SFI 3.2/A1, /A2, /A3, /A4, or /A5 approved. After this (once my S is a little closer to paid off) I'm planning to start doing HPDE, so I'm expecting on getting plenty of use out of the suit.

My question is, do these suits expire or become invalid after x many years like helmets? I'd like to get good quality gear, but only if its going to last me a while.

Thanks in advance for the help!
Old 08-19-2009, 06:24 PM
  #2  
Registered User
 
cuonice's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Yes, nomex suits do need to be replaced from time to time due to wear. They typically do not expire per a specific date or time period like seats and helmets. For 24 Hours of Lemons I believe any SFI 3.2/A5 suit will do.

See here for more specific info: http://www.sfifoundation.com/
Old 08-19-2009, 10:04 PM
  #3  
Registered User

 
silvershadow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Scottsdale
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I know most fire retardant clothing has a maximum number of washes before it loses its fire protection also.
Old 08-20-2009, 10:05 AM
  #4  
Registered User
 
mikegarrison's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Covington WA, USA
Posts: 22,888
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by silvershadow,Aug 19 2009, 11:04 PM
I know most fire retardant clothing has a maximum number of washes before it loses its fire protection also.
Say what?

Nomex will not burn. This is not due to some coating that could wear off. It is a property of the fiber itself. Please provide some evidence for this supposed "maximum number of washes".
Old 08-20-2009, 03:45 PM
  #5  
Registered User

 
Nickamsweet's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2,016
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

nomax itself IIRC is fire retardant...

http://www.explainthatstuff.com/nomex.html

there is some information for ya
Old 08-20-2009, 06:18 PM
  #6  
Registered User

 
robinson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: AZ
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Yeah, I've worn the same nomex outfit 5 days a week for the last 7+ years and I've never caught on fire because of over washing.
Old 08-20-2009, 07:26 PM
  #7  

Thread Starter
 
TheWingMang's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 201
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

So for you experienced track racers, how long do you usually get out of a suit before it needs replaced?
Old 08-22-2009, 03:42 PM
  #8  
Registered User

 
silvershadow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Scottsdale
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Nomex welding clothing and also the fire retardant protection that you wear in refineries has a maximum number of washes before the clothing needs to be replaced.

Usually Nomex fire retardancy is related to a specification. The specification for FRP used in refineries has a maximum number of washes. I assumed that Nomex suits used in racing would have to meet the same NFPA specification.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tof
S2000 Vintage Owners
22
11-23-2016 06:54 AM
kwin5946
Upper Mid-West S2000 Owners
7
10-18-2014 05:54 AM
SortaRican
Middle East S2000 Owners
8
01-14-2009 07:29 PM
CoastS2k
S2000 Racing and Competition
18
06-30-2005 07:45 AM
Nside
Hawaii S2000 Owners
4
12-26-2002 05:36 AM



Quick Reply: Do nomex suits expire?



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:07 PM.