Three product lines, sixteen base models

Wash count and service life are the determining factors. Where garments are industrially laundered, worn over a long period and washed frequently, inherent FR offers more consistent performance — treated FR declines after a certain number of washes and the replacement cycle shortens accordingly.

For short-term projects or low-frequency laundering, a treated system remains appropriate where it meets the standard.

This depends on the finishing process and the washing conditions (temperature, detergent, mechanical action). Durable finishes typically withstand a number of industrial wash cycles, but the specific count must be stated in the contract and supported by test results at that cycle count.

No. Reference weight indicates the typical range for the fibre system and is used to judge whether a fabric suits a given use, such as an outer shell or a liner. Actual supply weight is set by the order specification and inspected per batch. A range is given because weight is determined together with strength, drape and end use.

Some variation between dye lots is inherent, and the industry controls it through grey scale ratings, generally grade 4 or above subject to contract. Recommended practice: produce large orders in a single run; group dye lots on split deliveries; approve a colour sample before bulk production for colour-critical uniform projects.

No. Sewing thread, zips, reflective tape, interlinings, components and construction all affect assembly performance. For example, the thermal performance of firefighting clothing as an assembly is not equivalent to single-layer fabric data. Projects involving assembly certification should include garment-stage verification.

In most cases yes, subject to joint verification. The mechanisms differ and combinations can work against each other — repellent finishes reduce moisture absorption, and excess soft finish reduces FR performance and strength. The approach is to verify a combined sample before production rather than to commit in advance.

Yes. A physical shade card or Pantone reference is sufficient to arrange a lab dip. Note that fluorescent shades (for hi-vis fabrics) are limited by the dye system and cover a narrower colour range, and FR performance must be verified in parallel.

Sampling, approval, revision and re-approval, until production parameters are locked. Changes to weight, blend ratio or finish combination all count as revisions and require re-sampling; in some cases retesting as well. Changes are best concentrated in the sampling stage, with parameters locked before production to preserve batch consistency.