Race Suit Embroidery

[RogueMotorsport]

This is a question that comes up quite often, but I've just had my understanding of the situation altered by reading through the actual regulations:

[i]FIA Standard 8856-2000 - PROTECTIVE CLOTHING FOR AUTOMOBILE DRIVERS
APPENDIX I - Item 3

Embroidery sewn directly onto the overall shall be stitched onto the outermost layer only, for better heat insulation. Backing material of badges shall be flameproof and in conformity with the standard ISO 15025 in order to avoid combustion of the badge which would affect the efficiency of the overalls.

Thread used for affixing the badge to the overalls shall be flameproof and in conformity with the standard ISO 15025. It is also recommended that embroidery thread on badges or on the outermost layer of the garment be flameproof and in conformity with the standard ISO 15025. When affixing badges and signs to the overalls, heat-bonding shall not be used and the garment shall not be cut.

NB: any embroidery not complying with these conditions will result in the cancellation of the homologation of the overalls concerned, and its user may be excluded by the scrutineer of the event during which the infringement was noted. [/i]

My understanding was that you must use nomex thread for the embroidery on a backing complying with ISO 12025, and then stitched through the outer layer of the suit only using nomex thread. Reading the above it would seem that the thread used to create the embroidery on the patch is only recommended to be fireproof and that it's not a requirement.

Does anyone else concur?

[AWRacing]

Yes, i read that as ONLY the thread attaching the patch to the overalls need be flame resistant. Threads used on the patch are recommended to be flame resistant but not mandatory.

[Nero601]

Good post , I am looking to get a patch made for my race suit , I was of the opinion that it was just the tread which was used to sew the patch to the suit was Nomex .

Whilst on the subject does anyone know of a good 'patch making' company that has a quick turnround ?

[volks al]

I used these guys for off the shelf so to speak number patches. Good quality, came with the yellow thread mark on badges needed, nomex thread and a little FIA approved card for your paperwork.

http://www.hot-stitch.com

[Nero601]

volks al said:

I used these guys for off the shelf so to speak number patches. Good quality, came with the yellow thread mark on badges needed, nomex thread and a little FIA approved card for your paperwork.

http://www.hot-stitch.com

Cheers will give them a look

[wadsapple]

I'm new to racing so forgive this question,not been funny but why would you want to scimp on fire proofing especially on your race suit ?

[RogueMotorsport]

wadsapple said:

I'm new to racing so forgive this question,not been funny but why would you want to scimp on fire proofing especially on your race suit ?

How is it scrimping on fire protection? You're embroidering onto a nomex patch which you're then stitching to the suit with nomex thread. If anything you're improving the fire protection!

[wadsapple]

RogueMotorsport said:

it would seem that the thread used to create the embroidery on the patch is only recommended to be fireproof and that it's not a requirement.

Does anyone else concur?

What i meant was ,why would the badge maker not make the whole of the badge fire resistant ?

[RogueMotorsport]

wadsapple said:

What i meant was ,why would the badge maker not make the whole of the badge fire resistant ?

Nomex thread is significantly more expensive, and from the research I've done not available in as wide a range of colours.

[Al Weyman]

I do embroidery and have a big 4 head machine and can produce badges however they are not worth my while in single or small quantities unless you are prepared to pay at least £25 for a one off and its simply because the amount of work involved if you want a few all the same then the price can be bought down. In my opinion polyester thread would be fine on a badge if sewn on with Nomex as polyester simply melts not burns like cotton and needs a lot of heat to get to that stage as well. Nomex threads are produced by Maderia one of my suppliers but are very expensive and as the previous poster stated has a limited colour range but probably enough for most jobs.

[midgetmax]

The regs date back to the Vestappen fire in 1994. The Sparco suits worn by the fuellers had polyester stripes, which burned off leaving pinholes in the fabric. Thankfully the fire extinguished quickly, but the pinholes allow heat through rather than flame and can still cause burns. Think sunburn rather than actually catching fire.

The problem with a polyester badge with polyester embroidery lies in the definition of flame retardant fabric as used in racing overalls. You should completely forget the idea of "fireproof", racing suits are made from "flame retardant" fabric. This means that they *might* burn but they are self-extinguishing when the fire is removed. A polyester badge *could* support flame long enough to allow heat transfer to burn you. Not a risk that's worth taking.

Also, have you ever set fire to any fabric? I did flame tests when we started making racing overalls. At least that's what I called it, my mother called it "stinking out my kitchen". Polyester badges *could* set off really unpleasant, toxic smells just below your nose. Another good reason for wearing a balaclava!

Definitely worth having proper badges.

Hope this sheds some light on it.