Kilted Fire Safety

[Riverkilt]

While in Las Vegas I wore my modern Gordon flashes for the first time. Bought them from SportKilt. The bottoms were frayed. I've been taught since Boy Scouts to burn off loose threads with a match or lighter. So I did.

The threads flared on me. Fortunately, had the foresight to turn on some cold running water and stand near it when burning back the loose threads.

Now, I studied the burning properties of various fibers 44 years ago in my college textiles class, and I went through the new flame retardent laws for infants and children's wear back in the 50s and 60s, and I've burned back loose threads on garments - including kilts - for many years.....but this flare up startled me.

I got to thinking about the flamability of some of the fabrics we wrap around ourselves. Other threads have touched on how wool doesn't flare when it catches fire.

Dug up my old textiles textbook which correctly points out, " Flammability is dependent on the kind of fiber, type of fabric construction and weight, garment style, decorative features, finishes, and nature of the immediate environment." The book also points out that some fibers are dangerously flammable while others melt and are self-extinguishing. That heavy fabrics may be slow to ignite but once on fire will burn vigorously. Some fabrics with a brushed nap can flash burn.

What I realized is I DON'T KNOW the flammable properties of some of the fabrics I'm wearing. I feel pretty safe since I don't smoke myself, don't use space heaters, am seldom around campfires....but I have been around these things and others that can start a fire. And, what about the flare up of those threads on my Gordon flashes?

We have kilts made of various weights of wool, wool blends, acrylics, cotton, cotton poly, rayon poly, hemp...et.al.

Wool and acrylics can generate static electricity and cause sparks - maybe at times there shouldn't be a spark...gassing up...around a natural gas leak...

Fabrics that melt probably melt against skin if we're wearing them. Acrylics both flare up and melt when they burn...they're out, but then they're not out.

I had some SportKilt cotton poly swatches so I got the water running in the sink and used a lighter to set fire to a corner...the fabric burns well. Then took some of USA Kilts Poly Viscose and did the same thing...it burns, but not as fast or as large as the cotton poly.

I've burned back a lot of loose threads on my cotton Utilikilts - they burn as cotton is expected to, but if, like under the belt loops, they hit a bunch of other threads, the fire flares.

We also wear kilt hose of many assorted fabrics. Some of the Jacobite shirts are all polyesther. My favorite sporran is made from nylon.

The cut of a kilt lends itself to a fast burn if the hemline ignites, say from a campfire. What happens to kilted smokers who drop a hot ash in their lap while driving? Know I set some fires and burned holes in pants back when I was still smoking.

Anyway, posting this in the interest of getting and sharing some important information. Don't believe I've ever seen much about flamability of the fabrics we wear as kilts. Know there are firefighters on the board and people with the expertise to educate us.

Obviously, common sense is critical - but unexpected situations can, and do, arise.

Anyone have experience with this to share? Hopefully, there are no horror stories.

Thanks,

Ron

[Kilted KT]

On my survival trip in June, I spent every night of the trip in and around campfires of various sizes in my 80/20 (wool/acrylic) ebay tank, and saw no problems of any kind. Sparks flew on it, it landed in the fire once or twice and didn't even smolder. It may have been that the kilt had dirt in it, or could have been damp that prevented it from burning, but I experienced no negative reaction of the kilt to the fire.

It could also have been that I has a magical invisible fireproof cloak on...who knows.

[O'Neille]

In addition to flammability of fabrics be aware of changes that may occur as a result of cleaning and laundering them. Fabric softeners are parafin based substances that burn very readily (candles). Also some dry-cleaning solvents are extremely volatile as well as neurotoxic. When some synthetics catch fire they become extremely neurotoxic so be careful of what you breath when experimenting on fabric flammability. Also be aware that many substances act synergistically (the whole is greater than the parts) when combined. So be careful if you are already exposed to other chemical substances and observe all safety precautions. O'Neille

[morrison]

Obviously, common sense is critical - but unexpected situations can, and do, arise.

OMG "common sense!" So true and so fine a characteristic to be found in our friends, my studied friend. You've put a light on an exceptionally important facet of our (kilt wearers) awareness aspects. To my chagrin, I had not given the least thought to fire and my kilt. I'll certainly not disregard safety on this, my own nor any one elses.

[Southern Breeze]

When you're kilted around fire, common sense had better be on your side. I've done soldering and light brazing (carefully) while wearing a Stillwater Standerd. I would never wear one while working at the forge. For that I rely on my canvas kilts and a leather apron. I've found that the Workmans U.K has too many places to catch and hold sparks.

[Kid Cossack]

The Marine Corps was a whole new world for me----not only did I discover the joy of folding, ironing and starching underwear into neat little 6"x6" squares, but I learned what those loose threads on garments are called.

In a fine bit of old school bigotry, they're called . . . Irish pennants.

Now, as a double threat (Scots AND Irish blood), I was able to laugh it off . . . but Ron's thread reminded me.

[Riverkilt]

Thanks KC,

Now I remember that term too....

Semper Fi,

Ron

[Frank McGrath]

My father taught me that term when I was just a wee lad. An awfully long time ago. He had been stationed in Newfoundland during WW2. Army

[starbkjrus]

The Marine Corps was a whole new world for me----not only did I discover the joy of folding, ironing and starching underwear into neat little 6"x6" squares, but I learned what those loose threads on garments are called.

In a fine bit of old school bigotry, they're called . . . Irish pennants.

Now, as a double threat (Scots AND Irish blood), I was able to laugh it off . . . but Ron's thread reminded me.

Hmmmmm. Hmmmmmm. The Irish in me is roused. Hmmmm.

Sorry, not in a good mood tonight.

[Tattoo Bradley]

I remember that term from my time in th Air Force as well.