coveralls - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #1 05-07-2015, 11:07 AM

I am thinking of buying a pair of coveralls to wear when autocrossing. Fire retardant cloth would be nice. I am wondering though how hot they are. Anybody have experience with fire resistant cloth coveralls?

And would simple cotton increase or decrease safety if my car springs a leak and catches on fire?

I have always worn regular clothes and shorts on a hot day.

TX76513 · #2 05-07-2015, 11:51 AM

When I worked for the Feds they supplied us with fire retardant coveralls for a Cesium project

I didn't find them to be any warmer than the standard issue. Laundering is an important consideration as the loose their ability to retard. I believe the type we had were good for 10X wash then they were just regular coveralls.

MTI · #3 05-07-2015, 12:00 PM

Just think of the intimidation factor of wearing your FF duds.

barry12345 · #4 05-07-2015, 12:13 PM

Cotton is much safer than synthetic coveralls. There are lightweight cotton coveralls available I think. The synthetics melt into your flesh in extreme situations.

Fire retardant types may just have boric acid like the blown in insulation if the makers claim it washes out. I do not really know though.

t walgamuth · #5 05-07-2015, 01:59 PM

Yeah. In this car the three gallon fuel tank is 10" from my backside and the engine is roughly beside my knee with a very iffy firewall. Electric fuel pump seems potentially bad if something springs a leak.

I'll go for at least the all cotton.

t walgamuth · #6 05-07-2015, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX76513

When I worked for the Feds they supplied us with fire retardant coveralls for a Cesium project

I didn't find them to be any warmer than the standard issue. Laundering is an important consideration as the loose their ability to retard. I believe the type we had were good for 10X wash then they were just regular coveralls.

How does the cotton coveralls compare to shorts and a t shirt?

P.C. · #7 05-07-2015, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Yeah. In this car the three gallon fuel tank is 10" from my backside and the engine is roughly beside my knee with a very iffy firewall. Electric fuel pump seems potentially bad if something springs a leak.

I'll go for at least the all cotton.

Is this a fuel tank, or a fuel cell?

JB3 · #8 05-07-2015, 03:29 PM

I wore coveralls all the time for work. I suggest trying on a number of brands and buying big. Make sure to simulate sitting down like you are in the car, plus popping squats to see how snug it gets in the crotch region. I have a fairly long torso, and coveralls can be uncomfortable if they are a little too short in that dimension.

You don't want to be forced out of the race because moving your shoulders forward to control the wheel causes you to lose sensation in your family jewels.

t walgamuth · #9 05-07-2015, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.C.

Is this a fuel tank, or a fuel cell?

Its a tank.

t walgamuth · #10 05-07-2015, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB3

I wore coveralls all the time for work. I suggest trying on a number of brands and buying big. Make sure to simulate sitting down like you are in the car, plus popping squats to see how snug it gets in the crotch region. I have a fairly long torso, and coveralls can be uncomfortable if they are a little too short in that dimension.

You don't want to be forced out of the race because moving your shoulders forward to control the wheel causes you to lose sensation in your family jewels.

I wear a 44 short sports jacket and 38/29 pants. Slightly short legs, big and wide torso and long and big arms for my height.

97 SL320 · #11 05-07-2015, 05:25 PM

In a Formula Ford the fuel cell ( bladder filled with foam in a aluminum can ) is directly behind the seat. This is the best place for fuel in a crash as if the car compresses enough to crush the tank the ensuing fire isn't an issue.

A fuel tank filled with foam ( to reduce slosh ) is just fine for auto x.

I've road raced a FF in 3 layer + fire proof underwear and it was fine while driving, hot when sitting or after the race, too much of a hassle for auto x.

Long pants are a must for racing this type of car. For a jacket I'd just use a clean welding jacket. Cotton is used because in a fire it will burn to ash where synthetics will melt and stick to skin.

I've used fire proof underwear for track days though the tight fit might gather attention from other racers . However, I did meet my now former sweetie there, she later admitted to wondering what was under there. ( I'm a slim 6 ft 180 Lb )

TylerH860 · #12 05-07-2015, 06:01 PM

Not going for style points eh?

mytmousemalibu · #13 05-07-2015, 07:09 PM

I have first hand experience having worn full Nomex fire suits. When I was a kid, I raced a Jr. Dragster with a methanol burning engine. Rules required a full Nomex suit, gloves, neck restraint, hand restraint and full face helmet since I had 2 gallons of methanol directly behind my back. Waiting for your turn to go, you can get pretty roasty and sweaty but I know what bad burns are like and so does my dad and a few other racer friends. When we raced NHRA pro mod, we had to wear a double layer Nomex suit, full Nomex underwear (including headsock), racing shoes with flame resistant overboot, race gloves with full pitards. The car even had onboard fire suppression bottles. You end up looking like a puffed up spaceman and in the summer, it about roasts you to death with that layer of protection but again better than severe burns. A lot of guys have the water cooled vests they put on under the suit that circulate ice water to cool you.

I have seen fire make a persons skin drip off their meat. You don't want to be burned like that! My dad had 2nd & 3rd degree burns on his left arm from a shop fire. The same thing can happen in a race car.

In your case, I would run SFI approved braided line and as many AN fittings as possible and absolutely without fail, change to an SFI approved fuel cell. I'm surprised thats not mandatory. Being seated that close to the fuel, I would get yourself a single layer nomex race suit. They are more comfortable and lighter today than when I wore one and can be had for reasonable costs. Check Jegs & Summit for racing suits. And a light color goes a long way towards being cooler. Also, they have or you can make a cool vest/shirt for less that you pre-soak if you need extra cooling. If you just zip off the jacket between heats, its not too bad.

Feel free to ask!

t walgamuth · #14 05-07-2015, 09:03 PM

Thanks for all the thoughts guys! I'll do something!

Simpler=Better · #15 05-07-2015, 09:08 PM

Sweat wipes off, road rash doesn't! That being said, I loathe suiting up even if I'm in a 58*F room, you still boil in there.

x2 on the oversizing. I wear a 2x shirt, 40 pants on the day to day. When I suit up at work it's a 4x or 5x suit. Anything less and I can't bend over to work on stuff.