Taiga User's Guide (english)

TAIGA USER’S GUIDE

IPM

Ulriceham

nwww.taiga.se

Post Box 20, 432 21 VARBERG, SVERIGE stREEt ADDREss BIRGER SVEnSSonS VäG 14, 432 40 VARBERGPHoNE +46 340-666900 FAx +46 340-666922 MAIL [email protected]

TAI_BOK_Omslag_UK.indd 1 11-05-04 13.28.32

pr-ENV 50354

pr-ENV 13034

EN 1149

EN 531 EN ISO

11612:2008

EN 471

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cE

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IfIc

AT

IonHigh visibility.

Protective clothing for industrial workers exposed to heat.

clothing with elec-trostatic protection.

clothing providing limi-ted protection against liquid chemicals.

clothing with electric arc protection.

Taiga User’s Guide – written in collaboration with Ingvar Holmér, professor

of climate physiology at the faculty of Engineering, Lund University, Sweden.

The right clothing is vital for people who

work outdoors. The right equipment

will get you a long way, but you can

improve your situation still further by

improving your knowledge. With this

booklet, we want to spread some of that

particular success factor – knowledge.


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TAIGA’S HISTORY

peOple’S InnATe cHARAcTeRISTIcS

eARTH And clImATe

mOISTuRe And TempeRATuRe

THe wInd’S cOOlInG effecT

wHY peOple GeT cOld

wHY peOple SweAT

menTAl effecTS

HeAT lOSS And InSulATIOn

clOTHInG InSulATIOn IS meASuRed In clO

bOdY HeAT And HeAT bAlAnce

OuR clOTHInG SYSTem

GOOd AdvIce And AdjuSTmenT

clImATe lAbTm

cHOIce Of mATeRIAlS

ceRTIfIcATIOn

TAIGA_BOK_32+omslag_UK.indd 3 11-05-04 13.23.42

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TAIGA’S HISTORYPaul Rydholm started making clothing back in 1951, following his

own strict philosophy for sustainability and function. He unswer-

vingly focused on the end users’ needs, whether he was creating outdoor wear,

work wear or other types of clothing. He started a company called Tenson, which

he operated for 31 years before founding Taiga. Tenson still exists today.

1951

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1982At the age of 54, Paul takes a trip to the Alaskan wilderness in

search of new inspiration. He returns home with a new business

focus and concept: functional work wear that meets the daily and sometimes ex-

treme stresses of everyday working life – in forests and harbours, on snow-covered

mountains, and in working environments that are more often hot than cold. He

names his new company Taiga, after the coniferous forests that span the globe.

1991In collaboration with the power industry, Taiga develops the

first functional outdoor wear with protection against electric

arc – a phenomenon that occurs during high-voltage work and generates

extremely high heat.

1983Taiga’s philosophy has much in common with Paul’s previous

company. The clothing is developed in close collaboration with end

users, who test it in extreme conditions, offer feedback and suggest improvements.

Taiga is one of Scandinavia’s first manufacturers to become a licensed supplier of

work wear made with GORE-TEX®.

1994 The European Union establishes new common standards

and requirements. Taiga becomes the first provider of

clothing CE-marked under the new EU standard EN 471 (high visibility).


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1997Another important new product is launched: TMB-block, the

first clothing system that protects the wearer from liquid-borne

contagion and the most common liquid chemicals released during road ac-

cidents. Taiga developed the system in collaboration with W.L. GORE, and it has

since been tested and revised in consultation with ambulance professionals.

2000 Taiga builds the TAIGA CLIMATE LABTM, a special climate

facility providing constant access to extreme weather condi-

tions. Now Taiga can create the weather conditions necessary for testing and

evaluating different clothing systems.

2009 Taiga introduces a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility)

programme at the company’s own initiative, and establishes

a Code of Conduct that places requirements on its suppliers’ performance in

terms of environmental care, employees, labour laws and working conditions

in production countries. Almost all Taiga’s clothing becomes Oeko-Tex certified

this year. Meanwhile, Taiga continues developing clothing systems that leave no

room for compromise, risk or error.

1996 Taiga was quick to recognise the importance of offering a

complete clothing system with functional materials. This goal

is achieved in 1996, when Taiga launches boxershorts in functional materials.

Taiga is first on the market to offer garments that are designed to function

together as a complete system, from the inside out.

1995 Taiga is first in the industry to quality-assure its products

according to ISO 9001. This is a prerequisite for gaining

certification in class 3 – the highest level under the new EU directives.


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PEOPLE ARE DESIGNED TO EXIST AT A TEMPERATURE OF +28 °C IN THE SHADE.

PREFERABLY WITH NO WIND

THIN SKIN

COOLING SWEAT

a function unique to humans. NO PROTEC-

TIVE FURto keep

us warm.

provides poor protection

against rain and wind.

HANDS & FEET

often get cold in our climate.

especially the head and torso

area.

SENSITIVE TO HEAT

AND COLD


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According to the most widely accepted theories of human origin, our

species developed from the Homo Erectus somewhere in southern

Africa. The climate there is warm and comfortable – ideal for humans.

Biologically, humans are designed to live at temperatures of +28 to

+32 °C. Our body functions optimally in this temperature range, and

needs no clothes to keep it warm. If we get too hot or cold, our body

can cool or heat itself.

All creatures are born to live in a specific climate. But people gradu-

ally began migrating across the globe to places with completely different

conditions and demands.

Humans have adapted their lifestyle to different climates, and have also undergone biological changes. Different pigmenta-tions, body proportions etc. offer advantages in various climates.


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THERE ARE 1,500 STORMS HAPPENING ON THE EARTH AT ANY ONE TIME, AND 11

LIGHTING FLASHES OCCUR EvERY SECOND

The number of reported natural disasters has increased recently; over

the last 30 years, the figure has risen from 100 to 427. The situation is

tough – and our ideal average temperature of +28 °C is fairly uncommon.

Add to this strong winds, rain and other challenging environmental factors.

In Scandinavia, such conditions are the rule rather than the exception.

Scandinavia’s capital cities are on roughly the same latitude as Anchorage

in Alaska, so our tough weather conditions are hardly surprising.

SCANDINAvIA HAS AMONG THE WORLD’S LARGEST

TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATIONS

The lowest temperature ever measured in Sweden is -52.6 °C, and the

highest is 38.0 °C. This means a difference of 90.6 °C. The Swedish climate

is also characterised by high precipitation and strong winds. The extreme

weather variations in Sweden and Scandinavia are caused by cold westerly

airstreams which collide with warm southerly airstreams. In fact, Scandi-

navia is considered to have one of the world’s highest temperature

fluctuations.


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COLDESTAntarctica (the

southern cold pole). Annual daily average

of -58 °C.

Please note that these are only the daily average figures. The hottest temperature ever recorded is +57.8 °C (El Azizia, Libya). The coldest ever recorded is -89.2 °C (Vostok, Antarctica).

HIGHEST ANNUAL

PRECIPITATIONLloro, Colombia.

Annual precipitation of approx.

13,300 mm.

HOTTESTDallol, Danakil

Desert, Ethiopia. Annual daily average

of +34.5 °C.

Adélie Land. Annual daily

average of 48 m/s (174 km/h).

WINDIEST


Warm air can hold more moisture than cold air. When warm air cools down, it can no longer retain all the moisture. The moisture falls like rain and remains in the clothing.

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AIR HUMIDITY ...

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People start feeling the effects of high air humidity at temperatures of about

0 °C and higher. In the province of Skåne in southern Sweden, for example,

the moist climate feels “raw” in the winter. By comparison, the climate

further north in Sweden feels more comfortable despite being several

degrees colder. This is because the air in Skåne has higher humidity.

The reason is simple: the warmer the air, the more moisture it can hold.

This is illustrated in the Mollier diagram to the right.

Air humidity also makes hotter climates feel less comfortable. At tempera-

tures above +34 °C, it becomes difficult for sweat to evaporate from the skin if

the air is humid. This is because when we sweat, our body tries to eliminate

moisture through evaporation. But this is difficult if the air is already saturated

with moisture.

In a cold climate, air humidity affects our clothing. In the microclimate

(temperature, air humidity etc.) inside a clothing system, there is a tempe-

rature of around 30–32 °C nearest the body. This allows the air against the

body to hold more moisture than the colder air outside. As the warm air

escapes from the clothing system, it cools down and can no longer retain

the moisture. Instead, the moisture remains in the clothing.

Functional clothing materials eliminate

the moisture from the clothing system. By

contrast, clothes in other materials such as

cotton absorb the moisture, which remains in

the clothing. This greatly reduces the clothes’

insulation capacity, while heat is robbed from

the body to dry the clothes.

As a result, you get wet and cold.

Skin

30-32 °C4 kPa

-10 °C0,2 kPa

Outer layer

0 °C


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... HOW IT AFFECTS US

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Air humidity affects us in many ways, for example the way we experience the weather. But it also causes moisture to accumulate in clothing in a cold climate.

Relativ luftfuktighet i procent

100%

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40°C

50%10%

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ATURATION LEVEL.

AMOUNT OF WATER STEAM (IN kPa)

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MEDIUM AIR HUMIDITY

Typically feels comfortable and

pleasant.

HIGH AIR HUMIDITY

Feels sticky and stifling. Sweat has difficulty evaporating.

LOWAIR HUMIDITY

The mucous mem-branes become

irritated, causing symptoms such

as coughing.

When the air is saturated, the excess

moisture falls in the form of

rain, snow, mist etc.


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Temperature (°C)

0 -5 -10 -15 -20 -25 -30 -35 -40

-2 -7 -13 -19 -24 -30 -36 -41 -47

-3 -9 -15 -21 -27 -33 -39 -45 -51

-5 -12 -18 -24 -31 -37 -43 -49 -56

-7 -13 -20 -26 -33 -39 -46 -52 -59

-7 -14 -21 -27 -34 -41 -48 -54 -61

-8 -15 -22 -29 -35 -42 -49 -56 -63

-9 -16 -23 -30 -37 -43 -50 -57 -64

-9 -16 -23 -30 -37 -44 -51 -59 -66

-10 -17 -24 -31 -38 -45 -52 -60 -67

m/s

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We all know that the wind has a cooling effect. But why? Humans con-

stantly produce energy, so our bodies are surrounded by a layer of heated

air. When the air flow increases around a warm body, the layer of warm

air is simply blown away. As a result, the body cools down. This pheno-

menon, know as convection, accounts for 40–80% of the wind’s cooling

effect on the body. An extremely strong wind can even press the warm

air out of the clothing system.

The wind’s cooling effect is known as the wind chill factor. The stronger

the wind, the higher the wind chill factor. This is illustrated in the diagram

to the right. However, note that the temperature does not change just

because it’s windy. The temperature always remains the same; it’s the

chill factor that varies.

In a climate with a wind force of 6 m/s and a temperature of -5 °C, the

heat loss is the same as in completely wind-free conditions at -12 °C. On

the other hand, a warm surface can never become colder than the actual

temperature – in this case -5 °C. To illustrate this, imagine a parachutist.

If the temperature is over 0 °C, the parachutist will sustain no cold damage

during a jump – even if the chill temperature, in theory, is colder than -40 °C.

The main purpose of a chill table is to assess local chilling, for instance

of the face.

WE FEEL COLDER …

The wind cools us down by blowing away the layer of warm air that collects around the body. This is called convection.

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LUFT-LAGERLUFT-LAGER

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Temperature (°C)

0 -5 -10 -15 -20 -25 -30 -35 -40

-2 -7 -13 -19 -24 -30 -36 -41 -47

-3 -9 -15 -21 -27 -33 -39 -45 -51

-5 -12 -18 -24 -31 -37 -43 -49 -56

-7 -13 -20 -26 -33 -39 -46 -52 -59

-7 -14 -21 -27 -34 -41 -48 -54 -61

-8 -15 -22 -29 -35 -42 -49 -56 -63

-9 -16 -23 -30 -37 -43 -50 -57 -64

-9 -16 -23 -30 -37 -44 -51 -59 -66

-10 -17 -24 -31 -38 -45 -52 -60 -67

m/s

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-20

-35

-350

CHILL FACTOR

... but at a wind force of 15 m/s, the chill factor is -35 °C.

The warm air layer is pressed and/or blown away by the wind ...

... this increases the chill factor. In this example, the tempe-rature is -20 °C ...

-200TEmP

15 m/s

WIND

THE WIND’S EFFECT ON THE CHILL FACTOR

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... WHEN IT’S WINDY

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WHAT HAPPENS ...Generally speaking, we feel cold when our body loses more heat than

it produces.

On average, it takes 5 to 7 minutes for a person to consciously feel

cold. This happens when the cold starts affecting our deep body tempe-

rature. Consequently, feeling cold is a sign that our body is out of balance.

The chilling process also affects our nerves and muscles and impairs

our fine motor function and our concentration ability.

The first body parts to start feeling cold are our hands and feet. This

isn’t necessarily caused by inadequate socks or gloves, It’s also because

the body saves heat by reducing the blood circulation.

Our hands and feet are the first body parts to be deprioritised in favour of

more vital organs. If our hands reach a temperature of around 15–20 °C,

they start feeling acutely painful. Below 10 °C, the hands go numb. Below

0 °C, freezing injuries occur.

The last body functions to stop working are the heart, lungs and brain.

The body keeps them warm for as long as possible. A particularly large

amount of energy is stored in the head. In extreme conditions, 80% of

body heat can escape through the head if no hat is worn.

If nothing is done to improve the situation, the body activates its next

mechanism for keeping warm: shivering. This starts long after we begin

feeling discomfort.


FINE MOTOR PRECISION

When we cool down, it affects our nerves and muscles. Our fine motor precision is impaired.

KEEP YOUR HEAD WARM

Up to 80% of body heat escapes from the head. Use a hat!

We get cold when our body loses more heat than it produces. Consequently, feeling cold is a sign that our deep body temperature is out of balance.

REACTIONS AT LOW bODY TEMPERATURE

37 °C Normal body temperature.36 °C Cold hands and feet, shaking, discomfort. 35 °C Severe shivering, impaired work capacity. Severe discomfort.34 °C Exhaustion, lack of strength. Apathy, impaired judgement.33-32 °C Shivering subsides, deterioration of muscle function, difficult to use hands. Confusion, depression.32-30 °C Muscle fatigue, inability to walk, skin cold with bluish tinge. Progressive loss of cons-ciousness. 30-27 °C Stiff muscles, slow pulse and breathing. No response to communication attempts. <27 °C No nerve reflexes, irre-

gular heartbeat, heart may stop.

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... WHEN WE GET COLD

THE FIRST SIGNS

The first body parts to start feeling cold are the hands and feet. This is because the body saves heat by reducing the blood circulation.

DEEP bODY TEMPERATURE

It takes 5 to 7 minutes for the cold to start affecting our deep body temperature.

SHIVERING

Shivering is caused by uncontrol-lable muscle spasms. It is one of the body’s ways of generating its own heat.


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WHAT HAPPENS ...Just like when we get cold, sweating is a sign that our deep body tempera-

ture is changing. In this case it rises, and the body sweats to cool down.

In a resting state and a normal climate, we lose approximately 30 grams

of body moisture per hour through evaporation. If the body overheats, for

example during heavy work in warm weather, the skin’s sweat glands are

activated and sweat is produced over the whole body. Sweating is also cau-

sed by mental stress, in which case our hands and head start sweating.

It’s not the actual sweating process that cools us down. The cooling

occurs when the sweat evaporates. The evaporation process eliminates

large reserves of body heat through the skin. If you sweat and evaporate

1 litre of water per hour, this produces a cooling effect of approximately

680 W.

To illustrate this, imagine what it’s like to take a cooling dip on a sunny

summer day. When you get out of the water, the air feels cold – even though

the weather is sunny and warm. This is because the body releases heat

during the evaporation process.

During hard work at low temperatures, the cooling effect of sweating

can actually be dangerous. When you stop working, the sweat cools your

body down just when it needs all the heat it can get.

We sweat when our deep body temperature starts getting too high. The body cools down when the sweat evaporates.


COOLINGIf you sweat and evaporate

1 litre of water per hour, this produces a cooling

effect of 680 W.

THE WHOLE bODY SWEATSThere are sweat glands all over the body. They are activated in hot environments and during hard work.

LIMITED EVAPORATIONAt high air humidity, the body has trouble cooling down during sweating. This is because the sweat cannot evaporate effi-ciently into the saturated air.

THE ACTUAL SWEATING DOESN’T COOL US DOWN

The cooling occurs when the sweat evaporates.

150 ML A DAYOur feet release about 150 ml of sweat a day.

ADJUSTING OUR HEAT bALANCETo stop the body from overheating, we need to sweat.

REACTIONS AT HIGH bODY TEMPERATURE37 °C Normal body temperature.38 °C Temperature during mo-derately hard work. Blood vessel dilation and sweating.39 °C Temperature during very hard work. Exhaustion.40 °C Inefficient temperature regulation. Unbearable.>41 °C Risk of heatstroke and permanent heat damage.

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WHAT HAPPENS ...

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It feels nicer to get up on a sunny summer morning than on a dark, cold and

windy winter morning. The weather affects our mental state. Temperature has an

especially strong affect, influencing both our performance and our behaviour.

A person suffering from excessive cold has trouble concentrating. Complex

tasks performed under time pressure are especially sensitive to the effects of a

cold environment. More errors are committed, many of them caused by lapses

in concentration. Our learning ability is also impaired, and it becomes harder to

memorise new information.

After prolonged work in the cold, you may get used to your body reactions and

feel less discomfort. This is not entirely positive. You risk getting used to the body’s

warning signals and overlooking them. This can result in freezing injuries etc.

The nature and severity of physical and mental reactions to cold varies

from person to person, and may also be influenced by individual attitudes

and motivation.

The opposite of cold stress is heat stress. This occurs when the body

cannot release enough heat (for example due to a thick layer of clothing) and

consequently overheats. Besides causing discomfort and reduced stamina

(working capacity), heat stress also has a negative mental effect. Memory and

spatial orientation ability are impaired.

THE WEATHER AFFECTS OUR MENTAL STATE

BODY HEAT IS PARTLY CONTROLLED BY THE MINDM

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THE WEATHER AFFECTS OUR MENTAL STATE

BODY HEAT IS PARTLY CONTROLLED BY THE MIND

Our mental state affects the way our body reacts to the climate in extreme

or vulnerable situations, for example if we’re worried, nervous or simply

under pressure.

The body reacts to these situations by tensing up. The degree of stress

required in order for this to happen varies from person to person, but the

symptoms are the same for everyone. The blood vessels contract, obstructing

blood circulation. As always, reduced blood circulation makes us feel cold.

Another reaction worth mentioning is cold sweating. This happens when

the inner tension is so strong that the body secretes sweat, primarily on

the head and hands.

COLD/STRESS

INDIVIDUAL CHARACTE-

RISTICS

PERFORMANCE CAPACITY

SITUATIONAL FACTORS

RISKSCOSTS

PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL

REACTIONS

PERFORMANCE

many factors affect our performance and our reactions to the weather, for example stress and individual characteristics.

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Our body is constantly losing heat. In hot environments, it is necessary to

prevent the body from overheating. At cold temperatures, we can easily lose

too much heat. As a result, we get cold and are at higher risk of freezing

injuries. The colder the temperature, the more heat we lose. Cooling takes

place by means of five processes: convection, radiation, conduction, evapo-

ration and breathing. In a cold climate and with a low level of activity, these

processes are distributed roughly as follows:

THE BODY LOSES HEAT IN vARIOUS WAYS

50% / CONVECTION – air is heated by the skin and flows away. This process is strongly reinforced by wind and ventilation in clothing.

30% / RADIATION heat is released in the form of light, in the same way as the sun’s rays.

10% / bREATHING when we draw cold air into the lungs, this also has a cooling effect.

5% / EVAPORATION heat energy is transported away when the body evaporates moisture (e.g. sweat), which has a cooling effect.

5% / CONDUCTION heat is exchanged when two surfaces meet (e.g. warm feet on a cold floor).

In light of these factors, we need clothes that match the body’s heat loss.

Low evaporation resistance prevents moisture from remaining in the clothing

system. Windproofness protects against heat loss through convection. Water-

proofness protects against wet (which results in cooling through evaporation).

Insulation retains the heat in the clothing system.

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THE BODY LOSES HEAT IN vARIOUS WAYS

RADIATION

< 30 %bREATHING

≈ 10 %

CONVECTION

> 50 %

EVAPORATION

≈ 5 %CONDUCTION

< 5 %

LOSS OF bODY HEATOur body is constantly giving off

heat. This is important in order to prevent overheating. However, in

cold weather it creates problems.

Your clothing is vital in reducing heat loss. It needs to insulate and keep your body dry, since moisture has a cooling effect.

THE HEAT PROPERTIES OF CLOTHINGTo prevent heat loss, you need suitable clothing that keeps you warm and dry. This process can be divided into four factors:

WINDPROOFNESS

WATERPROOFNESS

INSULATION

EVAPORATION RESISTANCE

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THE INSULATION ABILITY OF CLOTHING IS MEASURED IN CLO

Appropriate clothing is vital for operating and working in cold weather. Your

clothing provides insulation and keeps you warm. It creates an outer layer

of heated air around your body that helps insulate your body heat. However,

this layer of air is sensitive to convection and can easily be blown away.

Your clothing must keep you warm – even in windy conditions. However,

it mustn’t provide so much insulation that you sweat. Your clothing should

provide the right degree of warmth. But how can you determine this?

To determine how warm a clothing system needs to be, various factors

must be considered. It is vital to determine the right CLO value.

CLO is a measurement unit that indicates a garment’s insulation ability.

It is based on an international standard (EN 342), and is measured and

determined using a thermal manikin. When clothes are CE marked, the

measurement value m2 K/W is used to determine their insulation capacity.

1 CLO = 0.152 m2 K/W.

Calculating the CLO value is a scientific means of identifying the right

clothing. There are several determining factors, such as temperature, wind

and type of work.

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Clothing can provide insulation up to 3.5 CLO. You are also surrounded by an outer layer of heated air that keeps you warm – as long as there’s no wind.

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INSULATION PROVIDED bY

CLOTHING

0-3,5 CLO

INSULATION PROVIDED bY

OUTER AIR LAYER

0,2-0,8 CLO

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HEAT BALANCE REqUIRES THE RIGHT CLO vALUE

THE BODY GENERATES HEAT DURING WORK

In a resting state, the body generates a heating power of 100 W, about the

same as two light bulbs. As soon as we start moving and working, the heat

production increases. During “light work”, for example using light tools, we

produce 240 W. During “very heavy work”, such as climbing or fast digging,

we produce 600 W or more.

When the body produces heat, our clothing requirements change. For

example, clothes that keep you warm in a resting state quickly become too

warm if you start doing physical work in them. For this reason, the user’s heat

production should be taken into consideration when determining the right

clothes (see next page).

MEDIUM-HEAVY WORK

320 W 180 W/m2

VERY HEAVY WORK

600-2000 W 360-1200 W/m2

LIGHT WORK

240 W 133 W/m2

VERY LIGHT WORK

180 W 100 W/m2

REST100 W 60 W/m2

STANDING125 W 70 W/m2

400 W 233 W/m2

HEAVY WORK


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The optimal heat balance means that your body has an internal temperature

of roughly 37 °C. This is vital in order to function optimally and feel comfortable.

Feeling cold is the body’s reaction to a drop in deep body temperature.

Conversely, we sweat when our deep body temperature starts rising. In both

cases, this is the body’s way of maintaining an optimal heat balance. When

you add factors such as changes in weather, temperature and work activities

(own heat production), it becomes clear that heat balance is no easy equation.

It is vital to dress right. Your clothing requirements are calculated using CLO,

according to the scale below.

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HEAT BALANCE REqUIRES THE RIGHT CLO vALUE

THE BODY GENERATES HEAT DURING WORK

Calculate the CLO value you need. Visit www.taiga.se

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THE CLO-THING LIMITAt this point, it’s not

possible to dress any warmer without

obstructing mobility.

125 W [STANDING]

240 W [LIGHT WORK]400 W [HEAVY WORK]


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The first layer limits convection immediately next to the skin, eliminates moisture and keeps you dry.

The second layer provides insulation, generating heat in the clothing system.

The outermost layer protects you from extreme weather and other threats.

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DRY, WARM, SECUR E – OUR SOLUTION

Good work clothes should keep you dry, warm and secure without restricting

your movement. Through research and intensive testing, we have developed

clothes that provide optimal mobility and heat balance even in situations

that call for very high CLO values. Taiga’s clothing systems are based on the

layer-on-layer principle: Warm, Dry and Secure.

TO OPTIMISE YOU R PERFORMANCE


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DRY, WARM, SECUR E – OUR SOLUTION

The first layer limits convection immediately next to the skin and keeps you

dry. After this comes the insulating Warm layer. If necessary, this layer can

be supplemented. The outermost layer is your protection against external

factors, from rain and wind to electric arcs and hazardous chemicals.

TO OPTIMISE YOU R PERFORMANCE


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GOOD ADvICE FOR MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE

The layer-on-layer principle makes it easy to change your clothing’s

CLO value. But besides adding and removing garments, there are

other solutions for extremely cold or hot conditions.

ADjuST YOuR CLOTHING

Adjust your clothing to your needs. If your level of activity varies, your

clothing must vary accordingly. The layer-on-layer principle makes

it easy to change your clothing system’s CLO value. For example, if

you pass from a light to a more demanding activity, it’s a good idea to

remove warm garments such as fleeces. If you start feeling cold, put

more clothes on. Your hat is especially important. A lot of heat escapes

if your head is bare.

AVOID COTTON CLOTHING

Cotton has no place in a functional clothing system. When

cotton gets damp (as it easily does), it loses its heat insulation

ability. Moreover, it uses your body heat to dry, thereby

cooling you down.

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GOOD ADvICE FOR MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE

RAISE YOuR HEAT FROm THE INSIDE

If you start feeling cold outdoors, activate your large muscle

groups for 5-7 minutes. This raises your heat production

and blood circulation. The large muscle groups are your

stomach, back and legs.

WASH YOuR CLOTHES REGuLARLY

Clean clothes function more efficiently. This particularly applies to the inner

surface of clothing, which is exposed to sweat and body grease. For example,

moisture-wicking membranes can get clogged, reducing the

clothes’ breathability. Socks are particularly important. Feet

release about 150 ml of sweat a day. Change your socks

often to ensure they’re always clean.

REST IS VITAL

Don’t work for too long in extreme cold or heat. The risk of heat

stroke and exhaustion starts increasing at outdoor temperatures

of over 30 °C. The problems are greatly aggravated at cold

temperatures below 30 °C. Take regular short breaks from

the cold or heat.

DRINK WATER

Normally, a healthy person should drink at least 1.5 litres of water a day.

During hard work, we sweat more so we need to drink more. Make

sure you drink lots and regularly. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty

– thirst is a sign that you are already suffering from dehydration.

Other symptoms of dehydration are headache, dizziness and

reduced concentration.

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WE REFUSE TO TAKE CHANCES.

THAT’S WHY WE CREATED

CLIMATE LABTM

We need access to extreme weather to test our

clothes’ function. But instead of travelling the globe

in search of the perfect bad weather, we create it

ourselves. The TAIGA CLIMATE LAB™ is a world-

unique facility where we subject both our clothing

and ourselves to tough tests and environmental

factors – both for research purposes and to show

how the body reacts in extreme conditions. Of

course, our customers, suppliers and other part-

ners are welcome to visit the CLIMATE LAB™ to

test different clothing systems.

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OUR MATERIALSWe’re only satisfied with the best – so we only work with the best.

We also actively develop new materials, functions and solutions

– often in collaboration with suppliers, but also with external

specialists in function and quality.

3-LAYER GORE-TEx® FLAMELINER

Used for our fireproof products that

must meet very high heat protection

requirements.

WINDSTOPPER®

Total windproofness with high

breathability.

CROSSTECH®

A windproof and waterproof ma-

terial that protects against liquid-borne

contagion and liquid chemicals.

POLYESTER

High tolerance to many chemicals,

extremely low water absorption level.

GORE-TEx®

A Teflon membrane that is

breathable, waterproof and wind-

proof. Its quality is durable and not

affected by washing.

2-LAYER GORE-TEx®

The membrane is laminated against

the outer fabric so that water runs off

it immediately.

3-LAYER GORE-TEx®

A GORE-TEX® membrane laminated

between two layers of fabric. For in-

creased durability.

GORE-TEx® STORMLINER

A flexible, waterproof, ultra-light

membrane.


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POLYAMID

A strong, lightweight material. Often used

in outer shells.

CORDURA

A hard-wearing and very lightweight

polyamide material.

THERMOLIGHT PLUS

AND ExTREME

Material with hollow fibres. Good insu-

lation and moisture wicking ability.

MODACRYL/COTTON

A fabric made of fireproof fibres. Excellent

colour resistance providing high visibility.

bIOACTIVE

A moisture-wicking material with good

antibacterial properties.

TAIGA WP

Windproof and waterproof,

releases condensation.

TMb-bLOCK

A clothing system that protects

against liquid-borne contagion.

TP-122

An exceptionally hardwearing

material with high windproof

and waterproof properties.

POLARTECH WINDPRO

HARDFACE

A stretch fabric providing high comfort,

excellent insulation and effective wind

protection.

POLARTEC THERMAL

PRO HIGHLOFT

A material with exceptional insulating

ability in relation to its weight. Fast-drying,

excellent moisture-wicking ability.

POLARTECH

POWERSTRETCH

A very warm, flexible material with

relatively low water absorption.

TAIGA SOFTSHELL

A windproof and waterproof material

with exceptional breathability.

TAIGA SOFTSHELL

SUPERSTRETCH

An extra flexible four-way stretch fabric.

NOMEx

One of the most flameproof materials.

POLARTEC POWERDRY

ODOUR RESISTANT

A 2-layer polyester weave used for base

garments. Exceptional wicking ability.


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CERTIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS

Our clothing systems both meet and exceed the highest requirements.

This is the result of hard work and a principle based on offering end

users the best possible conditions for working in extreme weather and

under mental and physical stress.

Foul weather protectionEN 343

EN 342 Cold protection.

EN 14058 Cool climate protection.

EN 342EN 14058

Protective clothing against liquid-borne contagion from humans and animals, chlorine, battery acid, petrol, fire extinguishing foam and hydraulic oil.

TMb block


pr-ENV 50354

pr-ENV 13034

EN 1149

EN 531 EN ISO

11612:2008

EN 471

2 35c

ER

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nHigh visibility.

Protective clothing for industrial workers exposed to heat.

clothing with elec-trostatic protection.

clothing providing limi-ted protection against liquid chemicals.

clothing with electric arc protection.

Taiga User’s Guide – written in collaboration with Ingvar Holmér, professor

of climate physiology at the faculty of Engineering, Lund University, Sweden.

The right clothing is vital for people who

work outdoors. The right equipment

will get you a long way, but you can

improve your situation still further by

improving your knowledge. With this

booklet, we want to spread some of that

particular success factor – knowledge.


TAIGA USER’S GUIDE

IPM

Ulriceham

n

www.taiga.se

Post Box 20, 432 21 VARBERG, SVERIGE stREEt ADDREss BIRGER SVEnSSonS VäG 14, 432 40 VARBERGPHoNE +46 340-666900 FAx +46 340-666922 MAIL [email protected]


Taiga User's Guide (english)

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Transcript of Taiga User's Guide (english)