1. Current Status on Standards & Specifications for Protective Textiles Presentation by Center of Excellence (Protech)

2. Indian armed forces being the major users of protective textiles, CoE has critically examined specifications of protective textiles used by them with an objective to identify whether these specifications match with the state- of-art technology and address if gaps exist. Background CoE hopes that this exercise will help in providing maximum protection to Indian armed forces and at the same time it assists the manufacturers to produce the right product.

3. CoE examined the specifications of Bullet proof jackets, Combat clothing, Canvas tent fabrics and Woolen blankets They were critically analyzed for the level protection against - missiles, fire and heat. Recommendations are made wherever necessary to have highest degree of protection Recommendations are also made to provide operational efficiency, maximum comfort and smarter look to the wearer Background

5. Technical Specification of Light Weight Bullet Proof Jackets IV-21011/10/2009-Prov. I Recently MHA finalized the above specification as per NIJ Standard of Ballistic Resistance of Personal Body Armour ( Standard -010104 – Threat Level III A Hemant Karkare and Ajay Kamte who died of bullet injuries during operation against militants in Mumbai even while wearing the protective gear.

6. E Clause. Weight Jacket Exisiting: Total weight Jacket including Hard and Soft armour panels, trauma pads and other carrier should not exceed 6.31 Kg and 6.62 Kg for std. and large sizes respectively Recommendation: Weight of individual components should be specified along with total weight of the jacket IV-21011/10/2009-Prov. I

7. I Clause. Material IV-21011/10/2009-Prov. I CoE Recommendations ! Outer carrier material is made out of high tenacity PU coated Nylon material. Existing Specifications Recommendations ParameterTest MethodRequirement Fire retardant IS 11871Duration after flame and glow : 5 seconds each Requirements are to be modified as there are two test methods – vertical and inclined Hydrostatic head IS 391(100 cm water) Not specifiedMinimum to be specified Water Penetration IS 392Should be ZeroShould be rated in 0 to 100 scale UV Protection factor IS 3417Minimum 100Test method is wrong (it is older version for color fastness

8. IV-21011/10/2009-Prov. I CoE Recommendations ! Clause M. Soft Armour Panel (SAP) Existing Specifications Recommendations ParameterTest MethodRequirement FiberNot specified Aramid/suitable material To specify what are the other suitable materials Weave and GSM Not specified To specify Hydro static head Water penetration IS 391(100 cm water) IS 392 Not specified Should be Zero Requirement to be given Should be rated in 0 to 100 PU coatingNot specified % PU coating and test method for identification

9. Clause H (vi): Velcro Existing: It is a Trade name of USA based company. Test method is not specified. Recommendation: Name should be replaced by “Hook and Loop fastener” and tested as per IS 8156-1994 Clause H (viii): Belt/Kamarbandh Existing: Made of Woven Nylon/polyester. Recommendation: It should be made of same material as outer carrier (Pu coated HT Nylon) with Hook and Loop fastener. Clause K: Color Existing: Specification not given Recommendation: Provide specification IV-21011/10/2009-Prov. I CoE Recommendations !

10. Existing: Made of Polyethylene fibers; not covered with PU Coated fabric to make it water proof Recommendation: Test method for PE fiber and Test methods and minimum requirements for identification of PU coating, %PU coating and water proof to be included IV-21011/10/2009-Prov. I CoE Recommendations ! Clause H Hard Armour Panel (HAP)

11. 1.Fabric construction: EPI, PPI, weave, What about warp and weft counts and GSM 2.Durability: Tensile & Tear strength, abrasion resistance, dimensional stability, color fastness to washing, light and rubbing 3.% PU coating on the fabric and test method for identification of the coating 4.“Surface Ignition” test IV-21011/10/2009-Prov. I CoE Recommendations ! Following test parameters are to be included To be deleted UV protection factor as the jacket is made of multi layers of material

12. The existing specifications do not speak about certain other properties related to wear, comfort and safety which depend upon the varying battle field conditions. Besides, combat uniform should also provide high mobility and smart look to the soldier. Revise the specifications for Durability Operational efficiency Requirements for Advanced Integrated Combat Clothing System

13. CoE suggestions ! Wear properties In general mechanical properties such as tensile, tear and bursting strengths indicate the fabric wear property. However for combat uniform in addition to these general wear properties, it is essential to measure wear resistance in terms of abrasion. Abrasion resistance should also be included as one of the requirements. The requirement should be such that there should not be “thread breaks” up to 50,000 abrasion cycles when tested as per IS: 12673:1989.

14. CoE suggestions ! Comfort Properties To enhance comfort properties of the Indian solider the following two requirements may be added to the existing specifications. Air permeability of the fabric shall be at least 5 cc/sec/cm2 when tested according to IS 11056:1984. Water vapor permeability (water method) shall be 1400 g/m2/day (Minimum) when tested according to ASTM E-96

15. CoE suggestions ! Safety (Heat or flame resistant properties) The presence of synthetic material such as polyester if exposed to heat or flame melts and sticks to skin causing severe burns. Combat uniforms having heat or flame resistance properties is essential in the present day context.. The use of either FR fibers or FR coating should also be included in the present specifications to meet surface ignition test when tested as per ISO 15025 (no hole formation, no melting and no dripping).

16. CoE suggestions ! Wrinkle Recovery Although wrinkle recovery property of the combat clothing is not directly linked to the performance of the fabric during the battle but good wrinkle recovery cloth makes smarter look to the solider. Therefore it is recommended that the WR rating (after 24 hours) of the combat shall be minimum 4 when tested according to AATCC 128-2004.

17. Technical Specification completed by CoE (Protech) till-date 1.Indian Navy 5 2.CRPF 30 3.BSF 1 4.National Disaster Response Force 1 5.Railway Police Security Force 1 6.Defense Bio-engineering & Electro-medical Laboratory 1

18. Technical Specifications prepared by NITRA for Specifications/Standards 18

19. NYCO Uniform Life Jacket Nylon Belt Multi purpose light weight load bearing frame with carrier facilities and convertibility as stretcher Waterproof multipurpose rain poncho with convertibility as bivouac Specifications/Standards 19

20. Jungle Hat Anti-Mosquito Veil Balaclava with convertible properties as cap comforter, face mask and cold weather muffler Pouches Durable Combat Rucksack Special operation Rope Specifications/Standards 20

21. Technical Specifications Indian Navy prepared by NITRA for UNARMED COMBAT DRESS FOR MARINE COMMANDOES Cap FS Blue T- Shirt Short Socks Specifications/Standards 21

22. SPECIFICATION FOR COLOUR CODE OF CLOTH POLYESTER COTTON DISRUPTIVE PATTERN BORDER SECURITY FORCE STANDARD

23. “Sleeping Bag”. CRPF “SPECIFICATION FOR Bottle” “SPECIFICATION FOR COAT PARKA SPECIFICATION FOR SPECIFICATION FOR “BLANKET SUPERIOR SPECIFICATION FOR “LIGHT WEIGHT GROUND SHEETSPECIFICATION FOR “LIGHT WEIGHT GROUND SHEET

24. Current status of IS Standards & Specifications Standards required for flowing products/areas Current status (BIS)Remarks regarding COE’s role Nylon Life Jacket with expendable polyethylene foam, buckle and whistle plastic BIS standard framed in 1972 requires revisoin Revised standard is prepared; forwarded to BIS for guidance thro’ TXC. NYCO Combat Uniforms BIS standard is not available COE has framed specifications and forwarded to BIS for guidance thro’ TXC Unarmed Combat dress Pouch for ammunition and grenades made of nylon 66 Durable Rucksack made of Nylon 66 Tactical 3 Point Sling Universal

25. 1.Protective clothing for welders 2.Cut proof fabric 3.Protective clothing for wildland firefighting 4.Protective gloves against thermal risks 5.Water Proof multipurpose rain poncho with convertibility as bivouac 6.U.V. Protective wear IS Standards are required for flowing products/areas

26. 7. Multi purpose light weight load bearing frame with carrier facility and convertibility as stretcher (Aluminum) 8. Anti Mosquito Veil 9. Gown for microorganism protection 10. Protective clothing for automobile racing drivers 11. Electrostatic protective clothing IS Standards are required for flowing products/areas