Are you sure that the overall you compete with really meet FIA’s type approval? For it, it is essential that logos of FIA’s overalls are flame retardant.
More than 90% of competition overalls certified by FIA are customised with sponsors logos, the name of the racer, the team’s name, the flag of some country or region… The equip customization has become almost in a ritual to create a totally unique customised overall, at the same time it offers a stronger brand image and it serves to disclose sponsors.
You already know that it is essential that the overall you are racing with meets FIA’s type approval, but are you sure that the overall you compete with really meets the aforementioned homologation after customizing it?
Are you sure that the overall you compete with really meets the aforementioned homologation after customizing it? You must think that the regulation forces the logos to be flame retardant too.
Sometimes pilots buy certified overalls and then take them to print the logos, without knowing that in this act it is possible that they are violating FIA’s type approval and, thus, puting the pilot’s safety on risk.
FIA 8856-2000 regulation is very clear regarding it, it is essential that the logos with certified overalls are customised are flame retardant, FIA requests that the testing method ISO 15025 method A is done in printed logos. Testing method ISO 15025 method A consists in cutting a sample of the fabric with printed logos, and then put this sample before a horizontal flame during 10 seconds.
In order for the logos to meet the regulation, the result of the test must be:
- The exposed sample must not have a post-combustion superior than 2 seconds.
- Post-incandescence must not be produced.
- The sample must not be perforated
- Melted wastes must not fall.
- The burnt part must not arrive to the borders of the sample.
This tests can only be made in laboratories, and in order to be totally protected it is very important you ensure that your overall’s logos are flame retardant. If not, your overall could not provide you the adecuate protection.
FIA always try to protect pilots at maximum and for this reason in Marina Racewear we have certified in FIA’s official laboratory, the printing which we customize the overalls we produce.
If the logos which you customize your overall are not flame retardant, your own safety is put into risk because your overall loses its flame retardant features, and thus it does not meet FIA’s type approval.
View FIA overalls of Marina Racewear
Comparative video between a logo certified by FIA and a regular logo.
