Firefighter Station Gear: Cotton TShirts vs Polartec vs ??

So which TShirt is safer under your turnout? Cotton or PolarTec  or ?

Traditionally firefighters have been issued standard cotton tshirts worth about $10 for their standard station wear and these are the tshirts that they practice in and wear under their turnouts.
Is there any benefit to other types of tshirts?  This blog posts gives you some information in order to help make that decision.

There are numerous studies out there regarding this issue.  You can check them out at;
NFPA 2112 Testing

Homeland Security Wildland Firefighter PPE Guide

You may want to avoid any underwear that is categorized as a thermoplastic.  Check this out;
What to wear under your turnouts

Here are some excerpts from ArcFlashWear
Selection of the 'perfect' FR textile and/or fibre is a complex process. Each FR textile or fibre has particular properties which either provides benefits or shortcomings. Textile manufacturers blend fibres in an attempt to balance these individual properties to maximise a textile's performance. It is imperative that assessing Corporations be aware of each fibre's properties to ensure that garments selected meet the specific requirements of a given application. To read more about the individual properties of each fabric and/or fibre used in the construction of our FR Range, click here.

and Mental and physical exertion increases the body's core temperature. Increased blood circulation and the production of perspiration cool the body down. This cooling down process can be disrupted due to improper textile heat and moisture management leading to problems with concentration, fatigue, muscle cramps, difficulties breathing and ultimately heat stroke. The excellent moisture management and breathability of FR fibres such as Lenzing FR®, Nomex®, Cotton, Kermel® and Wool, used in the manufacturing of premium FR work wear, lead to a reduction in the risk from this mortal danger.
Home laundering should be discouraged. Common household washing powders, soaps, detergents and fabric softeners are not suitable for laundering FR work wear. These ‘everyday used’ materials can remove the FR treatment from treated fabrics such as cotton and cotton/polyester. With inherent FR textiles, cleaning materials can cause a film or build-up within the fabric structure, which may itself combust should the garment be exposed to an ignition source. Home laundering also raises the possibly of transporting contaminates from the workplace to the home. Given the above, garment care labels show laundering instructions but sometimes only provide basic information. Corporations should seek further instructions from the garment manufacturer and display the instructions in appropriate workplace areas. At the time of issuing garments to employees, documented care and maintenance instructions should be provided.

Hmm, thoughts of becoming a brand ambassador?  http://www.tndwalphateam.com/