Safco Italia S208 Five-Finger Aluminized Crossing Glove, 40 cm

A lighter five-finger crossing glove with grip inserts on every finger

The Safco Italia S208 is a five-finger crossing glove in aluminized fabric. It uses the FCL (Fire Cross Light) compound, which the maker describes as designed to reduce weight and thickness of crossing suits and improve operator mobility and comfort. The outer fabric is 100 % aramid aluminized at 520 g/m2, insulated with Oxistop 485.

Anti-slip GripStop fabric inserts cover all fingers. A closing strap with Velcro F.R. secures the glove on the forearm. The glove is 40 cm long and one size.

Technical specifications

The EN 1486 reference on the sheet applies to the glove only when it is worn with the matching suit, so the glove should not be treated as a stand-alone certified item for that standard.

S208 and S201

The S201 is the 3-finger (mitten style) version of the same construction, with grip inserts on the thumb and index finger. The five-finger S208 gives finer finger control for operating valves, couplings and tools. Both are listed as alternative gloves for the Fire Crossing S200 and S205 suits.

Where it fits

General engineering note (not from the sheet): crossing gloves are intended for short exposure close to flames or strong radiant heat, so they are used together with an aluminized suit, hood and over-boots. Compare lower cost options in Hand Protection.

The S208 and S201 are used as alternative gloves in the Fire Crossing S200 four-piece suit and the S205 five-piece suit. The S200 set weighs 7.40 kg and the S205 set weighs 8.40 kg (excluding the carrying bag), as printed on those sheets; the glove itself is a small part of that weight. The glove sheet does not print its own weight.

If you are buying the glove as a spare for an existing suit, state the suit model so that the compatible glove is quoted. The code printed on both the S201 and S208 sheets is 80.0301.024, so the model name S208 is used as the reference of this page, and we will confirm the ordering code with the manufacturer on request.

Crossing equipment and EN 1486

EN 1486 is the European standard for reflective protective clothing for specialised fire fighting, the category that covers fire entry and crossing suits worn close to or briefly through flames. The sheet states that the S208 meets UNI EN 1486:2008 only when it is combined with its suit. In practice this means the glove should be ordered and recorded as part of an S200 or S205 crossing set, and that its protection claim depends on the complete ensemble being worn correctly, with overlaps between glove cuff, jacket sleeve and hood.

Why the FCL compound matters

Crossing suits are heavy, and fatigue limits how long a crew member can work in one. The FCL (Fire Cross Light) compound is the maker’s approach to cutting weight and thickness. For the glove, a thinner insulation pack and the GripStop inserts on every finger together make it easier to operate valves, couplings and tools than with a three-finger mitten. Teams that need maximum insulation and do not need fine finger control may prefer the S201 three-finger version.

Inspection, cleaning and storage

General engineering note (not from the sheet): before each use, check the aluminized surface for cracks, peeling or burns, the GripStop inserts for wear, and the Velcro F.R. strap for clogged hooks. Clean the outside with a damp cloth; avoid solvents and machine washing, which damage the aluminized film. Store crossing gloves with the suit in a ventilated, shaded place, away from the direct sun and high temperatures common in Oman and the GCC. Any glove that has been exposed to flame contact should be withdrawn and inspected before it is returned to service.

Information for an RFQ

State whether the glove is for an existing S200 or S205 suit or for a new set, the quantity, and whether the five-finger S208 or three-finger S201 is wanted. Because the sheet prints the same code for both versions, the model name should always be written next to the code on a purchase order.

The rest of the crossing set

The S208 is one item in a crossing ensemble. The other pieces are the crossing jacket and trousers or coverall of the S200 or S205 set, an aluminized hood with a gold visor worn over breathing apparatus, and aluminized over-boots. Because the EN 1486 statement applies only when the glove is combined with the suit, buyers usually order gloves together with the suit, plus one or two spare pairs, since gloves wear out faster than the other parts of the set. Keeping a record of which gloves belong to which suit also helps during periodic inspections.

Documents and quotation

The manufacturer sheet (English) is attached. Please state whether you need the 5-finger S208 or the 3-finger S201, and if it is for a suit set, so the quotation matches. Please also tell us the delivery location and quantity, and whether you need the manufacturer sheet for a tender file, so that all documents can be sent together with the quotation.