Racing Suit Fire Protection: Ratings, Layers and Fit

The suit is the outer layer of your fire protection, and it has the biggest job. Flame reaches it first, and it's tested the hardest. Under the FIA 8856-2018 standard, a suit has to hold back heat for at least 12 seconds in testing, against 5 seconds for underwear. This article covers what the ratings mean, how the suit works with the layer underneath, and why fit is part of the protection.

What the Rating Numbers Mean

There are two systems, and many suits carry both.

SFI 3.2A is the North American standard. The number after the slash is a protection level, and each level comes with a minimum time before a second-degree burn:

SFI rating	About this long before a second-degree burn
3.2A/1	3 seconds
3.2A/3	7 seconds
3.2A/5	10 seconds
3.2A/10	19 seconds
3.2A/15 and /20	30 and 40 seconds, mostly for drag racing

FIA 8856-2018 is pass or fail, with no levels. A suit that passes has met the 12-second minimum, which is 20% more than the old 8856-2000 standard asked for.

Suits such as the OMP First-S and Sparco Victory Pro are rated SFI 3.2A/5 and FIA 8856-2018, so they work under either kind of rulebook. For the basics of choosing between the two systems, see Racing Suits Explained.

Layers, and Why the Count Isn't the Whole Story

The principle is the same one from Part 1: each layer of fabric, and the air between layers, has to heat up before your skin does. That's why most SFI 3.2A/5 suits use two layers. The Sparco Stint, for example, pairs a Nomex outer with a soft aramid liner.

But fabric matters as much as layer count. The Sparco Victory Pro uses a single-layer fabric that still meets FIA 8856-2018 and SFI 3.2A/5. So read the label, not the number of layers.

The Suit Plus the Underwear

A suit's rating is for the suit alone. Underwear adds its own layer and air gap on top of that. Three common setups:

• A single-layer SFI 3.2A/1 suit for HPDE. Wear fire-resistant underwear. It roughly doubles the protection time, and SCCA requires it with this rating.
• An SFI 3.2A/5 or FIA suit for club racing. SCCA makes underwear optional here, but it still adds time and keeps sweat off the suit.
• FIA-sanctioned events. Plan on 8856-2018 for every layer, not just the suit.

Fit Is Part of the Protection

• Leave room for the air gap. Try the suit on over your underwear. A suit that's tight over the base layer squeezes out the trapped air and lets heat through faster.
• Check the sleeves with your arms out. Sit in the car with your hands on the wheel. The cuffs should stay under your glove cuffs. Some suits, like the Sparco Competition, have elastic cuffs made to tuck into the glove.
• Check the legs seated. Trousers ride up when you sit, so the legs should still cover your socks and the top of your shoes in the driving position. Boot-cut legs drop over the shoe, and cuffed legs close around the ankle.
• Close the collar. It should fasten snugly, with the balaclava's bib tucked underneath it.
• One piece or two. SCCA highly recommends one-piece suits. A two-piece jacket and trousers needs a generous overlap at the waist so it can't open up when you lean forward.

The Details That Matter

• Shoulder epaulets are there so marshals can lift you out of the car. On many suits, such as the Bell Pro-TX, they're reinforced for that.
• Patches and embroidery can create a path for heat through the layers. Under FIA rules, embroidery goes on the outer layer only. Badges need a flameproof backing and flameproof thread, and only the manufacturer may print on the suit. Don't sew a patch on through every layer with ordinary thread.

Care and Service Life

• Clean fuel and oil spills promptly. The fabric itself won't burn, but anything flammable soaked into it can.
• Follow the care label, and check for thin spots, tears and worn seams.
• Know the dates. FIA 8856-2018 suits are good for 10 years from the date of manufacture. SFI requires suits rated /10, /15 and /20 to be recertified every five years from the date on the tag. Check your rulebook for any other age limit.

Our Picks

All of these are rated SFI 3.2A/5, and the last two are FIA 8856-2018 as well.

Sparco Stint: the value two-layer

The Stint has a 100% Nomex outer and a soft aramid liner, rated SFI 3.2A/5. Pre-curved sleeves, arm gussets and a rear stretch panel let you move freely in the seat.

Bell Sport-TX: American styling, two layers

The Sport-TX is a two-layer Nomex suit rated SFI 3.2A/5, with floating arms, boot-cut legs, an adjustable belt and stretch panels.

Alpinestars Atom: two layers, boot cut

The Atom has a 100% aramid outer shell and is rated SFI 3.2A/5. Stretch-knit panels and boot-cut legs make it comfortable for club racing and track days.

OMP First-S: the entry to FIA

The First-S is OMP's entry-level suit, with both FIA 8856-2018 and SFI 3.2A/5. It uses lightweight fire-retardant fabric with a soft knitted inner layer, floating sleeves and an elastic back insert.

Sparco Victory Pro: light, and rated for both

The Victory Pro uses Sparco's HOCOTEX fabric to get the weight of a single-layer suit with the protection of a multi-layer one. It's rated FIA 8856-2018 and SFI 3.2A/5, and it breathes well on hot days.

The Bottom Line

Buy the rating your rulebook asks for, then add underwear, because the suit's rating doesn't count it. Size the suit with the underwear on, check the cuffs and legs in the driving position, and keep fuel and oil off it. If you want one suit for every kind of event, choose one rated SFI 3.2A/5 and FIA 8856-2018.