SFI Specifications

SFI Specifications - The SFI Foundation, Inc. (SFI) is a non-profit organization established to issue and administer standards for specialty/performance automotive and racing equipment. Manufacturers of equipment are the primary users of SFI standards. Many of the standards are adopted as part of the rules of race sanctioning organizations. Ultimately, the racer benefits from the program as it establishes recognized levels of performance and quality for a particular product. SFI performs scientific testing on all products which fall under one of their specifications. Some items that carry SFI certification are driver's suits, gloves, shoes, helmet supports, belts, and window nets.

TThe SFI specification for driver's auto racing suits is 3.2A. This classification rates the length of time the selected suit offers protection from second degree burns in an approximation of a raging gasoline fire between 1,800 and 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit. The SFI ratings are calculated in calories per unit area per time of exposure. The test performed by SFI on suits determines the Thermal Protection Performance (TPP) of the garment. The TPP rating measures the length of time the person wearing the garment can be exposed to a heat source (direct flame or radiant heat) before incurring a second degree (skin blistering) burn. To calculate the protection time of a particular race suit, simply divide the TPP number by two to establish the approximate protection time in seconds. As shown in the chart, there are several SFI ratings for driver's suits with different TPP ratings. The higher the SFI rating, the more protection the suit will provide.

SFI Race Suit Spec-----TPP-----Time to Second Degree Burn

3.2A/1-----------------------6--------------------3 Seconds

3.2A/5----------------------19-------------------10 Seconds

3.2A/15---------------------60-------------------30 Seconds

Once a manufacturer has committed to participating in an SFI program, it must comply with the specifications in all respects. The manufacturer provides the racer with product that is in compliance with the specifications enforced by the sanctioning body. When adopted as part of the rules of a race sanctioning body, enforcement is entirely up to that organization. Check the rules for your sanction and/or class to be sure that you are purchasing a product that will meet the necessary requirements. We highly recommend purchasing items that carry the highest SFI ratings available - even if your rules do not require that level of protection.