General
Pre-race check of your own fire suit: a six-point inspection
A six-point inspection of your own fire suit before each race weekend: seams, zipper, cuffs, contamination, fabric condition and label, plus what to do if a check fails.
Before each race weekend, check six things on your own suit: seams, zipper, closures and cuffs, contamination, condition of the fabric, and the label. A store blog advises inspecting a suit before every use and after any incident. This page turns that into a checklist you can finish in a few minutes in the paddock.
Joni home | Related: caring for your Joni gear, Joni size guide
The six checks
| # | Check | What you are looking for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seams | Any seam that is separating |
| 2 | Zipper | Smooth running of the slider along the full length |
| 3 | Closures and cuffs | Cuffs that are worn or fraying |
| 4 | Contamination | Stains, burns or discoloration that could mean contamination or heat damage |
| 5 | Fabric condition | Fabric that has become stiff or brittle |
| 6 | Label | Visible and valid, with the rating and any validity date |
Check 1 to 3: seams, zipper, cuffs
Lay the suit flat in good light and run your fingers along the main seams, then work the zipper fully up and down. Look at cuffs and closures last. Note anything that has changed since your last check.
Check 4 and 5: contamination and fabric condition
Look for stains, burns, tears or discoloration, and feel the fabric for stiffness or brittleness. A store blog says a suit exposed to fire, chemicals or extreme heat should be replaced immediately, regardless of how it looks. A separate store blog entry names fire, fuel, oil or solvents as reasons to replace. If you cannot say where a stain came from, treat it as a question for the maker, not something to wash out and forget.
Check 6: the label
Make sure the label or patch is still visible and valid. Look for the marking, the rating level and any expiration or validity date, and match that to your event rulebook, because events differ in their age limits.
Fit, seated
While the suit is out, sit in your driving position. Sleeves should reach the wrists and the legs should cover the ankles. Cuffs should overlap glove wrists, and shoes should cover the ankles and overlap the legs. A suit that is too tight may stress the seams, and one that is too loose can bunch. If your body or base layers have changed, see the Joni size guide.
What to do if a check fails
- Do not race in the part that failed.
- Seams that separate, zippers that fail or cuffs that tear should lead to replacement if they cannot be professionally repaired.
- If unsure whether the suit is still safe or compliant, contact the manufacturer or your event's technical staff.
- To report a possible fault to the store, see what to send to Joni support. To decide whether it is a fault or wear, read defect or normal wear.
A suit that passes all six checks is not made fireproof by that. Fire-resistant fabric resists ignition and slows heat transfer, and a label does not promise that no injury will happen.
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Replacing or re-ordering
If a check fails and you need a new suit, the car racing range at Moto Speeds lists what is currently available.
FAQ
How often should I inspect my fire suit?
Before every use and after any incident.
joni.us Editorial Team
joni.us articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.