BUYER GUIDE
Hydrostatic Head vs. Spray Rating for Coated Oxford
Learn which water-resistance test to specify for coated Oxford workwear fabric and what evidence to request before bulk approval.
· Brilliant-Tex FRShield
Know what each result measures
Ask for a spray rating when you need to know how readily the fabric face wets. Ask for hydrostatic head when water penetration through the fabric is the concern. A good spray rating does not tell you how much water pressure the fabric can resist.
Spray rating describes surface wetting under a specified spray test. ISO 4920:2012 covers that measurement and does not measure water passing through the fabric. Hydrostatic head expresses the pressure resisted in a water penetration test, often reported as a water-column height. ISO 811:2018 describes a hydrostatic pressure method for fabrics. Use the method and edition named in your specification.
Turn a catalogue value into a purchase requirement
The public reference sheet for PA36EEFC6L, a 300D polyester Oxford with a conductive grid and breathable FR PU coating, records 10,000 mm hydrostatic pressure. The entry gives a starting point for discussion. Ask the supplier for the test method, edition, specimen orientation where applicable, conditioning, lot identification and individual readings before adopting a minimum for bulk delivery.
Set acceptance limits for the fabric as supplied and, where the end use calls for it, after a specified wash or abrasion treatment. For rain-exposed workwear, check stitched seams, seam sealing and closures on a garment sample. The fabric measurements address water behaviour. Verify flame and antistatic requirements separately using evidence appropriate to the finished item.
Use this checklist when requesting samples
- State the end use, exposure and garment construction.
- List the spray and hydrostatic methods, limits and sample states separately.
- Request a finished sample and corresponding report, then agree which tests will be repeated on bulk lots.
Review testing and quality capabilities or . You can also send the required test methods and target values with your enquiry.