Transcript Firefighter Personal Protective Equipment

Firefighter
Personal Protective Equipment
Firefighter PPE
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Firefighters require the best PPE available
because of the hostile environment in which
they perform their duties.
All equipment discussed is required by NFPA
1500 Standard on Fire Department Occupational
Safety & Health Program
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Proper PPE does not guarantee safety, but can
reduce & prevent injury when properly used &
worn.
Structural Firefighting PPE
(Turnouts)
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Bunker gear, coveralls, helmets, gloves,
footwear & interface components (hoods
& wristlets) must comply with and have a
permanently affixed label in accordance
with:
NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective
Ensemble for Structural Firefighting
Structural Firefighting PPE
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The permanently attached and conspicuous label must
display the following:
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Manufacturers name, ID or designation
Manufacturers address
Country of manufacture
Manufacturer’s …ID number or lot number or serial number
Month & year of manufacture (not coded)
Model name, number or design
Size or range
Garment materials (coats, trousers, coveralls or hoods)
Footwear size & width (boots)
Cleaning precautions
Structural Firefighting PPE
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Helmet
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Protects the head from impact & puncture
injuries as well as scalding water
Protective Hood
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Protects portions of the face, neck & ears not
covered by the helmet or coat
Structural Firefighting PPE
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Coat & Trousers (Bunker Gear/Bunkers)
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Protect trunk & limbs against cuts, abrasions
& burn injuries & provide limited protection
from corrosives.
Gloves
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Protects the hands from cuts, wounds
and burns.
Structural Firefighting PPE
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Safety Shoes or Boots
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Protect the feet from burn injuries or
punctures
Eye Protection
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Protects the wearer’s eyes from flying solid
particles or liquids.
Structural Firefighting PPE
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Hearing Protection
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Limits noise-induced damage to the ears
when loud noise situations can’t be avoided
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
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Protects face & lungs from toxic smoke &
products of combustion
Structural Firefighting PPE
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Personal Alert Safety System (PASS)
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Provides life safety protection by emitting a
loud shriek if the FF should collapse or remain
motionless for @30 seconds
Wildland (Brush) PPE
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Wildland Firefighting gear is covered by:
NFPA 1977, Standard on Protective Clothing & Equipment
for Wildland Fire Fighting
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Structural gear is generally too bulky, hot & heavy for
Wildland Firefighting.
Wildland gear includes:
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Gloves
Goggles
Brush jackets/pants or one piece jumpsuits
Head & neck protection
Footwear
Station/Work Uniforms
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Certain synthetic fabrics should never be worn.
These fabrics melt & stick to skin.
Acceptable fabrics include:
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Organic fibers such as wool & cotton
Synthetic fabrics such as Kevlar, Nomex, PBI, Kynol,
Gore-Tex, Orlon, neoprene, Teflon, silicone & panotex.
All Station uniforms should comply with:
NFPA 1975, Standard on Station/Work
Uniforms for Firefighters
Care of PPE
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All parts of the ensemble should be cleaned in
accordance with the manufacturers recommendations.
Cleanliness effects the performance of coats, trousers,
hoods & gloves.
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Clean outer shells have better fire resistance. Dirty shells absorb
more heat.
Dirty turnouts also add the risk of you taking carcinogen
particulate home to loved ones every time you wear them.
Turnouts should be cleaned through a cleaning service or FD
facility equipped to handle contaminants.
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
(SCBA)