Advanced Fire Protection Gear: Beyond the Basics
A firefighter and emergency responder will work in a wide variety of hazardous environments. To protect your life and health, you must always wear proper safety equipment. This chapter provides an overview of two critical types of safety equipment: personal protective equipment (PPE) and respiratory protection. You will learn about the different types of this equipment, as well as their functions, proper usage, and maintenance.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is the personal protective clothing (PPC), respiratory protection equipment, and personal alert safety system (PASS) you will wear during emergency responses. It is designed to protect you from hazards and minimize the risk of injury or fatality. Your PPC includes helmets, coats, trousers, boots, eye protection, hearing protection, protective gloves, and protective hoods. Its use is mandated by NFPA® 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program, and all equipment must be designed and constructed based on NFPA® standards. Design and construction requirements for SCBA and PASS devices are covered in NFPA® 1981, Standard on Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for Emergency Services, and NFPA® 1982, Standard on Personal Alert Safety Systems (PASS), respectively. Different emergency operations require different kinds of PPE. For example, some emergency types require full sets of PPE, including respiratory protection, while others require only protective clothing. The following are the major Fire Protection PPE:
- Helmets
One of the primary concerns for firefighters is head protection. Helmets are manufactured in a wide variety of designs and styles. They are designed to provide multiple benefits during structural firefighting operations, including Preventing heated or scalding water and embers from reaching the ears and neck, Protecting the head from impact injuries caused by objects or falls, and Providing protection from heat and cold.
- Eye Protection Devices
Eye injuries are some of the most common injuries at emergency incidents, but they are not always reported because they are not always debilitating. Although eye injuries can be serious, they are fairly easy to prevent. Eye protection comes in many forms including SCBA facepieces, helmet-mounted face shields, goggles, and safety glasses.
- Protective Hoods
Protective hoods are fabric coverings that protect your ears, neck, and face from exposure to heat, embers, and debris. They cover areas that may not be protected by the SCBA facepiece, helmet, ear flaps, or coat collar. The protective hood’s face opening has an elastic edge that fits tightly to the SCBA facepiece, forming a seal. Hoods are typically made of fire-resistant material and are available with long or short skirts. ‘
- Protective Coats
NFPA® 1971 requires that all protective coats used for structural fire fighting be made of three components: the outer shell, moisture barrier, and thermal barrier. These barriers trap insulating air that prevents heat transfer from the fire to your body. They also provide limited protection from direct flame contact, hot water, steam, cold temperatures, and other environmental hazards. Each component is important to your safety and should never be compromised. Removing the liner and wearing only the shell compromises the design of the coat, increases the likelihood of injuries, and voids the manufacturer warranty.
- Protective Trousers
Protective trousers are constructed from the same fabric, moisture barrier, and thermal layering used in protective coats. High compression areas and areas prone to wear are reinforced, and cargo or patch pockets may be attached for carrying gloves and small tools. Heavy-duty suspenders are used to hold the trousers up. Closure systems are the same as those found on the protective coat.
- Protective Gloves
Protective gloves protect hands and wrists from heat, steam, or cold penetration, and resist cuts, punctures, and liquid absorption. At the same time, gloves must allow enough dexterity and tactile feel for you to perform your job effectively. For instance, gloves must permit you to grasp tools and nozzles or manipulate small objects such as control knobs on portable radios. Properly worn, the gloves cover the wristlet of the protective coat to form a complete seal. Gloves worn for structural firefighting must be NFPA®-compliant for this type of activity.
- Protective Footwear
Firefighting boots are available in a variety of styles and materials. They protect the foot, ankle, and lower leg from: Puncture wounds to the sole caused by nails, broken glass, and other sharp objects, crushing wounds to the toes and instep, Scalding water or contaminated liquids, Burns from embers and debris Boots have a steel inner sole and a steel or reinforced toe cap and must be high enough to protect the lower leg. The outer shell may be made of rubber, leather, or other water-resistant material. Thermal, physical, and moisture barriers are required inside the shell. Boot tops fit inside the trouser legs, providing a complete barrier even when you kneel.
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