Personal Protective Equipment

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Personal Protective Equipment

• Basic Firefighter Academy

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Component Overview

• HelmetProtects head from impact, penetration and
  hot water.
• HoodProtects portions of the firefighters face,
  ears, and neck not covered by the helmet or coat.
• Coat and PantsProtects trunk and limbs against
  cuts, abrasions, and burn injuries (resulting
  from radiant heat), and provide limited
  protection from corrosive liquids
• GlovesProtect the hands from cuts, wounds, and
  burn injuries.
• Shield/Safety Glasses-Protects eyes from flying
  objects and dust.
• Boots

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Head Protection

• Helmet
• Face Shield or Goggles
• Chin Strap
• Ear/Neck Flaps
• Hood

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Structural PPE
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Outer Shell

• The outer shell is the firefighters first line
  of defense and is perhaps more important than any
  other turnout component. Its main function is
  providing protection against direct flame and
  heat without losing its physical integrity and
  breaking open.

• PBI
• Nomex
• Aluminized PBI (refinery fires and aircraft
  rescue)

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Middle or Moisture Barrier

• The moisture barrier must be waterproof and
  highly breathable, so that perspiration vapor and
  heat trapped inside the turnout can be quickly
  released without permitting the reverse entry of
  moisture and bloodborne pathogens.
• Crosstech
• Goretex

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Inner or Thermal Barrier

• Liner system accounts for 70 of the thermal
  protection of your turnout.
• Insulation, comfort and moisture management are
  the critical functions of the thermal liner.
• Woven face cloth quilted to a batting of
  insulation.

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Wear All Three

• All three layers must be worn to achieve adequate
  protection!

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Why

• Reduce injuries.
• Reduce heat stress to body.
• Protects against blood, body fluids and some
  hazardous materials.
• Protects head, eyes, ears, neck, upper and lower
  torso, hands and feet.

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National Fire Protection Association

• NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Ensemble for
  Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire
  Fighting.
• NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department
  Occupational Safety and Health Program."The fire
  department shall provide each member with the
  appropriate protective clothing and protective
  equipment to provide protection from the hazards
  to which the member is or is likely to be
  exposed. Such protective clothing and protective
  equipment shall be suitable for the tasks that
  the member is expected to perform."

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Caveats

• Providing and using quality protective equipment
  will not necessarily guarantee firefighter
  safety however, injuries can be reduced and
  prevented if protective clothing and breathing
  apparatus are used properly.
• All protective equipment has inherent limitations
  that must be recognized so that firefighters do
  not overextend the items range of protection.
• Extensive training in the use and maintenance of
  equipment is required to ensure that the
  equipment provides optimum protection.

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Some Problems w/ Structure Gear

• Heat Buildup
• Weight
• Absorbent
• Melts at 2500F
• Stains
• Bees attracted to yellow.

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NFPA 1971 - 2007 Edition

• Drag Rescue Device (DRD)

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Routine Inspection

• Soiling
• Contamination
• Physical damage
• Damaged trim
• Damaged closures and hardware

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Advanced Inspection

• Moisture barrier and seam sealing integrity
• Fit and coat/pants overlap
• Seam integrity including broken or missing
  stitches
• Material integrity for loss of strength due to
  UV or chemical exposure
• Loss or shifting of thermal liner material
• Wristlet integrity and functionality

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Advanced Inspection (2)

• Reflective trim and Velcro integrity,
  attachment and functionality.
• Label integrity and legibility.
• Liner attachment systems.
• Closure system functionality.

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Routine Cleaning (after each use)

• Brush off debris.
• Rinse with water.
• Lightly scrub item with soft bristle brush, if
  needed.
• Spot clean if needed.
• Inspect item.
• Clean again as necessary.

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Advanced Cleaning

• Examine manufacturers label.
• DO NOT USE Chlorine bleach or chlorinated
  solvents.
• Use cleaning solutions with a pH range of not
  less than 6.0 and not greater than 10.5.
• No high velocity water jets such as power
  washers.
• Clean and decontaminate protective ensembles
  separately from non-protective items.

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Advanced Cleaning (2)

• Where shells and liners are separable, clean and
  decontaminate those items with like items (i.e.,
  shells with shells and liners with liners).
• Rinse at least twice.
• Air dry.
• Avoid direct sunlight.