ISSUES

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ISSUES TRENDS REGARDING STRUCTURAL PPE AND
HOW IT RELATES TO NFPA 1851
Patricia A. Freeman Technical Services
Manager Globe Manufacturing Co., LLC June 6, 2014
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LAB GIRLS AT WORK!
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• NFPA National Fire Protection Assn.
• Standards Writing Body
• Instituted in 1896
• Headquartered in Quincy, MA, USA
• Over 200 Balanced Committees
• Voluntary Compliance
• No Enforcement Authority
• 5 Year Revision Cycle

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• THE VIEWS PRESENTED.
• ARE NOT NECESSARILY MY OWN

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NFPA STANDARDS PROCESS

• ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
• Correlating Committee
• Technical Committee
• Balanced membership
• User Labor
• Insurer Research
• Special Expert Enforcer
• Consumer Manufacturer Installation/mainte
  nance

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NFPA STANDARDS PROCESS

• INPUT STAGE
• FIRST DRAFT
• COMMENT STAGE
• SECOND DRAFT
• NITMAM
• ISSUE DATE
• EFFECTIVE DATE
• APPROVAL DATE

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NFPA 1971 - Standard on Protective Ensembles for
Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire
Fighting, 2013 editionNFPA 1851 Standard on
Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective
Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and
Proximity Fire Fighting, 2014 edition
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NFPA 1971 - Standard on Protective Ensembles for
Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire
Fighting, 2013 edition-Strictly a new product
standard and as such does not deal with
aftermarket issues -Parent standard for NFPA
1851
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PERSONAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
AS DEFINED BY NFPA 1971, PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
INCLUDES COATS PANTS HELMETS
HOODS GLOVES FOOTWEAR
INTERFACE ELEMENTS
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Protective Garments are Comprised of a Three
Layer System..

• Outer Shell
• Provides tough, durable first line of defense
  against heat flame and physical damage
• Thermal Liner
• Protection from thermal exposure
• Moisture Barrier
• Prevents moisture from entering the system

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PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTSSingle layers and
components

• Trapezoidal Tear Strength 22 lb./5lb. minimum
• Cleaning Shrinkage 5 maximum (W F)
• Heat Thermal Resistance
• No melting, dripping, separation or ignition
• Vertical Flammability 4 char 2 sec. after
  flame
• Seam Strength 150 lbs./75 lbs./40 lbs. minimum
• Garment hardware Salt spray corrosion
• Labels Durability and legibility
• Trim Reflectivity and fluorescence

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PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTSSingle layers and
components

• Outer shell breaking strength min 140 lbs.
• Outer shell cannot char 500F/5 mins
• Outer shell water absorption max 30
• Fastener tape requirements peel, shear, cycle
• Heat Thermal Shrinkage max 10
• DRD seams and splices min 1,573 lbs
• DRD functionality test time to deploy drag
• Thread Heat resistance

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ADDITIONAL MOISTURE BARRIER REQUIREMENTS

• Resistance to Light UV exposure
• Water Resistance 25 psi
• Liquid Penetration Resistance
• No penetration after 1 hour
• Fuel C
• 37 Sulfuric Acid
• FR Hydraulic Fluid
• AFFF
• Chlorinated Water
• Viral Penetration Resistance
• No penetration after 1 hour

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PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTSGarment Composite Layers

• Thermal Protective Performance
• Minimum TPP of 35
• Total Heat Loss
• Minimum THL of 205 w/m²
• Conductive, compressive heat resistance
• Time to burn not less than 25 seconds
• Stored Energy Test
• 130 seconds until 2nd degree burn
• Overall Liquid Penetration
• Whole mannequin shower test no water entry

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THERMAL PROTECTIVE PERFORMANCE

• OVERVIEW
• Test measures the ability of the garment
  composite to prevent heat from passing through
  the layers
• METHOD
• The composite is subjected to
• radiant heat flame, simulating
• flashover conditions. The rating
• is determined on the Stoll curve
• and represents the point at
• which human skin would reach
• 2nd degree burn.

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TOTAL HEAT LOSS

• GUARDED SWEATING HOT PLATE
• This test measures the
• ability of the garment
• composite to dissipate
• heat through the layers
• INVERSE RELATIONSHIP
• WITH TPP

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CCHR

• CONDUCTIVE, COMPRESSIVE, HEAT RESISTANCE
• The CCHR rating is the time in seconds to 2nd
  degree burn in compressed areas of the garments
• Shoulder area is tested under a pressure of 2
  psi
• Knee area is tested under a pressure of 8 psi.
• The 2013 requirement is that it must take at
  least 25 seconds in tested compressed areas,
• before a 2nd degree burn occurs

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STORED THERMAL ENERGY

• New test added to the 2013 edition of the
  standard.
• Fire fighters can receive burns in ordinary fire
  ground operations, with no apparent or obvious
  damage to the protective clothing.
• Burns can be referred to as stored energy burns,
  steam burns, and/or compression burns.
• Commonality seems to be arms and shoulders

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• STORED ENERGY TEST
• ? PERFORMED ON SLEEVE SHELL ATTACHMENTS
• ?TEST PARAMETERS
• 120 second exposure
• 5 second delay
• 60 second compression
• 5 second delay
• ?REQUIREMENT
• 130 seconds until
• 2nd degree burn

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PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

• Overall Liquid
• Integrity Test
• Performed on coats
• and pants as an
• ensemble
• Every style
• Every closure
• 20 minute exposure

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DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

• Liner system
• Means to secure liner to shell mechanism used to
  attach liner to shell maximum 1 and not
  expandable
• Extend to neckline of coats, waist of pants
• Extend to 1 at coat cuffs and 3 on coat hem and
  pant cuffs
• Closure systems
• Continuous thermal moisture protection
• Secured with positive fasteners
• Collar
• Minimum 3 in height with closure system
• TPP Performance of all three layers
• Cargo Pockets
• Must have means of drainage

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DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

• Wristlets
• Close fitting knit minimum TPP of 20
• Sizing
• Must be available in both male female patterns
• Chest, waist, inseams in 2 increments sleeve
  lengths in 1
• Chest waist size 28 to 60 inseams 24 to
  36 sleeves 28 to 38
• Trim
• Must have both retroreflective and fluorescent
  properties

Solid trim must be a minimum of 2 wide and
triple trim must be 3 wide to attain min.
requirements
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NFPA 1851 Standard on Selection, Care, and
Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for
Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire
Fighting, 2014 edition- Strictly a user
document, intendedfor organizations as a
standard for maintaining their gear safely
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NFPA 1851 2014 EDITION
Chapter 1 Administration Chapter 2
Referenced Publications Chapter 3 Definitions
Verified Independent Service Provider an
independent service provider verified by a third
party certification organization to conduct any
one or a combination of advanced inspection,
advanced cleaning, basic repair, or advanced
repair service.
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NFPA 1851 2014 EDITION
Chapter 4 Program -Record
Keeping -Manufacturers Instructions Chapter
5 Selection -Risk Assessment
-Interface -Wear Test
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NFPA 1851 2014 EDITION
Chapter 6 INSPECTION

• The organization is responsible for establishing
  guidelines for when an element is found to be in
  need of cleaning, decontamination, or repair, and
  determining the appropriate action
• Routine Inspection is performed by user, upon
  issue and after each use
• Soiling
• Contamination
• Physical damage
• Thermal damage
• Reflective trim
• Seam integrity
• Assembly size compatibility of shell, liner
  DRD

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SCORCHING
SIGNS OF WEAR
UV DEGRADATION
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NFPA 1851 2014 EDITION
ADVANCED INSPECTION

• Performed by element manufacturer, a manufacturer
  trained organization, a verified ISP, or verified
  organization, at a minimum 12 months, or when
  routine inspections indicate a problem could
  exist.
• Findings of advanced inspections must be
  documented
• The element manufacturer or a verified ISP and
  the organization determines the level of training
  to perform advanced inspections and shall provide
  written verification of training.
• -Verified organizations making this determination
  do not need written verification

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NFPA 1851 2014 EDITION

• In addition to all of the items in a routine
  inspection, the following are also inspected
• System fit/overlap
• Material integrity, including wristlets
• Loss of moisture barrier integrity
• Label integrity
• Hook loop functionality
• Liner attachment systems
• Closure system functionality
• Accessories for compliance
• Light Evaluation of Liners
• Leakage Evaluation
• Complete Liner Inspection

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NFPA 1851 2014 EDITION

• COMPLETE LINER INSPECTION
• Required after 3 years in service results
  documented
• Performed by manufacturer, a manufacturer trained
  organization, a verified organization, or a
  verified ISP
• The manufacturer or a verified ISP and the
  organization will determine the level of training
  necessary to perform Complete Liner Inspections.
  Training must be documented

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NFPA 1851 2014 EDITION

• Complete Liner Inspection Garment Elements
• The Complete Liner Inspection includes a Water
  Penetration Barrier Evaluation Test for the
  moisture barrier, which requires a hydrostatic
  test apparatus.
• The moisture barrier and thermal barrier shall be
  inspected for the following
• Physical damage
• Loss of seam strength
• Material physical integrity
• Delamination

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HYDROSTATIC TESTING
Gore Hydrostatic Tester
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HYDROSTATIC TESTING
When testing the sealed barrier seam, the
substrate side is down such that the film side
with the seam tape is visible.
EXAMPLES OF WEAR TO
THERMAL BATT
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HYDROSTATIC TESTING

• Jacket high abrasion areas

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HYDROSTATIC TESTING

• Pant high abrasion areas

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NFPA 1851 2014 EDITION
Chapter 7 - CLEANING DECONTAMINATION General

• Organizations shall provide a means for having
  ensemble elements cleaned and decontaminated
• Wearer is to determine appropriate cleaning level
• Elements contaminated by CBRN terrorism agents
  immediately retired elements suspected to have
  been contaminated by hazardous materials
  evaluated at the scene
• Contaminated elements isolated and removed from
  service until contaminant is identified and
  elements receive necessary specialized cleaning
• Trained member shall be responsible for
  specialized cleaning

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NFPA 1851 2014 EDITION
Chapter 7 - CLEANING DECONTAMINATION

• General
• Organizations must have written procedures
  detailing decontamination and cleaning processes
  for elements contaminated with body fluids.
• Universal precautions shall be observed by
  members handling elements known or suspected of
  contamination by body fluids.
• Soiled or contaminated elements shall not be
  brought home or washed in public laundries.
• Commercial dry cleaning shall not be used, unless
  approved by garment manufacturer.
• Verified ISP shall demonstrate to organization
  that procedures do not compromise performance.

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NFPA 1851 2014 EDITION

• Ch. 7 CLEANING DECONTAMINATION
• Routine Cleaning is the responsibility of user
• Performed at the emergency scene if possible
• Elements isolated to avoid cross contamination
• Brush off dry debris gently rinse off other
  debris as necessary
• A soft bristle brush may be used
• Garments thoroughly rinsed following any cleaning
• If necessary, a utility sink may be used
• If necessary, spot cleaning is allowed
• Routine cleaning does not need to be documented

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NFPA 1851 2014 EDITION

• Ch7 ADVANCED CLEANING DECON
• Advanced cleaning is conducted by machine unless
  specifically prohibited, and is performed by a
  verified ISP, the garment manufacturer, a
  manufacturer trained organization, or a verified
  organization.
• Members of organization who have received
  training shall be responsible for performing,
  managing, or co-ordinating advanced cleaning.
• Element manufacturer or verified ISP and the
  organization will determine necessary training,
  with written documentation.
• Verified organizations are permitted to determine
  level of training necessary to perform advanced
  cleaning without any further written
  verification.

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NFPA 1851 2014 EDITION

• Ch 7 - ADVANCED CLEANING DECON
• Elements that are issued and used shall receive
  advanced cleaning at the time of advanced
  inspection if not subjected to advanced cleaning
  in the previous 12 months.
• Elements that are soiled shall receive advanced
  cleaning prior to reuse.
• Training shall be by the element manufacturer or
  verified ISP who will provide written
  verification of training.
• Organization shall refer to the manufacturers
  label information and User Guides.

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NFPA 1851 2014 EDITION

• Chapter 7 ADVANCED CLEANING DECON
• Procedure
• Front loading washing machines are preferable
• Machine shall not be overloaded
• Pre-treat heavily soiled or spotted areas
• Separate outer shells from liners and wash
  independently, turning liners inside out
• Remove DRD from coats and wash separately
• All closures shall be fastened

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NFPA 1851 2014 EDITION

• Ch 7 ADVANCED CLEANING AND DECON
• Procedure
• Water temperature shall not exceed 105F
• Mild detergent, pH factor of 6.0 up to10.5 as
  indicated on MSDS or original product container
• Machine adjusted so g-force doesnt exceed 100g
• Follow machine manufacturers instructions for
  proper setting or program selection
• Inspect after cleaning and rewash if necessary
• Elements shall be dried in accordance with the
  standard

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NFPA 1851 2014 EDITION
Ch 7 ADVANCED CLEANING DECON DRYING Follow
Manufacturers instructions

• Air Drying
• Dry in area with good ventilation
• Do NOT dry in direct sunlight
• Machine Drying
• Do not overload capacity of machine
• Fasten all closures
• Use no heat or air dry only option
• If heat must be used, basket temperature
• not to exceed 105F

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NFPA 1851 2014 EDITION

• Chapter 8 Repairs
• Chapter 9 Storage
• -Store in clean, dry well ventilated areas
• -Do not dry in direct sunlight or airtight
  containers
• -Avoid harsh temperatures, above 180F or below
  minus 40F
• -Do not store or transport with sharp objects or
  in contact with contaminants, Hydraulic
  fluids, solvents, etc.

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NFPA 1851 2014 EDITION

• Chapter 10 RETIREMENT
• Structural fire fighting elements shall be
  retired no more than 10 years from the date of
  manufacture
• Retired elements shall be destroyed or disposed
  of in a manner ensuring they will not be used in
  live fire fighting activities
• Retired elements shall be permitted to be used
  for training that does not include live fire,
  provided they are marked as being for non-live
  fire training only, as determined by the
  organization

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NFPA 1851 2014 EDITION
Chapter 11 Verification Chapter 12 Testing
ANNEX
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So whats the buzz?
NFPA 1971 2018 Edition

• NFPA 1971 has just begun work on 2018 edition
• TCC has mandated extensive vetting of new tests
• Task group appointed to work on gloves
• Annex task group to compile explanation of intent
  and history of test methods
• Task group appointed to research hoods
• Sizing
• Add moisture barrier layer to hoods

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So whats the buzz?
NFPA 1851- 2019 edition

• NFPA 1851 will be about one year behind 1971
• Aluminized gear v. structural risk assessment
• Focus on decontamination of turnout gear
• Garment soiling and more effective cleaning
• Mandatory retirement
• Questionnaire by NFPA

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So whats the buzz?
A new research project

• Non-Destructive Chemical/Biological Analysis
  Techniques Enabling Effective PPE Decontamination
  Strategies
• Goal is to identify techniques for nondestructive
  evaluation of clothing for specific contaminants.
  
• Develop detailed guidelines for applying
  analytical results to determine disposition of
  contaminated gear and appropriate decontamination
  techniques.

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New Research project (continued)

• International Personnel Protection, Inc. (IPP)
  will be lead
• Technical Support Working Group (TSWG) a branch
  of the Office of Combating Terrorism Technical
  Support Office (CTTSO) is funding the project
• Fire Protection Research Foundation is a project
  partner for managing external reviews

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New Research project (continued)

• Timing
• Start date of early February, 2014 with an
  overall duration of 18 months, ending in July of
  2015
• Project is expected to have guidance information
  available to NFPA committees in mid 2015
• Disclosure
• All information generated will be shared with
  industry through project summaries and meeting
  minutes. Final project report will be available
  to public following review by CTTSO/TSWG

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So whats the buzz?

• BECOME INVOLVED YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
• Visit http//www.NFPA.org

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• QUESTIONS?
• COMMENTS?
• THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

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NFPA 1971 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS Structural Clothing NFPA 1971 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS Structural Clothing NFPA 1971 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS Structural Clothing
Requirement Applicable to Description
Trapezoidal Tear Strength Outer shell 22 lbs. Thermal moisture barrier 5 lbs. Tested as received and after laundering
Laundry Shrinkage All three layers Max 5 after 5 W/D cycles
Heat Thermal Resistance All three layers, components 10 maximum shrinkage No melt, drip or ignition
Vertical Flame All three layers, all components excepting hook pile, elastic when covered, and labels on interior maximum 4 in. char length 2 sec. afterflame
Seam Strength Outer shell - 150 lbs. Thermal moisture barrier - 75 lbs. Minor 40 lbs. Tested as received and after laundering
Corrosion Resistance All metal Hardware 20 hour salt spray
Durability All labels legibility after laundering abrasion
Conspicuity Reflectivity Fluorescence All trim on garments
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NFPA 1971 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS structural clothing NFPA 1971 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS structural clothing NFPA 1971 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS structural clothing
Requirement Applicable to Description
Cleaning Shrinkage All garment layers Max 5 after laundering
Thread heat resistance All thread used in garment No melting, dripping or igniting after 500/5 min.
Breaking Strength Outer Shell min. 140 lbs. New and after 10 launderings
Water Absorption Outer Shell 30 max absorption New and after 5 launderings
Water Resistance Moisture Barrier hydrostatic test Max 25 psi- no leakage
Resistance to Light Moisture Barrier No leakage after UV exposure
Liquid Penetration Moisture Barrier no leakage after exposure 1 hr exposure to Fuel C AFFF 37 Sulfuric Acid FR Hydraulic Fluid and Chlorinated Water
Viral Penetration Moisture Barrier 1 hr exposure to surrogate viruses
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NFPA 1971 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS (continued) NFPA 1971 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS (continued) NFPA 1971 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS (continued)
Requirement Applicable to Description
Thermal Protective Performance Three layer composite minimum TPP value of 35 Simulated flashover with heat and flame new and after 5 launderings
Total Heat Loss Three layer composite minimum THL value of 205 w/m² Ability of thee layer system to dissapate heat as received
Conductive, compressive heat resistance Shoulder tested at 2 psi Knees tested at 8 psi 25 seconds to 2nd degree burn under compression new and after laundering
Stored Thermal Energy Anything affixed to outer shell coat sleeve 130 seconds to 2nd degree burn under low heat flux
Whole Garment Liquid Penetration Coat and Pant 20 minute exposure to shower test no leakage

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PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTSPROXIMITY OUTER SHELL
FABRIC

• Wet Flex no cracking or delamination
• Adhesion after wet flex no separation of
  coating
• Flex at low temperature no breaking or cracking
• Resistance to high temperatures blocking
• No sign of blocking
• Radiant Protective Performance (RPP)
• Minimum of 20 seconds

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NFPA 1851 2014 EDITION
Responsibilities for Garment Inspection,
Cleaning Repair
  MFG V ISP V ORG MT ORG USER
Routine inspection         X
Advanced inspection X X X X  
Complete liner inspection X X X X  
Routine cleaning         X
Advanced cleaning decontamination X X X X  
Basic repair X X X X  
Advanced repair X X X    
Training provider X X      
MFG manufacturer MT ORG manufacturer V ISP
verified ISP trained organization V ORG
verified organization USER the end user
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Sample Calculator For Turnout Gear Repair Limits

• Amount of Original
  Amount
• Year of Year-of-Service Cost
  (1,000.00) Allowed
• Service End Date for
  Repair per Set
• 1st year 01/11/05
  70 700.00
• 2nd year 01/11/04
  50 500.00
• 3rd year 01/11/03
  40
  400.00
• 4th year 01/11/02
  25
  250.00
• 5th year 01/11/01
  20
  200.00
• 6th year 01/11/00
  15
  150.00
• 7th year 01/11/99
  10
  100.00
• 8th year 01/11/98
  5
  50.00
• 9th year 01/11/97
  5
  50.00
• 10th year 01/11/96
  0
  0.00
• (excerpt from NFPA 1851, 2014 edition)