More on Bunker Gear

Yesterday I was a bit stiff following the full gear practice run on Tuesday.  I decided to take a long training walk and get some fresh air.  Two miles in the brisk February air felt good after training in doors for the past few weeks.  It was also good to train for a day without going up steps.

Bunker gear/ turnout gear

Early fire fighters wore rubber coats to protect them from water.  As fire fighting tactics changed and fire fighters began to enter burning building to rescue people and extinguish fires their protective clothing evolved also.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sets the standards for personal protective equipment PPE that fire fighters typically wear.

According to NFPA 1971 and similar standards in other countries, all turnout clothing must have three components: an outer shell, a moisture barrier, and a thermal barrier. In between these layers are pockets of air referred to as "dead zones". These layers of air along with the three protective layers help to further insulate the wearer from the extreme environments of fires. Usually turnout pants are outfitted with reinforced knees and leather cuffs.

The materials used for the three layers in turnout trousers and coats may vary but will very often include a Nomex/Kevlar combination of material. As an example, the materials used by the Los Angeles City Fire Department, as found in their 2005 recruit handout are as follows:

• Outer Shell: Southern Mills, Advanced, Nomex/Kevlar blend in a "Rip stop Weave", with water repellent finish.
• Thermal Insulated Layer: Southern Mills Caldura Batten Quilt Material.
• Thermal and Moisture barriers are sewn together for removal for cleaning, repair and replacement from Outer shell.
• Moisture Barrier: Breathe-Tex material combined with Nomex/Kevlar blend laminated cloth.

 While the newest turnout gear provides fire fighters the best in protection it also has some limitations.  The gear can limit mobility while working.  It can also limit the fire fighters ability to sense increasing heat conditions found in burning buildings.   This limitation can allow a fire fighter to not realize a high threat condition is developing and give them time to take action and prevent injury or incapacitation.

Tomorrow some information on boots, gloves, and hoods.

See you at the Top!

John