Personal Protective Equipment

Basic Firefighter Academy

 Component Overview
 Helmet
Protects head from impact, penetration and hot water.
 Hood
Protects portions of the firefighter’s face, ears, and neck not covered by
the helmet or coat.
 Coat and Pants
Protects trunk and limbs against cuts, abrasions, and burn injuries
(resulting from radiant heat), and provide limited protection from
corrosive liquids
 Gloves
Protect the hands from cuts, wounds, and burn injuries.
 Shield/Safety Glasses-
Protects eyes from flying objects and dust.
 Boots
 Head Protection
• Helmet
• Face Shield or Goggles
• Chin Strap
• Ear/Neck Flaps
• Hood
Structural PPE
Outer Shell
The outer shell is the firefighter’s 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)
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
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.
 Wear All Three

• All three layers must

be worn to achieve
adequate protection!
 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.
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."
 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 item’s range of protection.
 Extensive training in the use and maintenance of
equipment is required to ensure that the equipment
provides optimum protection.
Some Problems w/ Structure Gear

• Heat Buildup
• Weight
• Absorbent
• Melts at 2500F
• Stains
• Bees attracted to yellow.
 NFPA 1971 - 2007 Edition
• Drag Rescue Device (DRD)
 Routine Inspection
• Soiling
• Contamination
• Physical damage
• Damaged trim
• Damaged closures and hardware
 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
 Advanced Inspection (2)
• Reflective trim and Velcro integrity,
attachment and functionality.
• Label integrity and legibility.
• Liner attachment systems.
• Closure system functionality.
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.
 •Advanced Cleaning
• Examine manufacturer’s 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.
 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.